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Westmorland #2
The Gilded Lily
A spellbinding historical novel of beauty and greed and surprising redemption
England, 1660. Ella Appleby believes she is destined for better things than slaving as a housemaid and dodging the blows of her drunken father. When her employer dies suddenly, she seizes her chance--taking his valuables and fleeing the countryside with her sister for the golden prospects of London. But London may not be the promised land she expects. Work is hard to find, until Ella takes up with a dashing and dubious gentleman with ties to the London underworld. Meanwhile, her old employer's twin brother is in hot pursuit of the sisters.
Set in a London of atmospheric coffee houses, gilded mansions, and shady pawnshops hidden from rich men’s view, Deborah Swift's The Gilded Lily is a dazzling novel of historical adventure.
England, 1660. Ella Appleby believes she is destined for better things than slaving as a housemaid and dodging the blows of her drunken father. When her employer dies suddenly, she seizes her chance--taking his valuables and fleeing the countryside with her sister for the golden prospects of London. But London may not be the promised land she expects. Work is hard to find, until Ella takes up with a dashing and dubious gentleman with ties to the London underworld. Meanwhile, her old employer's twin brother is in hot pursuit of the sisters.
Set in a London of atmospheric coffee houses, gilded mansions, and shady pawnshops hidden from rich men’s view, Deborah Swift's The Gilded Lily is a dazzling novel of historical adventure.
471 pages, Paperback
First published September 13, 2012
768 people are currently reading
2450 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Swift
37 books539 followersI am a novelist living in the Lake District in England. I write historical fiction but read widely - contemporary and classic fiction. I choose my books carefully, so I don't read many duds. If I do, they are not reviewed here, as a gesture of respect to other writers.
I blog at my website
www.deborahswift.com
I blog at my website
www.deborahswift.com
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August 9, 2023DNfed because I just wasn't in the mood for it - BUT the writing is good, so I'm hoping I'll get to it another time. 🖤
September 19, 2012
Seventeenth-century London comes to life in this gritty story about sisters and survival. It's a tale of the inner workings of London and the many people who make up the great machine of industry and commerce that keeps it all running. Though Charles II rules over them with his notoriously extravagant and debauched court, it means nothing to the characters of this tale, who must fight, grasp, struggle, and reach for any opportunity at a better life among the trash-heaped, grime-covered, cutthroat streets of London's working-class neighborhoods.
Ella Appleby is a bold young woman from the little village of Netherbarrow who dreams of a life more worldly and important than the one she was born to. When a dishonest opportunity to attain such a life presents itself, she takes it, and takes her younger sister Sadie along for the ride. Arriving in London with a trunk full of stolen goods, Ella is convinced the girls will be able to hide from the law and live a better life, two faces in a sea of millions. But it doesn't take long for the girls to realize their new life is not going to be so easy, with jobs scarce, and food and firewood even scarcer, and especially when wanted posters start appearing around town describing the girls, and Sadie's port-wine birthmark, to a tee.
Ella catches a lucky break and accepts a position in pawnbroker Jay Whitgift's boutique for fashionable ladies, but Sadie is forced into hiding and relying on Ella for her survival. As Ella is tantalized by the glamour of her new job and caught up in Jay's plans for the future, which she desperately wants to be a part of, she begins to resent Sadie and her birthmark, and her obligation to keep her safe and sound. As Ella grasps higher and higher for a prize beyond her reach, Sadie grows increasingly lonely and remorseful, and disapproving of Ella's lifestyle, and the sisters' relationship deteriorates at the time when they need each other the most. Though it is Ella who plots and schemes and reaches for what she thinks will be a better life, it is Sadie who forms the real heart of this tale, a beacon of hope and honesty and goodness in a world of adversity and poverty and immorality. When Ella's glamorous position takes a turn toward the dark side, her plans begin to crumble, and the law draws its net around her, Sadie has to find the courage to fend for herself and to reach for her own happiness, and to save her sister before it's too late.
The Gilded Lily is impeccably written historical fiction. The detail is superb and life in London is so vividly depicted that the city seems to take on its own persona and become a lurking character in the story, one that is always there, and one whose motives are never clear. The characters are incredibly well-developed and realistic, and even the supporting and tertiary characters are multi-faceted. I was delighted by the use of period language and street slang; it really enhanced the atmosphere without ever being cumbersome or unnatural. I did find the pacing of the story to be very slow and I felt like it took me a long time to finish it, but in a way it is the type of novel that needs to be savored slowly, because it so completely brings the time period to life that you almost want to stop and revel in it for a while to soak up the experience and make sure you don't miss any fascinating little detail. Overall I found The Gilded Lily to be an enjoyable read, a bit heavy, but rich in ambiance and character-driven story, and a transporting view into the life of everyday people in Restoration London.
Ella Appleby is a bold young woman from the little village of Netherbarrow who dreams of a life more worldly and important than the one she was born to. When a dishonest opportunity to attain such a life presents itself, she takes it, and takes her younger sister Sadie along for the ride. Arriving in London with a trunk full of stolen goods, Ella is convinced the girls will be able to hide from the law and live a better life, two faces in a sea of millions. But it doesn't take long for the girls to realize their new life is not going to be so easy, with jobs scarce, and food and firewood even scarcer, and especially when wanted posters start appearing around town describing the girls, and Sadie's port-wine birthmark, to a tee.
Ella catches a lucky break and accepts a position in pawnbroker Jay Whitgift's boutique for fashionable ladies, but Sadie is forced into hiding and relying on Ella for her survival. As Ella is tantalized by the glamour of her new job and caught up in Jay's plans for the future, which she desperately wants to be a part of, she begins to resent Sadie and her birthmark, and her obligation to keep her safe and sound. As Ella grasps higher and higher for a prize beyond her reach, Sadie grows increasingly lonely and remorseful, and disapproving of Ella's lifestyle, and the sisters' relationship deteriorates at the time when they need each other the most. Though it is Ella who plots and schemes and reaches for what she thinks will be a better life, it is Sadie who forms the real heart of this tale, a beacon of hope and honesty and goodness in a world of adversity and poverty and immorality. When Ella's glamorous position takes a turn toward the dark side, her plans begin to crumble, and the law draws its net around her, Sadie has to find the courage to fend for herself and to reach for her own happiness, and to save her sister before it's too late.
The Gilded Lily is impeccably written historical fiction. The detail is superb and life in London is so vividly depicted that the city seems to take on its own persona and become a lurking character in the story, one that is always there, and one whose motives are never clear. The characters are incredibly well-developed and realistic, and even the supporting and tertiary characters are multi-faceted. I was delighted by the use of period language and street slang; it really enhanced the atmosphere without ever being cumbersome or unnatural. I did find the pacing of the story to be very slow and I felt like it took me a long time to finish it, but in a way it is the type of novel that needs to be savored slowly, because it so completely brings the time period to life that you almost want to stop and revel in it for a while to soak up the experience and make sure you don't miss any fascinating little detail. Overall I found The Gilded Lily to be an enjoyable read, a bit heavy, but rich in ambiance and character-driven story, and a transporting view into the life of everyday people in Restoration London.
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September 7, 2012New tour with HF Virtual Book Tours...September 2012 for UK release and November 2012 for US release!
November 22, 2012
Knowing that the author had previously released The Lady's Slipper, and knowing that it was a companion piece to The Gilded Lily, I tried to find the opportunity to read it first, however due to time constraints that just did not happen. I had concerns that I would feel like I was missing something. I am happy to say that is not the case at all – however at times I made note that I would probably have had a more well-rounded reading experience had I read The Lady’s Slipper first.
Swift’s strongest skill is her ability to create a living, breathing world in which to place her characters. The pages just oozed 17th century London and the reader is instantly transported into the same dark alleys and hard-times that the characters are enduring. I especially enjoyed the fairs on the frozen Thames River. My previous reading experience with this time period has always been within and around the royal court and its entourage and the world Swift creates is almost as far as you can get in the other extreme. We experience poverty, sickness, hunger, freezing temperatures, etc among other travails the characters need to endure. We get the opportunity to peek into several professions of commoners – perruquiers (wig makers), shop attendants, maids, and pawn brokers – not necessarily common places for novel heroines to frequent.
Regarding one of the biggest did-she-or-didn’t-she moments in this novel, we are kept in the dark from about page 4 up until almost the end of the novel. While this would usually be something that frustrates me, the pace of this novel was so rapid that you didn’t even notice that you were suddenly 300 pages in and at that point almost done with the book. The book was narrated intermittently by three different characters and this was executed very well. You were never confused as to who was telling the story or what their unique perspective was.
A quick word about the cover (the US version) – for once I think that the cover artist may have actually read something of the novel because as I read the description of an outfit Ella was wearing I immediately turned over the cover – and there it was! Great job!
