In Love with George Eliot - Softcover

O’Shaughnessy, Kathy

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1912854759 ISBN 13: 9781912854752

Publisher: Scribe UK, 2020

Synopsis

Who was the real George Eliot? In Love with George Eliot is a glorious debut novel which tells the compelling story of England's greatest woman novelist as you've never read it before.

Marian Evans is a scandalous figure, living in sin with a married man, George Henry Lewes. She has shocked polite society, and women rarely deign to visit her. In secret, though, she has begun writing fiction under the pseudonym George Eliot. As Adam Bede's fame grows, curiosity rises as to the identity of its mysterious writer. Gradually it becomes apparent that the moral genius Eliot is none other than the disgraced woman living with Lewes.

Now Evans' tremendous celebrity begins. The world falls in love with her. She is the wise and great writer, sent to guide people through the increasingly secular, rudderless century, and an icon to her progressive feminist peers -- with whom she is often in disagreement. Public opinion shifts. Her scandalous cohabitation is forgiven. But this idyll is not secure and cannot last. When Lewes dies, Evans finds herself in danger of shocking the world all over again.

Meanwhile, in another rudderless century, two women compete to arrive at an interpretation of Eliot as writer and as woman ...

Everyone who has thrilled at being shown the world anew by George Eliot will thrill again at her presence, complex and compelling, here.

About this title

Review:

‘A sensitive, impeccably researched and deeply pleasurable debut novel ... As the best historical novels do, it absorbs the reader to such an extent that, even if they know the outline of the story, each page is a revelation.’

– The Economist

‘Richly and sensitively described ... O’Shaughnessy does us the favour of reminding us what an underrated erotic writer Eliot is.’

– Sophie Ratcliffe, The Sunday Telegraph

‘An accomplished tribute to one of our greatest authors.’

– Simon Humphreys, The Mail on Sunday

‘A revealing debut novel ... a fascinating read.’

– Mariella Frostrup, BBC Radio 4 Open Book

‘This sensitive fictionalisation  ... is thoroughly absorbing.’

– Daily Mail

‘Compelling ... a tender and haunting study.’

– Lucy Lethbridge, The Financial Times

‘O’Shaughnessy’s writing is full of delicious words ... and brilliant descriptions. She is full of keen insights into Evans’s character ... This is an astute, skilful book.’

– Violet Hudson, Literary Review

‘Henry James was but one of many beguiled by Marian Evans (aka George Eliot) ... In lucid, unshowy prose, O’Shaughnessy brings them all to life.’

– Rose Shepherd, Saga

‘A layered, tender portrait.’

– Dani Garavelli, The Herald

‘Classy, beautifully written and richly imagined ― a novel that opens a door onto the past.’

– Nicci Gerrard, author of The Twilight Hour

About the Author:

Kathy O'Shaughnessy has reviewed books for The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Times, Financial Times, Independent, The Observer, TLS, New Statesman, The Spectator, and others. She has worked as Deputy Editor on the Literary Review, Arts & Books Editor of Vogue, Literary Editor of The European, and Deputy Editor of The Telegraph Arts & Books. Her stories have been published in Faber's First Fictions, and she edited and introduced Drago Stambuk's poems, Incompatible Animals.

About this edition

• Publisher: Scribe UK
• Publication date: 2020
• ISBN 10: 1912854759
• ISBN 13: 9781912854752
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 400