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Nelson's Daughter
Alongside his brilliant naval career, Lady Hamilton was Nelson's other great obsession, and this intimate portrait of their love affair illustrates how England's most celebrated admiral was captivated by this vivacious, strong-minded and passionate woman, who began life in poverty yet rose to marry an aristocrat and to consort with kings. But it is the complex relationship between Horatia and the woman she believed was only her godmother that forms the heart of this poignant, absorbing novel. Shifting between the idyll of Horatia's childhood before Nelson's death at Trafalgar and the gloom of Emma's Calais rooms nine years later, Nelson's Daughter offers a vivid and beguiling vision of Nelson's most personal legacy.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 10, 2011
Another book I wouldn't have across without the Orange Prize nomination. Nelson's Daughter is a very believable portrayal of the scandalous affair between Lord Nelson and Emma Hamilton. This could have been an amazing book, but it completely fell short of its potential.
Some of my thoughts about why Nelson's Daughter disappointed me:
- Good, in fact a great premise, but weak execution
- Too many unnecessary details! At times I felt I was bombarded with facts.
- Flat, boring characters. With the exception of Lord Nelson and Emma Hamilton, none of the characters stood out. They were all one-dimensional and very forgettable.
- Slow moving. The plot took ages to move forward!
It's obvious that the author has researched a lot into the relationship between Nelson and Emma Hamilton. I do appreciate that, but ultimately this book failed to live up to my expectations.
It's kind of disappointing that out of the 6 Orange Prize books I have read in 2011, two have been disappointing. On a positive note, I am reading Great House by Nicole Krauss currently, and I am LOVING it!
Some of my thoughts about why Nelson's Daughter disappointed me:
- Good, in fact a great premise, but weak execution
- Too many unnecessary details! At times I felt I was bombarded with facts.
- Flat, boring characters. With the exception of Lord Nelson and Emma Hamilton, none of the characters stood out. They were all one-dimensional and very forgettable.
- Slow moving. The plot took ages to move forward!
It's obvious that the author has researched a lot into the relationship between Nelson and Emma Hamilton. I do appreciate that, but ultimately this book failed to live up to my expectations.
It's kind of disappointing that out of the 6 Orange Prize books I have read in 2011, two have been disappointing. On a positive note, I am reading Great House by Nicole Krauss currently, and I am LOVING it!
October 6, 2015
Thin, underwhelming story about the illegitimate daughter of Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton.
Raised in ignorance of her parentage yet living with both of them for much of her youth as their supposed "god-daughter", Horatia experiences some of the highs which immortalized the scandalous couple before Nelson's death at Trafalger when she was just five, as well as the crushing lows of her mothers subsequent decline into obesity, alcoholism and poverty.
Hearn tells the story of the glorious affair and Horatia and Emma's final, miserable months together in alternate chapters. Horatia was in ignorance that Nelson was her father until after he had died, or that Emma Hamilton was her mother.
This latter circumstance was despite the fact that they lived alone together all the way up until Lady Hamilton's pitiful demise, fat, penniless and forgotten in exile at Calais in 1815.
There is the stuff of real tragedy here, but Hearn barely scrapes the surface of either the rise or fall of the famous hero and his mistress. The pace never really picked up, nor did the tension increase during Horatia's desire to solve the mystery of her parentage.
The epilogue, which briefly outlined Horatia's life after her mother's death and return to England, only hightened the feeling of "What's the point?" I had while reading what preceded.
Fairly respectably written, but generally flat, non-involving and forgettable.
Raised in ignorance of her parentage yet living with both of them for much of her youth as their supposed "god-daughter", Horatia experiences some of the highs which immortalized the scandalous couple before Nelson's death at Trafalger when she was just five, as well as the crushing lows of her mothers subsequent decline into obesity, alcoholism and poverty.
Hearn tells the story of the glorious affair and Horatia and Emma's final, miserable months together in alternate chapters. Horatia was in ignorance that Nelson was her father until after he had died, or that Emma Hamilton was her mother.
This latter circumstance was despite the fact that they lived alone together all the way up until Lady Hamilton's pitiful demise, fat, penniless and forgotten in exile at Calais in 1815.
There is the stuff of real tragedy here, but Hearn barely scrapes the surface of either the rise or fall of the famous hero and his mistress. The pace never really picked up, nor did the tension increase during Horatia's desire to solve the mystery of her parentage.
The epilogue, which briefly outlined Horatia's life after her mother's death and return to England, only hightened the feeling of "What's the point?" I had while reading what preceded.
Fairly respectably written, but generally flat, non-involving and forgettable.
July 24, 2018
This book explores the experience of Horatia Nelson - who was famously lied to about her parentage as said parents were not married and her mother didn't want any scandal. Lord Nelson was seen as an almost godlike figure after his exploits, so elaborate pretences were put in place that she was his 'god-daughter'. Although most people figured out the truth anyway.
