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La Dernière Impératrice
Découvrez la plus méconnue des aventures amoureuses de Sissi.
Élégant et raffiné, le capitaine Bay Middleton est le meilleur cavalier d’Angleterre, mais est dénué de fortune. Jusqu’au jour où il rencontre l’intrépide Charlotte Baird, une riche héritière, qui tombe amoureuse de lui. Fuyant la Cour de Vienne et son atmosphère étouffante, Sissi va en Angleterre pour participer à une célèbre chasse à laquelle Bay se rend pour être son guide. Tous deux vont alors vivre une passion, ce qui mettra en péril leur avenir et les relations diplomatiques entre les deux pays...
499 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 7, 2013
742 people are currently reading
16202 people want to read
About the author
Daisy Goodwin
32 books2,240 followersDAISY GOODWIN, a Harkness scholar who attended Columbia University’s film school after earning a degree in history at Cambridge University, is a leading television producer in the U.K. Her poetry anthologies, including 101 Poems That Could Save Your Life, have introduced many new readers to the pleasures of poetry, and she was Chair of the judging panel of the 2010 Orange Prize for Fiction. That was the year she published her first novel the American Heiress ( My Last Duchess in UK) , followed by The Fortune Hunter and now Victoria. She has also created VICTORIA the PBS/ITV series which starts in January. She has three dogs, two dogs, and one husband.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 1,653 reviews
August 3, 2014
Well, I'm not sure what to think about this; on one hand, it's a 'juicy' potboiler of a read, a high class beach novel about an overwrought love triangle in Victoria's England. On the other hand, a lot about it just annoyed me. So here is what I learned from this novel, which I'm giving three stars, but two and a half is probably more accurate:
1. Always a sucker for a book with a beautiful cover, this one does not disappoint even though it highly resembles a more lovely one: Horan's 'Under the Wide and Starry Sky.'
2. An ending right out of 'An Officer and a Gentleman'--with horses.
3. While beautifully written in general, the story contains longish stretches of fox hunting details that bogged me down, and being the animal person I am, I found myself skimming. While Goodwin does not get horribly graphic, there are still plenty of moments which just reinforced my passionate belief that such blood sports are horrific--and I'm really not a fan of steeple chasing results, either.
4. The Empress comes across as cardboard--beautiful, tragic, but nothing about her character really reached me or touched me (except Goodwin's end note on her life after the events of this novel--Good Lord)
5. Bay Middleton, the dashing suitor to both the Empress, and Charlotte, the heiress, is a manipulative womanizer I never warmed to--not even by the end. This is a man who can rationalize any of his deceits with married women, at least one possible love child, the Empress (like he didn't know what he was getting into there?), and the virginal heiress he charms. In fact, he's only deeply devoted to his horse, Tipsy, much more so than to any of his lovers--and I ended up feeling like Tipsy deserved better.
6. While recognizing the Victorian setting and the fact women were highly bound to societal expectations and rules, especially in these rarefied socio-economic circles, I wanted to shake Charlotte silly for her devotion to a cad. Sorry; while other reviewers have found the Bay-Charlotte romance believable--I didn't despite the historical facts surrounding it--and wanted THIS Charlotte to have more backbone and smarts, which she does at times..then goes off on "Oh, Bay..." Crap.
7. Even Victorian heiresses needed their gay BFF to guide them, dress them, advise them, and generally be back up in all things romantic. This BFF, Casper, (and I'm not giving anything away here) is more talented, world wise, and generally, smarter than the heiress and anyone else around. Additionally, Casper is FAR more interesting, soulful, with a potentially FAR more fascinating back story than any of the suffocatingly boorish snobs who are the main characters. Casper needs a book ASAP.
8. Felt the ending was quite rushed in the last 20 pgs or so and left me with questions I was still not sure of like how did Charlotte's money finally play into things? What the hell is the 'Chicken' story all about? And most importantly, who's taking care of Tipsy?
Overall, a guilty pleasure but with all the pre-publication hype, the author's reputation, and the general pedigree the novel seems to sport, I was looking for something--more, I think.
1. Always a sucker for a book with a beautiful cover, this one does not disappoint even though it highly resembles a more lovely one: Horan's 'Under the Wide and Starry Sky.'
2. An ending right out of 'An Officer and a Gentleman'--with horses.
3. While beautifully written in general, the story contains longish stretches of fox hunting details that bogged me down, and being the animal person I am, I found myself skimming. While Goodwin does not get horribly graphic, there are still plenty of moments which just reinforced my passionate belief that such blood sports are horrific--and I'm really not a fan of steeple chasing results, either.
4. The Empress comes across as cardboard--beautiful, tragic, but nothing about her character really reached me or touched me (except Goodwin's end note on her life after the events of this novel--Good Lord)
5. Bay Middleton, the dashing suitor to both the Empress, and Charlotte, the heiress, is a manipulative womanizer I never warmed to--not even by the end. This is a man who can rationalize any of his deceits with married women, at least one possible love child, the Empress (like he didn't know what he was getting into there?), and the virginal heiress he charms. In fact, he's only deeply devoted to his horse, Tipsy, much more so than to any of his lovers--and I ended up feeling like Tipsy deserved better.
6. While recognizing the Victorian setting and the fact women were highly bound to societal expectations and rules, especially in these rarefied socio-economic circles, I wanted to shake Charlotte silly for her devotion to a cad. Sorry; while other reviewers have found the Bay-Charlotte romance believable--I didn't despite the historical facts surrounding it--and wanted THIS Charlotte to have more backbone and smarts, which she does at times..then goes off on "Oh, Bay..." Crap.
7. Even Victorian heiresses needed their gay BFF to guide them, dress them, advise them, and generally be back up in all things romantic. This BFF, Casper, (and I'm not giving anything away here) is more talented, world wise, and generally, smarter than the heiress and anyone else around. Additionally, Casper is FAR more interesting, soulful, with a potentially FAR more fascinating back story than any of the suffocatingly boorish snobs who are the main characters. Casper needs a book ASAP.
8. Felt the ending was quite rushed in the last 20 pgs or so and left me with questions I was still not sure of like how did Charlotte's money finally play into things? What the hell is the 'Chicken' story all about? And most importantly, who's taking care of Tipsy?
Overall, a guilty pleasure but with all the pre-publication hype, the author's reputation, and the general pedigree the novel seems to sport, I was looking for something--more, I think.
May 20, 2022
Not as provocative as I was thinking. I found myself just skimming the last 1/4 to just find out what happens so I could move on. I liked the characters but I wish the book was more condensed so I didn’t get bored of them so quickly.
September 13, 2019
This was pretty good! I didn't actually realize that it was based on a true story and real people until I was about halfway through. I enjoy historical fiction and this book was very readable.
There were three main characters, the Empress Elisabeth (aka “Sisi”), Bay Middleton, and Charlotte Baird. Sisi was obsessed with her looks, is one of the best female riders in the world, and is bent on having an affair with Bay (despite her Emperor husband Franz back in Hapsburg). Her beauty regimen includes sleeping with raw veal on her face. Surprisingly, she is still somewhat likable. Charlotte is heiress to a very large fortune (hence the title) and is constantly courted by opportunists. She is plain and clever, and is falling in love with Bay. Bay is courting Charlotte, and bedding Sisi at the same time.
The story was very interesting, it held my attention well and was a quick read despite the length. Knowing that is based on actual events made me want to read more about the characters. As a horse lover, I especially enjoyed the horse scenes, particularly the Grand National steeplechase at the end, with Bay racing on his 15 hand mare Tipsy.
