The Household by Stacey Halls
The Household is the fourth novel by Stacey Halls, published in paperback in 2025. I have read and enjoyed all of her previous novels, so was happy to pick this one up in Sainsbury’s.
In 1847, Charles Dickens’ home for fallen women – Urania Cottage – opens its doors. Funded by the very rich Angela Burdett Coutts, the home is run by the strict but fair Mrs Holdsworth. The residents are in their late teens or early 20s and have come from prison. Most have worked as prostitutes and some are convicted thieves. At Urania Cottage, they are treated with kindness and given good meals, as well as an education and training to work as servants and start a new, honest life.
The Household focuses both on the cottage and its residents, and the life of Angela. Angela’s stalker has been released from prison and she is once again living in fear. It seems that no amount of money can keep her safe. But she gets a lot of pleasure from visiting the cottage and builds a relationship with some of the girls, particularly Martha, the first resident. Martha is settled at the cottage, but desperate for news of the sister she hasn’t seen in a long time. And her friend, Josephine, wants to track down an old friend.
But the girls aren’t allowed outside the cottage. How will they get the answers they need?
The Household is a lovely read and I think my favourite of Stacey Halls’ novels to date. It certainly feels like her most ambitious, as the home really existed, as did Angela Burdett Coutts. I must admit there were times where I wondered where the story was going and if it would ever come together, but of course it did!
Charles Dickens doesn’t appear, although there are plenty of mentions of him. Coincidentally, this is the second book I’ve read this year which is based on true events and which features Dickens as a character – the other being The Fraud by Zadie Smith.
If you enjoy historical fiction, you will love The Household. And if you’ve never read historical fiction before, but are tempted to give it a try, The Household would be a good place to start.
You can also read my reviews of the previous Stacey Halls novels – The Familiars, The Foundling and Mrs England.
Looks really interesting, and has a beautiful cover. Is it based on real events, or just features a real place and a historical character? Either way, intriguing.
Thank you. It’s not based on real historical events, although definitely the sort of things which would have happened. But it based on a place that really existed and people that really existed – Angela Coutts and Charles Dickens.
Oh no, another must buy book. *sigh* thank you. I love Stacey Halls.
I’m sure you will enjoy it!
I bought it on Vinted, my new favourite place to go for books. Only £1 but you have to pay postage too. Mine arrived yesterday and it looks brand new 🙂
That is really good! I’ve never looked on Vinted for anything, but maybe I should have a look at the books. I do worry about how much I spend on them, although I’ve managed to get a few free ones this spring/ summer, which helps.