Everyone needs to be more Zilah!
Really enojoyed this, a great read. Transported me to a time I knew very little about.

In Victorian London, young Zillah, an aspiring Black actress, works a variety theatre act as “the Great Amazonia”. She has achieved top billing, is paid a fair wage, maintains the status of gentleman’s mistress, and resides in the theatre owner’s luxurious house, far from the slums of St. Giles where she was raised. All in all, she is as content as maybe with her life, until, scanning the audience one evening before the show, she sees a well-dressed Black man looking decidedly out of place despite his gentlemanly demeanour. Her subsequent encounter with him forces her to question everything about her life, her stage-act and her identity.

The author takes us on deep-dive into Victorian variety theatre at a time when upper-class leisurely distractions were often distasteful. The unsavoury lengths to which the theatre owner goes to increase his wealth, on the backs of the less fortunate, is disturbing. However, as is often the case with historical fiction, the reader does well not to place contemporary sensibilities on the Victorian penchant for the grotesque. As Zillah’s journey of identity and self-fulfilment begins, the irony of her stage role, (a born-and-bred Londoner play-acting a feral African warrior) is not lost on her. We feel her outrage, her feeling of responsibility, her complicity, as the world she knows cracks wide open. The narrative is steeped in vivid time, location and character depictions. The ending felt a little anti-climactic, but aside from that this is an engaging and unusual story.

Theatre of Marvels is a tantalising dip into the world of variety acts,deception and illicit 'freak' shows, deep in the heart of Victorian London. A fresh new perspective on a popular topic,

A slightly thought provoking book telling of how the Victorian's treated people of colour after the abolition of slavery. The story is told though Zillah, a mixed race actress and how she survives in London. However the story has no real depth and is quite simplistic in its telling.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House/Cornerstone for the advance copy of this book.

Theatre of Marvels
Publication date: 14 April 2022

Book review📖

Theatre of Marvels tells us the story of Zillah, a young mixed - race actress in the West End of Victorian London. She is the star act working at a London theatre in Stratton's variety show 'The Great Amazonia', a tribal African queen, and has the ambition to raise enough money to create a better life for herself.

This main character has a long and difficult path ahead...only with the help of Lucien Winters, a past slave, now a free man with his own business and sense of heritage, can Zillah start to realize the deturpation of the African culture that her act is bringing to all Londoners going to see her performance every night, all in the name of entertainment!! One thing can be said about Zillah, she does not need to be safe and as the story unfolds she will bravely overcome competition and identity challenges.

The author emphasizes very important issues in this story, mainly race and distinction between classes but also what the power of money can do to transform or not a woman's life in the 19th century.

I truly enjoyed this rich and compelling historical novel, thank you so much to netgalley and @hutchheinemann for this review copy.

Theatre of Marvels is one of those books which draws you in from the very first page with the power of the central character's voice. A brilliantly written book. Echoes of Sara Collins and Sarah Waters.

I love books about entertainment - the theatre, circus, drama... and hence this title caught my eye, and has not disappointed.

Set in the Victorian variety theatre scene, Zillah is a young black girl, portraying the role of Amazonia on stage, a captured jungle female. She's happy enough earning her money in this way, until a change of events causes her to question her motives and the role she is filling. Soon things get very exciting and dangerous for Zillah, and the narrative becomes pacy and won't let you stop reading.

Exciting and exhilarating, this a great read.

“Remember that there are no lies in theatre, only performances. You must make the audience believe.”

🐆🐆🐆🐆🐆

Book two of ‘22 is probably the quickest 400+ page book I ever read. The pacing of this book was pitch perfect that I couldn’t stop reading.

THEATRE OF MARVELS by Lianne Dillsworth

Thank you @HutchHeinemann/ #Cornerstone for my early copy via @NetGalley.

______

Behind the spectacle there are always secrets. Unruly crowds descend on Crillick's Variety Theatre. Young actress, Zillah, is headlining tonight.
______

What a great book this is. You know a book is good when you can’t put it down and that’s exactly what happened with this book. I raced through it to find out what would happen in Zillah’s story.