However, none of the main characters were truly likable. Sisi and Bay were sorta likable in spite of their flaws—Sisi is arrogant, conceited, spoiled. Bay is kind of a bad guy for courting an innocent young girl while having an affair (although to be fair it's probably difficult to turn down an Empress no matter what your feelings are), and he seems also sort of spoiled and arrogant. Charlotte unfortunately seems a very simplistic character who has no depth to her and you never know enough about her to like her. There were some other minor characters who were great—Charlotte's friend Caspar from America was wonderful! Also Charlotte's brother Fred and his fiance were not likable but were fun to hate as the “bad guys”.
I was intrigued enough to read more about Bay Middleton and about Sisi, so the book did inspire that. However it kind of fizzled out at the end and didn't really resolve everything, and I wasn't sure that I agreed with the decisions that the characters made.
Overall a decent read, that made me want to learn more.
There were three main characters, the Empress Elisabeth (aka “Sisi”), Bay Middleton, and Charlotte Baird. Sisi was obsessed with her looks, is one of the best female riders in the world, and is bent on having an affair with Bay (despite her Emperor husband Franz back in Hapsburg). Her beauty regimen includes sleeping with raw veal on her face. Surprisingly, she is still somewhat likable. Charlotte is heiress to a very large fortune (hence the title) and is constantly courted by opportunists. She is plain and clever, and is falling in love with Bay. Bay is courting Charlotte, and bedding Sisi at the same time.
The story was very interesting, it held my attention well and was a quick read despite the length. Knowing that is based on actual events made me want to read more about the characters. As a horse lover, I especially enjoyed the horse scenes, particularly the Grand National steeplechase at the end, with Bay racing on his 15 hand mare Tipsy.
However, none of the main characters were truly likable. Sisi and Bay were sorta likable in spite of their flaws—Sisi is arrogant, conceited, spoiled. Bay is kind of a bad guy for courting an innocent young girl while having an affair (although to be fair it's probably difficult to turn down an Empress no matter what your feelings are), and he seems also sort of spoiled and arrogant. Charlotte unfortunately seems a very simplistic character who has no depth to her and you never know enough about her to like her. There were some other minor characters who were great—Charlotte's friend Caspar from America was wonderful! Also Charlotte's brother Fred and his fiance were not likable but were fun to hate as the “bad guys”.
I was intrigued enough to read more about Bay Middleton and about Sisi, so the book did inspire that. However it kind of fizzled out at the end and didn't really resolve everything, and I wasn't sure that I agreed with the decisions that the characters made.
Overall a decent read, that made me want to learn more.
November 8, 2016
Huzzah! The Fortune Hunter is scrumpdillyicious! The heroine, Charlotte Baird, is an unspoiled heiress that I found easy to like and admire. She lives in the sparkling world of the privileged, yet prefers to pursue photography, an unacceptable hobby for a lady of means. The hero, Captain Bay Middleton, is a good man with a kind heart who is hopelessly flawed. Like life, their journey is filled with detours and obstacles. Oh, and I loved the debut of Clementine, who will eventually marry Winston Churchill.
This is a beautifully written, satisfying and sensuous love story that unfolds in England's most sumptuous settings. It also encompasses many of my favorite elements - England, a handsome British officer, dresses with bustles, horses, a high-minded heiress, and a tender first kiss!
I highly recommend this book to hopeless romantics, Downton Abbey fans, and readers who like a happy ending!! :D
This is a beautifully written, satisfying and sensuous love story that unfolds in England's most sumptuous settings. It also encompasses many of my favorite elements - England, a handsome British officer, dresses with bustles, horses, a high-minded heiress, and a tender first kiss!
I highly recommend this book to hopeless romantics, Downton Abbey fans, and readers who like a happy ending!! :D
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2016
The ending ticked me off and thus I shall never speak of this again.
August 25, 2014
I decided to redo my review on this, because my first one was a quick, slap-dash affair and I want to give this more credit than I did.
I did totally enjoy this novel. Daisy Goodwin has a wonderful way with details when she writes her books, this my second novel by her and like her first one, I was enthralled with all the sumptuousness of her details. The beautiful gowns and finery were vividly imagined, the excitement of the fox hunt, the splendour of the social gatherings of the rich and snobbish were all presented wonderfully in this book!
I know this has a mixed bag of reviews, but in it's defense this book is geared to the romantic at heart, the person who roots for the heroine Charlotte, who despite the fact is an heiress is totally unspoiled by her wealth. I mentioned that I didnt care for the Empress, I was put off by her constant demanding and her worries about wrinkles and losing her beauty. I didnt feel sorry for her that she was lonely and unloved, she came across as one who got what she wanted.
Bay was a cad for so easily coming under the spell of The Empress.But without giving away anymore details, I enjoyed the time spent reading this lovely novel. I wanted more.
I did totally enjoy this novel. Daisy Goodwin has a wonderful way with details when she writes her books, this my second novel by her and like her first one, I was enthralled with all the sumptuousness of her details. The beautiful gowns and finery were vividly imagined, the excitement of the fox hunt, the splendour of the social gatherings of the rich and snobbish were all presented wonderfully in this book!
I know this has a mixed bag of reviews, but in it's defense this book is geared to the romantic at heart, the person who roots for the heroine Charlotte, who despite the fact is an heiress is totally unspoiled by her wealth. I mentioned that I didnt care for the Empress, I was put off by her constant demanding and her worries about wrinkles and losing her beauty. I didnt feel sorry for her that she was lonely and unloved, she came across as one who got what she wanted.
Bay was a cad for so easily coming under the spell of The Empress.But without giving away anymore details, I enjoyed the time spent reading this lovely novel. I wanted more.
August 12, 2014
I was initially drawn to this book because of its stunning cover. It was so beautiful, I just picked it up and wanted to read it. But unfortunately, the story didn't enchant me like the cover did...
This story is about a great many characters, whose lives circle around each other for a period of time in 1875/76. The characters in this book are actually based on actual people, and some of the storyline is true, but most of it is fictitious...
So we have Charlotte Baird, who is a comely girl who is about to inherit a fortune. She either has to marry, or turn 25 to gain access to it. In the meantime, her older brother, Fred is her caretaker. Her mother died in a tragic hunting accident, but not before leaving all the fortune to her daughter. (After reading the Wideacre Trilogy by Philippa Gregory, and reading what a complicated business and scandal it was to leave money and property to a daughter instead of a son, I'm a bit confused why no one seems to be bothered by this detail...) Fred is about to marry Augusta, a woman on the verge of being too old to be a catch, yet still carries a worthy title with her name. Both Fred and Augusta try to control and influence Charlotte in the way she acts, and who she should associate herself with, much to the annoyance of poor Charlotte.
One day at a party, Charlotte meets Captain Bay Middleton, a notorious horseman, and ever more notorious womanizer. For some reason, the two are very taken with one another, and begin courting, which Fred and Augusta immediately forbid. There could be no one worse for their dear Charlotte. He is a cad, and doesn't even have any money or title to offer. They dub him "The Fortune Hunter."
Charlotte and Bay ignore Fred and Augusta as best as they can, and agree to wait until Charlotte turns 21 so they may marry without Fred's consent. In the meantime, the Empress of Austria, Elizabeth (everyone calls her Sisi) has come to England to experience a hunting season. She recruits Bay as her pilot to show her around and guide her, and Bay suddenly finds himself infatuated with the Empress; indeed, he has never seen a rider quite like her, never mind that she is a woman to boot!
