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Bluebeard's Castle

By Anna Biller
Series: Verso Fiction
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Check link for latest rating. ( 2,027 ratings, 565 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In Bluebeard's Castle by Anna Biller, the story follows a young woman who marries a mysterious, wealthy man and moves into his isolated and opulent estate. As she becomes acquainted with her new surroundings, she uncovers secrets about her husband's past and the dark history of the castle. The book weaves a tale of intrigue, suspense, and psychological depth, exploring themes of trust and deception.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$2999
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're intrigued by psychological thrillers and Gothic tales of suspense. It offers a modern twist on classic dark stories, exploring themes of love, power, and hidden secrets. Fans of intricate plots and moral ambiguity could find this novel captivating.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Bluebeard gets a feminist Gothic makeover in this subversive take on the famous French fairy tale-from the acclaimed director of The Love Witch, and for fans of Jane Eyre

A modern and baroquely subversive take on the classic gothic novel from a visionary filmmaker

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Judith is a successful novelist, but she's a little sensitive. She's from a good family, even if that family favours her more beautiful sister. She loves a drink (or three) but isn't sure if she loves the handsome doctor who is courting her. She yearns for a romance to yield to but remains a virgin. Judith receives visions from the saints.

Then Judith meets Gavin, a handsome and charming baron, at a wedding on the Cornish coast. His love transforms her from a plain, lonely girl into a beautiful, glamorous woman overnight. After a whirlwind honeymoon in Paris, he whisks her away to a Gothic castle in the countryside.

But soon her perfect marriage begins to fall apart and she finds herself trapped in a nightmare, as her husband's mysterious nature, and his alternation of charm and violence, become more and more confusing and frightening. And then there are those whispers amongst the staff, unsettling rumours from London, and strange rattlings from the crypt...

Series: Verso Fiction

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  • Bluebeard's Castle
    Judith is a successful novelist, but she's a little sensitive. She's from a good family, even if that family favours her more beautiful sister. She loves a drink (or three) but isn't sure if she loves the handsome doctor who is courting her. She yearns for a romance to yield to but remains a virgin. Judith receives visions from the...
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  • Is Mother Dead
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Bluebeard's Castle is a modern retelling of the classic fairy tale that explores themes of domestic abuse, gaslighting, and the depiction of women in Gothic fiction. The novel combines Gothic horror elements with a critique of romance novel conventions, all underlined with a feminist perspective. With its richly detailed and atmospheric setting, it delves into the psychological complexities of abuse while maintaining a style reminiscent of classic and contemporary Gothic works. Anna Billerโ€™s debut is both an homage to and a subversion of its inspirations, creating a story that's gripping, chilling, and remarkably relevant.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781804291856

Publisher: Verso Books

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 10 October 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Verso Books

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 24.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 308g

Pages: 384

Collections

Anna Biller Education & Reference Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction Series: Verso Fiction

About the Author

Anna Biller is an independent filmmaker. The New York Times called her film The Love Witch โ€œa hothouse filled with deadly and seductive blooms;โ€ Indiewire called it โ€œa spellbinding feminist delight;โ€ and Rotten Tomatoes listed her as one of โ€œThe 21 Masters of Horror Shaping the Genre Right Now.โ€ The hashtag #thelovewitch has gone viral on Tiktok, with over 72 million views to date. She is a member of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in the writerโ€™s branch, and is represented for her film work by WME. She is currently in talks with production companies about the movie version of Bluebeard's Castle.

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