Content levels
Positive tags
Hero archetypes
Heroine archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Themes
Synopsis
In the Latin Quarter of Paris, Trilby O'Ferrall - graceful, charming and innocent - is working as an artist's model. Her ingenuous nature makes her the perfect prey for the cruel magnetism of the demonic musician Svengali, under whose spell she falls. Using hypnotic powers Svengali shapes her into a virtuoso singer and soon she becomes Europe's most captivating soprano. But her golden voice, and even her life, will become fatally tied to him. With its thrilling plot and legendary villain, Trilby caused a sensation when it appeared in 1894, spawning songs, shoes and, most famously, the Trilby hat. Yet it is also a fascinating portrayal of its times, holding up a mirror to fin de siecle obsessions with sexuality, mesmerism and the occult.
Is Trilby appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 16 and up.
This classic novel contains psychological manipulation, hypnotic control, and themes of obsession. A sinister musician uses mesmerism to control a young woman, shaping her talent but destroying her autonomy and ultimately her life.
What to know going in
This book has mild violence, mild sexual content, and clean language. Content notes include emotional abuse, death, and manipulation (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Teens interested in classic Gothic fiction and psychological thrillers will find this story of a hypnotist's dark power over a talented singer compelling and unsettling.