I’m beginning to wonder if I’m undergoing a similar conversion to historical fiction that I did with short stories having read several books over the past year which fit that description, not least Imogen Hermes Gowar’s The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock. Truth be told, many of the novels I read are not bang up to date in their setting but I tend to think of historical fiction as taking place well before the twentieth century, often lushly jacketed. Alix Nathan’s The Warlow Experiment fits both those criteria. Beginning in 1793, it tells the story of Herbert Powyss and John Warlow who answers Powyss’ advertisement for a man willing to be sealed underground in solitary confinement for seven years in exchange for fifty pounds for life.
Powyss is a recluse, pursuing an interest in natural science at Moreham Hall in Herefordshire. He has no family, no wife, no children and just one man he calls his friend with whom he corresponds. Frustrated in his ambition to be recognised by the Royal Society, Powyss conceives an eye-catching experiment: a volunteer will live in a luxuriously furnished apartment, complete with library, beneath Moreham Hall with no human contact for seven years. In return, the chosen applicant will receive fifty pounds a year for life and his family will be supported throughout his seven-year confinement. An advertisement is posted laying out these conditions but only one man applies: the semiliterate John Warlow, an agricultural labourer and father of six. In April 1793, Powyss ushers Warlow into his new living quarters, careful to show him the organ of which he is inordinately proud. Warlow is to communicate by note and will be given whatever he wants within reason. In order that he not harm himself, he will have no means of shaving or cutting his nails. Needless to say, things do not go according to plan. Meanwhile, the revolutionary fervour which has gripped France finds a toehold in Britain, its supporters encouraged by the ideas promulgated in Thomas Paine’s Rights of Man. In Herefordshire, Powyss’ gardener decides it’s time for the working man to rise up, leading to an act which will unleash a trail of destruction and bring Powyss’ experiment to a dramatic end.
In her author’s note, Nathan explains her novel was sparked by a record in the Annual Register, dated 1797, indicating that such an experiment had reached its fourth year. The Warlow Experiment is her response to this extraordinary idea, telling the story from both Warlow and Powyss’ points of view. Deeply introverted, Powyss is incapable of understanding the potential damage of imposing a regime he might find rather attractive on an uneducated man with no inner resources. There are glimmers of grotesque comedy in Nathan’s story, which exposes the chasm between rich and poor, but she’s careful to avoid caricature: Powyss’ idea is monstrous but it’s as much the product of emotional ignorance as overweening ambition. The servants with their politicking and their resentful self-interested complicity are particularly well drawn. There’s much to enjoy in this absorbing story, well told, but it’s chilling to think that it orginated from an historical record. In a neat illustration of the novel’s theme, if you look closely at that jacket, you’ll notice there are insects crawling over its enticing fruit.
Sounds creepy, though not at all surprised it was something considered and pursued at the time.
Me, neither, thinking of those ‘hermits’ paided to lurk in a picturesque fashion in the palatial gardens of the eighteenth-century rich.
I’m intrigued by solitude, whether chosen or imposed, so juxtaposing the two like this is a great premise. Thanks for another recommendation!
You’re welcome, Kate. It is an interesting idea and all the more so because of that Annual Register entry.
It’s fantastic and in many ways wasn’t at all what I expected – much darker and stranger. So pleased you liked it (and that you’re coming round to historical fiction!)
Thank you – I’m pretty sure Ms Gowar has had something to do with that!
I’m not a big reader of historical fiction, but this does sound pretty compelling – the plotting and politicking in particular. As a slight aside, you might want to take a look at Samantha Harvey’s The Western Wind if you haven’t read it already. A friend chose it for our book group last month, and I was suitably impressed.
The politicking was excellent, Jacqui. Such a disturbing premise, too. Thanks for the Harvey recommendation. I’ll add it to my ever-lengthening list
I’m on a real historical fiction kick and can probably date it back to around the publication of The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock, as well. The hardbacks have some of the most stunning covers I’ve seen and are proving hard to resist. I have this one and am looking forward to reading it.
I think you’d like this, Kath. It’s more gothic than Mermaid but the political and social context gives it an interesting dynamic.
That sounds great, and I am always up for some gothic.
Hope you enjoy it!
Thanks, Susan. I’ll let you know!
Great review. I have this on my wishlist as I’ve always loved historical fiction and there seems to be no shortage of great examples of the genre around at the moment.
Thanks, Cathy. They’re so beautifully packaged, too.
This sounds very intriguing, I think I am even more fascinated to learn that something like this happened in real life. Though as another commenter said perhaps not that surprised, given some of the other scientific experiments that went on in this period.
It’s quite horrifying, isn’t it. You can see how revolutionary fervour would take hold in a society where a rich man could get away with such an experiment on another human being.
This one sounds creepy and interesting too. gonna read it for sure.
Hope you enjoy it if you do.
This sounds very readable, and like it would make a good film or tv programme too. Although unlike the other comments I’m really shocked such a thing took place – shows how naive I am!
Well, I remember hearing about ‘hermits’ employed by rich eighteenth-century landowners to lend a picturesque quality to their gardens but this does seem like quite a few steps further than that.
Pingback: Announcing the NOT the Wellcome Prize and Blog Tour | Bookish Beck