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Mad Richard

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Member Reviews

Thanks to NetGalley and ECW Press for an egalley in exchange for an honest review. Although my egalley was archived before I could download my ARC. I have purchased the final copy and will review it now.

Honestly, I had never heard of the artist Richard Dadd, a talented artist who rubbed elbows with many of the who's who of the Victorian Age and later found himself in Bedlam for murder, imprisoned for being criminally insane. However, I did know the author, Charlotte Bronte and that is what initially drew me to the novel.

Although the novel opens with Bronte visiting Bedlam and having Richard Dadd pointed out to her, there really is not that much of a relationship between the two. In fact, the rest of the novel focuses on Dadd's descent into mental unwellness and Bronte's last attempts for marital bliss. What is apparent is how much fellow authors, Elizabeth Gaskell and Charles Dickens were present in the lives of our two main characters. I found that somewhat just as fascinating as the main plot. A very informative historical fiction!


Publication Date 14/03/17
Goodreads review published 01/02/22

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Richard Dodd and Charlotte Bronte are a recipe for success in this well thought out historical novel which explores a relationship that's not well known (although it's only a small part of the plot). A good read.

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I actually finished this title quite a while ago, wasn't sure how I wanted to review it, then let things slide...

The book was interesting—and I don't mean "interesting" in that way that indicates failure of some kind. It's just such an original beast that it's hard to know where to place it. The nonlinear structure sets it apart from a lot of historical fiction, which is the genre it seems the best fit for. It took me quite a while to "like" any of the characters, and, though that's not necessary, it does help keep a reader going.

Read this book if you welcome traveling unfamiliar territory and see what you think of it.

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Richard Dadd and Charlotte Bronte. Two actual historical figures but here imagined in a fictional version of their lives which stays close to real life and feels very authentic. Dadd was a gifted and talented artist who became mentally ill and ended up committed as criminally insane in Bedlam. In 1853 Charlotte Bronte visited him there and felt a connection between them. That connection is only perhaps tangential but it allows the author to explore issues of genius, fame and madness in a convincing and compelling way. And the two did indeed move in the same circles and knew the same people, even if their acquaintance was fleeting. It’s an atmospheric book, strong on historical and biographical detail and I very much enjoyed it.

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Starting with Charlotte Brontë and her visit with Dadd in Bedlam, the one visit between them, and the jumping off point for Brontë’s and Kruegers exploration of the genesis of artistic genius, and the role that childhood, experiences and learning play into their craft and ultimate ends. While one would not instantly equate the two, Krueger uses reflections and inner dialogue from both to help set the scene and provide plenty of “I never thought of it that way’ moments for readers.

When we look at ‘insanity’ as defined by the Victorians, and especially the treatments, the barbarity and lack of insight is often the first to capture attention, and what must be understood is the strict social morays for behavior and self-expression, and the lack or willingness to accept eccentricities or behaviors different from that norm, particularly with those who attain a certain level of celebrity. Krueger examines Dadd’s life: from his difficult childhood and his admirable talent, perhaps unrecognized early on as he was envious of the fame of his neighbor Dickens, and while his early years at the Royal Academy and his first exhibition to the lingering doubts and questions, fueling his insecurities.

Seeking fame and notoriety, he accompanies an English “gentleman’ through Europe and the Middle East where the rigors of the journey, combined with his own internal conflicts bring him close to insanity. On his return to England, he commits a murder, and is imprisoned in Bedlam as a result of his instability and crimes, and an obsession with Osiris. Interspersed with Dadd’s story is the one of Charlotte Brontë, and her struggle with an unrequieted love for her publisher, the tumult of reviews of the third novel, and her own lonely existence, without parents or siblings living, she is imagining a Bedlam-like life, without hope of happiness or relief.

Krueger plays all of these elements together in such a way as to become palpable and send readers off in varied directions, self-contemplations and perhaps understanding their favored classicist (be they artist or author) a tiny bit more. Opening questions about madness sparking artistic genius, or the demons of life and experience fueling an obsession, viewed as madness, that can only escape in a chosen medium. A wonderful read that allows readers to savor moments, thoughts and questions long after the last page is turned.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” http://wp.me/p3OmRo-8OZ/”> I am, Indeed </a>

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I received this book for free from Netgalley. This did not influence my review.

Life keeps happening and it’s really cutting into my reading and blogging. Still, I did squeeze in this gem, Mad Richard by Leslie Krueger.