I'm sure you can guess the way the rest of this story goes. The story is quite predictable, but that wasn't even the worst of this book for me. None of the characters felt real to me. They all fell flat. I couldn't really identify with Charlotte, even though we are meant to sympathize with her. She really annoyed me. She started out independent and strong minded enough - then instantly falls in love with the first man that shows her a bit of attention, and completely falls apart when things don't work out right away. I wanted to give her a great slap.
Sisi was also very annoying. She was portrayed as a vain and spoiled woman. I'm not sure if that is what she was like in real life, but I know that she was very unhappy with her marriage to Emperor Franz Joseph, and she fled to England to try and live a little. But in this book she would through tantrums or sulk when she didn't get her way. I didn't find that she had much chemistry with Bay; I found their love affair to be quite crigey.
The whole idea of Bay Middleton did not work for me. He is described as handsome, and I was having trouble picturing him as such considering her would tug on the ends of his mustache... ick. (Beards are a completely different story, by the way!) I didn't find him charming, and I struggled believing that he was truly in love with Charlotte so quickly, considering he was a womanizer before meeting her. Its not like they had a stimulating conversation, or anything in common... I just didn't buy it.
The book fell flat for me, I really didn't enjoy it that much. Such a shame, because that cover really is gorgeous.
This story is about a great many characters, whose lives circle around each other for a period of time in 1875/76. The characters in this book are actually based on actual people, and some of the storyline is true, but most of it is fictitious...
So we have Charlotte Baird, who is a comely girl who is about to inherit a fortune. She either has to marry, or turn 25 to gain access to it. In the meantime, her older brother, Fred is her caretaker. Her mother died in a tragic hunting accident, but not before leaving all the fortune to her daughter. (After reading the Wideacre Trilogy by Philippa Gregory, and reading what a complicated business and scandal it was to leave money and property to a daughter instead of a son, I'm a bit confused why no one seems to be bothered by this detail...) Fred is about to marry Augusta, a woman on the verge of being too old to be a catch, yet still carries a worthy title with her name. Both Fred and Augusta try to control and influence Charlotte in the way she acts, and who she should associate herself with, much to the annoyance of poor Charlotte.
One day at a party, Charlotte meets Captain Bay Middleton, a notorious horseman, and ever more notorious womanizer. For some reason, the two are very taken with one another, and begin courting, which Fred and Augusta immediately forbid. There could be no one worse for their dear Charlotte. He is a cad, and doesn't even have any money or title to offer. They dub him "The Fortune Hunter."
Charlotte and Bay ignore Fred and Augusta as best as they can, and agree to wait until Charlotte turns 21 so they may marry without Fred's consent. In the meantime, the Empress of Austria, Elizabeth (everyone calls her Sisi) has come to England to experience a hunting season. She recruits Bay as her pilot to show her around and guide her, and Bay suddenly finds himself infatuated with the Empress; indeed, he has never seen a rider quite like her, never mind that she is a woman to boot!
I'm sure you can guess the way the rest of this story goes. The story is quite predictable, but that wasn't even the worst of this book for me. None of the characters felt real to me. They all fell flat. I couldn't really identify with Charlotte, even though we are meant to sympathize with her. She really annoyed me. She started out independent and strong minded enough - then instantly falls in love with the first man that shows her a bit of attention, and completely falls apart when things don't work out right away. I wanted to give her a great slap.
Sisi was also very annoying. She was portrayed as a vain and spoiled woman. I'm not sure if that is what she was like in real life, but I know that she was very unhappy with her marriage to Emperor Franz Joseph, and she fled to England to try and live a little. But in this book she would through tantrums or sulk when she didn't get her way. I didn't find that she had much chemistry with Bay; I found their love affair to be quite crigey.
The whole idea of Bay Middleton did not work for me. He is described as handsome, and I was having trouble picturing him as such considering her would tug on the ends of his mustache... ick. (Beards are a completely different story, by the way!) I didn't find him charming, and I struggled believing that he was truly in love with Charlotte so quickly, considering he was a womanizer before meeting her. Its not like they had a stimulating conversation, or anything in common... I just didn't buy it.
The book fell flat for me, I really didn't enjoy it that much. Such a shame, because that cover really is gorgeous.
June 15, 2018
Set in 1875. In a very skillful language, the author weaves a story based on historical characters of a young heiress, Charlotte Baird, to the Lennox fortune, who meets a young impoverished gentleman, Captain Bay Middleton, the finest horseman in England.
When their courtship is at a very early stage, Empress Elisabeth of Austria, known as Sisi, arrives in England for the legendary hunt organized by Earl Spencer. The finest horseman of England is presented to the Empress as her pilot to guide her through unfamiliar terrain and English customs in the field. While Charlotte occupies her time with fascination for photography, Bay is preoccupied with Sisi.
The plot of the book is very simple. However, the clever and entertaining language makes the read engaging.
@FB/BestHistoricalFiction
@https://bestinhistoricalfiction.blogs...
When their courtship is at a very early stage, Empress Elisabeth of Austria, known as Sisi, arrives in England for the legendary hunt organized by Earl Spencer. The finest horseman of England is presented to the Empress as her pilot to guide her through unfamiliar terrain and English customs in the field. While Charlotte occupies her time with fascination for photography, Bay is preoccupied with Sisi.
The plot of the book is very simple. However, the clever and entertaining language makes the read engaging.
@FB/BestHistoricalFiction
@https://bestinhistoricalfiction.blogs...
August 18, 2014
Charlotte Baird lives in London in 1875, she's into photography and is about to make her debut in the social scene, when she meets Captain Middleton. Captain Middleton falls for the meek Charlotte, and just as suddenly, also becomes dazzled by the Empress of Austria. This makes for an awkward situation for our narrator Charlotte...
I didn't completely hate this one, and the fact that it is based on real characters is intriguing to me. However, the point of view frequently changes, so it makes it difficult to rely on the narrator, and the writing is fair. The ending made me want to punch a few characters in the face, but hoping I can blame their actions on the times...
Wouldn't recommend this one unless you have nothing else to read and plenty of time on your hands...
I didn't completely hate this one, and the fact that it is based on real characters is intriguing to me. However, the point of view frequently changes, so it makes it difficult to rely on the narrator, and the writing is fair. The ending made me want to punch a few characters in the face, but hoping I can blame their actions on the times...
Wouldn't recommend this one unless you have nothing else to read and plenty of time on your hands...
December 22, 2014
A spirited English heiress, a dashing cavalry officer and a beguiling Austrian Empress form a love triangle that on first glance may look like characters from a romance novel, but in reality are based on actual people: Charlotte Baird, Bay Middleton and Elizabeth, Empress of Austria. Set in 1875 Victorian England, The Fortune Hunter, by the bestselling author Daisy Goodwin (The American Heiress), is the fictionalization of the life of an ambitious horsemen John “Bay” Middleton and the two women he romances, taking us at full gallop through London’s high society ballrooms, country manor houses and fox hunting while exploring the emotional highs and lows of three very unique people faced with the challenges of personal truth, honor and love.
