ARC Review: A Mad, Wicked Folly- Sharon Biggs Waller

Title: A Mad, Wicked Folly
Author: Susan Walker Biggs
Pages: 448
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Summary: Welcome to the world of the fabulously wealthy in London, 1909, where dresses and houses are overwhelmingly opulent, social class means everything, and women are taught to be nothing more than wives and mothers. Into this world comes seventeen-year-old Victoria Darling, who wants only to be an artist—a nearly impossible dream for a girl.
        
After Vicky poses nude for her illicit art class, she is expelled from her French finishing school. Shamed and scandalized, her parents try to marry her off to the wealthy Edmund Carrick-Humphrey. But Vicky has other things on her mind: her clandestine application to the Royal College of Art; her participation in the suffragette movement; and her growing attraction to a working-class boy who may be her muse—or may be the love of her life. As the world of debutante balls, corsets, and high society obligations closes in around her, Vicky must figure out: just how much is she willing to sacrifice to pursue her dreams?
Review: I received this book free from goodreads First Reads in exchange for an honest review.
To be honest, the main reason I entered to win this book was because of the beautiful cover! I love the yellow dress. Also I found both the title and the synopsis to be very intriguing. I haven't read very many historical fictions books but I found myself really enjoying it. I loved learning more about what women had to so to gain their rights "as humans". And I am very thankful for their sacrifices. I found myself wondering what I would have done in their shoes, what would my role have been?
I loved Vicky! I liked how for the most part she was always true to herself and she stood up for her beliefs with only a tiny bit if prodding. I liked hearing her internal struggle with what to do with herself, who to be, to choose wealth or happiness. And I just want tome notion Will, yummy.
This was a spectacular read and I loved learning more of the woman's role in the Suffragist Movement. I was just amazed. I would recommend this book to historical fiction fans.

About this author

Sharon Biggs Waller grew up around artists and developed a passion for Edwardian history and the Pre-Raphaelites when she moved to England in 2000. She did extensive research on the British suffragettes for her novel, A MAD, WICKED FOLLY when she wasn’t working as a riding instructor at the Royal Mews in Buckingham Palace and as a freelance magazine writer. She also writes non-fiction books about horses under her maiden name, Sharon Biggs. She is a dressage rider and trainer and lives on a 10-acre sustainable farm in Northwest Indiana with her British husband, Mark. Visit her at www.sharonbiggswaller.com.