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Lord Byron #6
ANOTHER KIND OF LIGHT: A Biographical Novel
"Good night—or rather, morning. It is four, and the dawn gleams over the Grand Canal and unshadows the Rialto. I must to bed; up all night — but, 'it's life, though, damme, it's life!' "
An Englishman in Italy, Lord Byron's life in Venice is full of fun, laughter, and devil-may-care romancing – until he meets his last and truest love, the eighteen-year-old Teresa Gamba Guiccioli, for whom he risks everything, even the danger to his own life; and moreso, his own pride.
Every part of Venice is reflected in his poetry – walking across the bridge that connects the Doge's Palace to the prisons from which none returned, he invented the name that made it famous all over the world, "The Bridge of Sighs" because of the sad sighs, he believed, that those condemned prisoners would release on seeing Venice and freedom for the last time.
But it is his letters back home to England that bring Venice and its people to life with irresistible high spirits, bewitching and picturesque, with rumours and jokes and flippant with effervescent self-ridicule, occasionally solemn, but not often.
"He [BYRON} is the most enjoyable letter-writer in the world." -- Elizabeth, Countess of Longford.
An Englishman in Italy, Lord Byron's life in Venice is full of fun, laughter, and devil-may-care romancing – until he meets his last and truest love, the eighteen-year-old Teresa Gamba Guiccioli, for whom he risks everything, even the danger to his own life; and moreso, his own pride.
Every part of Venice is reflected in his poetry – walking across the bridge that connects the Doge's Palace to the prisons from which none returned, he invented the name that made it famous all over the world, "The Bridge of Sighs" because of the sad sighs, he believed, that those condemned prisoners would release on seeing Venice and freedom for the last time.
But it is his letters back home to England that bring Venice and its people to life with irresistible high spirits, bewitching and picturesque, with rumours and jokes and flippant with effervescent self-ridicule, occasionally solemn, but not often.
"He [BYRON} is the most enjoyable letter-writer in the world." -- Elizabeth, Countess of Longford.
300 pages, Hardcover
Published March 5, 2022
124 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 5, 2018
I love series!!
I've fallen in love with Lord Byron and this series about the life of this magnanimous personality as written so very realistic by Gretta Curran Browne.
The characters come to life by description and dialogue, through letters, conversation, geographic location nd the brilliant poetry of Byron whose super stardom ruled his world good and evil. This latest book of the series focuses on his life in Italy as a self-exile from England and his harpish, deceiving wife.
The marital separation and his escape from another woman equally as shrewish and devisive who became pregnant by him causes an untold number of complications and harsh consequences for him and his children. It is truly sad how society was so easily swayed by gossip and rumor.
The story continues on to his meeting Teresa, a young Italian woman married to a much older man. Stars collide!!!! Governments become embroiled in a most unusual and unbelievable way.
This is a must read for historical fiction buffs. Truly great writing. I've learned so much about Byron's life and poetic genius. He literally wrote his life story every step of the way. Bravissimo!!
I've fallen in love with Lord Byron and this series about the life of this magnanimous personality as written so very realistic by Gretta Curran Browne.
The characters come to life by description and dialogue, through letters, conversation, geographic location nd the brilliant poetry of Byron whose super stardom ruled his world good and evil. This latest book of the series focuses on his life in Italy as a self-exile from England and his harpish, deceiving wife.
The marital separation and his escape from another woman equally as shrewish and devisive who became pregnant by him causes an untold number of complications and harsh consequences for him and his children. It is truly sad how society was so easily swayed by gossip and rumor.
The story continues on to his meeting Teresa, a young Italian woman married to a much older man. Stars collide!!!! Governments become embroiled in a most unusual and unbelievable way.
This is a must read for historical fiction buffs. Truly great writing. I've learned so much about Byron's life and poetic genius. He literally wrote his life story every step of the way. Bravissimo!!
October 14, 2018
Entertaining series just not Byron .