This amazing debut follows the story of Zillah, a young mixed-race woman from London who through no fault of her own is struggling to find work, and ends up acting as THE GREAT AMAZONIA at Crillick’s Variety Theatre.

Zillah is also in the midst of a love affair with a noble Viscount, but with her background, society - Victorian London - won’t stand for such a well to do, wealthy Viscount courting beneath his station.

When Zillah is confronted by a former black slave after her headline act, her gaffe is up as the man realises she is a fraud - she’s not even heard of Sierra Leone, never mind a true African Warrior! But when a new stage act is presented at Crillick’s home as a freak, Zillah is horrified by how this woman is treated, and when this new act disappears, that’s when Zillah’s world truly turns upside down.

As Zillah does everything in her power to save this woman; to what lengths will she go to protect her and what dangers will she put herself through to do it?

I really loved this book, the writing, the characters, the setting, the pace! All of it. The author deals with so many topics in this book: identity, self worth, racism, misogyny, slavery, shame, death and family.

There are so many characters in this book that you’ll love, and some that you’ll love to hate, and that’s the sign of a well written story!

My only critique of this book is - and it’s a personal preference really, that it could have done with a bit more ferocity. There are some really sad moments in this book, which I don’t want to spoil, but I feel like it could have been pushed just bit more; a little PG, but the point still gets across for sure… Crillick is the worst!

Deeply atmospheric and rich in detail, this debut from Lianne Dillsworth is published on the 28 April and I recommend it highly. If you enjoyed Circus of Wonders, I think you’ll love Theatre of Marvels.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Blurb:

Behind the spectacle there are always secrets.

Unruly crowds descend on Crillick's Variety Theatre. Young actress, Zillah, is headlining tonight. An orphan from the slums of St Giles, her rise to stardom is her ticket out - to be gawped and gazed at is a price she's willing to pay.

Rising up the echelons of society is everything Zillah has ever dreamed of. But when a new stage act disappears, Zillah is haunted by a feeling that something is amiss. Is the woman in danger?

Her pursuit of the truth takes her into the underbelly of the city - from gas-lit streets to the sumptuous parlours of Mayfair - as she seeks the help of notorious criminals from her past and finds herself torn between two powerful admirers.

Caught in a labyrinth of dangerous truths, will Zillah face ruin - or will she be the maker of her fate? 

A deliciously immersive tale, Theatre of Marvels whisks you on an unforgettable journey across Victorian London in this bold exploration of gothic spectacle.

The title and the cover made me think this might be some kind of fantasy story. But, actually it’s very much grounded in reality and is all the better for it.

Zillah is happy headlining on the stage pretending to be an African princess warrior and in love with the wealthy Lord Woodward who claims to love her back. The daughter of a former slave and an unknown father, she tries not to think about her heritage. But, after meeting Lucien Winter her eyes gradually open to the reality as she learns that while she’s happy to pretend for the show, her act is the thin edge of a wedge which is treating people like animals for entertainment.

I really enjoyed getting to know Zillah through this story. She’s a great mixture of being self-aware while also being naïve enough to initially feel protected from the realities of the age in which she lives. Her awakening comes gradually and isn’t heavily politicised, but grounded in a care for her fellow human beings and a strong sense of justice.

A compelling plot, which got me doing lots of side research about the Sierra Leone resettlement project developed to respond to the challenges of a British political class who didn’t want to deal with the cultural crisis of a post-slavery world. The book walks a fine line between suggesting a darker experience for people without taking a voyeuristic look at the abuse of vulnerable people. Seeing things through the eyes of British born Zillah makes them both more shocking and less threatening than if the main character had been one of the less empowered characters in the story.

A fascinating and compelling read.

Very much like the greatest showman in book form. Stunning cover, and absolutely gorgeous characters with a magical plot. Highly recommend to everyone

Zillah been approached by Lucien they have not got off on a good standing. Zillah is a young black actress. Its a nice sweet book especially for young adults.

"Theatre of Marvels" by Lianne Dillsworth is an excellent story of the kind of London I enjoy - theatre, underworld, crime, murky back streets and more. Zillah is just about holding onto her top billing but with more side shows popping up around town with even more exotic acts, how long will it be before her act is passed over for something else. Part Greatest Showman, part African history, this book has it all.

Considering I knew very little about the plot of this book, it was one I was very excited about reading. I kept seeing people getting their advanced copies and was desperate to be among them, and then I got sent a digital copy. I was going to wait closer to the April release date to read it, but I couldn’t hold off any longer.

It’s hard to find the words to fully do this book justice; it’s simply spellbinding. It is so detailed with little nuances, down to the very smallest, seemingly insignificant, detail. Dillsworth uses a backdrop of a theatre show, and a freak show, to explore the hardships women, and women of colour particularly, had to go through in Victorian England,

Every chapter is so deliciously addictive that you plan to read to the end of the chapter and put it down, but it sucks you in that you have to carry on; you simply don’t want to leave their world.

All the chapters are well written, from the ‘heroes’ to the ‘villains’, with believable backstories and motives. No-one is a caricature or over the top, they are all very real.

It is a very enjoyable and entertaining story, with a strong and powerful message, and I feel it will be gracing many people’s bookshelves, and many award lists, come April.

This deliciously detailed, richly atmospheric and empowering tale of identity and morality is utterly unforgettable—Lianne Dillsworth expertly highlights issues of race and class, shedding light on the hardships women faced in 19th C England, particularly women of colour. It’s honestly breathtaking.

It centres around Zillah, a young mixed raced actress from the slums of St. Giles, whose stage persona has fooled audiences into believing she’s ‘Amazonia’ (an African Tribal Queen.) It’s an act contrived by her shady employer and one that’s seen her stardom rise—if being gawped at takes her from the slums and into the upper eschelons of society, then it’s a price she’s willing to pay.

But when a new stage act disappears, Zillah is haunted by a feeling something’s amiss. Her pursuit of the truth leads her into the underbelly of the city, as she seeks the help of notorious criminals from her past whilst being torn between two wealthy suitors.

Caught into a web of dangerous truths, will Zillah face ruin— or take charge of her own fate?

This was absolutely incredible! It’s richly detailed, emotionally thought provoking and utterly addictive, I literally sped through most of it in a single evening, a true testament to Dillsworth’s exceptional writing skills.

The really enjoyed the Victorian London setting which was spectacularly atmospheric and unapologetically gritty, there’s absolutely no sugar coating the life experiences and prejudices faced by the working classes (particularly women and people of colour) and though I was absolutely immersed in Zillah’s day to day life, I was also brought to tears by the events she has to witness—she may be fictional but Zillah is a far stronger woman than me, I can guarantee that I couldn’t handle even half of what she has to experience.

The sheer level of historical accuracy was also really phenomenal and definitely sheds a light on a huge part of British history; involving marginalised groups that society as a whole has all but forgotten (such as The Sierra Leone Resettlement Scheme) which was incredibly eye opening.

I loved Zillah, she’s a strong, empowering and utterly endearing character whose journey of self discovery was a truly remarkable one. As a mixed raced woman in Victorian England she initially struggles with her own identity but after embracing her heritage, she really grows into her own —full of confidence, compassion and a steely determination to do save lives (even if it leads her into life threatening danger.)

In fact, many of the characters are well written and full of depth with exceptionally detailed backstories but Barky, Zillah’s co-worker (and father figure) has possibly the best and most poignant of them all and the way in which it’s revealed was exceptional—I was genuinely surprised but I loved it!

