THE PLOT: ‘The Flames’ by Sophie Haydock is historical fiction set in Vienna in 1913. It’s the turn of the century and Vienna is teeming with art, music and radical ideas. Four women are searching for freedom from convention, all of them connected by one man. Edith and Adele are bourgeois sisters, expected to marry well. Gertrude’s middling family is brought low by trauma and she envies her brother’s autonomy. Vally was born into poverty but is making her way as an artist’s model. The women are set on a collision course that will send shockwaves through Viennese society and a war is looming that will turn their lives upside down.

SUMMARY: This gorgeous, rich novel reminds me why I love historical fiction so much. The setting and atmosphere are so captivating; this book has got me booking a trip to Vienna next year! I loved learning more about Egon Schiele – the real-life artist and his models who inspired the novel – and the daring sexuality of his work. I went into this book not knowing about the artist or his background and I would encourage you to do the same. The author gives agency and background to the artist’s models and allows you to see them in their own light.

GOOD BITS:  This book truly immersed me in Vienna at the turn of the century. Though the narrative is firmly anchored in its time period, the characters feel realistically modern with their yearning and hope for the future. As each women defies convention to seek their own path, this novel reminds us of the cyclical nature of history and how every artistic movement and lifetime pushes the boundaries of expectation. Although I identified the most with Adele’s character, I loved seeing her in opposition to Edith and how Edith bloomed in her own right. I would say my favourite section was Vally’s but I loved each section and the distinctiveness of each character.

NOT SO GOOD BITS: Most novels are criticised for lacking pace, but I’d say the first chunk goes too quickly. After becoming immersed in Adele’s story, her later years and mental decline felt rushed and I couldn’t fully understand her motivations. Conversely, the novel became a little repetitive towards the end. Each point of view is narrated sequentially so the time periods overlap. While the author cleverly skips years and fills in the gaps so you’re not re-enacting the same scenes from multiple viewpoints, the feeling of repetition made Adele’s actions in the last fifty pages seem somewhat melodramatic (perhaps because her motivations need to be explained earlier).

OVERALL: I’d recommend this book to fans of ‘The Dancing Tree’ by Kiran Millwood-Hargrave, ‘The Miniaturist’ by Jessie Burton, and ‘The Marriage Portrait’ by Maggie O’Farrell. If you like literary historical fiction with rich writing, strong settings and feminist themes, this is for you.