Miss Charlotte Baird is an intelligent and creative twenty-year old more interested in photography than fashion, beaux, and social decorum. She is also one of the richest women in England. Because she is an orphan, her half-brother Fred manages her Lennox fortune until her majority—and his fiancé Augusta Crewe, the high-minded daughter of an Earl, manages him. While attending a London opera, Fred introduces his sister to a fellow officer, the dashing Captain Bay Middleton. They meet again at the Spencer ball and Charlotte is promptly swept off her feet by his flattery and attentions. (red coat alert) Even though her Aunt Adelaide warns her against the captain’s dubious reputation as a womanizer, and her brother and his fiancé think he is totally unsuitable match for her, she has her own ideas about who she wants as a husband. In her mind, she does not see his reputation, lack of fortune or title as an impediment.
The action soon moves to Melton Hall, the Crewe country seat in Leicestershire, where Charlotte is staying with her brother and his future in-laws during the holidays. The fox hunting season is in full swing and even though Augusta thought Captain Middleton was an unsuitable husband material for Charlotte, she overlooks his faults and invites him too. He is, after all, the keenest rider in England and a retired officer in the 11th Hussars, their neighbor John Spencer, 5th Earl of Spencer’s regiment. Also in the neighborhood for the season is a surprising new resident, Elizabeth, Empress of Austria, the famous European beauty and horsewoman who has escaped the confines of the Hapsburg court and arrived with her royal entourage, including a pet monkey. Obsessed with her looks, the eccentric Empress is a grandmother but has the face and figure of an ingénue in her first bloom. With a strict diet and exercise regimen she has fought back time, but is still continually anxious about her looks. “Beauty was her gift, her weapon and her power, and she dreaded its passing.” p 111
Bay is pressed into service by Spencer to pilot the Empress during the hunting season. Reluctantly he agrees and soon meets the enigmatic “Sisi” whose skill in the hunting field impresses everyone, even Bay. A mutual attraction quickly builds into an infatuation by him, which begs little prompting by her to grow into a full-blown affair between the Empress and her pilot. Regardless, he has true feelings for Charlotte and is confident that she will soon be his. His desire for both of these women has him questioning himself.
“Bay had never thought of himself as a bad person before, not now he wondered what sort of person he really was: the devil in the mirror or the noble-looking young man in Charlotte’s photograph?” p 167
The Empress is not like any other woman he has ever met, “her rank and status made him uncertain.” Here is a beautiful woman in total control of any situation and that intrigues him. Charlotte on the other hand was no challenge; she is easily won and accepts his proposal, entering into a secret engagement until she reaches her majority and receives control of her fortune.
Charlotte returns to London to assist her mentor with an upcoming photographic exhibition. After developing her own pictures taken of Bay and the Empress at Melton, Charlotte’s new friend Caspar notices how ardently Bay is gazing at the Empress and the truth is suddenly so clear to her. Bay loves the Empress and only wants Charlotte for her fortune.
Wrought with aristocratic opulence, social ambition and emotional desire, The Fortune Hunter was a delicious indulgence for me. I adore historical fiction based on real people and Goodwin has eloquently introduced me to an era in British and Austrian history that I had never delved into before. The atmosphere of the residences and the descriptions of clothing were refreshing, but it was the exciting action scenes of fox hunting and the white-knuckle final steeplechase at The Grand National that were the most thrilling scenes.
If this beautifully written novel lacked anything, it was romantic tension and a bit more framing of a woman’s place in society at the beginning. We learn from Charlotte’s family that Bay is a rake placing us on guard for our heroine. Is this the truth or rumors? Charlotte is young and naïve when it comes to love and Bay wins her affection and trust so easily. In turn Bay is won over by the Empress equally as fast. I would like to have experienced more inner-turmoil and tension before each romance. Later in the novel Charlotte’s friend Caspar sums it up perfectly.
“Carlotta mia, every romance needs a little tension. If the gallant captain turns his head and sees you gazing at him as you are now, he will know precisely what is in your heart, but if he turns to see you confiding in me, well, he will be confused, and that would not such a bad thing. Everybody desires a thing more when it is not straightforward.” p 325
Another minor quibble involved some of the horse facts. I realize I have an unfair advantage being a former equestrian and most readers will not care that horses cannot jump twelve foot hedges, nor, (spoiler alert) that a fifteen hand mare is the most unlikely horse to win the Grand National. Not that it could not happen, mind you, it is just REALLY a long shot. Maybe that was the author’s point, paralleling the love story’s happy conclusion?
What makes this novel more than your run-of-the-mill historical romance? Goodwin’s keen eye for focusing the action like a film director—and an hysterical cameo appearance by Her Majesty, Queen Victoria herself of course. Witty humor always wins me over. Oh, and a beautiful cover. Like Sisi I am very shallow.
Laurel Ann, Austenprose.com
Miss Charlotte Baird is an intelligent and creative twenty-year old more interested in photography than fashion, beaux, and social decorum. She is also one of the richest women in England. Because she is an orphan, her half-brother Fred manages her Lennox fortune until her majority—and his fiancé Augusta Crewe, the high-minded daughter of an Earl, manages him. While attending a London opera, Fred introduces his sister to a fellow officer, the dashing Captain Bay Middleton. They meet again at the Spencer ball and Charlotte is promptly swept off her feet by his flattery and attentions. (red coat alert) Even though her Aunt Adelaide warns her against the captain’s dubious reputation as a womanizer, and her brother and his fiancé think he is totally unsuitable match for her, she has her own ideas about who she wants as a husband. In her mind, she does not see his reputation, lack of fortune or title as an impediment.
The action soon moves to Melton Hall, the Crewe country seat in Leicestershire, where Charlotte is staying with her brother and his future in-laws during the holidays. The fox hunting season is in full swing and even though Augusta thought Captain Middleton was an unsuitable husband material for Charlotte, she overlooks his faults and invites him too. He is, after all, the keenest rider in England and a retired officer in the 11th Hussars, their neighbor John Spencer, 5th Earl of Spencer’s regiment. Also in the neighborhood for the season is a surprising new resident, Elizabeth, Empress of Austria, the famous European beauty and horsewoman who has escaped the confines of the Hapsburg court and arrived with her royal entourage, including a pet monkey. Obsessed with her looks, the eccentric Empress is a grandmother but has the face and figure of an ingénue in her first bloom. With a strict diet and exercise regimen she has fought back time, but is still continually anxious about her looks. “Beauty was her gift, her weapon and her power, and she dreaded its passing.” p 111
Bay is pressed into service by Spencer to pilot the Empress during the hunting season. Reluctantly he agrees and soon meets the enigmatic “Sisi” whose skill in the hunting field impresses everyone, even Bay. A mutual attraction quickly builds into an infatuation by him, which begs little prompting by her to grow into a full-blown affair between the Empress and her pilot. Regardless, he has true feelings for Charlotte and is confident that she will soon be his. His desire for both of these women has him questioning himself.
“Bay had never thought of himself as a bad person before, not now he wondered what sort of person he really was: the devil in the mirror or the noble-looking young man in Charlotte’s photograph?” p 167
The Empress is not like any other woman he has ever met, “her rank and status made him uncertain.” Here is a beautiful woman in total control of any situation and that intrigues him. Charlotte on the other hand was no challenge; she is easily won and accepts his proposal, entering into a secret engagement until she reaches her majority and receives control of her fortune.
Charlotte returns to London to assist her mentor with an upcoming photographic exhibition. After developing her own pictures taken of Bay and the Empress at Melton, Charlotte’s new friend Caspar notices how ardently Bay is gazing at the Empress and the truth is suddenly so clear to her. Bay loves the Empress and only wants Charlotte for her fortune.
