Mrs. March by Virginia Feito | Book Review

TL;DR

A literary thriller about a woman named Mrs. March who discovers that her husband may have based a detestable character on her, leading her to spiral into paranoia and unraveling her sanity.

Transcript

hi guys olive here here today to review mrs march by virginia feyto this book was published in 2021 by liveright which is a subsidiary of wwe norton the hardcover of this book comes in at 304 pages however i read an advanced e-copy of this book that i received for free for reviewing purposes through netgalley this is a literary thriller starring th... Read More

Key Insights

• 💯 Mrs. March's obsession with appearances and her desire to maintain a facade of a perfect marriage reveal her deep insecurity and narcissism.
• 📕 The book explores the psychological journey of a woman who is slowly losing her grip on reality, leading to an unsettling and suspenseful atmosphere.
• 🫠 Virginia Féito skillfully crafts a sense of dread and tension, using minimal action and focusing on the protagonist's psychological unraveling.
• 🪜 The setting of New York City, portrayed in a romanticized and timeless manner, adds to the dreamlike quality of the story and reinforces the protagonist's disconnect from reality.
• 🍝 By delving into Mrs. March's upbringing and past traumas, the author provides insight into the protagonist's personality and motivations.
• 🤨 The book raises the question of whether the character based on Mrs. March is a result of her paranoia or if there is truth to her husband's inspiration.
• 🪜 The absence of excerpts from George March's novel adds to the mystery and unreliable nature of the narrative, while focusing on the protagonist's perspective.

Questions & Answers

Q: Is Mrs. March a reliable narrator?

Mrs. March's obsession with appearances and her tendency to manipulate her own narrative make her an unreliable narrator, causing readers to question the truth behind her perception.

Q: How does the author create a sense of dread and tension in the story?

The author uses subtle and minimal action, instead focusing on Mrs. March's escalating paranoia and dissociation from reality, creating a palpable sense of unease that builds throughout the book.

Q: How does the setting of New York City contribute to the story?

The author paints a romanticized and timeless version of New York City, enhancing the dreamlike quality of the story and adding to the ambiguity of the events unfolding.

Q: What influences from other novels can be seen in "Mrs. March"?

The book draws parallels to "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier, with similarities in the characters' relationships, secretive pasts, and withholding of crucial information.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Mrs. March, a woman in her early 40s, lives in New York City with her husband, a famous novelist, and their eight-year-old son.

• When Mrs. March learns that her husband's latest book features a character who resembles her, she becomes obsessed with the idea that he based it on her.

• As Mrs. March delves into paranoia and insecurity, her mental state deteriorates, leading to a slow-burning domestic thriller.