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Known for her "passionate love scenes and steamy fantasies" (Booklist), New York Times bestselling author Virginia Henley pens a seductive tale of an extraordinary beauty, her heady deception, and the duke who knows her inside and out...
The true story of lowborn but beautiful Elizabeth Gunning (1733-1790), who took Georgian England by storm and became a duchess twice, is vividly fictionalized in this unconventional romance from Henley (Ravished, etc.). Born into an impoverished family, Elizabeth and her older sister Maria, both aspiring actresses, apply their talents offstage when their ambitious mother decides they should pose as members of the minor nobility. In London, their bold maneuvering, good fortune and the girls' own magnificence catapults them into society, where they draw the attention of noblemen and even the heir to the throne. The one man who knows Elizabeth's secret is John Campbell, the future Duke of Argyll, whose love for her isn't enough-at least initially-to overcome the difference in their status. She's also coveted, for much darker reasons, by John's enemy, the powerful Duke of Hamilton. The details of the Gunnings' rise will delight; at one point, the fearless Mrs. Gunning hires actors to mob her daughters whenever they appear in public and an actress to play their ladies' maid. Possessing all the sensuality and glitter of a more traditional romance but enriched by the plot's complexity and the heroine's genuine growth, this captivating tale will leave readers amply satisfied. (Dec.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
| Price | Condition | Delivery | Seller | Action |
| $99.99 | Digital |
| WonderClub |
Ryan Yokota
reviewed Undone on March 24, 2013
Undone
This story's heroine, Elizabeth Gunning, is a true historical figure.
She and her sister were celebrated beauties in the era of George II. Unfortunately, Henley takes considerable liberty with a story that, without embellishment, would have been a pretty damn good tale.
As Henley would have it, Beth met and fell in love with John Campbell before her stage mom decided to drag her and her sister to Dublin to meet Margaret Woffington (renowned actress of the day). The family gets an invite to an upper crust soiree, and their mom decides to pretend to be related to a viscount. The girls are so well-received that Mom and Dad sell everything they have and take the girls to London for a season, figuring they can marry money.
John's wild for Beth, too, but he knows she's nobody, so she's not good enough to marry. Unfortunately, by the time he pulls his head out of the inner darkness, she's been coerced into marrying an abusive and narcissistic duke.
Well, except, based on what I read of their story, Hamilton wasn't such a bad guy. Henley eliminates two children by Beth's first husband, and a betrothal to yet another duke, before the real-life Beth finally wed John Campbell, who became the 5th Duke of Argyll.
When the MC's are real people I like it better if the author manages to work the story around the known facts. This one could have been a heckuva story without all the liberties. 3 stars.
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