This is the best book I've read in 2020, I literally spent the whole day absorbed in its pages.
Madam is unlike any other book I've read, it's full of mystery, intrigue and it's not until three-quarters of the way through do you find out the secret that's kept you so enthralled.

Rose is offered a classics teaching position in Scotland at an all-girls boarding school after the previous classics teacher leaves her position. Her pupils are insolent, they constantly question her teaching and Rose despairs with them, she feels as though they are withholding a secret from her.

Phoebe Wynne's writing is very clever and often at the beginning of each chapter, the reader learns about characters from the classics such as Dido, Medusa, Medea, and Agrippina. There is a reason for the introduction of these stories to both the girls in the book but also the reader and we find out the purpose towards the end of the novel.

To say I loved this book is an understatement, it would make an exceptional movie or tv series.

Madam, Pheobe Wynne

Rose is overwhelmed by her new job as Head of Classics at the secretive, all girls boarding institiution Caldonbrae Hall, as she struggles to navigate its peculiar traditions that seem to clash with her more modern feminist outlooks, Rose begins to wonder if the heart that beats at the centre of Caldonbrae is darker than she could have imagined.

Set in the 90s this Gothic feminist tale draws from the heroines and goddesses of legend, as, Boudica, Medusa, Lucretia. This eerie debut owes much to those that came before, the feminist strike of Atwood, the gothic haunting of the Brontés and Katie Lowes The Furies.

This one is a twisted tale to navigate, as ever with the Gothic, nothing is quite what it seems and the unsettling feeling will sit in your gut the entire way through. As a book heavily laden with feminism and patriarchal values sprung from centuries gone by (you’d hope but you never know!) this one is abundant with females to get behind and cheer for, Rose, Nessa, Daisy, Freddie etc. Every one of those girls you want to reach in, grasp hands with and form a strong sisterhood.

A novel about a boarding school where the classics have much more meaning than perhaps they should...

Good premise but the novel was far too long and contained far too much explanation of the Greek myths. I know it was based on/inspired by them but I have only just read Circe and found myself thinking back to what I learned there..

After reading this, I felt odd and unsure as to what I had read. It could well be me. I enjoy the classics to a certain extent but have never been a fan of myths and the Greek classics.

I feel very much on the fence about this book. On the one hand it is astonishingly antiquated in terms of the culture of the girl’s school and of course forms the main backbone of the story. On the other hand I had to read on to see if all my fears were confirmed and if the heroine puzzles out the mystery from the clues if not from the beastly girls themselves who attend there.

Once in a while a book comes along that you can't shake for days after you've finished reading it. Madam by Phoebe Wynne is one such book.

Rose is recommended to teach Classics at a prestigious but very remote school in Scotland. Alarm bells should have started ringing but she goes through with the posting.

This is definitely not the type of boarding school you will want to stay at and is as far removed from Malory Towers as possible.

Very atmospheric, and I'd like to hope that all these practices within the book are entirely made up.

A dark, feminist tale of mystery and intrigue.
Rose Christie, a 26-year-old Classics teacher, joins Caldonbrae Hall, a prestigious boarding school for girls. Rose is overwhelmed by the institution: its arcane traditions and unruly students. There's a mystery surrounding her predecessor's departure, but no one will answer her questions. Rose's classroom becomes her haven, where the stories of fearless women from ancient Greek and Roman history ignite the curiosity of her students but also the people in power within the school.
But as Rose uncovers the dark heart that beats in Caldonbrae, the lines between myth and reality grow ever more blurred. Rose and her students must find a way to escape the fate the school has in store for them, before it is too late.

"𝘊𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘦 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘨𝘰𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴, 𝘔𝘢𝘥𝘢𝘮?"

I thought this book was fantastic. I was really pleased to be granted an ARC of this book and the book certainly met my expectations and in many ways exceeded them. It struck me as a blend of The Stepford Wives, Rebecca and The Twins of St Clare's, creating a compelling, dark and creative storyline.

When Rose Christie gets a job as the head of Classics at a prestigious and reclusive private school, she sees the opportunity as one to advance her career, to help her care for her ailing mother with the best care money can buy, all while giving the girls at the school a top classics education. When she arrives, however, things are far more complicated than that. What are the strange lessons on the timetable called 'Conversation', 'Worship' and 'Discipline'? Why are the girls' so concerned about their 'Value' and 'Promises'? Are the visitors on the Open Day parents or something more sinister? There is something far darker at the heart of this school and can Rose ever escape it?

The book is littered throughout with classical women, mirroring the girls' foray into their studies. I really loved how the book emphasised the women in classical civilisation as a way for the girls to empower themselves and ask more of their position. It was done very well and realistically (I say that as someone who also took Classics at A-Level). It didn't feel like extra padding and instead really added to the nuances of the storyline. I was completely gripped by the novel and the way the story unfolded and was desperate to read it as quickly as possible. I highly recommend this book. I will absolutely be buying myself a copy when it comes out.

