Reader's Digest Condensed Books, Select Editions, Vol. 3 2001

by Margaret Fox Schmidt

Reader's Digest Select Editions Authorized condensed editions Villa by Nora Roberts, 24 Hours by Greg Iles, Nora Nora by Anne Rivers Siddons, and Force 12 by James Thayer.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[Rmschow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the most fascinating biography I have ever read. I have long been a fan of Jane Digby and her adventurous life, but Schmidt did an amazing job of sorting fact from fiction. The author's painstaking research paid off and the result is an accurate and amazing depiction of the English lady whose real life rivals that of any fictitious literary heroine.

[Amy Winsand · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had this book on my shelves for literally DECADES! I'm not sure why I didn't read it until now, but I'm glad I finally did. One is just in the mood for different reads at different times. Since our son was traveling to London, I thought it was time to read about an Englishwoman. Jane Elizabeth Digby was born on April 3, 1807. And what a life began!

Jane Digby became Lady Ellenborough at the age of 17 after her marriage to Edward Law, Lord Ellenborough. He was in his 30's, a widower with no heirs. If he had truly loved her and not totally neglected her, Jane's life would have been probably quite predictable and boring! But Edward only wanted a male heir. He spent weeks away from their estate to promote his political career in London. Jane was left to attend parties on her own, and being the striking beauty that she was, of course, she wasn't alone for long. She had dreamt of love, being in love, BEING loved, and it was the driving force throughout her entire life. When she became entangled in a love affair with Prince Felix Schwarzenberg, attaché at the Austrian Embassy, her "proper English life" began to unravel.

She did produce an heir for Lord Ellenborough, but sadly, the son died when he was two. Lord Ellenborough sued for divorce on the charge of adultery, which wasn't an easy matter in England in the 1800's. Jane's affair became the fodder for tabloids and cartoons. Suddenly England wasn't big enough. She fled to Munich, hoping to make a life with Felix. He, however, was on to his next conquest.

I can't possibly go into all of her love life complications, and this isn't simply a "romance" story. The author tells a story of the political and cultural world surrounding a beautiful young woman and her quest for love. She was an accomplished artist, painting scenes in Athens, Corfu, Palmyra and Damascus. She spoke NINE languages fluently, and could tame and ride the wildest horses - even shooting game from the saddle with amazing accuracy! She LOVED beautiful horses. This is one of the reasons she eventually found herself in Syria, riding camels and Arabian horses, and finally finding the love of her life, an Arab Sheik, who gave up his other wives to marry her and treat her like a queen. And she loved him with all her heart.

I love that the author sorted through all the half truths and outright lies written about Jane over her lifetime to tell her true story, sharing beautiful letters and diary entries written by Jane and about Jane. She was such an "extraordinary" woman who was dealt unfortunate blows from former lovers, losing two children (her first, and then a four-year-old who fell to his death from a balcony in Greece). But Jane carried on, finding joy with her last love, painting, reading, creating beautiful gardens and spaces to live, even a menagerie in the desert.

I really enjoyed this book. It's rather sad though, how one's life can depend so much on the love of others. I'm sure many people can live WITHOUT love, but it certainly enhances one's life to BE loved. And Jane needed to BE loved.

[Faye Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched and documented story of the life of Lady Jane Digby. Scandalous in her time, unwelcome in court circles, she lived life on her own terms, or so it seemed. My first impression, after reading about Jane elsewhere was that she was self-indulgent and quite amoral, leaving a trail of abandoned husbands, children and lovers behind her without looking back. Passion's Child digs deeper into her life, debunking some of the inaccuracies repeated over and over by people who either failed to check their sources, or who embellished their information to suit their own purposes. The author is somewhat kinder to Jane as she brings out the human side of the spoiled child bride who was thrown into court society without a safety net. Searching for "love," Jane spent years flitting from country to country with scandal following close behind. In her later years, however, Jane found both excitement and contentment as the wife of a Bedouin Sheik in Syria. I especially enjoyed the background and historical approach to the various locales where Jane lived and traveled.

[History Buff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't comment on the historical accuracy of this book, but it's a really riveting read that's as good as a top-notch historical novel. Highly recommend.

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly engrossing biography of a 19th century woman whose heart ruled her head. Amazing life: four husbands, homes in London, Paris, Munich, Corfu and finally Syria. A really good read and informative of its era.

[Cws]

306.7

[Tracey · Rating 2 out of 5]

A so-so biography of a fascinating woman.
The author has too much invested in reviving or defending Jane Digby, and spends a lot of time speculating on motives.