Vacant Possession

Vacant Possession, Hilary Mantel's second novel, follows the story of Muriel Axon after her release from a mental institution under Britain's Care in the Community program. The book serves as a sequel to Every Day is Mother's Day, taking place ten years after the events of the first novel. The plot centers on Muriel's calculated attempts at revenge against those she holds responsible for her institutionalization, including her former social worker Isabel Field and Colin Sidney, the current occupant of Muriel's childhood home. Through her talent for disguise and mimicry, Muriel infiltrates the lives of her targets. The narrative balances dark subject matter with moments of black comedy, exploring themes of revenge, identity, and the complexities of mental health care in 1980s Britain. The story examines how past actions continue to influence present relationships and the consequences of institutional care on both patients and society.

Readers describe this sequel to "Every Day is Mother's Day" as darker and more complex than its predecessor. The black comedy and gothic elements remain, with many noting the book's unsettling atmosphere. Likes: - Sharp observations of 1980s British society and class dynamics - Complex character development, particularly Muriel - Dry humor mixed with disturbing elements - Tight plotting and interconnected storylines Dislikes: - Confusing narrative structure with multiple perspectives - Some found it too bleak or difficult to follow without reading the first book - Character motivations can be unclear - Several readers noted it was less engaging than "Every Day is Mother's Day" Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (100+ ratings) "Like watching a train wreck in slow motion - horrifying but impossible to look away from," wrote one Goodreads reviewer. Another on Amazon noted: "Mantel makes you laugh while feeling deeply uncomfortable about what you're laughing at."

The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks The isolated life and dark machinations of a disturbed protagonist mirror Muriel's psychological landscape and vengeful schemes.

Notes on a Scandal by Zoë Heller A story of manipulation and calculated revenge unfolds through complex character relationships in British institutional settings.

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson The tale follows an isolated woman with a complicated past who uses ritualistic behaviors to maintain control over her world.

Spider by Patrick McGrath A psychological narrative about a man released from a mental institution who returns to confront his past in London.

The Collector by John Fowles The methodical actions of a socially isolated protagonist reveal themes of obsession and control within British society.

🔸 Vacant Possession (1986) is actually Hilary Mantel's second novel, written before her more famous historical works like Wolf Hall that would later earn her two Booker Prizes. 🔸 The book's mental health themes were partly influenced by Mantel's own experiences with severe endometriosis and the psychological impact of her misdiagnosis and treatment in the 1970s. 🔸 The novel is set in Thatcher-era Britain, a period marked by significant changes in mental healthcare policy, including the controversial closure of many psychiatric institutions. 🔸 The character's use of disguise in the novel draws on a rich literary tradition of identity deception, particularly in Gothic fiction - a genre that influenced much of Mantel's early work. 🔸 Despite being a sequel to "Every Day is Mother's Day," Vacant Possession can be read as a standalone novel, with Mantel crafting the narrative to work independently of its predecessor.