A contemporary gothic debut with a feminist edge, for fans of Naomi Alderman and Madeline Miller
For 150 years, Caldonbrae Hall has loomed high above the Scottish cliffs as a beacon of excellence in the ancestral castle of Lord William Hope. A boarding school for girls, it promises that its pupils will emerge 'resilient and ready to serve society'.
Into its illustrious midst steps Rose Christie, a 26-year-old Classics teacher and new head of department. Rose is overwhelmed by the institution: its arcane traditions, unrivalled prestige, and terrifyingly cool, vindictive students. Her classroom becomes her haven, where the stories of fearless women from ancient Greek and Roman history ignite the curiosity of the girls she teaches and, unknowingly, the suspicions of the powers that be.
But as Rose uncovers the darkness that beats at the very heart of Caldonbrae, the lines between myth and reality grow ever more blurred. It will be up to Rose - and the fierce young women she has come to love - to find a way to escape the fate the school has in store for them, before it is too late.
Perfect for fans of Margaret Atwood and Madeline Miller, Madam is a darkly feminist tale with an electrifying cast of heroines you won't soon forget.
About the Author
Phoebe Wynne worked in education for eight years, teaching Classics in the UK and English Language and Literature in Paris. She left the classroom to focus on her writing, and went on to hone her craft in Los Angeles and in London. In 2021 Phoebe published her debut, Madam, to great acclaim. The Ruins is her second novel. She is both British and French, and currently spends her time between France and England.
Industry Reviews
'The simmering menace and mystery kept me absolutely gripped'
Jennifer Saint author of Ariadne
'A highly entertaining and atmospheric read'
Kate Sawyer Costa Book Awards nominated author of The Stranding
'Rebecca meets The Secret History. Gloriously dark, gloriously gothic'
Sara Collins Costa First Novel Award-winning author of The Confessions of Frannie Langton
'Imagine if Donna Tartt and Margaret Atwood got together to write a creepy, suspenseful novel . . . Brooding and unsettling, Wynne paints a gorgeous picture that only serves to camouflage the dark secrets she's hidden within'
Chandler Baker, author of Whisper Network
'Strange, dark, and utterly consuming . . . I loved it'
Katie Lowe author of The Furies
'Chilling, eerie and very clever. I devoured it'
Polly Crosby author of The Illustrated Child
'A thrilling debut, reminiscent of Du Maurier. The narrative, written in precise prose with beautifully crafted characters, barrels along at pace, leaving us breathless at each twist and turn. A truly wonderful read'
Nydia Hetherington author of A Girl Made Of Air
'Full of fire and light, written with a passionate intensity . . . Madam is a book that shimmers . . . It's an extraordinary achievement'
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