To Marry an English Lord

[yeuxdebleu]

I just finished reading a fascinating book titled To Marry an English Lord.

Comments

[_celebrian]

Sounds intriguing. I added it to my disturbingly long TBR list. Hopefully I'll get to it at some point.

[yeuxdebleu]

It is very intriguing. And yeah...just what we both need: More books.

I just saw a book series rec at an LJ friend's entry. I know you like saga books and so do I. This one sounds very good.

I have a recommendation for you: A series of 6 books called "The Lymond Chronicles", by Dorothy Dunnett. Follows the life and career of the Crawfords, an aristocratic family in Scotland. The stories span Europe and the UK from Henry the VIII's reign through to Elizabeth, with stops at the Crusades, the seraglio of Topkapi, the France of the DeGuises and the Tsars in Russia, and Dunnett mixes fictional characters with actual folks (e.g., Nostradamus) It's not a bodice ripper - it's an incredibly sophisticated look at the politics and religion of the times. But it IS sexy and funny and exciting and addictive.I ordered the first three from amazon.com, used copies for only one cent apiece. O^0 If they're good, I'll let you know and will probably loan my copies to Georgia. The best family sage series I've read have been recommended by her

[_celebrian]

Oooo! I have actually read or listened to all 6. They are not quick, easy reads. Particularly the first one. My friend, and the founder of the OBC, just published a Guide than gives history, explains quotes and more. If you are interested, the link to purchase is here: http://lymondguides.blogspot.com/

Also, there are Lymond Chronicles threads at the OBC and quite a few fans there if you want to discuss the books. I'm not the biggest fan, but we are hoping to do a group reread with the help of the Guide and I think I'm likely to love it more with discussion and a second time through when I'll likely catch more of the allusions (and there are MANY!).

I'll be interested in hearing your thoughts on Lymond. Our reread might start in the new year, so then I might have more to say than I do now with my poor memory.

[yeuxdebleu]

Oh great, you're familiar with these books. I received an email today that the three I ordered have already shipped. Thanks very much for the link to the guide. I'll probably get that, too. I love my Outlander companion book. I only wish Diana would update it.

[ambree40]

That sounds very interesting. I was thinking about Sir Winston Churchill's mother, Jennie Jerome. I don't know if she was wealthy but she was American and she did marry an English Lord.

The title of your post also made me think of the fictional character Harriet Vane who married Lord Peter Wimsey in the Dorothy Sayers novels. I love detective fiction and Lord Peter has long been one of my favorites. Harriet Vane is an Oxford blue-stocking, a "progressive" woman and sometimes rather irritating with it. That aspect of her is fully explored in "Gaudy Night".
See, it's time for me to read Lord Peter again. ;-)

[yeuxdebleu]

It was a fascinating book. Yes, Jennie Jerome Churchill was from a very wealthy family and even in later life was considered the most beautiful of the American heiresses in the 1800s. She had gorgeous eyes. Her father made his fortune in finance and banking. She had two sisters who also married British aristocrats. Her sister Clara was very pretty, too.

I haven't read any Lord Peter Wimsey stories, but I've seen many that were adapted for TV. I loved them.

[nutmeg3]

Sounds like an interesting book. Was the Consuelo Vanderbilt story included? I like to tour the Newport mansions and it's a biggie there, obviously. Here's a quick write-up about it: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5159494

[yeuxdebleu]

Oh yes, there's a great deal about Consuelo. That's her on the book cover. She was not only filthy rich, but gorgeous. Her mother, Alva Vanderbilt, was one of the first prominent American women to sue for divorce and she subsequently also married a British Lord. During her marriage to the Duke of Marlborough, Consuelo was the châtelaine of Blenheim Palace, the most beautiful and the largest home still in private hands in England. The Breakers, built by Consuelo's uncle, Cornelius Vanderbilt is the most well-known of the Newport "cottages."

Many of the great homes are open for tourists. If you go, be sure the visit The Elms, summer home of coal millionaire Edward Berwind. Also, you'd love the magnificent Marble House, summer home of Consuelo's parents, Alva and William Vanderbilt.

If you're interested and have the time, there are some wonderful video tours of the mansions HERE.

[nutmeg3]

I've been to the mansions many times. I never get tired of them, and when people come to visit I like to take them up there for a couple of days so we can see how the other half lived. I'm just sorry that Hammersmith Farm, the Auchincloss estate where JFK stayed with Jackie and the kids, is in private hands now and you can no longer go through it.

[yeuxdebleu]

Oh my, I assumed from your previous comment that you'd never been there, hence all the links to pics and articles.

I didn't realize that Hammersmith Farm had ever been open to the public.

[peripety]

It sounds fascinating! Thanks for the recc, I'll definitely look for this to buy.

[yeuxdebleu]

It was totally fascinating. I hope you will read it, too.