As a villain, Crillick was absolutely perfect;he’s an utterly despicable human being and I must confess I found myself physically angered by his words and actions that I spent the majority of the book hoping he’d endure some form of Karma alongside Ellen (Zillah’s supposed friend) who I absolutely disliked from the beginning and thought was just as awful, though still really well written.

Overall, this was a phenomenally written and beautifully evocative story that masterfully tackles the themes of slavery, exploitation and racism to create an utterly compelling, unforgettable and unputdownable read—a must read for historical fiction lovers.

Also, thanks to Random House UK and Netgalley for the e-arc.

History, theatre, romance and drama - this novel has it all. Set in Victorian London it tackles some difficult topics with panache and elegance.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House UK for the ARC of Theatre of Marvels by Liane Dillsworth.
Beautifully written, i devoured this book so quickly!
an insightful read into the Victorians opinionated lifestyle. Definitely one of my favourites of this year

I thought I was at the theatre in this book! Ooh it does get dark with the kinds of acts this theatre show likes to have but there are some wonderfully drawn characters and ' scenes'. There is a lot to think about such as racism and power, how slaves were treated and resettled in the UK and elsewhere which is incorporated in to the novel. Zillah as the main character and ' act' was a brilliant narrator who brought the book to life. Very well paced and a colourful, theatrical read.

Theatre Of Marvels is a beautiful piece of historical fiction that's so rich, so dreamy, so thrumming with life and colour that it has the intensity of a fantasy. It's a particularly fitting tone for this, since so much of the plot centres on a theatre, and performance and identity.

Zillah, Dillsworth's sympathetic and relatable protagonist, has top billing as the fearsome and grotesque 'Amazonia' at Crillick's theatre, in London in the late 1700s. She is sheltered from her own poverty and her more unkind cast mates by an affair with a Viscount, but the arrival of Lucien Winters, a successful businessman unashamed of his race and his past as a former slave, begins to raise doubts in Zillah's mind. As we witness her struggling with the emotions of these two contrasting relationships, Zillah is further horrified by Crillick starting a new, private show involving the physical torture of slaves he has brought from Africa, including a child.

Theatre Of Marvels follows Zillah as she tries to help these people, whilst understanding more about herself and her identity. Along the way she contends with a cast of well-realised characters, some despicable and others conflicted, but all with different agendas, and Zillah is confronted by more and more questions. Does she belong in London? Would she be happier taking advantage of the Sierra Leone Resettlement Scheme and leaving the country entirely? What do her friends at the theatre really think of her? Which man understands her better? None of these questions have easy answers, and Dillsworth navigates these complexities with real sensitivity and emotion, just as Zillah must navigate the complexities of London society and her place in it.

3.5-4 stars. A simple, quick-paced read about race, class, and identity.

To Zillah, London is home, even though it shoves people like her onto the streets. She wishes to make something of herself and took pride in her role as the headlining act of Crillick's Variety Theatre... until a supposed "new" act unsettles her and makes her seek justice.

While novels set in Victorian London typically don't interest me, having Zillah, a mixed-race actress, be the protagonist allows the novel to explore other themes that made London grimy and gruelling. Zillah's determination had her venture into various sections of the city's weathered, shadowy underbelly to search for answers, adding a sense of danger.

This book swiftly carries you from one chapter to the next, sweeping you up into Zillah's story as she fleets from place to place trying to collect answers, and the next thing you know, you're already halfway through the book. So, kudos to Dillsworth for her pacing!

I’m a little surprised but pleasantly so with the way the romantic subplot is wrapped up. It makes sense to end it the way it did as it doesn’t detract from Zillah’s arc. However, I kinda hate the choices her lovers made in the end but I'm also not mad because it fits with their motivations.

On a similar but also different note, it's a smart choice to have one suitor be white and the other be black as it symbolically conveys how Zillah's coming to terms with her identity through who she chooses to be with.

Overall, it's an enjoyable read!

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House UK for providing me with the e-ARC.

I found this book very slow and disappointing. I honestly thought it was going to be my kind of read but unfortunately it wasn’t for me.