I can say that The Gilded Lily has been among my favorite reads this year and will likely end up within my top 10 reads. I anxiously await the time to be able to read The Lady’s Slipper.
This book was received for review from the publisher - I was not compensated for my opinions and the above is my honest review.
Swift’s strongest skill is her ability to create a living, breathing world in which to place her characters. The pages just oozed 17th century London and the reader is instantly transported into the same dark alleys and hard-times that the characters are enduring. I especially enjoyed the fairs on the frozen Thames River. My previous reading experience with this time period has always been within and around the royal court and its entourage and the world Swift creates is almost as far as you can get in the other extreme. We experience poverty, sickness, hunger, freezing temperatures, etc among other travails the characters need to endure. We get the opportunity to peek into several professions of commoners – perruquiers (wig makers), shop attendants, maids, and pawn brokers – not necessarily common places for novel heroines to frequent.
Regarding one of the biggest did-she-or-didn’t-she moments in this novel, we are kept in the dark from about page 4 up until almost the end of the novel. While this would usually be something that frustrates me, the pace of this novel was so rapid that you didn’t even notice that you were suddenly 300 pages in and at that point almost done with the book. The book was narrated intermittently by three different characters and this was executed very well. You were never confused as to who was telling the story or what their unique perspective was.
A quick word about the cover (the US version) – for once I think that the cover artist may have actually read something of the novel because as I read the description of an outfit Ella was wearing I immediately turned over the cover – and there it was! Great job!
I can say that The Gilded Lily has been among my favorite reads this year and will likely end up within my top 10 reads. I anxiously await the time to be able to read The Lady’s Slipper.
This book was received for review from the publisher - I was not compensated for my opinions and the above is my honest review.
October 1, 2013
I'm not sure why this book received so many 5 stars, to me it was too drawn out and rather dull. Yes it does shed light on the darker side of London in the 1600 and the writing is not bad, it's just not great.
November 25, 2012
Formerly released in England to rave reviews, this book is finally available in the US on November 27. Greed, adventure, danger, mystery, and history combine for a memorable, absorbing read.
You will be hooked by this masterfully told story by the middle of chapter one. Sisters Ella and Sadie Appleby flee their home in Westmoreland by night after the suspicious death of Ella’s employer. Danger lurks around every corner and the reader is caught up in an engrossing adventure. Can Ella and Sadie stay two steps ahead of the constable? Will they survive this mess they have made for themselves? We read of their blundering persistence amid the squalor of life with the unfortunates on the streets of London. They work for a malicious wig-maker, until Ella lands a job at a ladies emporium participating in a scam to determine what wealthy homes are left empty and open for stealing.
After receiving copious praise for her first novel, The Lady's Slipper , Ms. Swift continues to garner praise for her knowledge of the seventeenth century and her ability to weave complex characters and spot-on historical detail. Restoration London is exquisitely evoked with period detail and dialogue.
Swift imbues her characters with palpable motives and impressive survival skills. The tension set up between Ella and Sadie keeps the reader guessing about their relationship and hazardous exploits. Ella is bold, conniving, and nasty to Sadie. She knows how to keep a secret and to use her bosom and dimples to her advantage. She is very smart, but her appreciation for the finer things in life is her downfall. Sweet-natured Sadie is the more layered character. She is hopeful despite being scorned for having “the Devil’s paw print” (a birthmark) on her face. A master seamstress with a big heart, she forgives her sister over and over for harsh treatment. The character of Dennis is a special treat—a must-have-friend for any down and out girl. The author paints the poor sections of Restoration London accurately—squalid and hazardous.
The story is not sunshine and flowers. It is real. The dark nature of the book is balanced by a surprising redemption at the end.
Reviewed by Holly Weiss, author of Crestmont
You will be hooked by this masterfully told story by the middle of chapter one. Sisters Ella and Sadie Appleby flee their home in Westmoreland by night after the suspicious death of Ella’s employer. Danger lurks around every corner and the reader is caught up in an engrossing adventure. Can Ella and Sadie stay two steps ahead of the constable? Will they survive this mess they have made for themselves? We read of their blundering persistence amid the squalor of life with the unfortunates on the streets of London. They work for a malicious wig-maker, until Ella lands a job at a ladies emporium participating in a scam to determine what wealthy homes are left empty and open for stealing.
After receiving copious praise for her first novel, The Lady's Slipper , Ms. Swift continues to garner praise for her knowledge of the seventeenth century and her ability to weave complex characters and spot-on historical detail. Restoration London is exquisitely evoked with period detail and dialogue.
Swift imbues her characters with palpable motives and impressive survival skills. The tension set up between Ella and Sadie keeps the reader guessing about their relationship and hazardous exploits. Ella is bold, conniving, and nasty to Sadie. She knows how to keep a secret and to use her bosom and dimples to her advantage. She is very smart, but her appreciation for the finer things in life is her downfall. Sweet-natured Sadie is the more layered character. She is hopeful despite being scorned for having “the Devil’s paw print” (a birthmark) on her face. A master seamstress with a big heart, she forgives her sister over and over for harsh treatment. The character of Dennis is a special treat—a must-have-friend for any down and out girl. The author paints the poor sections of Restoration London accurately—squalid and hazardous.
The story is not sunshine and flowers. It is real. The dark nature of the book is balanced by a surprising redemption at the end.
Reviewed by Holly Weiss, author of Crestmont
February 5, 2013
I struggled to get through this book and it took me just over a month to finish, which is a long time. I forced myself to complete it (when I might otherwise DNFed) because, at the time, I could not put my thumb on what bothered me. I felt it was unfair to give up on a book without a definite reason.
The plot, two country sisters, accused of murdering and robbing their master, their flight to London, and subsequent struggles to evade the law sounds like it should be a real page turner. I can find no faults with the historical research employed in the book. And yet, I just could not get excited about this book.
Having now finished the book and had some time to consider, I believe my lack of enthusiasm comes down to two key points.
1. The characters. I just don't like any of them. The sisters, in particular, are lacking real depth. One is intensely selfish, the other so meek, and both are difficult to sympathize with. Add to this that there are monumental shifts in character temperament and motivation toward the end of the book, all to bring the plot to quick resolution.
2. The pacing. The opening chapters of this book, leading up to the flight to London, are catching enough. I wanted to know what would happen to these characters. But, once the initial conflict is set up, we are treated to the long, tedious, meat of the story, in which, not much happens. While this may be accurate to life on the lam, it does not make for good reading. The last fifth of the book, dealing with the resolution, picks up the pace again but seems, at this point, so hurried and hastily put together, as to come off sloppy.
In the end, The Gilded Lily was not my cup of tea but it was not a bad story, just a poorly executed one. Others, with more patience than I, may find this to be an excellent read.
The plot, two country sisters, accused of murdering and robbing their master, their flight to London, and subsequent struggles to evade the law sounds like it should be a real page turner. I can find no faults with the historical research employed in the book. And yet, I just could not get excited about this book.
Having now finished the book and had some time to consider, I believe my lack of enthusiasm comes down to two key points.
1. The characters. I just don't like any of them. The sisters, in particular, are lacking real depth. One is intensely selfish, the other so meek, and both are difficult to sympathize with. Add to this that there are monumental shifts in character temperament and motivation toward the end of the book, all to bring the plot to quick resolution.
2. The pacing. The opening chapters of this book, leading up to the flight to London, are catching enough. I wanted to know what would happen to these characters. But, once the initial conflict is set up, we are treated to the long, tedious, meat of the story, in which, not much happens. While this may be accurate to life on the lam, it does not make for good reading. The last fifth of the book, dealing with the resolution, picks up the pace again but seems, at this point, so hurried and hastily put together, as to come off sloppy.
In the end, The Gilded Lily was not my cup of tea but it was not a bad story, just a poorly executed one. Others, with more patience than I, may find this to be an excellent read.
September 20, 2012
As readers we first met Ella Appleby in the pages of The Lady's Slipper. In that story Ella was portrayed as a somewhat conniving young lady who would let nothing and no-one step in the way of what she wants. And what Ella wants more than anything is to be a fine lady, sleeping in expensive linen, dressed in gorgeous clothes.
Initially, Ella is convinced that the best way to achieve that goal is to become mistress to Thomas Ibbetson, but that plan goes awry when Thomas falls seriously ill and dies. Ella knows that she has to leave the small village that she has always lived in and quickly but she can't possibly leave her sister, Sadie, behind. The two girls take everything of value in the house and flee to the relative anonymity of London but the dead man's twin brother is hot on their trail and it isn't long before there are wanted posters scattered throughout London.
Read the rest of my thoughts about this book on my blog
http://www.theintrepidreader.com/2012...
Initially, Ella is convinced that the best way to achieve that goal is to become mistress to Thomas Ibbetson, but that plan goes awry when Thomas falls seriously ill and dies. Ella knows that she has to leave the small village that she has always lived in and quickly but she can't possibly leave her sister, Sadie, behind. The two girls take everything of value in the house and flee to the relative anonymity of London but the dead man's twin brother is hot on their trail and it isn't long before there are wanted posters scattered throughout London.
