honestly the most implausible thing about this victorian novel so far, is not that someone can bring flesh back to life, it's that a woman has a dress with pockets (into which the incriminating item is placed).
It's a *pre* Victorian novel. And womens' dresses until the early 19th century were often cut to conceal a separate pocket, worn on a belt under the dress, with a slit to gain access to it.
(Social historical context makes a huge difference when reading historic—as opposed to historical—fiction.)
@cstross thanks. Not much coverage of 19th century British history in my maths degree, and I wasn't there. I did already know what a reticule is though. ;)
@David JONES If you want to know more about pockets in historical dress there is a book: The Pocket A Hidden History of Women's Lives, 1660-1900 by Barbara Burman and Ariane Fennetaux
spoiler: in those years pockets for women were quite a thing, and they were *big*. live-poultry-sized, even!
(except for those few years every century or so when people forgot about having a waist and had to resort to reticules :D )
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Charlie Stross
in reply to David JONES • • •Sensitive content
It's a *pre* Victorian novel. And womens' dresses until the early 19th century were often cut to conceal a separate pocket, worn on a belt under the dress, with a slit to gain access to it.
(Social historical context makes a huge difference when reading historic—as opposed to historical—fiction.)
David JONES
in reply to Charlie Stross • • •Sensitive content
Charlie Stross
in reply to David JONES • • •Sensitive content
Elena ``of Valhalla''
in reply to David JONES • •@David JONES If you want to know more about pockets in historical dress there is a book: The Pocket
A Hidden History of Women's Lives, 1660-1900 by Barbara Burman and Ariane Fennetaux
spoiler: in those years pockets for women were quite a thing, and they were *big*. live-poultry-sized, even!
(except for those few years every century or so when people forgot about having a waist and had to resort to reticules :D )
David JONES likes this.