Title: The DresskeeperAuthor: Mary Naylus
Published: Prospera Publishing (30 Nov 2009)
No. of Pages: 238
Grade Rating: B+
Grade Rating: B+
Picky Robson's life has gone from bad to worse. Her life is a boy-free zone, she has more pimples than a tiger has stripes and she has to look after her gran, who is suffering from dementia, every weekend for the foreseeable future. One night, Picky is accidentally locked in her gran's attic with no means of an a escape. Tempting fate, Picky slips into an old flouncy dress and, to her shock, finds herself back in 17th Century London. But, she's not alone. A weirdo in a wig is trying to kill her, mistaking her for a girl called Amelia. Who is Amelia? Can Picky uncover the murderer and will she make it back alive.
The Dresskeeper by Mary Naylus is an interesting and enticing debut that accurately captures and portrays historical life in London. With its fast paced and developed plot including a compelling mix of time travel and drama, Naylus earns her place as the writer to watch.
The easy wit and humour from this book became easily apparent from the first sentence. Even though it is not a comical achievement (which, by no means do I think it should be) it has certain snappy elements throughout the text that keeps you hooked. The mystery and scandal that surrounds the plot kept me guessing the whole way through until I was bursting with excitement at the final revelation. The variety of historical fiction, fantasy and teenage humour was an original, unique mix that I have never had the pleasure of experiencing before but now that I have I will definitely try to read more material within its genre. The plot was incredibly fast paced and the pinnacle of story had happened from the third chapter. This was an also a redeeming quality of the text but it did have its negative points.
I personally felt that the development of the plot occurred far too quickly and I would have liked to see it be more elaborate and descriptive. Because of the pace the novel travelled at, there was hardly anytime for the characters feelings or thoughts and I would have liked to have found out about Picky’s normal life instead of it jumping between time periods at a slightly ridiculous pace.
Picky, as a character did have some slightly annoying qualities which was quite irritating as she was the narrator of the book. Some of the language she used and also phrases that she used pushed the boundaries of trying and failing to be funny. When this did happen you found yourself cringing ever so slightly. The other characters, for example, Elizabeth, were easily likeable and a small part of me wished that it had been her narrating the story.
Despite all of this, I still feel that The Dresskeeper is a fun, fast paced novel that deserves its place as the property of every teenage girl for 2009!
What made you want to write a historical fiction book?
The Dresskeeper by Mary Naylus is an interesting and enticing debut that accurately captures and portrays historical life in London. With its fast paced and developed plot including a compelling mix of time travel and drama, Naylus earns her place as the writer to watch.
The easy wit and humour from this book became easily apparent from the first sentence. Even though it is not a comical achievement (which, by no means do I think it should be) it has certain snappy elements throughout the text that keeps you hooked. The mystery and scandal that surrounds the plot kept me guessing the whole way through until I was bursting with excitement at the final revelation. The variety of historical fiction, fantasy and teenage humour was an original, unique mix that I have never had the pleasure of experiencing before but now that I have I will definitely try to read more material within its genre. The plot was incredibly fast paced and the pinnacle of story had happened from the third chapter. This was an also a redeeming quality of the text but it did have its negative points.
I personally felt that the development of the plot occurred far too quickly and I would have liked to see it be more elaborate and descriptive. Because of the pace the novel travelled at, there was hardly anytime for the characters feelings or thoughts and I would have liked to have found out about Picky’s normal life instead of it jumping between time periods at a slightly ridiculous pace.
Picky, as a character did have some slightly annoying qualities which was quite irritating as she was the narrator of the book. Some of the language she used and also phrases that she used pushed the boundaries of trying and failing to be funny. When this did happen you found yourself cringing ever so slightly. The other characters, for example, Elizabeth, were easily likeable and a small part of me wished that it had been her narrating the story.
Despite all of this, I still feel that The Dresskeeper is a fun, fast paced novel that deserves its place as the property of every teenage girl for 2009!
What made you want to write a historical fiction book?
I suppose I liked the idea of time-travel and not being particularly interested in the future, I decided to go back in time, which is where the history part comes in.
How did you get the idea for The Dresskeeper?
I’d been fascinated by the fact people three hundred years ago were living in the same buildings as some of us are today, but under extremely different domestic and social conditions. So I started with the concept of a house that held secrets, and then expanded from there.
I’d been fascinated by the fact people three hundred years ago were living in the same buildings as some of us are today, but under extremely different domestic and social conditions. So I started with the concept of a house that held secrets, and then expanded from there.
Did you always want to write?
Yes, although my passion and I have had ups and downs like most authors, I finally came to realise that I liked writing for young adults. The voice can be punchy and opinionated and contemporary, but there is a lot of scope to add in little extras like the time-travelling and history. In the past I have tried writing women’s fiction but found I didn’t have the same enthusiasm for it.
Yes, although my passion and I have had ups and downs like most authors, I finally came to realise that I liked writing for young adults. The voice can be punchy and opinionated and contemporary, but there is a lot of scope to add in little extras like the time-travelling and history. In the past I have tried writing women’s fiction but found I didn’t have the same enthusiasm for it.
Do the ideas from your books come from personal experiences?
Not really. I do incorporate some experiences but in the main I like to research and write about things that are out of my comfort zone. It makes the process all the more interesting.
Not really. I do incorporate some experiences but in the main I like to research and write about things that are out of my comfort zone. It makes the process all the more interesting.
Where is your favourite place to write?
Starbucks, Costa, Caffe Nero or similar. Anywhere with a good coffee machine and a power outlet.
Starbucks, Costa, Caffe Nero or similar. Anywhere with a good coffee machine and a power outlet.
Thank you very much, Mary Naylus!
3 comments:
Great Interview and review!:)
http://fantasysink.blogspot.com/
I really enjoyed this too. I know what you mean about there not being very many YA historical mysteries, A Spy in the House by YS Lee is one and it's really good.
Thanks for your comments x
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