This sounded just like the kind of book I normally enjoy. A very old house with lots of history and a harsh seascape setting. That's as far as my enjoyment went with this one I'm afraid to say.
The story is extremely slow and I found the first half of the book to be quite a hard slog.
The second half was slightly better but I found it very predictable.
I certainly wouldn't have continued reading if I hadn't received an arc of this book from Netgalley uk and Quercus Books

I was very intrigued by the blurb of this book: it didn’t quite come together and some of the storyline just didn’t quite hit right with me.

An interesting and twisty contemporary Gothic novel, but with a troubled sense of place and plotting--the twist wasn't as shocking as I wanted it to be, and with most of the plot action only occurring more than 50% through the novel, this was not a standout for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

'Madam' by Phoebe Wynne is set in a prestigious boarding school - Caldonbrae Hall - in Scotland. Rose, a young Classics teacher is excited to have been scouted for a post there, but as time goes on, and the power the school has over her and her families life increases, she comes to understand the real mission of the school.

At times reading this novel, I wondered if it would work better as a short story. I have read another review that describes this book as a slow burn, and I would agree with that. It also uses classic myths to frame aspects of the novel, and whilst I understood their inclusion, it felt a little heavy handed to me. Rose's actions, as well as the headmaster's sometimes didn't ring true; her with her outbursts (despite significant threat to herself/family), and him with the way he gave repeated chances for her to become more used to the way the school worked.

However, half way thought the novel I did ask myself whether I would give up on it, and I couldn't. The descriptions of the girls and other teachers were compelling, and there were certain events in the novel that were incredibly vivid and disturbing. I have already recommended the novel to a friend, and I suspect Phoebe Wynne will become a writer I will read and enjoy further novels from.

I am sorry but I found this a disappointment.

The idea is fascinating (- is its possible?) but the story was slow and the first 50% was - for me - very similar chapters with the main character in a confused state and doing very little about it! I felt irritated with her. I did like the chapters of Greek myths.

As the story progressed there were some shocking scenes indicating that something was very wrong and the final part of the book revealed the true situation. The final chapter at the school was another shocking episode but still, in spite of her shock, she couldn't do anything.
I am sorry but this is not for me.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book and it didn't disappoint! Rose is a classics teacher who takes a job as a new Head of Classics at an illustrious girls school in the wilds of Scotland. Not only does the school take care of its teachers and students, it also looks after their families too and Ruth's mother is moved to a private care home with the best facilities so that Ruth does not have to worry about her. Is this just another move to tie the teachers to the school and make them unable to leave?
Imagine Mallory Towers and St Claires meets a terrifying concept of how modern girls should be taught and brought up to play their part in life. I was shocked at part of it and found myself shouting at the characters and cheering Rose on as she came up against adversity!
Definitely worth a read if you like mystery and suspense novels!

I just don't know what to say about this book. Yes, I want to thank Netgalley for the chance to read this ARC, but this was really my cup of tea. Yes, I love me some good mystery. But this was just okay. Nothing special. I must confess I expected much,much more.
I just could get our heroin. I just don't get how stupid she was in some parts of this book.
It is not bad, I think that most people will love this, but this just was a miss for me.
3 stars.

Caldonbrae Hall, a prestigious girls boarding school with a long history and tradition located on a remote Scottish peninsula, has hired a new teacher, which had not happened for a decade. Rose is a young Classics teacher who is very excited and honoured to be chosen to teach at Caldonbrae. However, as soon as she arrives in Scotland, it is obvious that this is an unusual school, and education does not appear to be the main focus here. 
Rose's story is enriched with mythological tales of strong women analysed at her lessons with her students. I wasn't sure at first what to think about that but as the book progressed I looked forward to these interludes.
Madam has an intriguing premise that will keep you guessing what on earth is the headmaster and everyone at the school up to. Although I would welcome more character development in the book, I found Madam an impressive debut novel and an enjoyable read. 
Many thanks to the publisher for my review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Rose Christie starts a new job at a prestigious boarding school for girls in the wilds of Scotland. Taking girls from the upper echelons of society Rose tries to teach them classics but the girls seem more than usually casual about their education. Rose smells something rotten and those around her aren’t forthcoming with any information they just want her to take the money and get in with it.
Madam is goth St Trinians but less fun. It’s set in the early 90s and this is probably the latest it could be set because the premise of the book relies upon the isolation of the school and the girls themselves. Even the locals know all is not well with the school so it’s difficult to believe the girls wouldn’t know about the wider world considering they go home for holidays etc.
The use of classics stories to reflect and inspire the girls to take control was nicely done and made me look at the stories of Medusa and Medea in a different light.

