Oops I forgot to write about this BUT this is a very gossipy book about a scandal in the Victorian-ish era! Has a bit to say about the women's movement, the unreliability of memory and toxic female friendships but is mostly a soap opera

I mean, I love that? Helen is soooo absurdly toxic it's almost funny

Sometimes she steers too far into the "scheming slut" archetype but her character is well-drawn enough that her selfishness and irresponsibility seem like... realistic if not flattering?

I like Emma Donoghue's historicals... her research is impeccable but the subject matter is wild af