I have really conflicting feelings on this book. I thought it was written well, but I felt like there were plot points that just never added up.

So fun and quirky. I couldn’t get enough of this one and immediately bought the physical book once it came out.

Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito - gotta be honest, this grossed me out. I typically don't mind a bit of gore or even body horror but this was too much for me. I did read it at Christmastime, so maybe I just wasn't in the mood for this type of thing.

“𝙄𝙩 𝙛𝙖𝙨𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙢𝙚, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩, 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙩𝙤.”

💭:
This was a fever dream come alive in just 200 short pages. I had to get a trophy copy for my shelves!

🔪:
I’ll be honest, I requested this book solely for the title. 👀 “Victorian Psycho” like c’mon, that screams - READ ME in my mind.

💚:
What Victorian Psycho lacks in plot makes up for in heart, chaotic energy, vibey vibes, and unlikeable characters.

⭐️:
I would recommend this book featuring a messy, unhinged protagonist if you like that kind of thing.

🖤:
For being such a short read, there is still something to unpack here. And that is vengeance is best served cold, because our FMC Winifred is cold-hearted.

Honestly not super sure how I feel about this book. It was funny and weird and bloody and psychotic but also kinda boring and predictable? A good solid three stars. Not great but not bad either.

This book was good! I liked it but didn’t love it. I definitely see potential in it and look forward to seeing what else the author does.

Welp buckle on up for this wild ride 😂 I’m so glad this was a quick little listen because I honestly couldn’t put this one down. I used the @libby.app for the audio (so just a quick reminder to support your local libraries) and it was ✨perfection✨. This was gory, gross, gothic and just all around ah-mazing. It was just what my mood needed in the moment and I was ✨vibinnnnn✨. So check triggers, if you have any, and check out this Mary Poppins psycho-ness

“Victorian Psycho” is not a read for the faint of heart. It's a dark, macabre journey into the mind of a vengeful governess that is both gruesome and gory, yet utterly captivating. The author fearlessly explores themes of vengeance and brutality, creating a narrative that does not shy away from discomfort.

Winnifred "Fred" Dotty, the protagonist, is a complex character whose charisma and cruelty often catch readers off guard, prompting both laughter and disbelief. The writing is striking, with vivid descriptions that border on poetic, enhancing the visceral experience of the storytelling.

The novel is short and snappy, delivering a punchy narrative that keeps you engaged from start to finish. Every twist and turn amplifies the intensity of this twisted tale. If you’re ready for a wild ride through the darker side of Victorian life, then “Victorian Psycho” is a thrilling choice. Buckle up; it’s an unforgettable experience!

Thank you, NetGalley, the publisher, W.W. Norton & Company, and the author, Virginia Feito, for this ARC. The book was released on February 4, 2025, so very it at your local bookstore.

This was out of pocket
It's about Winifred, a deranged woman that arrives at Ensor House to tutor the owners children, and about all the hell she raises during her stay. It's like a mix between Maeve Fly and American Psycho, and is just as darkly comedic and depraved as both.
This was gross, with lots of disgusting descriptions of eating old timey food, lots of bodily fluids, and plenty of scenes of bodily dismemberment/injury details.
EVERYTHING is fair game in this weird little story-animals, women, children, babies (actual infants), yeah this was *a lot*
The tone overall is comedic and irreverent, which is a bit jarring when you're reading some of these horrendous things.
Yeah, just be warned!!

Deliciously dark novel. There was a blur between the lines of hallucinations and reality that permeated this novel and the volley between both kept me on my toes the entire time. I loved Ms. Notty's boldness, merciless vengeance and the lengths she would go to enact her version of justice. And little Drusilla completely took me by surprise because what?!? This was my first novel by Virginia Feito and I don't think it will be my last. It was pure chaos and moments of "ummm, what?" and I loved every gruesome moment of it.

4.5 stars

This was a BANGER. I will be honest, I was only interested at first because I saw Margaret Qualley was cast in the movie adaptation, but now she's not in it anymore which is tragic, but her loss really. This book had me in tears laughing at things that normal people would be really stressed out by, and what more could you want?

Winifred Notty has just arrived at her new job as a governess for the Pounds family in 1800s (Victorian, duh) England. The entire family are varying types of obnoxious, but don't worry, Winifred is here and nothing good will come of that. I don't want to spoil anything, but if you enjoy sardonic humor, jokes (are they?) about eating children, and rich people being terrorized but with a background of antique wallpaper, this is for you. It's short and snappy and dark and hysterical, but with gorgeous writing. I'll definitely be reading this author's other work and anxiously waiting for the movie. I may even reread before then on audio, because I bet the delivery of some of these lines is worth experiencing in multiple formats. Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

The story is set in a snowy manor at Christmastime, it follows Winifred whose polished exterior hides a chilling inner darkness. Feito blends period style with sharp psychological insight, exploring repression, gender, and morality. Bold, unsettling, and laced with dark humor. This was definitely an interesting read!

I recognize that this is a horror novel, but I really do not have the stomach for animal cruelty. I'll just stick with the Brontës from now on.

This was a wild ride and I enjoyed every second of it. The absolutely unhinged POV and dark humor made this a five star read.

I feel like I may need to revisit this in the future because it didn't resonate as much I anticipated. Probably a mood thing.

This book was so much fun and so disturbing! It instantly made me want to read other works from Virginia Feito.

This book felt so unorganized and far-fetched. I did not enjoy this one, unfortunately. I read "Mrs. March" and it was a meh for me as well, but I was hoping for something better this time. I don't feel like this one met my expectations. I was looking for something spooky and suspenseful but I feel like this was gory and all over the place.

A gothic Victorian setting, kids that are absolutely entitled and terrible, a literal psychotic governess who stalks the estates halls and dreams of feasting on corpses; I mean, what are we missing? This was a crazy ass book.
Winifred Notty is the new governess for two children in an exquisite estate. Her only duties are simple: teach the kids and keep them in line, try to be normal and discreet. But, that’s not Winifred at all. She is there for revenge against those that have wronged her, and anyone who stands in her way is fair game. Nobody in that home - not the tenants, guests, nor the servants - will survive Christmas. Winifred will use her psychosis to her advantage, and create the ending she desires.
Quick, carnal, batshit insane. I can’t wait to see what A24 does with this! Good for her!!!
3.5/5

This book just wasn't really for me. It was a quick read, so I was able to get through it, but I think a lot of it went over my head and I had a tough time keeping track of what was going on.

I think people who are fans of wild and quirky horror stories will enjoy this one.

Incredible book from start to finish. Executed absolutely flawless. Obsessed with the FMC. Easiest five stars I’ve given this year! Highly recommend!