Palace of the Drowned

Palace of the Drowned follows writer Frances "Frankie" Croy as she retreats to Venice in 1966 after experiencing a mental breakdown. The once-successful novelist seeks solitude in her friend's vacant palazzo, hoping to recover from harsh criticism of her latest book and escape London's literary scene. Frankie's isolation is disrupted by the arrival of Gilly, a young woman who claims to be an admiring reader. The relationship between the two women grows complex as Gilly's persistent presence begins to unsettle Frankie, while Venice's winter floods and dark corners create an atmosphere of mounting tension. The novel merges psychological suspense with gothic elements against the backdrop of a decaying Venice. Through Frankie's increasingly uncertain perspective, the story explores themes of artistic identity, the price of success, and the blurred lines between reality and paranoia.

Readers found the Gothic atmosphere and 1960s Venice setting to be the strongest elements, though many felt the story moved too slowly. The detailed descriptions of Venice's streets, canals, and decay created an immersive backdrop that kept readers engaged through slower sections. Likes: - Rich sense of place and era - Building psychological tension - Writing style and prose quality Dislikes: - Plot pacing drags in middle sections - Character motivations remain unclear - Ending left too many questions unanswered - Some found the protagonist frustrating and unlikeable Multiple readers compared it unfavorably to Mangan's first novel Tangerine, noting this one had less suspense and momentum. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (300+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.4/5 (100+ ratings) "Beautiful writing but moves at a glacial pace" - Goodreads reviewer "The atmosphere carries it, but the plot doesn't deliver" - Amazon reviewer

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🌊 Venice's acqua alta (flooding) plays a crucial role in the novel's atmosphere - these floods have plagued the city for centuries, with the worst recorded flooding occurring in 1966, just a few years after the book's 1960s setting. 📚 Author Christine Mangan holds a PhD in English from the University College Dublin, and her academic background in Gothic literature heavily influences the psychological suspense elements in her writing. 🏰 The palazzo in the novel is inspired by real Venetian buildings that were abandoned and left to decay during the mid-20th century, as many noble families could no longer afford their upkeep. ✍️ This is Mangan's second novel, following her critically acclaimed debut "Tangerine," which was optioned for film by George Clooney's production company with Scarlett Johansson attached to star. 🎨 The book draws inspiration from Patricia Highsmith's psychological thrillers and Daphne du Maurier's Gothic romance "Don't Look Now," which is also set in Venice.