Read the rest of my thoughts about this book on my blog
http://www.theintrepidreader.com/2012...
February 24, 2015
I'll be honest here I'm in the fortunate position of receiving quite a few free books and win quite a few too and the excitement of winning a signed copy of a brand new title of a book I've heard good things about never dissipates (OK I admit that I'm a hopeless book addict). Which is why I literally jumped for joy when I won a signed copy of The Gilded Lily through www.http://dizzycslittlebookblog.blog...
I KNEW I was going to like this historical fiction set in grimy, 17th century, restoration London. When I received my copy and saw the gorgeous cover I was smitten, my only concern being that there is a previous book by the author The Lady's Slipper featuring some of the same characters and I worried it might be a little difficult to follow not having read it. My concerns were unfounded, this makes a great stand alone novel and a perfect introduction to the authors beautiful writing.
The Gilded Lily is the story of two sisters, Ella and Sadie, fleeing from their rural home in the North, taking items with them from Emmas previous employer to which she has no right. The girls head for the seething mass and anonymity of the city of London in a bid to escape persecution for a greater crime than the theft of some treasures, Ella swears she did not commit although it soon becomes apparent that she is a much more flighty and unreliable character than her shy, timid sister born with a disfiguring birthmark on her face.
Unlike Sadie, whose natural instinct is to hide away from company, vivacious Ella is more ambitious and outgoing and soon forsakes the job both girls have found working in a Perrukiers weaving wigs from discarded human hair (yeeuch), for the chance to better herself and sets her cap at the enigmatic and striking Jay Whitgift, son of a respected pawnbroker seeking to diversify the family business in more ways than one.
The Gilded Lily is a ladies salon he opens in the grounds of the secondhand business, primarily to relive the wives and daughters of wealthy businessmen of their husbands hard earned wealth and he employs Ella to help him do this.
Soon she gets ideas far above her station and despite Sadies loyalty to her flighty sister, she increasingly leaves Sadie to fend for herself in the squalor of their rented room in the delightfully named Blackraven lane. Meanwhile the search for the 2 fleeing sisters continues and their increasing notoriety means measures have to be taken to ensure they are not recognised in public and gradually both girls lives grow much worse.
It's stunningly written with a Dickensian quality, especially in the names of the vividly created characters and places. I was gripped from start to finish, and despite wanting to give Sadie a little shake now and again I had great empathy for her and enjoyed watching her character develop. It has taken a while to finish it, but the ending was full of action and very satisfying and I actually put the book down at around midnight with about 30 pages to go only to wake up at 1.30 am realizing I couldn't wait until the next day to find out what happened, so put on the bedside light and finished it there and then.
It's almost a coming of age novel but with huge depth and I liked it as much as one of my favourite books Slammerkin
I'm actually relieved that I did enjoy it as much as I'd hoped (if not more) as sadly so often books which sound great don't quite live up to expectations - this one exceeds them and I will be rushing out to get a copy of the prequel to this today!
I KNEW I was going to like this historical fiction set in grimy, 17th century, restoration London. When I received my copy and saw the gorgeous cover I was smitten, my only concern being that there is a previous book by the author The Lady's Slipper featuring some of the same characters and I worried it might be a little difficult to follow not having read it. My concerns were unfounded, this makes a great stand alone novel and a perfect introduction to the authors beautiful writing.
The Gilded Lily is the story of two sisters, Ella and Sadie, fleeing from their rural home in the North, taking items with them from Emmas previous employer to which she has no right. The girls head for the seething mass and anonymity of the city of London in a bid to escape persecution for a greater crime than the theft of some treasures, Ella swears she did not commit although it soon becomes apparent that she is a much more flighty and unreliable character than her shy, timid sister born with a disfiguring birthmark on her face.
Unlike Sadie, whose natural instinct is to hide away from company, vivacious Ella is more ambitious and outgoing and soon forsakes the job both girls have found working in a Perrukiers weaving wigs from discarded human hair (yeeuch), for the chance to better herself and sets her cap at the enigmatic and striking Jay Whitgift, son of a respected pawnbroker seeking to diversify the family business in more ways than one.
The Gilded Lily is a ladies salon he opens in the grounds of the secondhand business, primarily to relive the wives and daughters of wealthy businessmen of their husbands hard earned wealth and he employs Ella to help him do this.
Soon she gets ideas far above her station and despite Sadies loyalty to her flighty sister, she increasingly leaves Sadie to fend for herself in the squalor of their rented room in the delightfully named Blackraven lane. Meanwhile the search for the 2 fleeing sisters continues and their increasing notoriety means measures have to be taken to ensure they are not recognised in public and gradually both girls lives grow much worse.
It's stunningly written with a Dickensian quality, especially in the names of the vividly created characters and places. I was gripped from start to finish, and despite wanting to give Sadie a little shake now and again I had great empathy for her and enjoyed watching her character develop. It has taken a while to finish it, but the ending was full of action and very satisfying and I actually put the book down at around midnight with about 30 pages to go only to wake up at 1.30 am realizing I couldn't wait until the next day to find out what happened, so put on the bedside light and finished it there and then.
It's almost a coming of age novel but with huge depth and I liked it as much as one of my favourite books Slammerkin
I'm actually relieved that I did enjoy it as much as I'd hoped (if not more) as sadly so often books which sound great don't quite live up to expectations - this one exceeds them and I will be rushing out to get a copy of the prequel to this today!
October 14, 2012
Delicate and finely woven, this golden novel shines brightly as a beautiful historical narrative.
“Beauty is skin-deep. Blood runs deeper” The exquisite, beautiful cover of this novel is striking, standing out on the bookshelf from other novels as it takes you back in time even before you open its pages. I was so excited by the prospect of reading a new fictional work within a genre that I adore, by an author whose work I had not encountered before and yet now whom I hope I will discover more of.
Set in the harsh winter of 1661 this tale follows Sadie Appleby from Westmorland, who with her sister Ella is on the run from undertaking a robbery (her recently deceased employer) heading to London. However the past catches up with them as his relatives begin the chase in the cold winter, scurrying after the girls around the bustling city teeming with all kinds of people. Seduced and mesmerized by all that London has to offer, Ella is captivated by a Jay Whitgift who is not the man that he appears to be and nothing is as it seems. Soon tensions arise between the sisters as hidden secrets are revealed and an ever present threat shows itself, even more deadly than the law. Deborah Swift brings history to life in all its color and glory by sending the reader back into a time that was full of deceit, beauty and desire. Here one discovers the bond between flesh and blood and its strength as to that compared to romantic love and friendship, where the two sisters are connected; being both a burden and a powerful thing. As Ella begins to work in the shop ‘The Gilded Lily’ selling beautifying lotions and potions, she settles down into secure employment whilst trying to put the past behind her. For Sadie life is much harder, namely due to her birthmark scar which causes unwelcome attention to a timid and sensitive young girl.
Deborah Swift’s second novel (The Lady’s Slipper novel one), is an accurate and authentic exposé of the seventeenth-century. It is a time when fortunes can be made and lost, of opportunity and where you find your inmost self. Atmospheric and authentic this is a gripping tale, full of exciting adventure with faced-paced action that leaves you breathless. The emotion and heartbreaking words touch your inmost soul as this captivating story takes your breath away. I lost myself within the characters lives; their trials and tribulations. I was astonished by the author’s skill and accomplished writing that contains a perfect balance of historical detail (from research) and narrative, that brings a bygone era back to life as you immerse yourself within the sights and sounds of a once booming industry. The depth of feeling and expression through the main characters was touching, as I was able to relate and empathize with them as the author added realism into their tale. The use of detailed description really brought the words to life so that once I began to read I was unable to tear my eyes away from this most interesting story that felt like I was watching a classic film. I can’t enthuse enough about this wonderful story that was as delicate as lace and as well-structured as works by Diana Gabaldon, Christine Blevins or Gillian Bagwell.
I would like to thank the author for holding her outstanding book as a giveaway on DizzyC’sLittleBookBlog and for Carol hosting it. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this interesting tale, hence I cannot wait to discover and read more of the author’s works.
“Beauty is skin-deep. Blood runs deeper” The exquisite, beautiful cover of this novel is striking, standing out on the bookshelf from other novels as it takes you back in time even before you open its pages. I was so excited by the prospect of reading a new fictional work within a genre that I adore, by an author whose work I had not encountered before and yet now whom I hope I will discover more of.
