A lavish and intelligent historical romance that moves between the ferment of Stuart England and the dangers of Cuzco and Florida as tragically separated lovers John and Zeal struggle to survive and be reunited. An epic love story set in the period of Longitude, for readers of Philippa Gregory and Rose Tremain.
Zeal Beester is the mistress of the rolling Hawkridge Estate – a difficult position for a young woman in 1639, but almost impossible now that the man she loves has been forced to flee to the New World, leaving her pregnant. Just three weeks before, a great fire destroyed her house – to some this will be seen as God's judgment on her depravity. The Reverend Praise-God Gifford will want her burnt as a witch.
Rather than this, Zeal decides to throw herself to her death from the roof of the chapel. But being passionate and spirited, when she is offered the chance to stay alive – to let the child live! – she takes it, and becomes the wife of Philip Wentworth, an ageing soldier and adventurer. Philip's extraordinary tales of the New World fill her mind treacherously with images of her lover John Nightingale ... to whom in her heart she stays faithful.
But given the fact of her new husband, how will John ever know the truth of her feelings? In time she may no longer know herself. 'I must begin to leave footprints. Then I, at least, can track myself back and remember the journey and who I was when I made it.'
She starts to rebuild Hawkridge House. Part maze, part theatre, part great country house, it will be an astonishing place filled with magical automata and hidden rooms, and it will be the secret map of a young woman's heart.
Rich in loving detail of an England about to vanish for ever into the chaos of the Civil War and in mysterious tales of a still-mythical New World, The Memory Palace tells of the sheer danger of being a woman alone in days of violent political and religious unrest. And always there is the unsuspected enemy at the centre of the maze, with only death in mind.
From heart-stopping beginning to haunting end, this compelling and suspenseful novel proves Christie Dickason to be one of the most gifted historical novelists of the day.
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Christie Dickason was born in America but also lived as a child in Thailand, Mexico and Switzerland. Harvard-educated, and a former theatre director and choreographer (with the Royal Shakespeare Company and at Ronnie Scott’s among others), she lives in London with her family.
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Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. The Memory Palace This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 7719-9780007101238
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780007101238
Book Description Hardback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR002964175
Book Description Hardback. Condition: Good. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine. Seller Inventory # GOR001092988
Book Description Condition: Good. Ships from the UK. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 40242430-20
Book Description Condition: Good. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has hardback covers. Clean from markings In good all round condition. Dust jacket in good condition. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item,900grams, ISBN:9780007101238. Seller Inventory # 9618040
Book Description hardcover. Condition: Good. Ex-library book, usual marking. Clean copy in good condition. With Dust Cover. Quick dispatch from UK seller. Seller Inventory # mon0000376895