Wrought with aristocratic opulence, social ambition and emotional desire, The Fortune Hunter was a delicious indulgence for me. I adore historical fiction based on real people and Goodwin has eloquently introduced me to an era in British and Austrian history that I had never delved into before. The atmosphere of the residences and the descriptions of clothing were refreshing, but it was the exciting action scenes of fox hunting and the white-knuckle final steeplechase at The Grand National that were the most thrilling scenes.
If this beautifully written novel lacked anything, it was romantic tension and a bit more framing of a woman’s place in society at the beginning. We learn from Charlotte’s family that Bay is a rake placing us on guard for our heroine. Is this the truth or rumors? Charlotte is young and naïve when it comes to love and Bay wins her affection and trust so easily. In turn Bay is won over by the Empress equally as fast. I would like to have experienced more inner-turmoil and tension before each romance. Later in the novel Charlotte’s friend Caspar sums it up perfectly.
“Carlotta mia, every romance needs a little tension. If the gallant captain turns his head and sees you gazing at him as you are now, he will know precisely what is in your heart, but if he turns to see you confiding in me, well, he will be confused, and that would not such a bad thing. Everybody desires a thing more when it is not straightforward.” p 325
Another minor quibble involved some of the horse facts. I realize I have an unfair advantage being a former equestrian and most readers will not care that horses cannot jump twelve foot hedges, nor, (spoiler alert) that a fifteen hand mare is the most unlikely horse to win the Grand National. Not that it could not happen, mind you, it is just REALLY a long shot. Maybe that was the author’s point, paralleling the love story’s happy conclusion?
What makes this novel more than your run-of-the-mill historical romance? Goodwin’s keen eye for focusing the action like a film director—and an hysterical cameo appearance by Her Majesty, Queen Victoria herself of course. Witty humor always wins me over. Oh, and a beautiful cover. Like Sisi I am very shallow.
Laurel Ann, Austenprose.com
May 9, 2014
I think that this book lacked the rhythm to keep the reader engaged. I had a hard time getting through the book, because there was nothing that really enticed me to keep reading. I found that there was little to like of any of the characters: Bay, Sisi, or Charlotte.
February 25, 2019
Irritated by love triangle plot devices, but the last 100 pages had me completely enthralled. Good historical read.
March 5, 2014
A sparkling sensational new novel from the author of ‘My Last Duchess’
Daisy Goodwin’s refreshingly original outlook on historical fiction is wonderfully engaging, highly readable and deliciously evocative. In this brand new novel she combines with assured in-depth insight; clashing cultures set in 19th-century England. I thoroughly enjoyed this uplifting treat, having been suffering from withdrawal symptoms after the end of hugely popular ‘Downton Abbey’. Light-hearted, unpretentious and likeable characters delight and intrigue within an exquisitely lavish backdrop of glittering period charm. Anyone seeking an assured novel that lingers on in the mind will adore Daisy Goodwin’s writing, and her books that bring imaginative tales vividly to life.
The Fortune Hunter is set within 1875. Sisi, the Empress of Austria is the woman that every man desires and every woman envies, being both beautiful and intelligent. When she comes to England her life is a whirlwind of intrigues and seductions…and forbidden love! Intensely passionate and full of flavour, Sisi’s story is one that will enchant and capture your heart.
Heartrending, powerfully stirring and brilliantly told this novel is a magnificent example of nineteenth-century fictional narrative. The struggle between love and duty is told with such clarity as to tug at the strings of life, whilst also adding realism and authenticity that’s sensitive to the times. I am very impressed by this new novel by one of my favourite authors, whose work continues to amaze and beguile me with each fresh character and yarn.
*I won an Uncorrected Manuscript Proof Copy of Daisy Goodwin’s new novel ‘The Fortune Hunter’ through a Goodreads, first-read giveaway *
Daisy Goodwin’s refreshingly original outlook on historical fiction is wonderfully engaging, highly readable and deliciously evocative. In this brand new novel she combines with assured in-depth insight; clashing cultures set in 19th-century England. I thoroughly enjoyed this uplifting treat, having been suffering from withdrawal symptoms after the end of hugely popular ‘Downton Abbey’. Light-hearted, unpretentious and likeable characters delight and intrigue within an exquisitely lavish backdrop of glittering period charm. Anyone seeking an assured novel that lingers on in the mind will adore Daisy Goodwin’s writing, and her books that bring imaginative tales vividly to life.
The Fortune Hunter is set within 1875. Sisi, the Empress of Austria is the woman that every man desires and every woman envies, being both beautiful and intelligent. When she comes to England her life is a whirlwind of intrigues and seductions…and forbidden love! Intensely passionate and full of flavour, Sisi’s story is one that will enchant and capture your heart.
Heartrending, powerfully stirring and brilliantly told this novel is a magnificent example of nineteenth-century fictional narrative. The struggle between love and duty is told with such clarity as to tug at the strings of life, whilst also adding realism and authenticity that’s sensitive to the times. I am very impressed by this new novel by one of my favourite authors, whose work continues to amaze and beguile me with each fresh character and yarn.
*I won an Uncorrected Manuscript Proof Copy of Daisy Goodwin’s new novel ‘The Fortune Hunter’ through a Goodreads, first-read giveaway *
February 7, 2017
Charlotte reiche Erbin und Fotografin aus Leidenschaft, macht sich nichts aus den Heiratskandidaten, die sich mehr für ihr Geld und die berühmten Lennox-Diamanten interessieren als für sie. Doch dann trifft sie auf den charmanten Bay Middletone und fühlt sich sofort zu ihm hingezogen. Er bittet sie, mit ihm durchzubrennen aber Charlotte hat noch zu viele gesellschaftliche Skrupel und das Schicksal nimmt in Gestalt der Kaiserin Elisabeth ihren Lauf, die Bay ganz in Beschlag nimmt.
Ein sehr schöner historischer Roman, der von wahren Begebenheiten inspiriert wurde und sich an der schönen Sisi entzündete. Ich habe den Roman sehr schnell durchgelesen und dabei keine Langeweile verspürt. ( Ilona )
Ein sehr schöner historischer Roman, der von wahren Begebenheiten inspiriert wurde und sich an der schönen Sisi entzündete. Ich habe den Roman sehr schnell durchgelesen und dabei keine Langeweile verspürt. ( Ilona )
July 23, 2016
A friend of mine won 10 copies of this for our book group.
The general consensus was that the characters were shallow and the plot predictable. We did have some fun looking up pictures of Sisi to see her long hair and clothing - but you can do that for free. Apparently there was an old movie about Sisi too.
This kind of predictable historical romance is just not my cup of tea. There's so much better stuff available. Save your money - or at least use the library.
The general consensus was that the characters were shallow and the plot predictable. We did have some fun looking up pictures of Sisi to see her long hair and clothing - but you can do that for free. Apparently there was an old movie about Sisi too.
This kind of predictable historical romance is just not my cup of tea. There's so much better stuff available. Save your money - or at least use the library.
July 4, 2014
Good historical fiction. I am well versed regarding Sisi and Goodwin's dates throw a major curve preventing me from giving it a higher rating. If I lacked the knowledge of Sisi I would place this at a solid 4 stars.
