Undone by Virginia Henley
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(Mass Market Paperback)
- Pub. Date: December 2003
- 416pp
- Sales Rank: 310,637
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Product Details
- Pub. Date: December 2003
- Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
- Format: Mass Market Paperback, 416pp
- Sales Rank: 310,637
- ISBN-13: 9780451210647
- ISBN: 0451210646
Synopsis
Known for her "passionate love scenes and steamy fantasies" (Booklist), New York Times bestselling author Virginia Henley pens a seductive tale of an extraordinary beauty, her heady deception, and the duke who knows her inside and out...
Publishers Weekly
The true story of lowborn but beautiful Elizabeth Gunning (1733-1790), who took Georgian England by storm and became a duchess twice, is vividly fictionalized in this unconventional romance from Henley (Ravished, etc.). Born into an impoverished family, Elizabeth and her older sister Maria, both aspiring actresses, apply their talents offstage when their ambitious mother decides they should pose as members of the minor nobility. In London, their bold maneuvering, good fortune and the girls' own magnificence catapults them into society, where they draw the attention of noblemen and even the heir to the throne. The one man who knows Elizabeth's secret is John Campbell, the future Duke of Argyll, whose love for her isn't enough-at least initially-to overcome the difference in their status. She's also coveted, for much darker reasons, by John's enemy, the powerful Duke of Hamilton. The details of the Gunnings' rise will delight; at one point, the fearless Mrs. Gunning hires actors to mob her daughters whenever they appear in public and an actress to play their ladies' maid. Possessing all the sensuality and glitter of a more traditional romance but enriched by the plot's complexity and the heroine's genuine growth, this captivating tale will leave readers amply satisfied. (Dec.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
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Undoneby Anonymous
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June 09, 2007: Undone is my first romance novel from Virginia Henley and its one of my favorites. I?m been reading romance for three years, and after break from reading, Undone brought me right back in. This is the best romance & historical fiction book I?ve ever read. Henley has truly mastered how to create a mesmerizing mixture of the two genres. || I have to admit, this book did have some draw backs for those who are looking for a strong romance book. This book is more like a narrative of the life of Elizabeth Gunning and how she raised to become a duchess, not once but twice. The beginning was also kind of slow, as Henley spends time developing the background of the book. But to be fair, the two leads meet at the opening of the novel and had a very fun and seductive encounter. The leads don?t quite dominate this novel, as she only sees him about every 30 or so pages for a short 5-10 page encounter. But true to its romance root, every time the two leads met, I could sense a love that isn?t there in other regular historical fiction, not to mention the passion. As the story progresses, I became so involved in the plot that it didn?t matter if the leads only meet for half the book. || Overall, this book showed Henley as a writer who doesn?t just write romance, but also a fiction with a twisting and entertaining plot. I see other writers who were soon bored with their romance genre and tried to expand to others such as suspense, and failed. I?m glad that Henley was able to find her calling. In reading her book, Henley displayed her research efforts and mastery of characters she wrote about. Trivia: 'The truths to this historical fiction' 1. As Prince George became king, he named Elizabeth a Baroness in her own right. She became the 1st Baroness Hamilton of Hameldon. 2. In history, her mother was really the daughter of the 6th Viscount Mayo. 3. Tom Sheridan was the ones who supplied the girls with costumes to the ball at Dublin Castle. 4. She was painted by many artists, such as Sir Joshua Reynolds and Gavin Hamilton. One of her paintings were sold recently for about $1 million. 5. She was once courted by the Duke of Bridgwater. When scandal erupted concerning her sister Maria, the Duke presented her with an ultimatum: either she disowns her sister, or he won?t marry her. She didn?t disown Maria. The Duke retired to his castle, left society, and sworn off women. He later built the first canal in England.
Undoneby Anonymous
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May 28, 2006: Words can hardly describe how much I loved this book. It really draws you in and puts you in the story. I recommed this book to anyone who likes a good romance story.
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