Lovereading view...
A heartfelt, lovely, interesting story set between 1910 and 1931, where a family with a difference, face everyday and extraordinary difficulties and conflicts. Daughter of the House follows on from The Illusionists however you don't need to read these two books in sequence to feel at home. The focus is Nancy, the daughter of the main characters from the prequel, at the start of the novel, Nancy is 12, she has a secret gift she calls ‘the Uncanny’ which is set to help but also to haunt her. Rosie Thomas covers complex emotions and feelings, yet writes with simplicity and clarity. Her engaging cast, from the occupants of the Victorian variety hall through to the higher echelons of society feel undeniably vibrant and real. Extremely readable, poignant and moving, this is an entertaining and enjoyable novel. ~ Liz Robinson
One of our Books of the Year 2015.
If you like Rosie Thomas you might also like to read books by Julia Gregson, Victoria Hislop and Kate Morton.
Reader Reviews
In addition to our Lovereading expert opinion some of our Reader Review Panel were also lucky enough to read and review this title. You can click here to read the full reviews.
- Barbara Goldie - 'Smell the greasepaint of the theatre, shiver at the chill of spiritualism, share the secrets of illicit affairs. A great read!'
- Ann Peet - 'Unusual, very readable novel with a 1920s setting.'
- Sarah Jones - 'Nancy hopes for a society where women can be free to be themselves, but will she ever be comfortable being herself with her premonitions and an ability to communicate with the dead?'
- Sarah Warbey - 'A thoroughly enjoyable historical tour de force that will delight all fans of The Illusionists.'
- Ann Alderton - 'A compelling and beautifully written novel about the conflict between decadence and respectability in the early 20th century from the perspective of the psychic daughter of a music hall impresario.'
Win a Hardback copy of Letters to Iris!
This author has certainly not lost her touch despite it being six years since her last book. This is warm, affectionate, engaging and insightful ... A wonderful read, highly recommended. - Sarah Broadhurst
Letters to Iris by Elizabeth Noble, is now out in hardback to mark the publication we are giving away 5 hardback copies of this book to FIVE lucky winners.
To have a chance of winning one of these fantastic prizes, click the button below.
Please note that the draw is open only for UK residents and is free to enter, multiple entries from the same email address will only be counted once.
The draw closes on 14 May 2018. The Winners will be notified by 24 May 2018.
Good luck!
Synopsis
Daughter of the House by Rosie Thomas
A stunning novel from the SUNDAY TIMES bestselling author of THE KASHMIR SHAWL London 1919 Born into a down-at-heel family, Nancy Wix is more than her past dictates - more ambitious than the daughter of a faded showman, more original than a woman who will be confined by polite conventions. The end of the Great War has left a stricken London on the brink of an uncertain future, and with their hard-won freedoms now in doubt Nancy and her fellow suffragettes must strive all over again for the right to control their own destinies. At a time when shattered families are struggling to let go of their dead, Nancy discovers she has a gift that offers hope to the loved ones of the lost generation, and a chance encounter reveals a way in which she might use it for her own ends. As Nancy struggles to break free from the rigid bonds of society and find her place in the world, the only thing that could hold her back is her love for an unattainable man...
Reviews
'Wonderful...a spellbinding, romantic story'
WOMAN AND HOME
'Vintage Thomas, with all her trademark richness and depth ... The thinking woman's popular novelist'
SAGA
'An atmospheric tale of a woman breaking boundaries in early 20th-century London'
GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
'Lush and satisfying ... Brimming with magic, love and brilliantly realized characters'
SUNDAY MIRROR
'A gorgeous glimpse of the 1920s'
BELLA
Praise for THE ILLUSIONISTS:
'Love, seduction, magic and illusion collide as Rosie Thomas takes us on a spellbinding journey through an extremely shadowy world'
Daily Express
'A brilliant Gothic mix of glitter and grime and so atmospheric you can almost see the pea-soupers'
Daily Mail
'Always engaging: a beautifully written novel that will magic you away to the seedy streets of turn-of-the-century London'
Stylist Praise for The Kashmir Shawl:
'A superbly researched and vivid evocation of wartime Kashmir and Ladakh'
Daily Mail
'A spellbinding tale. Beautifully written, honest and compassionate...a delight from start to finish'
Daily Express
'An epic tale...A complicated entanglement of family secrets, love during wartime and dangerous liaisons. For fans of Maggie O'Farrell'
Red
About the Author
![]() |
|


Book Info
Publication date
19th May 2016Author
Rosie ThomasMore books by Rosie Thomas
Author 'Like for Like'
recommendations
Author's Website
rosiethomasauthor.com/Author's Facebook Latest

Publisher
Harper an imprint of HarperCollins PublishersFormat
Paperback512 pages
Categories
Sagas and Romance
Family Drama
Historical Fiction
eBook Favourites

ISBN
9780007512089Lovereading has all the new books and also suggestions for 'similar' authors whilst waiting for your favourites new books.
Carol Peace
I love the honest opinions, recommendations for every genre and every reader, wish lists and Like for Like.
Amrita Dasgupta
I love Lovereading for the wonderful like for like author recommendations and for highlighting new books, it's a great resource for readers!
Lindsay
If you LOVE reading then you will love LOVEREADING! It's a 'novel' idea. Seriously though I could not recommend them enough.
Rebecca Whymark
Lovereading is not only an amazing site, but it's one of my very favourites. It's like visiting a fascinating bookstore, but better.
Rebecca Jayne Barrett
It is a website dedicated to those who adore reading It really is a one stop shop for book lovers. Love it!
Edel Waugh
They are bright, breezy and eager to offer a great book, then genuinely listen/respect the review one writes.
Maggie Crane
Lovereading tells me about new books before they hit the shelves, lets me find other authors I may like and has great prize draws!
Sheila Dale


Share this page
What is this?