Madam by Phoebe Wynne 352 pages
“Rebecca” meets Margaret Atwood in this creepy neo-historical fiction tale of a girl’s boarding school in the Scottish Highlands. The atmosphere is fabulously creepy, which I loved.
Elite families wishing to train their daughters in the fine art of being a perfect wife send them to Caldonbrae Hall in order to be trained to be “resilient and ready to serve society.” The premise of the school is basically for the girls to emerge with this ideal: In order to be a perfect wife, a woman must be a conversationalist at his dinner table, a chef in his kitchen (or at least know how to run a kitchen because she will hardly ever step foot in one) and a whore in his bed. Side note: I remember reading that in a book form the 1920s titled “How to Catch a Husband and Keep Him.” Can anyone spell “Stepford Daughters?”
While this novel has that 1890s feel to it, the story actually takes place in 1993-94 over the course of an academic year. I never felt as if I could actually see the girls’ uniforms, but they gave off a strong 1890s vibe. I also never really got the grade levels; they weren’t freshman-senior, but that didn’t bother me too much.
Into this nightmare, comes twenty-six-year-old Rose Christie, the new head of the Classics Department. Immediately, she is affronted by the environment where she has found herself, but no one will talk with her. All the staff is referred to as “Madame”; No need for names. The girls automatically dislike her and plot to drive her mad. No one will speak of her predecessor who seems to have had an inappropriate relationship with one of the girls. No one wants to discuss the student who is obviously having a mental breakdown. She cannot leave or go into to town with permission and supervision.
Rose is always in trouble with those who preside over the school. She is the first new hire in over a decade, and the reason why is extremely creepy. Another reviewer describes Rose perfectly: she is “that mix of naïve yet earnest (ness) and has this massive sense of justice.” She uses Greek mythology to try to get through to her students, but they aren’t interested. Their goal is to land a wealthy husband.
“Madame” was not a tough read, but much of it seemed redundant. If, dear Reader, you decide to give this novel a shot, do not read the “Prologue.” It gives away the ending, which ticked me off, so that is why I’m warning you now.
“Madam” receives 3 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.