February 4, 2017
July 1875 Charlotte Baird, heiress to the Lennox Diamond fortune, is tired of being hunted for her fortune. She feels restrained by the conventions her soon-to-be sister-in-law swears by. Through the aegis of her godmother, a talented photographer, Charlotte has discovered the new medium as an art form. She loves it because photographs don't lie. Unfortunately, her family dismisses her passion as a mere hobby. Her brother wants Charlotte to marry his army friend, "Chicken" Hartopp but what Charlotte really wants is to dance with someone unsuitable. Enter Captain Bay Middleton, another army friend of her brother's. Bay is entirely unsuitable, according to Society. He has no title, no fortune and is rumored to have fathered the child of a Society wife. Bay is tired of his lifestyle but he does not wish to be a stuffy member of Society either. He wants to race his beloved horse Tipsy through the hunting field and to Grand National. When he meets Charlotte, he looks past the fortune and sees a lonely young woman with a vibrant personality desperate to break free. Something about her draws him in. Charlotte falls for Bay's charm but he is more than a handsome face and pleasant manners; he sees her as she really is. Bay would never try to mold her into someone Society expects her to be, so naturally she tumbles headfirst into love. Then Bay receives a summons he can't refuse. His commanding officer, Earl Spencer, asks him to pilot Elizabeth, the Empress of Austria through the hunting field. Bay would prefer not to play royal nursemaid but Elizabeth is no pampered Empress. She rides like the goddess Diana and takes every jump without hesitation. Bored with the rigid confines of the court in Vienna, Elizabeth has come to England incognito for a little r & r. She prefers to remain anonymous because she's tired of people looking at her and judging her looks. She was once said to be extremely beautiful but at 38 and a grandmother already (!) she knows her beauty and youth are fading. Only on the hunting field does she feel equal to anything. When she meets the handsome pilot, she knows she will enjoy her stay in England enormously.
This is a complicated love story that involves a fictional account of the lives of real life figures. I was able to put the book down at night for the most part but I was kept guessing as to what was going to happen to Charlotte. I was surprised to learn she and Bay were real people when I read the Author's Note at the end. This book can not really be called a fictional biography because so little is known about Charlotte or what happened during the timeframe of the novel. Also events have been pushed forward for the sake of the story. The writing is good -not super great- it's accessible for readers of all genres. It doesn't sound too period but it doesn't sound too modern either. I enjoyed the plot more than Daisy Goodwin's first novel The American Heiress mostly because the characters were more three-dimensional and engaging. There were some minor anachronisms involving chocolate and a song title. "Yankee Doodle Dandy" wasn't written yet but "Yankee Doodle" was.
Charlotte is a girl I can easily identify with. She's a young woman of her time and place and doesn't necessarily want to change that, she just longs for someone to love her for her own sake. Her parents are dead and Charlotte's older half-brother, his fiance and Charlotte's aunt all care more about her fortune and appearances sake than what is inside. I loved the addition of photography to the plot. Usually unhappy young ladies in Victorian novels become suffragettes or run off with a servant. Charlotte is sensible and values her family ties enough not to do that. She has her photographs as a form of art and self-expression. She sees people as they really are through the lens of her camera. She has some growing up to do before she really knows what she truly wants but she's almost there. She does sound a bit younger than 20 but she's been sheltered and it is the Victorian period so it makes sense for her.
Bay is a bad boy. He's charming and supposedly handsome (the mustache would creep me out)
but I knew he would be depicted as a fox even before Charlotte told him so. I don't see Charlotte and Bay as idea partners. He loves his horse, Tipsy, more than anyone and riding/hunting is his passion. Charlotte doesn't ride. The only thing they have in common was a lack of pretension. I found Bay very weak and not a hero that I could really like. However, he could have been worse and could have blamed his actions on external factors more than he did. Like Charlotte, he has to grow up a lot.
Sisi, as Elizabeth prefers to be called (I question the Anglicized spelling of Elisabeth) is a complicated woman. I have some sympathy for her because she was married off to the Emperor at a young age and mostly unwillingly became a part of the strict court. Her husband is married to his duty as Emperor and not interested in being a partner to his wife. She fears aging and losing her beauty more than anything-probably because she fears losing love. She is spoiled, moody and demanding though. I admire how daring feats of athleticism and how she knows what she wants but her methods leave a bit to be desired. She's surrounded by various courtiers who give her what she wants. She doesn't really care about other people at all. I don't admire that about her.
Secondary characters include Charlotte's brother Fred, an amiable sort of gentleman but clueless. He allows himself to be ruled by Augusta. Augusta is one of those annoying Heyeresque "villainess" women who is so puffed up on their own consequence yet craves notice by people of greater consequence. She's annoying. Chicken Hartopp is Charlotte's chief suitor. He's a fortune hunter despite being wealthy himself. He doesn't care about Charlotte as a person and he's a really awful drunk. Charlotte's godmother, Lady Dunwoody, seems like an amazing woman, but she too tries to meddle with Charlotte's life. Charlotte's only friend is the flamboyant American Caspar Hewes. He adds some comic relief to the story. He's more complicated than he lets on and I grew to like him. The royal contingent includes some "yes m'am" courtiers, including Countess "Festy", Sisi's lady-in-waiting, who is devoted to her mistress. I liked her a lot. She seemed very kind and caring. Finally, there's Queen Victoria herself. She also adds some comic touches but comes across as incredibly vapid and snide. I am not sure she was actually like that.
The cover of this novel is absolutely gorgeous! It's perfect for Sisi. It shows her in profile in her riding habit with diamonds surrounding her. It's based on her famed beauty and quirks.
Fans of BBC and ITV period dramas like Downton Abbey will probably enjoy this one.
Content:
touching over skin
fade to black love scenes
hints of homosexuality
This is a complicated love story that involves a fictional account of the lives of real life figures. I was able to put the book down at night for the most part but I was kept guessing as to what was going to happen to Charlotte. I was surprised to learn she and Bay were real people when I read the Author's Note at the end. This book can not really be called a fictional biography because so little is known about Charlotte or what happened during the timeframe of the novel. Also events have been pushed forward for the sake of the story. The writing is good -not super great- it's accessible for readers of all genres. It doesn't sound too period but it doesn't sound too modern either. I enjoyed the plot more than Daisy Goodwin's first novel The American Heiress mostly because the characters were more three-dimensional and engaging. There were some minor anachronisms involving chocolate and a song title. "Yankee Doodle Dandy" wasn't written yet but "Yankee Doodle" was.
Charlotte is a girl I can easily identify with. She's a young woman of her time and place and doesn't necessarily want to change that, she just longs for someone to love her for her own sake. Her parents are dead and Charlotte's older half-brother, his fiance and Charlotte's aunt all care more about her fortune and appearances sake than what is inside. I loved the addition of photography to the plot. Usually unhappy young ladies in Victorian novels become suffragettes or run off with a servant. Charlotte is sensible and values her family ties enough not to do that. She has her photographs as a form of art and self-expression. She sees people as they really are through the lens of her camera. She has some growing up to do before she really knows what she truly wants but she's almost there. She does sound a bit younger than 20 but she's been sheltered and it is the Victorian period so it makes sense for her.
Bay is a bad boy. He's charming and supposedly handsome (the mustache would creep me out)
but I knew he would be depicted as a fox even before Charlotte told him so. I don't see Charlotte and Bay as idea partners. He loves his horse, Tipsy, more than anyone and riding/hunting is his passion. Charlotte doesn't ride. The only thing they have in common was a lack of pretension. I found Bay very weak and not a hero that I could really like. However, he could have been worse and could have blamed his actions on external factors more than he did. Like Charlotte, he has to grow up a lot.Sisi, as Elizabeth prefers to be called (I question the Anglicized spelling of Elisabeth) is a complicated woman. I have some sympathy for her because she was married off to the Emperor at a young age and mostly unwillingly became a part of the strict court. Her husband is married to his duty as Emperor and not interested in being a partner to his wife. She fears aging and losing her beauty more than anything-probably because she fears losing love. She is spoiled, moody and demanding though. I admire how daring feats of athleticism and how she knows what she wants but her methods leave a bit to be desired. She's surrounded by various courtiers who give her what she wants. She doesn't really care about other people at all. I don't admire that about her.
