Unfortunately I was unable to read this book because of the format it was received in.

ARC Review: The Bedlam Stacks by Natasha Pulley

This is the story of a man who thinks he has passed his usefulness. After being hit by shrapnel - an episode that features an old friend from Pulley's previous novel, The Watchmaker of Filigree Street - leaves him with a wounded leg, Merrick Tremayne leaves his job with the East India Company and retires to his family home. He and his brother live together, surviving along with the dilapidated house surrounding them. When the East India Company contacts Merrick with an opportunity to travel to Peru in hopes of gathering cinchona cuttings to circumvent the quinine monopoly, he assumes a mistake as been made and is ready to pass up the chance, even if it means being sent off by his brother to be a parson.

But some old friends - Clem and his wife, Minna - arrive and assure Merrick it wasn't a mistake. That the East India Company picked Merrick for his expertise with plants as well as his family's past connection with Peru - his Grandfather spent time there in a town called New Bethlehem and his father was born there.

In Peru, Minna sends Clem and Merrick ahead and they meet Martel, a trader, who does not believe their story about coffee, but plays into it and sends them on their way with a guide, Raphael, from New Bethlehem, which is also known as 'Bedlam'. Raphael is quiet and closed off, knows full well what Merrick and Clem are after, and while he tolerates them because Martel says he must he clearly isn't pleased with their presence on the journey or in his village.

For Clem, this is frustrating. For Merrick, things get a little more interesting because of his connection to New Bethlehem. He also finds that he fits right in in New Bethlehem, which is a gathering place for the disabled and the sick. They are brought, Raphael tells him, when they are young. Left at the church at night so that they will be cared for and safe. Little by little, as more about New Bethlehem is revealed to him, Merrick begins to find a place there.

But Clem is in a hurry to find the cinchona, to get the cuttings, to get them to India. So he ignores Raphael's warnings and steps into the woods. His actions speed up the journey, sending Raphael and Merrick off to find the cinchona, racing against Martel as well as something that dwells in the trees. Protectors that Clem dismissed as clockwork and superstition. The journey isn't the only thing that quickens, Raphael has been undergoing a change since long before Merrick entered his life and entering the woods seems to speed that process up. Soon it isn't only the cinchona that Merrick needs to get to safety, but this man he has grown close to as well.

The Bedlam Stacks is a slow trek, much like the one its characters take. It is, much like Pulley's previous work, quietly queer and with a hint of the supernatural. Pulley crafts every step of the journey so well, painting this beautiful story for the reader. The pace, though slow, works nicely with her style and the feel of the characters. As with The Watchmaker of Filigree Street, I quickly fell in love with The Bedlam Stacks.

I am sorry, but since the title is not available to be read on my Kindle, I will not be able to review it. Hopefully I can pick up a copy at a later date, as it does sound really good.

This review copy is only available as a download. I did not see that in the description, and I am sorry to say, I will not have the ability to read this.

I... don't know how I feel about this book. Not even a little. As with Watchmaker of Filigree Street, I am blown away by the author's ability to make me feel things. I am glad I read it. I kind of want to flip it over and start rereading it right away.

While not usually my cup of tea, something about the description of this book inspired me to pick it up - and I'm incredibly glad I did! While not a perfect book by any means, the reading experience was enjoyable, and I'm looking forward to recommending it to others!

Merrick Tremayne is an ex-smuggler trapped with his stodgy brother in their old family home as it literally falls apart around them. His brother is ready to ship Merrick off to a small town and force him into being a pastor when Merrick’s old friend and army buddy, Clem shows up. Clem proposes Merrick join him and his wife on a risky quinine-stealing expedition. Merrick’s old leg wound has handicapped him some, but his knowledge of plants is indispensable. Merrick soon finds the expedition is anything but routine as they camp amongst locals who won’t cross a salt line in the woods for fear of what lurks in the woods beyond and living statues.

I loooooved Pulley’s first book, The Watchmaker of Filigree Street, so I practically jumped for joy when Bloomsbury asked me if I’d like a copy of The Bedlam Stacks to review.

Here’s another book that I find myself struggling to describe (“Like basically every book you read?” you think to yourself) and it’s because until about the last fifth of the book, I had no clue what the hell was going on. This is the good kind of clueless though. Not the kind that frustrates you because you don’t have enough information or the writing doesn’t make sense. This book has a very surreal vibe and it took me a while to get used to the atmosphere. Because of that, I was like ??!? but still very interested while reading.

