Books matching: victorian england setting
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- #11
"Waking Up With the Duke" in the series 'London's Greatest Lovers' by author Lorraine Heath tells the story of Lady Jayne, whose husband is paralyzed due to a carriage accident caused by his best friend, the Duke of Ainsley. In a surprising turn of events, Lady Jayne's husband asks the Duke to impregnate her as he himself is unable to do so. Despite initial reluctance, Jayne agrees to spend a month with Ainsley in a secluded cottage, leading to unexpected emotional entanglements and a complex web of relationships. The plot unfolds with themes of sacrifice, love, moral dilemmas, and societal expectations, all set against the backdrop of historical romance.
The writing style of the book is engaging, focusing on character development and emotional depth rather than intricate details. The author weaves a tale of forbidden love, internal conflicts, and societal norms, creating a narrative that explores the complexities of relationships and the unpredictability of human emotions.
Ransom Seymour, the ninth Duke of Ainsley, struggled to concentrate as he sat sprawled in a comfortable armchair in the well-appointed library. He’d been downing excellent whiskey ever since his arriv... - #12
Told from the point of view of the horse known as Black Beauty, this is the tale of his life the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. Set in 19th century England, Beauty goes through myriad owners and names, meeting and befriending other horses along the way. While living at Squire Gordon's country estate, the spirited young horse, Black Beauty, is well taken care of and happy. But when the squire is forced to sell off his horses, Black Beauty's life changes as he is passed from one cruel master to another. After much hardship and perseverance, Black Beauty finds a home full of love and kindness.
The first place that I can well remember was a large pleasant meadow with a pond of clear water in it. Some shady trees leaned over it, and rushes and water-lilies grew at the deep end. Over the hedge... - #13
A lush, romantic story of a retired courtesan, Coco Wild, who falls in love with a younger man, James Stoker, known as England's hero after returning from Africa. The plot revolves around James pursuing Coco despite societal expectations, their deep and complex love story, and the challenges they face due to their unconventional relationship. The writing style is described as engaging, with well-developed lead characters and a satisfying love story that delves into themes of independence, societal norms, and historical context.
James Stoker, or rather—he liked to remind himself—Sir James Stoker these days, dashed between horses and carriages, finally leaping a puddle to get himself across a busy London street. The street, Bl... - #14
In Lord of the Far Island by Jean Plaidy (Victoria Holt), the story follows Ellen Kellaway, an orphan raised by wealthy cousins, who unexpectedly receives a marriage proposal from the son of a powerful London family. Her life takes a dramatic turn when her fiancé passes away, leading her to Cornwall to stay with her guardian, Jago, where secrets about her family's past and her inheritance unfold. The plot intertwines romance and mystery, set against the backdrop of Victorian England, with a focus on family secrets, social hierarchy, and unexpected twists.
The dream disturbed my sleep on the eve of Esmeralda coming-out ball. It was not the first time I had had that dream. It had come to me periodically over my nineteen years. There is something vaguely ... England, early morning June 30th 1860, Road Hill House located five miles from Trowbirdge Wiltshire, Saville Kent aged three years ten months was found missing from his bed. Later that same morning he was found by servants in a most disturbing way stuffed down a make shift toilet the boys throat had been cut. Murder on the streets of London was one thing but a child to be taken from a bedroom in a remote area of a middle-class family home while they all slept was quite another. Summerscale's style is straightforward and direct. But that simplicity masks a staggeringly complex interweaving of themes and narratives. She rarely puts a foot wrong. She may perhaps sometimes spend too long on the correspondence received by the regional press and the middle third of the book does sag a little under the weight of historical detail. But overall she judges brilliantly the points at which she can dip out from the central narrative, and the duration of those digressions.
In the early hours of Friday, 29 June 1860 Samuel and Mary Kent were asleep on the first floor of their detached three-storey Georgian house above the village of Road, five miles from Trowbridge. They...- #16
In "The Heiress Effect" by Courtney Milan, the story revolves around Jane Fairfield, an eccentric heiress who is determined to remain unmarried to protect her sister. When she meets Oliver Marshall, a man with political aspirations, their paths cross, leading to a struggle between ambition and honor. The book is praised for its character development, humor, and eventual happy ending, as well as for portraying a diverse representation of characters and relationships in Victorian England.
MOST OF THE NUMBERS THAT Miss Jane Victoria Fairfield had encountered in her life had proven harmless. For instance, the seamstress fitting her gown had poked her seven times while placing forty-three...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Brothers Sinister ) - #17
A Kiss for Midwinter by Courtney Milan is a novella in the Brothers Sinister series that delves into the story of Lydia Charingford and Dr. Jonas Grantham. Set against a historical backdrop, the book explores themes of love, forgiveness, and empowerment. The plot follows Jonas, a young doctor haunted by a past event, as he navigates his feelings for Lydia, a woman carrying a secret from her past. The writing style is described as raw, sincere, and emotionally charged, capturing the complexities of the characters' emotions and relationships.
The atmosphere in the room was neither foul nor miasmic, Jonas Grantham thought, only gloomy and tense. The girl—and, unfortunately, she was a girl, no matter the situation she’d found herself in—sat ...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Brothers Sinister ) - #18
Dracula by Bram Stoker is a classic novel that introduces the legend of Dracula, a Transylvanian royal seeking new hunting grounds in London. The story unfolds through letters, journals, and recordings, following a group led by Dr. Abraham Van Helsing as they combat the vampire. The book, written in 1897, captures the attention of readers from the first page to the last, defining the rules of vampires and kickstarting the vampire craze of the 20th and 21st centuries. Despite its familiarity due to movies and cultural references, Dracula remains a suspenseful and engaging read, perfect for Halloween.
Left Munich at 8.35 p.m. on 1st May, arriving at Vienna early next morning; should have arrived at 6.46, but train was an hour late. Buda-Pesth seems a wonderful place, from the glimpse which I got of... - #19
'The Importance of Being Earnest' by Oscar Wilde is a witty comedy set in Victorian England, exploring themes of mistaken identities, societal norms, and the importance of sincerity. The plot revolves around two men, Jack and Algernon, who create fictitious personas named Ernest to escape their social obligations. As their deceptions unravel, the play delves into the absurdity of high society and the farcical nature of human relationships. Wilde's writing style is characterized by sharp humor, clever dialogue, and satirical commentary on the conventions of his time.
ALGERNON. I'm sorry for that, for your sake. I don't play accurately – any one can play accurately – but I play with wonderful expression. As far as the piano is concerned, sentiment is my forte. I ke... - #20
'The Turn of the Screw' by Henry James is a psychological horror story that revolves around a governess who starts working in an old house with two children and encounters ghosts of the previous caretakers. The narrative delves into the governess's increasing paranoia and ambiguity surrounding the ghosts and the children's behavior, blurring the lines between reality and supernatural elements. The writing style is described as dense and antiquated, with long sentences and an overuse of commas, which some readers found challenging but others found rewarding in unraveling the psychological and sexual themes of the story.
My counselor couldn't read! I winced at my mistake, which I attenuated as I could, and opened my letter again to repeat it to her; then, faltering in the act and folding it up once more, I put it back...