Helpful Score: 2
Duchess Georgiana was the most prominent British woman of her day(1757-1806.) She was beautiful, sensitive and extravagant. This is her story of drugs, drink, high-profile love affairs, gambling and also her battle with an eating disorder! (She is the great-great-great-great aunt to the late Princess Diana.) Georgiana's story is sensational! Anyone who loves historical biographies will love this soap-opera like novel. The political and fashion commentaries are also very entertaining.
Helpful Score: 1
This is dazzling biography that goes beyond the often stale retelling of history. The author presents the person, Georgiana, what she was like, her allegiances and character. The her-story is presented in fascinating detail. This is a serious scholarly work, yet I was riveted. This is one of Princess Diana's most colorful ancestors, and I can honestly see where Princess Di gets her spirit and character from this genetic tapestry of a woman!
This is an excellent book! I am fully versed on British and French history of the time, and this book was accurate, objective and very enjoyable to read. Ms. Foreman does a good job of integrating the politics of the times (in which Georgiana was very much involved) with the private life of Georgiana and her contemporaries. After reading much about Marie Antoinette and Josephine Bonaparte, and seeing Georgiana's name mentioned several times, I was eager to read her own story.
Biograpers are notorious for falling in love with their subjects. It is the literary equivalent of the Stockholm Syndrome, the phenomenon which leads hostages to feel sympathetic towards their captors. The biographer is, in a sense, a willing hostage, held captive for so long that he becomes hopelessly enthralled.
Victim or Villian?
The movie starring Kiera Knightley would say the Duchess of Devonshire was purely a victim. However, this book could make an argument and change one's mind.
The movie starring Kiera Knightley would say the Duchess of Devonshire was purely a victim. However, this book could make an argument and change one's mind.