6 th in the series one to go and worth staying with .It's a novel not a biography though dates of publication of Byron's poems and travels are accurate .The biggest criticism is that the Byron character is curiously bland and more acted upon than acting .Byron's bisexuality and his relationship with his sister ( accepted as a fact by most modern biographers ) aren't touched upon nor his 100 women in the few days of the Venice carnival legend ( probably not true as to number at least ) .The series does a hatchet job on Lady Byron again not entirely fairly their marriage was one of fire and ice and while a few pecadillos were usually tolerated by their class some of Byron's practices were not .
Still it is a novel not a biography and an entertaining one as part of the series the Byron portrayed is the authors Byron not mine but your better off reading his poetry to create your own "Byron" in any event .
6 th in the series one to go and worth staying with .It's a novel not a biography though dates of publication of Byron's poems and travels are accurate .The biggest criticism is that the Byron character is curiously bland and more acted upon than acting .Byron's bisexuality and his relationship with his sister ( accepted as a fact by most modern biographers ) aren't touched upon nor his 100 women in the few days of the Venice carnival legend ( probably not true as to number at least ) .The series does a hatchet job on Lady Byron again not entirely fairly their marriage was one of fire and ice and while a few pecadillos were usually tolerated by their class some of Byron's practices were not .
Still it is a novel not a biography and an entertaining one as part of the series the Byron portrayed is the authors Byron not mine but your better off reading his poetry to create your own "Byron" in any event .
December 15, 2018
This is book 6 in the series. I am angry. I am tired of Lord Byron. He is foolish with women, gullible and easily manipulated, and my admiration for him has waned. I am even more angry with the author. There is yet one more book in the series, and while the author claims the next book is the last, I no longer trust her statement. This book does not even pretend to come to any conclusion. The book ends and the reader is blatantly requested to buy the next (last) book. This is extortion at its best and I am extremely unhappy to be so manipulated. I can only offer one star because with this series (which, I may remind you was supposed to be a series of 3 books) we readers have been led along by the nose, obediently purchasing yet one more book....well, I quit in protest. To see how the story of Byron concludes I will just go to Wikipedia.
May 21, 2019
Absorbing and addictive
I have just finished the seven book Lord Byron series, one after the other. Marvelous! Having studied the Romantic poets in college (many years ago), I thought I had an appreciation but these books have enhanced that appreciation by many times. I'm highly recommending this series to my friends who love poetry and excellent historical fiction.
I have just finished the seven book Lord Byron series, one after the other. Marvelous! Having studied the Romantic poets in college (many years ago), I thought I had an appreciation but these books have enhanced that appreciation by many times. I'm highly recommending this series to my friends who love poetry and excellent historical fiction.
July 28, 2018
Another wonderful read!
I have loved this series on Lord Byron. The author's writing is intimate and you feel as if you truly know Byron. I highly recommend this series and cannot wait for the final book that will be released in October 2018.
I have loved this series on Lord Byron. The author's writing is intimate and you feel as if you truly know Byron. I highly recommend this series and cannot wait for the final book that will be released in October 2018.
October 28, 2019
Continues to hold my interest
Enjoyed book 6. The series has kept my interest and have enjoyed learning more about Lord Byron. The early 1800's is a fascinating period of history.
Enjoyed book 6. The series has kept my interest and have enjoyed learning more about Lord Byron. The early 1800's is a fascinating period of history.
July 4, 2020
These continue to be fun.
February 15, 2021
Inspirational....
July 2, 2018
Engrossing
I was happy to receive the sixth part of this book. I really enjoy reading miss brownies works and the Lord Byron series is fantastic.
The characters come to life in these books. Reading of the interaction between Byron and the Shelley, John hothouse and others is great. Awaiting the seventh and final installment of this biography.
I was happy to receive the sixth part of this book. I really enjoy reading miss brownies works and the Lord Byron series is fantastic.
The characters come to life in these books. Reading of the interaction between Byron and the Shelley, John hothouse and others is great. Awaiting the seventh and final installment of this biography.
July 4, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews