I bought this from the Woodside Animal Welfare Trust charity shop in Plympton, Plymouth this afternoon while on holiday in Devon. Not recognising the title and knowing nothing of the author, I don't know why I was drawn to it, except that I love historical fiction!

Amazon Editorial Review: "I would like to make myself the heroine of this story and my character to be noble—an innocent victim led astray. But alas, sir, I would be lying…
In prison, accused of murder, Tully Truegood begins to write her life story. A story that takes her from a young girl in the backstreets of 18th century London to her stepmother Queenie's Fairy House—a place where decadent excess is a must…
Trained by Queenie to become a courtesan, and by Mr. Crease—a magician who sees that Tully holds similar special powers to his own—Tully soon becomes the talk of the town.
But as Tully goes on a journey of sexual awakening, she falls in love with one of her clients and the pleasure soon turns to pain. Especially when the estranged husband she was forced to marry by her father suddenly seeks her out. Now Tully is awaiting her trial for murder, for which she expects to hang…and her only chance of survival is to get her story to the one person who might be able to help her.
Delaney's incredible tale of a young woman's journey out of the depths of despair is shocking, haunting and evocative. Part historical fiction and part magical realism, this juicy, jaw-dropping story will linger long after the last page is turned."

I got totally engrossed in this tale of magic and ghosts, love and sex, cruelty and lies . . . .and couldn't put it down, didn't want to put it down.
Lyrical, haunting writing style.
Apparently this is the first adult novel by the wonderful children's author, Sally Gardner, whose I, Coriander I loved, many years ago now.
Recommended, although not to everyone's taste.

Note: My computer's translation facility tells me that 'Nous nageons dans un flot futil' means 'We are swimming in a futile flow' - but I'm sure there's a more idiomatic version if I could only find it :-)

To tree-hugger - good to see you, lass! Enjoy :-)

I've heard good things about this one, thanks Nu-Knees!

This book is pornographic. My mother gave me pornography. My mother! Porn! It was really good though, thanks Mum. I can see why you recommended it to me - I love a tall tale populated by eccentric characters with dastardly villains and strong female leads. And this one has circus acts too, you know I love a circus book. If only she'd thrown in a religious sect and a trip to the far north as well it'd be my perfect combination of themes! It's a gripping story and I'm sure I know lots of people who'd like it, but my colleague bagsed it first, so it's coming to work with me tomorrow.