This literary historical novel introduces us to Richard Dadd, a talented nineteenth century British artist who was mentally ill, grew increasingly violent, and was eventually admitted to Bedlam. The novel begins with a visitor to the insane asylum who comes specifically to speak with Richard: Charlotte Bronte. The encounter did happen, though the details here are fictional.

The story branches out to follow the lives of both these characters. Although they don’t come in contact again, they know some of the same people so the links between them hold the separate narratives together. One person who looms large is Charles Dickens. A boyhood acquaintance of Dadd’s, his path keeps crossing Dadd’s and they keep tabs on each other’s professional careers. Bronte and Dickens are not friends but are literary contemporaries.

Charlotte’s sections are somewhat dreamy, as the author is at a later stage in her career, her siblings are dead, and she is contemplating living out her life as a spinster caring for her father in the parsonage. It’s not the life she particularly wants. She has fallen in love with her editor, a handsome younger man, who supports her as an author and friend, but who shies away when her deeper feelings become more obvious. Charlotte is wooed in turn by her father’s curate, a sober, quiet man. Charlotte’s father sent him away, appalled that he dared approach his social superior, the famous author. However, Charlotte keeps him on a string while she decides what course to take. She fears life alone but also fears a life without writing and worries marrying the curate will cut short her career.

Dadd’s life is more tumultuous. One of nine children, Richard is his father’s favorite. His father is a successful chemist who has pinned all hopes for the family’s rise in the world on Richard. This exceptional son is given a first class education and, when he decides he wants to be a painter, tutors are hired and connections are tapped. Richard also finds his own group of up-and-coming artists, and it seems he is on his way.

But Richard is slowly losing his mind. He immerses himself in his art and his interpretation of art, but his thoughts drift farther and farther from reality. Part of the time he frightens himself, but other times he is inspired by his own intellect. Pushed by his father to accept a position accompanying a gentleman on a tour of Egypt, Richard falls off the cliff of madness in the exotic climes. By the time he returns, he is hearing the voices of Egyptian gods telling him to commit murder.

This is a beautifully written book that succeeds in weaving together the stories of these two very different people, who have in common ambition, a love of art, and an ambivalent feeling about fame. Charlotte’s story is bittersweet and grounded in reality. Richard’s is horrifyingly tragic and surreal. The author does a wonderful job of presenting his descent into madness in a vivid, realistic, and sympathetic way.

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The many contrasts and shades of Richard Dadd, Charlotte Brontë and Charles Dickens

I admit it took me several attempts in the beginning to keep reading this tale of the certain degrees of separation of 19th-century geniuses in art and literature. There were numerous different themes and unfortunate confusing streaky timelines of presented lives and trials that it lost me more than once. The writing was simply eccentrically beautiful overall though and the chapters regarding Charlotte Brontë definitely kept me turning the pages until the end. Those superbly researched passages along with the creative cameos of artistic and literary “lionesses and players” have me now desiring to revisit every classic mentioned of the era. Only one or two slightly distracting Americanism sprang out in other chapters (or descriptive panels depending of which character the pages were following) and the final sections seemed sadly rushed blotting out the delicate comparisons and associations of personalities that were explored in the opening of this book.

Perhaps this is one of those too finely crafted novels that will fully amuse and enchant a certain audience. I really wanted to be a captivated member of that set but I think like any memorable work of art it’s the history and the stories surrounding the central subject we remember best as we walk away. That may be not an intended message but I will certainly be recalling the intriguing tidbits of the 19th century that were shared in Mad Richard and really hope Ms. Krueger may consider dedicating an entire novel to the background corner figures briefly featured in this work. Her distinct vintage elegance of the pen clearly displayed in Mad Richard would be something special to see again and wait for.

*I would like to thank ECW Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Mad Richard

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Based on the true story about painter Richard Dadd, Mad Richard provides a fictionalized version of his life from his difficult childhood, through his success as an artist, and leading to his eventual turn to madness and murder. It also weaves in Dadd's frequent interactions with up-and-coming author Charles Dickens and his one-time meeting with Charlotte Bronte shortly before her death. The history of Dadd's life was interesting and the characters who populate this novel are well-developed and unique. The inclusion of Charlotte Bronte's story didn't necessarily fit, as it seemed Krueger was trying to tell two stories that then had to be forced together. I also wish she'd written in more detail about Dadd's life in Bedlam after he went crazy. Overall, though, this was a well-written, informative piece of historical fiction.

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