Set in the harsh winter of 1661 this tale follows Sadie Appleby from Westmorland, who with her sister Ella is on the run from undertaking a robbery (her recently deceased employer) heading to London. However the past catches up with them as his relatives begin the chase in the cold winter, scurrying after the girls around the bustling city teeming with all kinds of people. Seduced and mesmerized by all that London has to offer, Ella is captivated by a Jay Whitgift who is not the man that he appears to be and nothing is as it seems. Soon tensions arise between the sisters as hidden secrets are revealed and an ever present threat shows itself, even more deadly than the law. Deborah Swift brings history to life in all its color and glory by sending the reader back into a time that was full of deceit, beauty and desire. Here one discovers the bond between flesh and blood and its strength as to that compared to romantic love and friendship, where the two sisters are connected; being both a burden and a powerful thing. As Ella begins to work in the shop ‘The Gilded Lily’ selling beautifying lotions and potions, she settles down into secure employment whilst trying to put the past behind her. For Sadie life is much harder, namely due to her birthmark scar which causes unwelcome attention to a timid and sensitive young girl.
Deborah Swift’s second novel (The Lady’s Slipper novel one), is an accurate and authentic exposé of the seventeenth-century. It is a time when fortunes can be made and lost, of opportunity and where you find your inmost self. Atmospheric and authentic this is a gripping tale, full of exciting adventure with faced-paced action that leaves you breathless. The emotion and heartbreaking words touch your inmost soul as this captivating story takes your breath away. I lost myself within the characters lives; their trials and tribulations. I was astonished by the author’s skill and accomplished writing that contains a perfect balance of historical detail (from research) and narrative, that brings a bygone era back to life as you immerse yourself within the sights and sounds of a once booming industry. The depth of feeling and expression through the main characters was touching, as I was able to relate and empathize with them as the author added realism into their tale. The use of detailed description really brought the words to life so that once I began to read I was unable to tear my eyes away from this most interesting story that felt like I was watching a classic film. I can’t enthuse enough about this wonderful story that was as delicate as lace and as well-structured as works by Diana Gabaldon, Christine Blevins or Gillian Bagwell.
I would like to thank the author for holding her outstanding book as a giveaway on DizzyC’sLittleBookBlog and for Carol hosting it. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this interesting tale, hence I cannot wait to discover and read more of the author’s works.
December 3, 2012
I reviewed this book for luxuryreading.com.
After her employer dies suddenly, Ella Appleby grabs everything of value and her younger sister, Sadie, and runs for the anonymity of London. Believing she is destined for a better life than as an obedient servant to uncaring masters or an abusive father, she sees London as her chance to start fresh with endless possibilities. But 1661 London is filthy, overcrowded and cruel and while Ella’s country beauty blends in with others around them Sadie’s distinctive port wine stained face sets them apart, something that is dangerous for two girls trying to lay low. Even more dangerous is the angry twin brother of Ella’s previous employer, a man who believes the girls not only robbed but murdered his brother and will stop at nothing to seek justice.
As her former employer’s brother gets closer to tracking the girls down, offering a hefty reward to anyone who can lead him to the “Savage Sisters”, Ella believes Sadie is keeping her from fully realizing her wish for a new life and begins making dubious decisions to further separate them. However, when the gilding of this much sought after new life begins to chip away, Ella realizes that she has lead them both into a web that they might not be able to survive.
Described as a companion volume to Deborah Swift’s The Lady’s Slipper, The Gilded Lily works perfectly as a stand-alone novel. The descriptions and dialogue immerse the reader in Restoration era London and it really is a shock to look up and realize that you aren’t actually slinking down the cramped back alleys with the Appleby sisters. Everything around the girls is harsh – from the weather to the people to their circumstances – and the reader is hard pressed not to wish right alongside them for a chance at a happy life.
The sisters could not be more different – Ella is beautiful, hot tempered and selfish for the majority of the time while Sadie is shy, sweet and innocently oblivious to a lot of what happens around her – and while I can’t say I was a fan of Ella’s decisions they are both very real representations of poor women trying to survive on their own in this time and place. Every single character highlights a different form of desperation and serves to show that money, status and belongings do not guarantee happiness. Far from a feel good story it is very real and raw and does hint at some good things to come in the future for certain characters.
Loving the dark corners and shiny optimism of the possibility of a better life when it couldn’t get much worse, The Gilded Lily is a great example of realistic historical fiction. I am excited to read The Lady’s Slipper and see how it ties in to the atmosphere and world this book makes me want to linger in a little longer.
After her employer dies suddenly, Ella Appleby grabs everything of value and her younger sister, Sadie, and runs for the anonymity of London. Believing she is destined for a better life than as an obedient servant to uncaring masters or an abusive father, she sees London as her chance to start fresh with endless possibilities. But 1661 London is filthy, overcrowded and cruel and while Ella’s country beauty blends in with others around them Sadie’s distinctive port wine stained face sets them apart, something that is dangerous for two girls trying to lay low. Even more dangerous is the angry twin brother of Ella’s previous employer, a man who believes the girls not only robbed but murdered his brother and will stop at nothing to seek justice.
As her former employer’s brother gets closer to tracking the girls down, offering a hefty reward to anyone who can lead him to the “Savage Sisters”, Ella believes Sadie is keeping her from fully realizing her wish for a new life and begins making dubious decisions to further separate them. However, when the gilding of this much sought after new life begins to chip away, Ella realizes that she has lead them both into a web that they might not be able to survive.
Described as a companion volume to Deborah Swift’s The Lady’s Slipper, The Gilded Lily works perfectly as a stand-alone novel. The descriptions and dialogue immerse the reader in Restoration era London and it really is a shock to look up and realize that you aren’t actually slinking down the cramped back alleys with the Appleby sisters. Everything around the girls is harsh – from the weather to the people to their circumstances – and the reader is hard pressed not to wish right alongside them for a chance at a happy life.
The sisters could not be more different – Ella is beautiful, hot tempered and selfish for the majority of the time while Sadie is shy, sweet and innocently oblivious to a lot of what happens around her – and while I can’t say I was a fan of Ella’s decisions they are both very real representations of poor women trying to survive on their own in this time and place. Every single character highlights a different form of desperation and serves to show that money, status and belongings do not guarantee happiness. Far from a feel good story it is very real and raw and does hint at some good things to come in the future for certain characters.
Loving the dark corners and shiny optimism of the possibility of a better life when it couldn’t get much worse, The Gilded Lily is a great example of realistic historical fiction. I am excited to read The Lady’s Slipper and see how it ties in to the atmosphere and world this book makes me want to linger in a little longer.
October 20, 2012
In 1660, and following the suspicious death of their employer, Ella and Sadie Appleby are forced to flee their native Westmorland. They head for the bright lights of the capital city where the sisters try to eke out a living, first as perruquiers at Madame Lefevre’s wig making shop, and then, when Ella is seduced by the ostentatious glamour of the beauty parlour on Friarsgate, Sadie, the more fragile of the two, is left to cope as best she can.
Whilst there is sometimes an air of romanticism attached to Restoration London, in The Gilded Lily Deborah Swift has successfully cut through the gloss and glamour, and describes the city as a living, breathing entity. Gloriously atmospheric, the sights, sounds and smells are brought so vividly to life that you watch in fascination as Madame Lefevre controls her girls in the wig makers shop, you sample the potions and lotions on offer in the beauty parlour, and as you climb the rickety stairs with Sadie and Ella and enter their house on Blackraven Alley, the squalid and festering nature of their life is so realistic you can almost feel the flickering warmth from their meagre fire.
The richness of the supporting characters, the grit and realism of the action, all combine to make this a fascinating and strong story about two sisters whose need to support each other is not always successful, and yet when the odds are stacked against them, the overwhelming urge to survive is paramount.
Deborah Swift has undoubtedly captured this niche in the historic fiction market; both her books have captured the time and place with an authenticity which is sometimes lacking in this genre. I look forward to more books by this talented writer.
Whilst there is sometimes an air of romanticism attached to Restoration London, in The Gilded Lily Deborah Swift has successfully cut through the gloss and glamour, and describes the city as a living, breathing entity. Gloriously atmospheric, the sights, sounds and smells are brought so vividly to life that you watch in fascination as Madame Lefevre controls her girls in the wig makers shop, you sample the potions and lotions on offer in the beauty parlour, and as you climb the rickety stairs with Sadie and Ella and enter their house on Blackraven Alley, the squalid and festering nature of their life is so realistic you can almost feel the flickering warmth from their meagre fire.
The richness of the supporting characters, the grit and realism of the action, all combine to make this a fascinating and strong story about two sisters whose need to support each other is not always successful, and yet when the odds are stacked against them, the overwhelming urge to survive is paramount.
Deborah Swift has undoubtedly captured this niche in the historic fiction market; both her books have captured the time and place with an authenticity which is sometimes lacking in this genre. I look forward to more books by this talented writer.
June 28, 2012
I enjoyed The Lady’s Slipper so looked forward to reading the companion novel, The Gilded Lily, which continues the story of Ella Appleby. I wasn’t disappointed. Deborah Swift’s lush writing carries you to another, darker, time and place.