The novel jumps around in time, following Horatia - and her parents - at various times of their life, exploring how they met, how Emma coped with Nelson's death - or didn't. There were times when it was difficult to keep track of which section was taking place at what time, which creates a certain amount of confusion. It could be that this technique is meant to mirror Emma's disjointed thinking as her brain becomes more addled with drink. But it is confusing for the reader when some simple dates at the start of chapters would have made things clearer.
I did like the descriptions of Nelson being mobbed as he tried to go shopping - celebrity culture is clearly not as new as we think it is - and there were some interesting points made with side characters, such as Fatima pondering religion having been made to convert to Christianity. But the main characters, Emma and Horatia, seemed somewhat flat in comparision. In this novel too, they find themselves overshadowed by Lord Nelson.
The novel jumps around in time, following Horatia - and her parents - at various times of their life, exploring how they met, how Emma coped with Nelson's death - or didn't. There were times when it was difficult to keep track of which section was taking place at what time, which creates a certain amount of confusion. It could be that this technique is meant to mirror Emma's disjointed thinking as her brain becomes more addled with drink. But it is confusing for the reader when some simple dates at the start of chapters would have made things clearer.
I did like the descriptions of Nelson being mobbed as he tried to go shopping - celebrity culture is clearly not as new as we think it is - and there were some interesting points made with side characters, such as Fatima pondering religion having been made to convert to Christianity. But the main characters, Emma and Horatia, seemed somewhat flat in comparision. In this novel too, they find themselves overshadowed by Lord Nelson.
July 29, 2017
This book has three plots. one is about Horatia, who is in search of her mother and father during the Napoleonic wars . she is kept by tutors and by servants and luxury, yet most of her life is unknown. the second plot concerns Lady Hamilton and Lord Horatio Nelson who are the godparents of Horatia. It is their torrrid romance that drives the second plot. they're both married To another yet attracted to one another . The third plot is the history that surrounds all of them : the Napoleonic wars the battles the Burning boats and Napoleon himself . If part one had the lightning and thunder part two has the destructive hurricane? Entropy can change everything. Because of her authentic research and astounding writing style , the novel is tied together flawlessly for this reader. Ms. Hearn, where have ye been? I want to read more!
May 14, 2024
A book about war hero Nelson’s illegitimate daughter and her upbringing, that never manage to catch my interest. With missing depth, surprise, or turning points, it felt like 90% of the pages were repetitions and dreadful details. A lot of time jumps back and forth suggested a surprise to come, which did in fact not. The topic had more potential I think.
March 1, 2018
Historical novel about Nelson's only illegitimate daughter. Her mother started out as a prostitute, then became a feted socialite and later a fat, down and out alcoholic
March 30, 2018
Very interesting story. I love the history and stories of Nelson. The whole story of Lady Hamilton is a mess for everyone.
March 26, 2021
Vivid, heart-wrenching and witty. I am sad to see that this author has only written two books. I hope to see more from her some day.
May 29, 2015
The good part was it is a historical novel, based on a real life. The premise was interesting; Admiral Nelson has an illicit affair with a friends wife and their daughter is raised by the mother without disclosing that she is Infact the mother. This is not a spoiler, this much is written on the jacket. What is not so good is the lack of depth and sensitivity with which the emotions are dealt. Most parts appear like Travails of someone living with an alcoholic. There are some parts which half heartedly try to transport to those times but are hardly effective. There is also a frequent shift between two stages of daughters life which could have but doesn't add much to the emotional fabric. It was not as good as it could have been.
March 30, 2012
Even setting aside the plethora of historical details (which any half-decent writer could have gleaned from a good library!), the scenes detailing the underlying "story" (girl lives with declining alcoholic godmother while wondering who her real mother was) are too thin and repetitive to warrant 250 pages. A great disappointment.
June 17, 2011
I found this book boring. I thought the historical facts interesting, about the lives of Nelson, his lover Emma Hamilton, and their daughter Horatia. Although she found out after his death, that Nelson was her father, she never knew that Lady Emma Hamilton was her mother.
September 18, 2009
Hmm, it's a bit slow going so I threw it over for a more pacy read. Think that I might return to it. Feb 12 - didn't get much further with it and took it back to the library.
April 19, 2010
This book was ok; I just felt it couldn't make up its mind whetjer it was a novel or a history book. Horatia believes Nelson and Emma Hamilton are her godparents and that's about it really.
July 23, 2011
a quick read and a bit hard to follow at times with its timeline a sad story
Want to read
July 29, 201105 long list-orange prize
January 13, 2015
I found this book disjointed and not interesting at all. I was hoping for so much more. I am quite disappointed.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews