A theatrical shadow-show of passion and puppets: the novel in a minute’s nutshell.
And for those who like their pictures with (con)text: Under the Poppy is the story of an orphaned brother and sister, Istvan and Decca, and their childhood friend, Rupert, set in a Victorian-era brothel called Under the Poppy. The brothel is owned by Decca, who’s in love with co-owner Rupert, who’s in love with Istvan, who comes to town, louche puppet troupe in tow.
The lines of their desires intersect against a backdrop of approaching war, as old betrayals and new alliances — not only their own — take shape, hearts are broken, and the townsmen seek refuge from it all by watching the girls of the Poppy cavort onstage with Istvan’s naughty puppets . . . It’s a love story.