In the harsh winter of 1661 Ella Appleby and her sister, Sadie, flee Westmoreland in the dead of night after Ella robs her dead employer. They hope to hide themselves in the teeming streets of London but a game of cat and mouse ensues as the dead man’s brother makes it his mission to bring them to justice.
Seduced by the tawdry glamour of the city, Ella sets her sights on flamboyant Jay Whitgift, owner of a society ladies’ beauty parlour. Nothing is what it seems, least of all Jay Whitgift, a satisfyingly nasty villain who has dangerous secrets of his own. Soon a rift has formed between Ella and Sadie, and the sisters are threatened by a menace more sinister than even the law.
Ella behaves badly but it’s hard not to hold a secret admiration for her as she seeks to improve her life by ruthless ambition. Utterly selfish, she displays casual cruelty to her younger sister and yet, somehow, I began to feel sorry for her. Ella, in turn, is cruelly used by Jay Whitgift but not in the manner you might expect.
The author’s previous career as a set and costume designer is evident from the richly detailed descriptions, while the superbly written dialogue makes the characters absolutely real.
Deborah Swift’s assured and carefully researched writing makes The Gilded Lily an unputdownable read and I eagerly anticipate her next novel.
In the harsh winter of 1661 Ella Appleby and her sister, Sadie, flee Westmoreland in the dead of night after Ella robs her dead employer. They hope to hide themselves in the teeming streets of London but a game of cat and mouse ensues as the dead man’s brother makes it his mission to bring them to justice.
Seduced by the tawdry glamour of the city, Ella sets her sights on flamboyant Jay Whitgift, owner of a society ladies’ beauty parlour. Nothing is what it seems, least of all Jay Whitgift, a satisfyingly nasty villain who has dangerous secrets of his own. Soon a rift has formed between Ella and Sadie, and the sisters are threatened by a menace more sinister than even the law.
Ella behaves badly but it’s hard not to hold a secret admiration for her as she seeks to improve her life by ruthless ambition. Utterly selfish, she displays casual cruelty to her younger sister and yet, somehow, I began to feel sorry for her. Ella, in turn, is cruelly used by Jay Whitgift but not in the manner you might expect.
The author’s previous career as a set and costume designer is evident from the richly detailed descriptions, while the superbly written dialogue makes the characters absolutely real.
Deborah Swift’s assured and carefully researched writing makes The Gilded Lily an unputdownable read and I eagerly anticipate her next novel.
January 20, 2013
Received this as a Christmas gift. Heard so many good things about it. Can't wait to crack it open.
Update: This was a great read. My favorite novels not only tell a captivating story but also sweep me away to a time and place I've never seen. The Gilded Lily, a dark tale set in 17th century London, expertly does both. Part historical novel, part psychological thriller, this book touches on some of the most sinister and deplorable aspects of human nature and is by no means a light read.
It's clear the author did her homework, though the historical detail she weaves never feels heavy handed. Her vivid descriptions of the bitter cold, filthy living conditions and callous actions of many of the characters evoke strong emotions. I often felt frustrated, disgusted, depressed and uncomfortable as I read. Thankfully, there were also several scenes and characters that restored my hopes and lifted my spirits. I found the ending to be satisfying, though a bit too neatly drawn.
One historical element I found particularly fascinating was the Frost Fair, held during the bitter cold winters in which the Thames river actually froze solid; and I appreciated the author's note in the back of the book that listed sources for additional reading about the subject.
Update: This was a great read. My favorite novels not only tell a captivating story but also sweep me away to a time and place I've never seen. The Gilded Lily, a dark tale set in 17th century London, expertly does both. Part historical novel, part psychological thriller, this book touches on some of the most sinister and deplorable aspects of human nature and is by no means a light read.
It's clear the author did her homework, though the historical detail she weaves never feels heavy handed. Her vivid descriptions of the bitter cold, filthy living conditions and callous actions of many of the characters evoke strong emotions. I often felt frustrated, disgusted, depressed and uncomfortable as I read. Thankfully, there were also several scenes and characters that restored my hopes and lifted my spirits. I found the ending to be satisfying, though a bit too neatly drawn.
One historical element I found particularly fascinating was the Frost Fair, held during the bitter cold winters in which the Thames river actually froze solid; and I appreciated the author's note in the back of the book that listed sources for additional reading about the subject.
November 25, 2014
I've just read this in two days - yes, folks, I couldn't put it down!
The Gilded Lily is a Restoration period drama about two sisters who run away from rural Westmorland to London after the elder one, Ella, robs the house in which she was in service. There is also doubt cast about her part in two deaths. It's about survival in the frightening, dark, murky alleys and squalid lodgings down by the Thames, and the steps Ella and Sadie take not to be discovered for their crimes. The novel is extremely well researched, so real. The domestic detail is fascinating, and the author describes so well the bleakness of the girls' lives.
It's hard to say why you find a novel unputdownable, but I've just spent about 4 hours curled up with the second half, and there was no way I was not going to finish it today! Ms Swift is a marvellous storyteller and I look forward to reading more of her books. Highly, highly recommended to all lovers of historical fiction; I didn't know much about this particular period but it's made me want to know more. You'll probably like it even if you think historical fiction is not your thing; it's just a great story, fabulously well told - a well deserved five stars!
The Gilded Lily is a Restoration period drama about two sisters who run away from rural Westmorland to London after the elder one, Ella, robs the house in which she was in service. There is also doubt cast about her part in two deaths. It's about survival in the frightening, dark, murky alleys and squalid lodgings down by the Thames, and the steps Ella and Sadie take not to be discovered for their crimes. The novel is extremely well researched, so real. The domestic detail is fascinating, and the author describes so well the bleakness of the girls' lives.
It's hard to say why you find a novel unputdownable, but I've just spent about 4 hours curled up with the second half, and there was no way I was not going to finish it today! Ms Swift is a marvellous storyteller and I look forward to reading more of her books. Highly, highly recommended to all lovers of historical fiction; I didn't know much about this particular period but it's made me want to know more. You'll probably like it even if you think historical fiction is not your thing; it's just a great story, fabulously well told - a well deserved five stars!
September 18, 2012
Deborah Swift's portrayal of seventeenth-century London has an edge to it which cuts through the sumptuousness of her description. This is a book I stayed up late to read several nights in a row. Her London is a place of opportunity and hazard. Fortunes can be made and necks can be broken on the gallows. The latter fate might be that of two sisters: Sadie and Ella. How do people react to extreme pressure? Ella develops an edge as sharp and brittle as the glassware her employer, Jay, admires so much. Ella seems to have lost her soul as she turns to paints and potions and hair dye to make herself into a seventeenth-century WAG? Her gentler, more reflective sister, Sadie, handicapped by a birthmark on her face, starts to fear this is the case.
June 20, 2019
"The Gilded Lily" - written by Deborah Swift and published in 2012 by St Martin's Press. This historical fiction novel set in 1660s London flew by (469 pages) and I enjoyed the descriptive writing that put you right in the middle of a cold, wet and really filthy town. This book follows "The Lady's Slipper" but I didn't feel left out by not having read it. Sisters Ella and Sadie flee their countryside lives when Ella's employer dies, but not before stripping his home of many valuables. The brother of the family is in hot pursuit and tracks them to London where they try to hide while also making a meager living. I appreciated Swift's character development, her sense of place which seemed well-researched, and the story lines that I was interested to see resolved. It was good to see Helen Humphreys' "The Frozen Thames" listed as recommended reading which I really enjoyed. My copy was one of few in my region, but I would certainly recommend this to historical fiction lovers.
March 29, 2017
Literally just finished this book. I very much enjoyed it, though it didn't have much depth. A fun and fairly fluffy bit of historical fiction.
I don't know much about urban England in the 1660s, though I've read about life in the country, particularly during the plague--so this trip to the city taught me a lot. I waffled over whether to include this in my "good world-building" category and I'm going for it, though mostly because this time wasn't familiar to me and yet I could see everything clearly in my mind's eye.
The sisters were great characters, and I particularly liked Ella. Not because she was a likable character, but because she wasn't. We don't get a lot of women like her in fiction--Sadie's type of character is more usual: the girl who stands out but just wants to go unnoticed learns to find her strength. It's so formulaic I hardly consider that a spoiler. Ella, on the other hand, can be incredibly callous and selfish, wrapped up in her own efforts to get ahead in the world and experience the finer things that she never could before. Her pangs of remorse made her more complex than just the all-around the "bitch" a couple characters say she is. As much as I didn't like her, I loved her character.
