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Duchess, Countess
- Narrated by: Catherine Ostler
- Length: 12 hrs and 51 mins
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Duchess, Countess
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Summary
A SPECTATOR BOOK OF THE YEAR
A TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR
A TELEGRAPH BOOK OF THE YEAR
A VOGUE BOOK OF THE YEAR
'A rollicking read... [Ostler] tells Elizabeth's story with admirable style and gusto' Sunday Times
'Terrifically entertaining: if you liked Bridgerton, you’ll love this. . . and her research is impeccable' Evening Standard
When the glamorous Elizabeth Chudleigh, Duchess of Kingston, Countess of Bristol, went on trial at Westminster Hall for bigamy in April 1776, the story drew more attention in society than the American War of Independence.
A clandestine, candlelit wedding to the young heir to an earldom, a second marriage to a Duke, a lust for diamonds and an electrifying appearance at a masquerade ball in a diaphanous dress: no wonder the trial was a sensation. However, Elizabeth refused to submit to public humiliation and retire quietly. Rather than backing gracefully out of the limelight, she embarked on a Grand Tour of Europe, being welcomed by the Pope and Catherine the Great among others.
As maid of honour to Augusta, Princess of Wales, Elizabeth led her life in the inner circle of the Hanoverian court and her exploits delighted and scandalised the press and the people. She made headlines, and was a constant feature in penny prints and gossip columns. Writers were intrigued by her. Thackeray drew on Elizabeth as inspiration for his calculating, alluring Becky Sharp. But her behaviour, often depicted as attention-seeking and manipulative, hid a more complex tale – that of Elizabeth’s fight to overcome personal tragedy and loss.
Now, in this brilliantly told and evocative biography, Catherine Ostler takes a fresh look at Elizabeth’s story and seeks to understand and reappraise a woman who refused to be defined by society’s expectations of her.
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Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Munch
- 22-09-23
Excellent
Beautifully written, masterful storytelling and read with panache.
Loved every minute of it. Must goto the Hermitage to see the treasures again.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- R. Morris
- 29-12-21
Fascinating account with some author’s oddities
Overall, the book is a fascinating and thoroughly researched account of a lesser known figure of the Georgian period, who probably deserves more recognition. Elizabeth Chudleigh was a pioneering woman who wanted more for herself than society was prepared to allow. That said, there were a few issues with the telling. Catherine the Great’s private note to herself ‘be kind’ was repeated in the audiobook version. I also question whether the author should have narrated the book herself. I did not find her voice the easiest to listen to and she seemed to stumble over the beginning of words frequently. Her pronunciation was also jarring on occasion. Thus, Rhenish became ‘Ree-nish’ instead of ‘Wren-ish’; Cartagena was ‘Carta-gee-na’ instead of ‘Carta-hay-na’
There were also several long words that the narrator stumbled over, which were unnecessary and would have made a more fluent listen had simpler alternatives been used.
I felt there was too great a tedious, repetitive emphasis on the author’s conclusion of borderline personality disorder, with little corroborating evidence. The cultural norms of the day were so different, that it seems odd and unconvincing to cling to this as a definitive diagnosis.
Otherwise though, the author’s insight into this lady’s approach to life, self-advancement and the politics of relationships were involving and convincing.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- CATRIONA SYME
- 11-08-21
excellent book. Well worth listening to.
A good listen
A fascinating life. Well portrayed
Recommended for anyone interested in late 18th century history.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Julia Hatch
- 21-01-24
Strident voice spoiled the story
I was really looking forward to this book but sadly the narrators voice spoiled in for me. I actslly had to give up listening. Shame.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- c m robinson
- 15-02-23
Amazing history book
it is an incredible story and the level of detail immersed me into the era.
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Liz
- 13-09-21
interesting history - awful narration
I was so looking forward to this book - really interesting tale. But the historians style is hyper detailed (do we really need to know every dish on every menu?) and so many people listed at all things that I felt it really hard to follow.
This wasn't helped by her delivery. Usually i really enjoy an author reading their own work - but it's not always the best choice. here her plummy accent and frequent swallows and breath intakes was very distracting. I couldn't actually finish the book - and may return it and buy the book itself - where i could skim the excess detail and not have a sloane ranger gaspily narrating.
So this is more a note to myself - with her next book, buy the book not the audio, and think carefully if you can take the tedious detail... don't fall for the reviews. This does not bring the book to life, but deaden it.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- The Book Worm!
- 16-02-24
cannot listen for 12+ hours to this voice!
What should have been a gripping history of a fascinating woman was RUINED by an impossible to listen to voice droning on with no intonation or expression.
Gave up after less than 1 hour, which showed perseverance at least. Tried to return.
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1 person found this helpful