Secondary characters include Charlotte's brother Fred, an amiable sort of gentleman but clueless. He allows himself to be ruled by Augusta. Augusta is one of those annoying Heyeresque "villainess" women who is so puffed up on their own consequence yet craves notice by people of greater consequence. She's annoying. Chicken Hartopp is Charlotte's chief suitor. He's a fortune hunter despite being wealthy himself. He doesn't care about Charlotte as a person and he's a really awful drunk. Charlotte's godmother, Lady Dunwoody, seems like an amazing woman, but she too tries to meddle with Charlotte's life. Charlotte's only friend is the flamboyant American Caspar Hewes. He adds some comic relief to the story. He's more complicated than he lets on and I grew to like him. The royal contingent includes some "yes m'am" courtiers, including Countess "Festy", Sisi's lady-in-waiting, who is devoted to her mistress. I liked her a lot. She seemed very kind and caring. Finally, there's Queen Victoria herself. She also adds some comic touches but comes across as incredibly vapid and snide. I am not sure she was actually like that.
The cover of this novel is absolutely gorgeous! It's perfect for Sisi. It shows her in profile in her riding habit with diamonds surrounding her. It's based on her famed beauty and quirks.
Fans of BBC and ITV period dramas like Downton Abbey will probably enjoy this one.
Content:
touching over skin
fade to black love scenes
hints of homosexuality
abandoned-not-for-me
August 4, 2014Not for me . Felt like historic chick lit.
May 7, 2014
A great big treat of a book. Engaging characters, great story and beautifully written. What more could you want? Highly recommended.
January 9, 2015
This was a terrific book. One that will be on my Top 2015 Reads. The story is supposed to be about Empress Elizabeth (Sisi) of Austria. But I felt the pull of Charlotte Baird, an heiress who has captured the interest of Captain Bay Middleton. Charlotte is plain and quiet, a girl who is just coming out into society. She's also an orphan, heir to a fortune and whose brother has recently become engaged. Charlotte's mother died from a riding accident and so her father forbids riding so Charlotte must find another past time. That hobby is provided by Charlotte's godmother, whose passion is photography and she teaches/inspires that passion in Charlotte, a most willing pupil. And so the story begins with Charlotte meeting Bay. Later Bay meets Empress Sisi when he is assigned as her pilot. Bay is torn between the two women each compelling in her own way.
I felt this novel really showed how trapped women were in this time period and that no matter if you were a serving girl, an everyday woman, an heiress, or an empress you were placed in roles where you had the choice of complying or becoming ostracized by society. To break out and be yourself took strength and courage - which of the women is able to do that successfully? That's where the story and romance is.
One of the reasons I gave this story 5 stars is because it inspired me to read more about Sisi, women's ability to own anything during this time period, and horse racing. Highly recommend the book if you like historical fiction or if you like to be inspired to read more.
I felt this novel really showed how trapped women were in this time period and that no matter if you were a serving girl, an everyday woman, an heiress, or an empress you were placed in roles where you had the choice of complying or becoming ostracized by society. To break out and be yourself took strength and courage - which of the women is able to do that successfully? That's where the story and romance is.
One of the reasons I gave this story 5 stars is because it inspired me to read more about Sisi, women's ability to own anything during this time period, and horse racing. Highly recommend the book if you like historical fiction or if you like to be inspired to read more.
June 13, 2014
This book is loosely based on the true story of Elisabeth ‘Sisi’, Empress of Austria visiting England and her relationship with Bay Middleton. Bay Middleton is a fantastic rider and is asked by the Empress to be her pilot whilst she is hunting in England. However, the more time that Bay spends with Sisi, the more enraptured he becomes to her even though he also has feelings for Charlotte Baird, a young lady who is the heiress to a huge fortune.
The book is basically a lot of hunt scenes and an exploration of Middleton’s relationship with the two women that he has fallen in love with.
I was hugely disappointed with this book as it was nowhere near as good as Goodwin’s first book “My Last Duchess”. I found it incredibly boring and just wanted to get to the end (which was a struggle). I will certainly think twice about reading any more of her books.
The book is basically a lot of hunt scenes and an exploration of Middleton’s relationship with the two women that he has fallen in love with.
I was hugely disappointed with this book as it was nowhere near as good as Goodwin’s first book “My Last Duchess”. I found it incredibly boring and just wanted to get to the end (which was a struggle). I will certainly think twice about reading any more of her books.
April 8, 2017
I found to have mixed emotions about this story. I enjoyed parts of it and then other parts mainly the romance fell flat for me. I did enjoy the photography aspect and the writing was fairly engaging, but Bay drove me nuts!
May 3, 2018
A historical romance filled with the glamour of the Victorian times; with all the grand country homes in England.
December 1, 2018
The story got off to a slow start as the main characters and their situations were laid out. Charlotte is a socially awkward rich heiress, who is attracted to Bay, a poor British Army officer who loves to ride and hunt. The attraction is mutual, but Bay becomes entangled with Elizabeth, the aging but still attractive Empress of Austria, who is foxhunting in England. The story picked up some steam about half-way through as it focused on Charlotte’s involvement with a royal photography exhibition with appearances by Queen Victoria and John Brown. There is some sloppy writing and one loose end that is not addressed by the ending. On the plus side, historic research is skillfully woven into the narrative, and some minor characters — an American photographer and Charlotte’s maid — come to life in a way the main characters never really did. Warning: Includes fox hunting scenes
May 25, 2018
Telling a fictionalized version of a mashup of true stories, The Fortune Hunter played with my emotions a little but overall was a bit of a let down.
On a whim, I borrowed the audiobook version, as narrated by Clare Corbett, from my library before I hurried outside for a walk—trying to get in the neighborhood course before the summertime afternoon thunderstorms hit. I knew of Daisy Goodwin's name both from having seen the cover of her first book, The American Heiress, out and about (especially here on Goodreads), and because I have avidly watched the UK television series Victoria served by Goodwin as creator, producer, and writer. Just after the premiere of the series a book, Victoria was subsequently published. Regardless, I was aware of her contributions to television as well as the book industry.
I kind of went in with this Downton Abbey expectation for the atmosphere, but having really no idea what the book was about. Set much earlier than Downton Abbey, the summary states it taking place in 1875, and containing the lives of real people I never knew existed.
Admittedly, fictionalized accounts are always a little muddled and a tad bit messy...and Goodwin's version was no exception. Great liberties were taken with the dates and timelines, so much so that I'm sure it partly led to my middling feelings about this one. While still listening to the book, as I searched for the true accounts for these events and these incredible people, I found it increasingly more difficult to care about the outcome—despite my attempts at not spoiling the "ending" for myself.
Paradoxical timelines aside, after the first few chapters, there was a distinct lack of humor. Playful banter that I may have felt was amping up in the opening went nearly no where and all but disappeared later in the book. As a rather independently minded young woman, Charlotte flattened out and somehow became less interesting as the book plodded on.