I have conflicting thoughts about the pacing. On the one hand, slow: it takes a lot of time for much action to happen and everything is relatively quiet until then. This makes sense because Ella and Sadie are in hiding, and I wasn't annoyed by the pace except... Well, on that other hand, the pace was too fast: Everything happened at once at the end, the sisters' personalities changed far too quickly and permanently, one flat-out forgives the other's attempted second-degree murder, the main villain is revealed to be even more of a scuzzbucket than thought for the first 300 pages, and the tensest action fits in 30 pages (admittedly, they might have gone more quickly than usual because it is a pretty gripping scene). I never was impatient for the book to go faster--I actually wanted it to go slower at the end because I was enjoying it! But the unevenness of the page was odd.
The inclusion of an insta-love-interest was disappointing, though I did love the smaller characters that contributed to the plot. Corey Johnson was a great addition, and I hope to see more of her in Swift's no doubt forthcoming companion novels. I also want to know more about Wycliffe's background, though I have a suspicion he's an insta-love-interest in his own right.
I did appreciate the surprise of Ella's final important action. I was afraid this would be another Cinderella story, but fortunately the only rescuing involved was of a man by a young man and a young woman. Thank goodness for small mercies!
Some things I didn't like:
And as for the book's happily-ever-after? I have three words/"words" for you: London. Plague. 1665.
Quote Roundup
Not intentionally picky this time. Like I said, it was relatively fluffy reading.
14) By now the river was thick with craft of every shape and size and the air was a Babel of men and women, all shouting to each other in an accent Sadie could barely fathom.
I was delighted to see "babble" used in its original form and function.
219) "When my father told me that tale he used to say, 'Always remember, you can't hate someone if you know their story.'"
Of course I go for the metaliterary quote... Though it is particularly fitting considering that I liked Ella as a character.
326) Ella hung tight to the stair rail as she stepped out onto the frozen surface. ... And it felt like blasphemy, that any highway felon might walk on water just like Jesus had.
Wow. Just, wow. I really like this thought, that walking on ice is like Jesus's walking on water, and Ella's consideration of blasphemy really drove her fear home for me.
411) "Though sometimes I think [heaven and hell] 'tis all just a myth to keep us in line."
This line drove me up the wall. It was totally out of left field, out of character, and way too modern-feeling for a 17th-century country girl who'd been isolated in one way or another for most of her life.
I don't know much about urban England in the 1660s, though I've read about life in the country, particularly during the plague--so this trip to the city taught me a lot. I waffled over whether to include this in my "good world-building" category and I'm going for it, though mostly because this time wasn't familiar to me and yet I could see everything clearly in my mind's eye.
The sisters were great characters, and I particularly liked Ella. Not because she was a likable character, but because she wasn't. We don't get a lot of women like her in fiction--Sadie's type of character is more usual: the girl who stands out but just wants to go unnoticed learns to find her strength. It's so formulaic I hardly consider that a spoiler. Ella, on the other hand, can be incredibly callous and selfish, wrapped up in her own efforts to get ahead in the world and experience the finer things that she never could before. Her pangs of remorse made her more complex than just the all-around the "bitch" a couple characters say she is. As much as I didn't like her, I loved her character.
I have conflicting thoughts about the pacing. On the one hand, slow: it takes a lot of time for much action to happen and everything is relatively quiet until then. This makes sense because Ella and Sadie are in hiding, and I wasn't annoyed by the pace except... Well, on that other hand, the pace was too fast: Everything happened at once at the end, the sisters' personalities changed far too quickly and permanently, one flat-out forgives the other's attempted second-degree murder, the main villain is revealed to be even more of a scuzzbucket than thought for the first 300 pages, and the tensest action fits in 30 pages (admittedly, they might have gone more quickly than usual because it is a pretty gripping scene). I never was impatient for the book to go faster--I actually wanted it to go slower at the end because I was enjoying it! But the unevenness of the page was odd.
The inclusion of an insta-love-interest was disappointing, though I did love the smaller characters that contributed to the plot. Corey Johnson was a great addition, and I hope to see more of her in Swift's no doubt forthcoming companion novels. I also want to know more about Wycliffe's background, though I have a suspicion he's an insta-love-interest in his own right.
I did appreciate the surprise of Ella's final important action. I was afraid this would be another Cinderella story, but fortunately the only rescuing involved was of a man by a young man and a young woman. Thank goodness for small mercies!
Some things I didn't like:
And as for the book's happily-ever-after? I have three words/"words" for you: London. Plague. 1665.
Quote Roundup
Not intentionally picky this time. Like I said, it was relatively fluffy reading.
14) By now the river was thick with craft of every shape and size and the air was a Babel of men and women, all shouting to each other in an accent Sadie could barely fathom.
I was delighted to see "babble" used in its original form and function.
219) "When my father told me that tale he used to say, 'Always remember, you can't hate someone if you know their story.'"
Of course I go for the metaliterary quote... Though it is particularly fitting considering that I liked Ella as a character.
326) Ella hung tight to the stair rail as she stepped out onto the frozen surface. ... And it felt like blasphemy, that any highway felon might walk on water just like Jesus had.
Wow. Just, wow. I really like this thought, that walking on ice is like Jesus's walking on water, and Ella's consideration of blasphemy really drove her fear home for me.
411) "Though sometimes I think [heaven and hell] 'tis all just a myth to keep us in line."
This line drove me up the wall. It was totally out of left field, out of character, and way too modern-feeling for a 17th-century country girl who'd been isolated in one way or another for most of her life.
April 2, 2021
Wow, what a book! Deborah Swift is now one of my favorite authors. The Gilded Lily is beautifully written with lots of original characters and clever turns in the story. Swift has obviously done a lot of research and weaves elements of it seamlessly into this tale. The relationship between the two sisters, Ella and Sadie, is believable and poignant. I highly recommend this book.
August 4, 2019
Wow, talk about toxic family relationships.
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March 29, 2020Author gift
January 14, 2020
A real pot-boiler of a novel but one with strong characters and some thoughtful writing. In 1660's England ,Ella and Sadie Appleby are two naive sisters from the English countryside who have to flee to London after Ella,the older sister,who was working as maid for a wealthy family in their small village, robs and allegedly murders her employer. She takes her younger sister Sadie along because she is being abused by their brutish father and she is afraid of going to the big,bad city alone(though Ella,being the more bold of the two sisters would be loathe to admit it) The problem is Sadie,who although sweet and docile,has a port wine stain on her face,which back in those less enlightened times is believed to be the mark of the devil. Also,it,Ella later realizes,it will make her sister stand out,even in a teeming metropolis like London. The sisters get a job as Wig-makers, working for a nasty woman straight out Dickens named Madame Lefevre(or "Feverface" as her young female employees call her behind her back.) Sadie has a talented for the tedious work but Ella is struggling along until a young man by the name of Jay Whitsit shows up to get a wig made up and notices Ella who is intrugued by the good-looking well dressed Whitsit and sneaks a peek of him while he talks to Madame Levferve . Whitsit notices her as well and offers her a position at the Pawnshop he runs with his father,selling ladies beauty products in a posh salon he has built next to the Pawnshop. Whitsit has ulterior motives however,and wants Ella to listen in while the rich women who frequent the shop talk about the expensive jewelry they own or are getting as gifts from their husbands,suitors,etc.so they can get his henchmen to steal it. The shop, christened The Gilded Lily, is at first everything Ella has dreamed of and she quickly adapts herself to working in it,taking on a new name(the same one as a former co-worker at the wig shop) and loves wearing fancy gowns and whitening her face with lead, which she urges Sadie to use as well since it would cover her birthmark. Sadie however,knows it would make her stand out even more since she doesn't have the proper clothes or bearing to pull off the look. Soon Ella,noticing the Wanted signs around town,tells Sadie to quit her job at Madame Levfere's. Stuck all day indoors,Sadie makes a friend of the landlady's kind-hearted son,Dennis,who works at Whitsit's Pawnshop and promises to keep their secret. Meanwhile Sadie sets her sights on the young Whitsit,who doesn't seem to return her attentions.(she later finds out why) as Matthew Ibbitson (the twin brother) frantically searches for "The Savage Sisters" (as they're described on the Wanted signs and Broadsheets ) the book keeps the suspense level high but also shows the kinder side of Ella, who may or may not be a murderess(the book never makes that clear which is a flaw of the book) Featuring terrific details of the lower class 17th century London that usually isn't written about in books of this genre,as well as the clothes and jewelry of the time (The author was a former costumer and set designer for the BBC and it shows in her writing) "The Gilded Lily" is A fast,involving read with book suggestions if you want more information about 17th Century Restoration England.
June 12, 2017
This book started out as a 4 star read and then slowly started to disintegrate into a 3 star rating.
Let's get right into it.
Pros:
1. Well, it kept me hooked. There was a mystery surrounding the novel and it made me curious as to what happened and how it would play out.
2. For the most part, I enjoyed the characters of Ella and Sadie. The 2 sisters were complex and had their own issues that shaped their personalities. However, this took a plummet towards the end of the book.
