The Raw and Real Reclamation of Anne de Bourgh
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
TYPE OF NOVEL: Secondary character story, Pride and Prejudice sequel featuring Anne de Bourgh
THE PREMISE: For 29 years Anne de Bourgh has been given daily drops of laudanum as a cure for her supposed “delicate” health, and she now tests the waters to determine if her precious medicine is truly a cure or a curse…
MY THOUGHTS: Molly Greeley’s writing is exquisite. I absolutely love her choices to write about Anne de Bourgh and to tell such a unique and revealing tale about her. Her beautifully executed first person point-of-view delivers a truly intimate and impartial account of Jane Austen’s “sickly and cross” character, and deftly explores who is Anne de Bourgh when you strip away her overbearing mother, her position as heiress and future mistress of Pemberley, and her stupefied fog caused by an opium addiction.
As readers witnessed in her exceptional story about Charlotte Colins – The Clergyman’s Wife – Molly Greeley is not shy about sharing the unhappy realities of life and the unvarnished truth and challenges her characters experience. I greatly admired and appreciated how she dauntlessly canvassed topics and situations that existed but are not often spoken of or written about such as opium addiction, the physical and mental effects of substance withdrawal, and the exploration of unconventional paths and identities. I was absolutely delighted with the unexpected directions this story traveled and with the beautifully stirring and satisfying romance Ms. Greeley constructed. In addition, I was impressed with her adept depiction of Anne’s experiences under the influence of laudanum. The descriptions of the sensations Anne feels, the foggy and hallucinogenic sounds and sights, and her abstract reveries brought such a vivid sense of what this drug does to the mind.
I’d like to express my sincere gratitude to Molly Greeley for penning such incredibly moving and authentic stories about Jane Austen’s secondary characters, and for continuing to highlight the struggles and the victories of women living in the Regency era as they try to carve out lives of their own. This tale about Anne de Bourgh battling her imposed limitations, becoming herself, and seizing her own future was in every way spectacular. The Heiress is an evocative and empowering Austenesque tale that should not be missed!
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GIVEAWAY TIME!
I was actually sent 2️⃣ copies of an ARC for The Heiress, and since I only need one for myself, I’m happy to help the other ARC find a new home!
ARCs are Advance Readers Copy and while much of the text and cover appear as the final published edition, there are typically some slight changes.
To enter this giveaway, please leave a comment about my review.
- This giveaway is open to US residents.
- This giveaway will end January 27th.
This story sounds so intriguing. Thank you for the chance to win a copy of the book.
It is! Best of luck!
What a wonderful review. The books sounds amazing. I’ll have to put it on my TBR.
Thank you, Lucy! I thought it was so masterfully composed!
Such a well written review that captures the essence of this amazing novel! I, too, absolutely loved this ‘unvarnished truth’ of Anne de Bourgh. Ms. Greeley’s prose is so compelling both in this story and in ‘The Clergyman’s Wife’.
That is so lovely of you to say, Carole. Thank you! I’m really glad to hear you loved this one too! You are so right about Ms. Greeley’s prose.
Sounds well-worth reading.
Definitely!
The research that would go into writing this book and the obvious skill of the author would make this book a compelling read. Thank you for entering me into the drawing.
Yes! it was masterfully executed and felt so authentic in its relaying Anne’s experiences – you can tell there was extensive research involved.
Thanks for putting this on my radar as I enjoy books that focus on secondary characters like Anne so it seems like one I’d enjoy.
If you love secondary character stories, you will definitely love this one!
I think that there is a good possibility that Lady Catherine could drug her daughter to keep her pliant. I do hope she is able to emerge from the drug and kick her mother to the Dower house! Thank you for your review and giveaway.
Yes, whether intentional or not – I found this premise very plausible.
Wow! What an interesting premise! The review makes me add this book to my TRP.
It is indeed! And yay – mission accomplished! 😉
The Clergyman’s Wife was a wonderful book. I look forward to reading The Heiress.
Yes! This one is just as special! I hope you get the chance to read this one soon!
I loved the Clergyman’s Wife so I would love to be able to read her next book. Thank you for sharing and giving such a grand review
I’m really glad to hear you loved The Clergyman’s Wife – I think you will love this one too!
After being thrilled by The Clergyman’s Wife, I have been all agog to read this second minor-character exploration by Molly Greeley! And laudanum would explain so much about Anne. Thank you for sharing your bounty in this giveaway!
It does – I wonder if Jane Austen had it in mind herself. I look forward to hearing your thoughts, Abigail! I hope you get the chance to read this one soon!
I have always wished that Anne de Bourgh were more than a vague shadow-person overwhelmed by her Mother’s strident personality. Glad to see this two-dimensional person come to life. Look forward to reading her story.
Me too. She is one of my most favorite characters to see transform, and this story is such gratifying and rewarding journey.
I have not read this story. I will do so IF I win a copy. Thanks for a chance to win.
Best of luck, Sheila!
I am behind in my reading so I am playing catchup. This sounds interesting. Poor Anne, she has always gotten the short end of the stick. I look forward to see her rise above her circumstances. Good luck to all in the drawing. Blessings, everyone stay safe, and healthy.
I feel the same way, Jeanne! Always playing catch-up! Poor Anne, indeed! It is great to see some success and happiness come her way.
Loved your review. I’ve been wanting to read this book–thank you for the chance!
denise
So glad to hear it, Denise! Best of luck!
I loved The Clergyman’s Wife and how Molly Greeley wrote such a rich, honest narrative of the small universe Charlotte found herself in, and how she shaped herself to it. I’m looking forward to reading The Heiress–or at least adding it to my soon-TBR pile. Thanks for spotlighting it, Meredith!
Very well said, Jan. I think you will feel the same way about The Heiress!
Meredith, when you give a five-star rating it really piques my interest. This looks like a great read, and I’d be happy to give it a home.
Thanks for the chance – Happy New Year!
Lilyane
I hope you feel this one is as praiseworthy as I do!!
Wow, my heart already goes out for this Anne who must weather coming off an addiction and then fight it and fight for a good life. I loved the Charlotte book so I’m looking forward to this one.
I felt the same way when reading this story, Sophia. I couldn’t help but feel sympathetic and cheer her on!
Addiction can be a tough topic–addiction from the viewpoint of 200 years ago through a beloved Austen character sounds intriguing. I look forward to reading this latest book by Ms. Greeley.
Absolutely! It is a challenging and unique topic to spotlight. I’m really glad Ms. Greeley took it on!
Thanks for the review and the chance to win a copy!
My pleasure! Best of luck!
It is not common to have a story about Ms Anne De Bourgh. Interesting to know how her life is in thisbook, Thank you for the post and the chance to win a copy
Very true, it isn’t common. And this story takes some very interesting turns!
Your review makes me want to read The Heiress this weekend. I love an Anne escaping her mother story premise.
Please don’t enter me in the lovely giveaway. Good luck to everyone else. And best of everything to Molly Greeley on her new book baby. 😀
As a librarian who always recommends Jane Austen to patrons, I would love to win an copy of The Heiress!
Thank for the opportunity to win a copy. The story sounds very interesting.
What a review! Sounds like a MUST read!
I will see if my library has a copy of this, because this is high on my TBR list after reading the excellent The Clergyman’s Wife last year. The earlier book fully opened the door for me to the Austenesque.
This sounds like a book that I will have to read. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Meredith. I thoroughly enjoyed ‘The Clergyman’s Wife’ when I read it recently. It was so good. I’m not eligible for the giveaway as I’m in the UK but I will have to check this out. Sounds good. 🙂