I did fail at the mental imagery though. Bedlam, the mystical little clifftop town Merrick finds himself in, is built on some sort of salt cliffs that have turned to glass? And there’s a forest (that I totally pictured as a rainforest but I’m pretty sure that’s wrong because it was like always cold and sometimes snowing) with these trees that are so light and airy that they can float and also they explode in a fire? And there are moving statues that are much more than they seem (no question marks here because I actually understood that part). And also there’s a sort of glowing pollen everywhere that can be used in lamps and also leaves light trails when you walk? If any of this sounds even remotely interesting to you, you’ll probably like this book.

Yes, I’m aware that my weird questions don’t make a review. Anyway, that’s some of what goes on in this book and I really wasn’t picturing much in the way of a setting. However, I was absorbed in the characters, especially Merrick and Raphael, his guide through Bedlam and to the quinine trees. I’ve already learned that Pulley is a master at crafting characters, especially male ones. Bedlam is yet another book that is heavily character-driven and normally that’s not what I prefer to read, but I will eat up anything this woman writes. There’s even a little cameo from one of the characters from Watchmaker that I think strengthens their backstory and serves as a nice reminder of Pulley’s other novel for those of us who friggen love it.

I loved the weird, mystical feel of the book and Merrick’s sense of humor and sadness. I loved his conversations with Raphael. I loved the final chapters when things got intense and the magic was more prevalent. The ending was totally unsatisfactory and realistic and I don’t think it could have ended any other way but damnit, I wanted it to!

If you like heavy character development, male relationships, the mid-1800s, surreal magic and the feeling of desperately wanting two people to just be together forever, then I highly suggest both Watchmaker and Bedlam. I can’t say I loved Bedlam as much as I loved Watchmaker (it’s not far behind though!), but once more these characters slowly curled their way around my heart and then at the end of the book squeezed the hell out of it. I will absolutely be buying the hardcover once it releases because this book is bound to be as beautiful as Watchmaker if the design of this ARC is anything to go by. I’m fully ready for whatever she writes next and NEED IT ASAP.

I RECEIVED THIS BOOK FOR FREE FROM THE PUBLISHER AND NETGALLEY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW. THIS DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION OF THE BOOK OR THE CONTENT OF MY REVIEW. ALL OPINIONS IN THIS POST ARE MY OWN.

DNF at 38%.

I really wanted to love this book since I enjoyed the Watchmaker of Filigree Street.

Alas, although the writing was impeccable, I could not get invested in the story. The imagery Pulley uses in describing the Peruvian jungles and 19th century London is magical but Merrick's character fell flat to me.

I intend to come back to this story but this is the first book in years that has taken me over a week and I received a copy on 3/31.

I received an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Bloomsbury publishing for an unbiased review.

Everyone who knows me knows how much I loved Watchmaker, and it's clear that Natasha Pulley is only going to keep growing as a writer! Fans of Watchmaker will enjoy certain cameos, but the new characters are all fantastic, and this mystical, complex Peruvian landscape is irresistible!

Thanks Bloomsbury USA and netgalley for this ARC.

A unique, surprising, force of nature novel that makes Natusha Pulley a otherworldly author.

The description of this book intrigued me but it just fell flat for me. It's the story of Merrick Tremayne who is at home recuperating from a bad leg at home in England. While at home, he believes he's being driven mad. He sees things that he's not sure has really happened and his brother is convinced he's gone insane.

When his company calls him for an assignment to Peru he hesitates but heads off there despite his reservations. He works as a smuggler for an East Indian company and his new assignment is rumored to be riddled with curses, magic, and wild stories.

While there he meets a priest who was once a friend of his grandfather's. This is a story of intrigue. I imagine many people will indeed enjoy it, it just wasn't for me.

I previously encountered Natasha Pulley as a storytelling through her wonderful debut, The Watchmaker of Filigree Street, which I found to be surprising, delightful, and entertaining. Needless to say I was quite excited to go into The Bedlam Stacks; I was expecting that same charm, that pleasant surprise I experience with Watchmaker.

But it never really came.

Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of great things about Bedlam. Pulley’s ability to spin a tale of magical realism is never in question within this novel, and there’s more than one hint of Conrad’s Heart of Darkness about the whole thing. And yet the story feels overdrawn, overlong — despite clocking in under 350 pages — and rather one-note. Things reach a certain emotional pitch and never diverge from that place. I suppose one could argue that’s part of the atmosphere of the novel, but it does little to invest me, as a reader, in what’s happening to our protagonist, Merrick Tremayne.

And despite some interesting moments of mysticism and religion that tie into the aforementioned magical realism, Bedlam ultimately leads to very little. Everything just sort of…ends. It fizzles out, reminding me of the memorable quote from Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight: "You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain."

This book ultimately became its own villain, as it probably could have done with a little more to punch up the ending and make sure the threads it began spinning actually lead to something (worthwhile) at the end.

Natasha Pulley is such a talented writer, and her books always leave you filled with joy. This one is a bit of a slow read, and it takes a while to get into it. If you've enjoyed The Watchmaker of Filigree Street, I think you will enjoy this one as well. As always, the characters are delightful and writing is great.

I apologize that I'm unable to review this book as I'm only able to download those in Kindle format.

I think this is a very well written book. One that is interesting in its way. Well crafted. However, I cannot make myself read it. I am approximately a little over a third of the way through it and cannot bear to continue. I apologize.

For me, the best thing about this book is the cover,

5/5 Stars.
The Bedlam Stacks is not a novel that I usually pick up when I am in a book store. It is heavy in language, story and meaning and it takes a certain ‘mood’ to read one. However, I am extremely happy that I was granted the privilege of reading this beautiful book.
The novel follows a young man who, after being injured, embarks on a journey to Peru to smuggle out tree saplings which produce quinine to treat malaria. This journey is as important to his well-being as the saplings are to the survival of the East India Office. It is one of self discovery in the midst of a magical land few are will ever see. Merrick’s character is extremely complex; at times I was not quite sure whether I liked him or hates him. However, my strong feelings towards him made me realize that Pulley made him so life-like that it was almost shameful of me not to like him.
Pulley’s writing is impeccable and the world which she creates is so magical it is unlike anything I have ever read. The imagery which she creates is so breathtaking; I never wanted to stop reading. It was as if I myself was immersed in this world and I did not want to leave. This novel could be studied in a Post-Colonialism class, enjoyed as Historical Fiction, read by a Fantasy lover, or savored as a love story.
In my opinion – the love that slowly builds between the two main characters is one of the most beautiful stories I have read. I do not want to give too much away but if you are looking for a great romantic novel this is the book for you.
I will definitely be purchasing a copy for my own library when the book is published.

Bright, interesting, and captivating - a rare time I wished this was a paper ARC so I could lose myself more fully and not be conscious of the time showing on my Kindle.

This is a gorgeously-crafted and beautifully-written novel. The world-building of the expeditionary journey in 19th century Peru is enthralling and details unspool organically and with perfectly-crafted care. The characters and the slow, gentle development of their relationship over the course of the narrative is the star of this tale. A slow-burn of a novel that pulls you in and stays in your mind long after you've finished the last page. (While this book shares some minor characters with Pulley's first novel, The Watchmaker of Filigree Street, this novel can be read on its own.)

I received The Bedlam Stacks from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book by Natasha Pulley that I have had the pleasure of reading. I knew nothing of her previous work, but the synopsis of Merrick (employed by the East India Company) traipsing through Peru to get quinine coupled with an air of supernatural weaved through it, and having read nothing dealing with the East India Company and only knowing a little about their past, further intrigued me. This book, screamed. "Yes, read me."

However, within the first couple chapters I found myself bogged down in exposition. But, I kept going, and I am so glad that I did. Once I got a handle on Natasha Pulley's writing style, I couldn't put the book down. I found myself Googling the trees and Inca culture that Merrick found himself surrounded by. Pulley really did her research with this book and it spurred me on to find out more. Hence, the Googling.

Every character took a life of their own. I half imagined them walking off the page. My favorites by far are Randolph the mysterious priest, Minna (Clem's clever wife), and Keita the intuitive boy that Merrick took under his wing. They where the ones that helped slide Merrick into the places he needed to go. And I would die to have a side story about where Keita was in all those years in between leaving and meeting Merrick again. What did Minna do in all of that time that Clem and Merrick were off in Bedlam? Randolph alone is a man with many secrets who deserves an entire book to unlock them.

"Could I borrow him?" I asked.
"If I can borrow that dog."
"Yes. Trade." I gave her the dog. Sing followed me out.
"Was I just bought for a St. Bernard?"

Scenes like this make The Bedlam Stacks engaging and endearing. These simple quick witted exchanges are something I crave in books. It connects me to the characters. It makes me laugh. It sticks with me for weeks to come. Now to find a copy of the The Watchmaker of Filigree Street.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA Publishing for an ARC of The Bedlam Stacks by Natasha Pulley.

I wanted to love this novel,but it was a very slow read which left me feeling like this ARC was a chore and not a joy. The writing was lovely and descriptive but the story and plot was muddy and murky. I was not able to connect or relate to any of the characters but that might have been the time/ setting, mid 1800's right after the fall of the East India Company. There was also hints of magical realism, which I generally do not enjoy.
I appreciated the opportunity to review this novel, but unfortunately it fell flat. for me.