The Entirely True Story of the Fantastical Mesmerist Nora Grey by Kathleen Kaufman follows two young women, Lottie and Nairna (aka Nora) who are separated by time but have a mysterious connection to each other.
With dual timelines set around 1866 and 1901, there are parallels surrounding how men control the lives of both Lottie and Marina. Both women struggle, in different ways, to free themselves but with very different outcomes.
This was not the easiest read in the world, and by that I mean emotionally it was difficult. The things that Lottie went through in her timeline were difficult to read about and made me angry, more so because I’m sure that in reality women in her time went through such treatment and worse. I could feel her helplessness and desperation, and I really wanted a different outcome for her.
Similarly, the way men, and yes even some women, sought to use Nairna for their own ends also made me angry. The difference was that Nairna was able to eventually stand up for herself and take control of her own fate even in a time when women still had few rights.
I was not a great fan of the inclusion of the newspaper articles at the beginning of each chapter, they felt like filler and didn’t really add anything to the story. I quickly tired of them and started skimming them since they didn’t seem important.
Ultimately I enjoyed this book, I found it a compelling read that had me finishing it in one sitting. I would recommend it to anyone interested in historical fantasy with occult elements.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Entirely True Story of the Fantastical Mesmerist Nora Grey publishes on July 29 2025.
Life, Tea, and Everything 