The Testament of Sophie Dawes: The Queen of Chantilly and a Scandal at the Heart of Victorian Society

by Robert Stephen Parry

England 1862 – and the nation is in mourning for the death of the Prince Consort, when a newly appointed archivist arrives at the Queen’s island residence of Osborne, enticed by the prospect of long country walks as much as by his professional duties. But his plans are forced to change as he uncovers a complex web of intrigue and scandal that reaches from revolutionary France to the very heart of Victorian Society.

What is he to make of such an unwelcome discovery? And who is the mysterious woman he encounters again and again when walking by the sea?
A testament from the grave that reveals one of the most powerful yet maligned of 19th Century courtesans whose life has been almost erased from history. But it is knowledge that does not please everyone.

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Genres: Victorian, Historical Fiction

282 pages, Paperback

Published March 16, 2016

About the author

Robert Stephen Parry is a UK writer of adult historical fiction, bringing you stories from a wide range of time periods - from Tudor & Elizabethan, through 18th-century Georgian, right up to the era of Victorian England and the Belle Époque. Well-researched and vivid historical settings combine with unusual elements of mystery, humour and romance.

On a lighter note, he has also worked with the distinguished Avian writer A.Robin, Esq. in providing illustrations for the book 'The Magnificent British Garden Robin' and, more recently, 'The Robin Almanac' and 'A Robin's Book of Garden Verse'.

For more, visit: robertstephenparry.com

Publications to date:
2019 QUEEN VICTORIA - and the Men who Loved Her
2016 THE TESTAMENT OF SOPHIE DAWES - The Queen of Chantilly and a Scandal at the Heart of Victorian Society
2015 THE HOURS BEFORE - A Story of Mystery and Suspense from the Belle Époque
2014 ELIZABETH - The Virgin Queen and the Men who Loved Her
2013 WILDISH- A story Concerning Different Kinds of Love
2011 THE ARROW CHEST - A Victorian Mystery
2009 VIRGIN AND THE CRAB - Sketches, Fables and Mysteries from the Early Life of John Dee and Elizabeth Tudor

Web: https://robertstephenparry.com

Also, various articles and blogposts by Robert Stephen Parry can be found at https://robertstephenparry.com/endymion/

Reviews

[Arleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

During the Victorian era, a few months after Prince Albert’s untimely death, an archivist arrives at the Queen’s residence of Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. His job is to sort documents and file leftover memorandum that the staff had already sifted through and depleted of personal and sensitive information. This gentleman, who was never named, kept a diary to detail his hobby of observing nature and it’s in this format that the story is related. However, it’s not only birds, flowers and weather he records. Upon settling in his own rented house in St Helens–a good distance from Osborne House–he happens upon an elderly lady walking the Duver. She begins telling the story of a woman who lived in France in the aftermath of the French Revolution and Napoleon Bonaparte, some 50 years in the past. When he comes across a letter at Osborne containing a striking similarity to the lady’s story, including a great royal scandal, he finds himself ostracized at work and questioning his mental facilities at home. The woman, whose ever-changing physical appearance plagues his waking hours as well as his dreams, claims to be a courtesan of a bygone age. As our narrator obsessively delves more deeply into the history, he begins a downward spiral into an intrigue that interferes with his professional and person life, and ultimately, his very sanity.

One theme of this multi-faceted story is the juxtaposition of the gloomy and rigidly moral atmosphere of the Victorian era with the salacious court of Louis XVIII’s newly restored monarchy in France. As the collection of leftover Bourbon kings each take their turn on the throne, their English neighbors transition from the decadence of the Georgian era to a more family-oriented, decorous lifestyle. With the added gloom due to Queen Victoria’s beloved’s demise, the English court was a dour place indeed. Our narrator begins the story a straight-laced and extremely proper gentleman, but with each visit with his mysterious lady friend, gravitates toward that which he holds in contempt–all the while grappling with his inner demons.

The history of the story includes an interesting conspiracy theory involving the Bourbons. Unfortunately I cannot elaborate without giving away the story, and so I will leave for you to discover, readers. Nature lovers will find a great deal of information regarding the wildlife, flowers and weather patterns of the Isle of Wight, as well as a minute description of St Helens and its unique area called the Duver. Even if you’re not interested in that sort of thing, there is also the mystery surrounding the lady, and a hint of mystical intrigue. With a fast-paced and naturally flowing storyline followed by a stunning ending, I found this to be a most satisfying read, and count it my favorite from Robert Stephen Parry!

[Charla Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The year is 1862 and the place is England. To be more specific, the place is actually Queen Victoria's Island residence of Osborne House. The time is actually a dark time, because Queen Victoria is mourning the loss of her beloved, Prince Albert. This time period was really a National Catastrophe for all of Britain. Victoria was distraught and her only interest was to memorialize her beloved forever. During this time the nation mourned with her and almost everyone dressed in black mourning wear. Therefore, everyone around her was dressed in black, which I am sure added to the dark atmosphere.

A young archivist, new at his job was sent to this dark place to find, organize, and process any type of papers, documents, or letters pertaining to or written by Prince Albert. However, all the archivist really wanted to do was to take strolls around the property bird watching. But, shortly after arriving at Osborne House, he came across a letter written by woman he had never heard of. This letter contained scandalous information centered around the son of Marie Antoinette. This information had the potential to change the history of France. The young man does not know what to think about this information. To make matters worse, he meets a woman on one of his walks and then kept running into her time and time again. Eventually they began to talk, and the woman claimed to be Madam Feucheres, the actual writer of the letter he had found. Although, he had seen this woman's grave and believed her to be dead, here she was in the flesh. He does not know what to make of this woman, but she turns up everywhere and tells more of her story at each meeting. The young man becomes haunted by this mysterious woman and grows more and more confused.

Although the story occurs during a dark time, Robert Parry managed to bring enough humor into the story to balance out the dark. For example, the young archivist hires a woman to tend house for him during his stay and they develop an unusual and unexpected relationship, which is quite entertaining. I have read most of Mr. Parry's books and have loved every one, this one included. I recommend this book for anyone interested in Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, Marie Antoinette, or Louis XVI. Or, for anyone just wanting to read a great book!

booktalkswithcharla.blogspot.com

[JC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to say what this book is about. One word to describe this story is 'Mysterious'.

The writing is quite well done and be ready to be enchanted with tales of kings, queens, and princes. Lest not forget the woman this book revolves around which is Sophie Dawes.

A lady who walks around claiming to be she who has perished quite some time ago. The main protagonist who involves himself with birds and animals find himself interested in this mysterious person who he encounters from time to time at St Helens.

If you feel like delving yourself in something outside the 'norm' give this one a look. The ending left me somewhat dissatisfied but this all comes down to personal taste.

[Diane Fogel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like I'm peeking in someone's diary. ;)
Someone who writes interesting things and not boring. It got stranger as it went on, but I still didn't see the ending coming.