This debut novel has been compared to some giants of literature: Jane Eyre, The Secret History, Rebecca, The Handmaid's Tale. Unfortunately it bears no resemblence to any of these or only in the most superficial of ways.

26 year old Rose Christie has been offered the post of head of the Classics department at a prestigious girls' boarding school in the north of Scotland. She is worried about being up to the job (rightly - her teaching methods are pretty awful and she is unable to command respect from either the girls or the teachers) but soon she has more to worry about. What is the purpose of the school? What happened to her predecessor Jane and why does student Bethany plague her?

I wanted to love this book but I couldn't get into it at all. The premise was essentially unbelievable. Conveniently it is set in 1992 before the advent of mobile phones and broadband so Rose finds herself unable to contact the outside world apart from a couple of botched phone calls. She witnesses something which is at best unethical and then does nothing about it. She purports to care about her mother but neglects to phone her, forgets her birthday and then... well I won't insert a spoiler here. But really? As Rose is a Classics teacher we get chunks of Greek and Latin stories about the likes of Medusa shovelled into the story. Compare this to the wonderful use of Greek and Roman myths in The Secret History where they are an integral part of the story. Add to this a couple of bizarre point of view changes and a few odd descriptions (cheekbones so high that eyes disappear? I mean, we all want high cheekbones but that's a hell of a price to pay!) and very soon the reader starts to despair.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I have literally just finished this book and I am exhausted! From the general intensity of the situations, the landscape, the complete outrage and a little frustration with the main character at times. My emotions, blood pressure and sense of morality have been squeezed, questioned and pushed to the edge with this one.

Caldonbrae Hall Girl’s school has been an educational institution of irrepressible power and prestige for 150 years. Rose just got a job offer there from out of the blue as the new classics teacher (the previous one having been dismissed in mysterious circumstances). Even with reservation’s she takes the positon at the isolated Scottish castle and soon she finds herself lunging from one uncomfortable situation to another. The girls are rude and seemingly uninterested in learning anything she has to teach, the staff are secretive and the locals show nothing but distrust of anyone from Caldonbrae. It soon becomes clear that Rose will need follow the example of her fearless Greek and Roman heroines to protect everything she holds dear. The dark secret that is at the heart of Caldonbrae threatens to engulf her, she must find a way to escape and save as many of the girls she has come to care about as she can….but can it be done?

I liked Rose and felt for her in the hopeless situation she found herself in, although she was a little frustrating to say the least. Her reactions seemed to make a bad situation worse all the time and all I wanted to do was shake her and tell her to think! Just think and be a bit cleverer to get some results. The story was very well written, with an intensity that riled my fury and disgust in equal measure (it was supposed to). As well as being a great dark and brooding yarn, with some really lovely emotional moments, it made me question my own views on the world and how certain sexes and classes operate within its balance of power.

I found this book to be real page-turner, and read it over the course of a weekend. At first I was concerned that the story was a little too influenced by Daphne du Maurier - the cliff-top mansion and the mysterious predecessor are very reminiscent of 'Rebecca'. Nevertheless, I thought it really began to come into its own as it progressed, developing a really effective sense of entrapment and rage.

All the ingredients of a classic Gothic novel are here, and some are just a little too trite. The woman in the basement (and you just know there had to be one) is a bit of a thrown-away revelation, and the minute the secret passage is mentioned, it's clear that it's integral to the plot. That said, the aims and intentions of the school are truly sinister, and the vulnerability of the girls is heart-wrenching. I was also intrigued by the author's choice to set the novel in the early 1990s, which not only means that the characters have no access to mobile phones or the internet, but also that parallels can be drawn between the plight of the girls and that of Princess Diana; something I found genuinely interesting. And the use of classical references is wonderful: as a non-classicist, I learned a lot, and I loved the clever way in which the stories of monstrous women tied into the plot.

Overall, this is an excellent first novel, and I look forward to reading more books by Phoebe Wynne in the future. I would definitely set this for a course on contemporary Gothic or women's writing: it's sensationalist in just the right way

When I think boarding school I thik of malory towers or somethign Enid Blytonesque. This is the inverted version of a sweet school story, and its brilliant.

When Rose gets offered the opportunity to work at a prestigious boarding school in Scotland she thinks it will be a great career move. With her mom being unwell she can help get her the best care she needs with the increased salary too. However things at Caldonbrae Hall arent quite what she expected.

The longer Rose stays the more she learns and the less happy she fells about what happens at the school. The values are a little archaic and some of the girls dont seem as happy as shes told they are. The school is far reaching and Rose learns that her predessor also tried to help one of the girls, which got her nowhere and now Rose is trapped.

It would have been interesting to learn a little more about some of the girls, especially some of the more main characters but as we erad through Janes eyes the unknowns were part of the story and I loved it.