The only realness of this book was that, behind this veil of fiction, the characters were real people and most of the events (in whatever way they were shaped and rearranged to conform to the story's timeline) and interesting tidbits were true. I think I'll leave Goodwin off my radar for now.
On a whim, I borrowed the audiobook version, as narrated by Clare Corbett, from my library before I hurried outside for a walk—trying to get in the neighborhood course before the summertime afternoon thunderstorms hit. I knew of Daisy Goodwin's name both from having seen the cover of her first book, The American Heiress, out and about (especially here on Goodreads), and because I have avidly watched the UK television series Victoria served by Goodwin as creator, producer, and writer. Just after the premiere of the series a book, Victoria was subsequently published. Regardless, I was aware of her contributions to television as well as the book industry.
I kind of went in with this Downton Abbey expectation for the atmosphere, but having really no idea what the book was about. Set much earlier than Downton Abbey, the summary states it taking place in 1875, and containing the lives of real people I never knew existed.
Admittedly, fictionalized accounts are always a little muddled and a tad bit messy...and Goodwin's version was no exception. Great liberties were taken with the dates and timelines, so much so that I'm sure it partly led to my middling feelings about this one. While still listening to the book, as I searched for the true accounts for these events and these incredible people, I found it increasingly more difficult to care about the outcome—despite my attempts at not spoiling the "ending" for myself.
Paradoxical timelines aside, after the first few chapters, there was a distinct lack of humor. Playful banter that I may have felt was amping up in the opening went nearly no where and all but disappeared later in the book. As a rather independently minded young woman, Charlotte flattened out and somehow became less interesting as the book plodded on.
The only realness of this book was that, behind this veil of fiction, the characters were real people and most of the events (in whatever way they were shaped and rearranged to conform to the story's timeline) and interesting tidbits were true. I think I'll leave Goodwin off my radar for now.
December 31, 2017
Well , this was not the book I was expecting it to be. It started out as a fine & frivolous romance (which is why I picked it up in the first place), only to find it morph into something else entirely. Then reading the inside book cover synopsis, I further discover that this book isn't about what the first 125 pages covers - but about the ‘Princess Diana’ of her day, the Empress Elizabeth of Austria & her dubious relationship with her English riding pilot Bay Middleton.
Okay. Didn't see that one coming and after that it kind of ruined the book for me and I had a hard time not rolling my eyes on a continual basis. It wasn’t overly well written either so it was hard not to be more forgiving and just roll with it. You can forgive alot if the words are lovely, don’t you think?
Anyways, it’s based on actual historical people & events but it’s definitely ‘loosely’ based on them and after a bit I found some of it hard to swallow. It’s not a stellar book to be sure, but it has a tabloid entertainment-voyerism that is always a bit of fun, regardless of the fanciful ‘words-in-their-mouths’ aspect I found that stretched the limits.
Okay. Didn't see that one coming and after that it kind of ruined the book for me and I had a hard time not rolling my eyes on a continual basis. It wasn’t overly well written either so it was hard not to be more forgiving and just roll with it. You can forgive alot if the words are lovely, don’t you think?
Anyways, it’s based on actual historical people & events but it’s definitely ‘loosely’ based on them and after a bit I found some of it hard to swallow. It’s not a stellar book to be sure, but it has a tabloid entertainment-voyerism that is always a bit of fun, regardless of the fanciful ‘words-in-their-mouths’ aspect I found that stretched the limits.
July 29, 2014
This novel was difficult for my to rate. I didn’t quite love it, but I was hooked on it. I loved that horses played such a huge role in the book. The romanticism of the hunt, the era,and the horses really made the book for me.
The story itself had a bit of a Downton Abbey feel to it which of course I LOVED. The novel is set at the turn of the century where things like the camera are still so new and exciting to everyone. I loved the photography angle too!
I think what bothered me most about this book was the romance between Bay and Sisi. I didn’t quite feel the tension, conflict, or feelings by either character. All of a sudden they were having an affair. There was no build up or mounting tension between them which I expected from the description of the novel.
I just didn’t feel like there was any struggle between love and duty for either of them. There was certainly a great potential for that to happen in the novel so I was disappointed that the author didn’t exploit that more.
I did feel sympathetic toward Bay’s character throughout the novel. He was clearly branded a ladies man and not deemed worthy of marriage by his peers but deep down, he didn’t want that. He wanted love and a wife as much as any of his friends….more in fact. So I did feel sympathy for his character.
The overall setting and historic era saved the story for me. I loved that we had royalty from another country besides England, and that the novel was loosely based on a true story. I thought that added a lot of interest–at least for me.
Again, I go back to the horses, the hunting, and the Grand National. I absolutely LOVED this addition to the novel! It added action and romanticism to a novel that was lacking a lot of chemistry.
If you like horses and Downton Abbey then you will probably enjoy this novel.
See my full review here
The story itself had a bit of a Downton Abbey feel to it which of course I LOVED. The novel is set at the turn of the century where things like the camera are still so new and exciting to everyone. I loved the photography angle too!
I think what bothered me most about this book was the romance between Bay and Sisi. I didn’t quite feel the tension, conflict, or feelings by either character. All of a sudden they were having an affair. There was no build up or mounting tension between them which I expected from the description of the novel.
I just didn’t feel like there was any struggle between love and duty for either of them. There was certainly a great potential for that to happen in the novel so I was disappointed that the author didn’t exploit that more.
I did feel sympathetic toward Bay’s character throughout the novel. He was clearly branded a ladies man and not deemed worthy of marriage by his peers but deep down, he didn’t want that. He wanted love and a wife as much as any of his friends….more in fact. So I did feel sympathy for his character.
The overall setting and historic era saved the story for me. I loved that we had royalty from another country besides England, and that the novel was loosely based on a true story. I thought that added a lot of interest–at least for me.
Again, I go back to the horses, the hunting, and the Grand National. I absolutely LOVED this addition to the novel! It added action and romanticism to a novel that was lacking a lot of chemistry.
If you like horses and Downton Abbey then you will probably enjoy this novel.
See my full review here
September 16, 2014
Charlotte Baird is the young heiress to the Lennox fortune; an aspiring photographer who wants nothing more than to be left to her own devices. Captain Bay Middleton is notorious as a ladies man but his true passion lies in riding and the hunt; making him the best rider in England. When the two finally meet sparks fly, and despite protestations from her family that Bay is a fortune hunter, Charlotte is determined to set her own destiny. But then enters the Empress Elizabeth "Sisi" the Queen of Austria whose come to visit England for thr hunting season. The Earl Spencer has ordered Bay to act as her pilot much to Bay's chagrin, but when Bay has an unexpected encounter with Sisi during the hunt, Bay realizes that he's in danger of acting foolish and urges Charlotte to run away with him before he does something he'll regret. Charlotte won't have a scandal and Bay agrees to wait-all the while knowing the Queen has enchanted him-a feeling captured perfectly in one of Charlotte's photographs. Charlotte must decide whether to believe in Bay or acknowledge the truth staring back at her from a photographic plate. Bay must to decide whether risking losing forever the only woman he has ever wanted to marry, is a price worth paying for being the Queen's favorite. So there's the summary. I enjoyed this book immensely but I couldn't find it in my heart to forgive Bay Middleton his transgressions. It's enough that Charlotte could I guess. Still Bay's actions proved him more a fortunate hunter than a romantic hero. Sisi just damn near pissed me off every time she was on the page; her and her stupid floor length hair. Thank God for American Caspar Hewes - a fellow photographer with a keen perception of the place and society he finds himself in.
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