3. The concept of having a disfigurement and how it defines you and others who are around you is well played. Sadie was born with a red patch on her face and it's interesting to see how it affects her.
4. The writing was pretty good. It changed depending on who was speaking to match their societal position. The world was very immersive. I could see their world and how they would live their life.
5. For the most part, the main characters felt very realistic. Their troubles felt valid. I could see both sides of the issue and understand why they acted the way they did.
Cons:
1. It was too long. The plot was dragged out too much. Swift spent too much time on details that didn't concern the plot. It got too long and in that made the suspense of the mystery drop. By the time the big "reveal" occurred, I could have cared less. I was glad that it was finally ending. And it suffered the consequence of overdrawn plot, a rushed ending. It was too rushed and that destroyed the amazing character build up she had managed to create. Everything burnt with a rushed ending.
2. In this book character development and growth was scheduled to occur. You could tell. But the big character development was too quick (due to Swift concluding the plot too quickly). Again, it felt too scheduled and thus, nonchalant. Ella had to witness a horrific event and when she finally tells her sister about it, it just felt too fake. It basically went like this:
"Oh Sadie I saw this horrific event happen!", Ella cried.
"Oh Ella, you poor old thing. Here's a hug and kiss and me telling you that this was all in the past."
"Oh, Sadie, you're absolutely right!"
Announcement: "Congratulations on receiving the "Horrific event put behind you" trophy!"
3. There were a couple of character tropes that did get boring, particularly in the main villain .
4. Don't quiet like how it ended because it felt as if Ella had to sacrifice who she was as a person.
5. Too much was repeated over and over and over and over again. It was boring and probably the only reason the book is 400+ pages!
6. The MYSTERY! WHAT HAPPENED TO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
400+ chapters and no development nor conclusion on the MYSTERY????????????????????????????????
7. There were some useless characters. Why were they there? WHAT WAS THEIR PURPOSE!!??!?
Let's get right into it.
Pros:
1. Well, it kept me hooked. There was a mystery surrounding the novel and it made me curious as to what happened and how it would play out.
2. For the most part, I enjoyed the characters of Ella and Sadie. The 2 sisters were complex and had their own issues that shaped their personalities. However, this took a plummet towards the end of the book.
3. The concept of having a disfigurement and how it defines you and others who are around you is well played. Sadie was born with a red patch on her face and it's interesting to see how it affects her.
4. The writing was pretty good. It changed depending on who was speaking to match their societal position. The world was very immersive. I could see their world and how they would live their life.
5. For the most part, the main characters felt very realistic. Their troubles felt valid. I could see both sides of the issue and understand why they acted the way they did.
Cons:
1. It was too long. The plot was dragged out too much. Swift spent too much time on details that didn't concern the plot. It got too long and in that made the suspense of the mystery drop. By the time the big "reveal" occurred, I could have cared less. I was glad that it was finally ending. And it suffered the consequence of overdrawn plot, a rushed ending. It was too rushed and that destroyed the amazing character build up she had managed to create. Everything burnt with a rushed ending.
2. In this book character development and growth was scheduled to occur. You could tell. But the big character development was too quick (due to Swift concluding the plot too quickly). Again, it felt too scheduled and thus, nonchalant. Ella had to witness a horrific event and when she finally tells her sister about it, it just felt too fake. It basically went like this:
"Oh Sadie I saw this horrific event happen!", Ella cried.
"Oh Ella, you poor old thing. Here's a hug and kiss and me telling you that this was all in the past."
"Oh, Sadie, you're absolutely right!"
Announcement: "Congratulations on receiving the "Horrific event put behind you" trophy!"
3. There were a couple of character tropes that did get boring, particularly in the main villain .
4. Don't quiet like how it ended because it felt as if Ella had to sacrifice who she was as a person.
5. Too much was repeated over and over and over and over again. It was boring and probably the only reason the book is 400+ pages!
6. The MYSTERY! WHAT HAPPENED TO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
400+ chapters and no development nor conclusion on the MYSTERY????????????????????????????????
7. There were some useless characters. Why were they there? WHAT WAS THEIR PURPOSE!!??!?
March 20, 2016
I discovered The Gilded Lily by Deborah Swift while wandering around our local Barnes and Noble shortly after Christmas. The novel was the only book facing out when I rounded the corner from the horribly organized Young Adult section into the General Fiction Adult area. The cover immediately caught my eye--a young lady in a hood cloak with an amazing red dress. After reading the back of the novel, I knew I had to use the last of my remaining Christmas gift cards to purchase this book.
The Gilded Lily is a mystery novel that includes characters from Swift's first novel. However, you don't have to read the first novel to understand what's happening in The Gilded Lily. There are hints of events that happened in The Lady's Slipper, but it isn't key to the story told in "Lily."
My favorite part of this novel were the two main characters, Ella and Sadie. Their personalities are richly drawn and you can feel them struggle to make it in the slums of London with little money. I was particularly drawn to Sadie. She was a hard worker and empathetic to everyone around her. She wanted to do what was right, but her sister, Ella, was a bit of a scamp who lead Sadie astray many times. Honestly, I wish the story had been focused more on Sadie. However, Ella's plight and actions really were the driving force behind the plot and gave purpose to Sadie's actions and reactions. I also had a soft spot in my heart for Dennis, the young boy that Sadie and Ella rented an apartment from. He was a true gentleman to Sadie and a reader who shared his love of stories with Sadie.
The rich characters were a huge plus for a mystery plot that was quite predictable. The girls' adventures in the city as they tried to avoid trouble and stay under the radar kept me reading until the end. This is a mystery novel where everything does get tied up neatly in the end which did get a bit saccharine for me after living on the streets with Ella and Sadie for 400+ pages.
Overall, I would give The Gilded Lily by Deborah Swift a thumbs up. The streets of London and the characters create an atmosphere that draws you in and won't let you go until the final page is turned.
The Gilded Lily is a mystery novel that includes characters from Swift's first novel. However, you don't have to read the first novel to understand what's happening in The Gilded Lily. There are hints of events that happened in The Lady's Slipper, but it isn't key to the story told in "Lily."
My favorite part of this novel were the two main characters, Ella and Sadie. Their personalities are richly drawn and you can feel them struggle to make it in the slums of London with little money. I was particularly drawn to Sadie. She was a hard worker and empathetic to everyone around her. She wanted to do what was right, but her sister, Ella, was a bit of a scamp who lead Sadie astray many times. Honestly, I wish the story had been focused more on Sadie. However, Ella's plight and actions really were the driving force behind the plot and gave purpose to Sadie's actions and reactions. I also had a soft spot in my heart for Dennis, the young boy that Sadie and Ella rented an apartment from. He was a true gentleman to Sadie and a reader who shared his love of stories with Sadie.
The rich characters were a huge plus for a mystery plot that was quite predictable. The girls' adventures in the city as they tried to avoid trouble and stay under the radar kept me reading until the end. This is a mystery novel where everything does get tied up neatly in the end which did get a bit saccharine for me after living on the streets with Ella and Sadie for 400+ pages.
Overall, I would give The Gilded Lily by Deborah Swift a thumbs up. The streets of London and the characters create an atmosphere that draws you in and won't let you go until the final page is turned.
March 4, 2013
Historical fiction isn't normally my genre choice but I came across Deborah Swift by chance on Twitter, when I won this book for being her 2,000th follower!
I'm really glad this happened because otherwise I might never have read what turned out to be an absolute cracker of a novel, right from the off, that I stayed up late to read over several nights. Deborah's story is set in the 17th century, and flits from Westmorland to London. Her writing is evocative, atmospheric and brimming with rich description that allows the reader to almost BE there with the characters in their (by turns) threadbare, dirty and dingy lodgings or sumptuous houses with servants, walking through markets and shops, filthy streets and travelling in horse-drawn carriages; smelling the scents, tasting the food, feeling the excitement, terrors and pressures of 17th century living.
The story is gripping, with many unexpected twists and turns right up to the final pages, as the two main characters, sisters Ella and Sadie, guilty of robbing Ella's former employer, struggle to stay undiscovered in London and avoid the hangman's noose. As the story progressed, I found myself getting extremely cross about the way women were treated very much as second class citizens (much talk of whores and maids!), and also about society's attitude to the poor, but Deborah tells it like it was at the time - and I'm very glad as a woman I do not have to live like that in my lifetime! I also hated it when after finding promising employment with the dandy about town, Jay Whitgift, Ella tries to make herself into more of a'lady', becoming hardened towards Sadie and losing some of her humanity in the process. But of course, eliciting strong reactions in the reader is part and parcel of the hallmark of a good writer! 'Beauty is skin-deep. Blood runs deeper' states the front cover, and indeed it eventually does, for these two sisters.
This is a superbly crafted novel and a 'must-read'. I will be following it up with Deborah's debut novel 'The Lady's Slipper' as soon as possible. (Jones)
I'm really glad this happened because otherwise I might never have read what turned out to be an absolute cracker of a novel, right from the off, that I stayed up late to read over several nights. Deborah's story is set in the 17th century, and flits from Westmorland to London. Her writing is evocative, atmospheric and brimming with rich description that allows the reader to almost BE there with the characters in their (by turns) threadbare, dirty and dingy lodgings or sumptuous houses with servants, walking through markets and shops, filthy streets and travelling in horse-drawn carriages; smelling the scents, tasting the food, feeling the excitement, terrors and pressures of 17th century living.
The story is gripping, with many unexpected twists and turns right up to the final pages, as the two main characters, sisters Ella and Sadie, guilty of robbing Ella's former employer, struggle to stay undiscovered in London and avoid the hangman's noose. As the story progressed, I found myself getting extremely cross about the way women were treated very much as second class citizens (much talk of whores and maids!), and also about society's attitude to the poor, but Deborah tells it like it was at the time - and I'm very glad as a woman I do not have to live like that in my lifetime! I also hated it when after finding promising employment with the dandy about town, Jay Whitgift, Ella tries to make herself into more of a'lady', becoming hardened towards Sadie and losing some of her humanity in the process. But of course, eliciting strong reactions in the reader is part and parcel of the hallmark of a good writer! 'Beauty is skin-deep. Blood runs deeper' states the front cover, and indeed it eventually does, for these two sisters.
This is a superbly crafted novel and a 'must-read'. I will be following it up with Deborah's debut novel 'The Lady's Slipper' as soon as possible. (Jones)
November 26, 2012
"The Gilded Lily" is a story about two sisters, Ella and Sadie, two sisters in Restoration England in the 1660s. It is also the companion novel to Swift's earlier book "The Lady's Slipper," which I have not read yet but plan to after reading this book. "The Gilded Lily" is a total stand alone story so you don't need to read "The Lady's Slipper" first. You will enjoy this book just fine!
The story jumps off quickly when the sisters end up in London after Ella plans a scheme that could end with the sisters getting in a lot of trouble. Very quickly we see how different the two sisters are and how they deal with their situation differently. I definitely liked Sadie a lot better than Ella. Ella just doesn't think about what's she's doing. She does it and thinks about it later on which gets her in trouble over and over again throughout the book. Ella also doesn't seem to think about the trouble she is causing for her poor sister, who is forced to silently stay in a room at the boarding house all day while Ella is out finding a job at the upscale ladies' store, "The Gilded Lily." I kind of wanted to know more about what the motivation behind being so mean to her sister. Sadie, on the other hand, is very nice and sweet. There are other characters in the book but we don't get to know much about them in the story.
I really liked the historical detail in this book. Swift does a great job of capturing the sort of grungy and gritty environment omnipresent in Restoration England. You really feel like you're with the sisters being chased on the streets of London! I can't wait to see what other books Swift comes out with next!
Bottom line: A gritty Historical Fiction with good detail!
The story jumps off quickly when the sisters end up in London after Ella plans a scheme that could end with the sisters getting in a lot of trouble. Very quickly we see how different the two sisters are and how they deal with their situation differently. I definitely liked Sadie a lot better than Ella. Ella just doesn't think about what's she's doing. She does it and thinks about it later on which gets her in trouble over and over again throughout the book. Ella also doesn't seem to think about the trouble she is causing for her poor sister, who is forced to silently stay in a room at the boarding house all day while Ella is out finding a job at the upscale ladies' store, "The Gilded Lily." I kind of wanted to know more about what the motivation behind being so mean to her sister. Sadie, on the other hand, is very nice and sweet. There are other characters in the book but we don't get to know much about them in the story.
I really liked the historical detail in this book. Swift does a great job of capturing the sort of grungy and gritty environment omnipresent in Restoration England. You really feel like you're with the sisters being chased on the streets of London! I can't wait to see what other books Swift comes out with next!
Bottom line: A gritty Historical Fiction with good detail!
December 18, 2012
Impeccably detailed The Gilded Lily drops the reader right in the poverty and squalor of 17th century London. So vivid are the descriptions you can almost smell the stench, see the overwhelming gulf between the rich and dirt poor, experience the bitter cold and terrible hunger. With research and passion Deborah Swift has excelled with conveying time and place.
The dynamic between sisters Ella & Sadie is pivotal to the story, giving it momentum but honestly my hand was itching to slap Ella for her callous selfishness. The Gilded Lily is short on likeable characters, thankfully Sadie and her 2 friends, Dennis & Corey are endearing characters with heart. Fortunately I didn't have to like the rest of the cast to enjoy the read.
I loved the 17th century dialect and it was refreshing to take a look at the professions of commoners; perruquiers, (wig makers) pawn brokers, maids and shop assistants and read more about the 'secrets' of womens' beauty during this era, the use of ceruse, white lead face paint or powder. It added a fascinating authenticity to Restoration London without bogging down the story with unnecessary detail.
At 460 + pages I was pleasantly surprised by the pace. The Gilded Lily is quite a bleak read but the dark ambiance, seedy undercurrent and ever-present danger kept me turning the pages, anxious for the outcome and the redemptive ending contributes some light and goes a little way to restoring faith in humanity.
Recommend: Absolutely! I'll definitely be reading more from Deborah Swift.
The dynamic between sisters Ella & Sadie is pivotal to the story, giving it momentum but honestly my hand was itching to slap Ella for her callous selfishness. The Gilded Lily is short on likeable characters, thankfully Sadie and her 2 friends, Dennis & Corey are endearing characters with heart. Fortunately I didn't have to like the rest of the cast to enjoy the read.
I loved the 17th century dialect and it was refreshing to take a look at the professions of commoners; perruquiers, (wig makers) pawn brokers, maids and shop assistants and read more about the 'secrets' of womens' beauty during this era, the use of ceruse, white lead face paint or powder. It added a fascinating authenticity to Restoration London without bogging down the story with unnecessary detail.
At 460 + pages I was pleasantly surprised by the pace. The Gilded Lily is quite a bleak read but the dark ambiance, seedy undercurrent and ever-present danger kept me turning the pages, anxious for the outcome and the redemptive ending contributes some light and goes a little way to restoring faith in humanity.
Recommend: Absolutely! I'll definitely be reading more from Deborah Swift.
December 5, 2012
Kindle edition. Really enjoyed this book. It's a continuation of the story involving some of the characters from Ms. Swift's first novel. Ella, the maidservant is really not very nice and out to take advantage of everything that might come her way. Her one real loyalty is her sister, Sadie, whom she had planned to bring to live with her as soon as that was possible. However things did not turn out that way, and she and her sister were heading in quite a fast timed way towards London where Ella planned they should loose themselves in the droves of people that live there. The people , the food, the living conditions and how they can vary, and ways people adapt to what is were well described and unfold along with the story which is centered around Ella and Sadie's relationship. Nothing about their background was easy, and this becomes clearer as the story unfolds and the relationship is forced to deal with problems that just don't go away. The growth, loyalty and maturity of the girls is constant and becomes more constant, if not always effective or comfortable, You as the reader and a part of the story begin to understand more deeply the characters and follow through more deeply in their happenstance. And it all works towards the ending of the situation in this particular book.
September 26, 2015
This was truly an unexpected wonder. From the first page to the last, I was captivated by these two young sisters. It’s 1661. Ella and Sadie Appleby live in England. When Ella’s employer Thomas Ibbetson dies, she packs up all of his valuables she can carry and flees the countryside taking her sister with her. They mean to disappear in London. Begin fresh new lives. Simple enough plan. However……. What happens between the however and the last page is nothing short of brilliant.
Truly a masterful storyteller. It is a wonder how the author, Deborah Swift was able to introduce so many distinct and colorful characters. Each contributes grandly to the unfolding of our heroine’s plight for survival. Titus Ibbetson believes his twin brother to have been murdered and sets out in hot pursuit to bring the murdering sisters to justice. Jay Whitgift offers Ella a job. He seems to be her saving grace but ties to London’s underworld, his insatiable greed make him anything but. And Sadie, born with a wine colored birthmark on her face draws the unwanted attention they seek to avoid.
I enjoyed this book immensely. Well worth the read.
Truly a masterful storyteller. It is a wonder how the author, Deborah Swift was able to introduce so many distinct and colorful characters. Each contributes grandly to the unfolding of our heroine’s plight for survival. Titus Ibbetson believes his twin brother to have been murdered and sets out in hot pursuit to bring the murdering sisters to justice. Jay Whitgift offers Ella a job. He seems to be her saving grace but ties to London’s underworld, his insatiable greed make him anything but. And Sadie, born with a wine colored birthmark on her face draws the unwanted attention they seek to avoid.
I enjoyed this book immensely. Well worth the read.
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