this having a base in a true story made this book even more moving and involved me in our main characters even more. it also had me rooting for the wife as you felt so much for her in her "before"mode. the thought of this woman's place being so of the norm but arrogantly so never sits well with learning about history. but also the sad feelings that you recognise even now some of the "talk" and behaviour as being similar to some people have now.
Frances is such a enjoyable character to follow. shes such a rich and powerful character to read about. i instantly went to google as i read this book to try and find out more.
her life is dictated by her husband and the life she has is showing in how she is feeling about her own self. shes losing herself. when they take on the Speke Hall its once again up to her husband a famous art patron to decide what happens and how. hes going to up- do this hall and has hired all the necessary to do so. the artist in question who will be taking on the art side of things is James Whistler. its this meeting that brings a spark and sparkle back into Frances. it awakens something doing this house and being with Frances. and as the house seems to heal and be brought back together, so does Frances feel on the way to being so too.
the artist isnt the answer, hes not fixing her. but hes seeing, listening and guiding her to the right points that she needs to find it all within herself. and of course this man gaze and the way he makes her feel under that gaze awakens more than she dared imagine.
can it be a forbidden love when its so real, right, and freeing for our character that has lost all sense of who she is or could be?
and what will happen, what can happen with a love of this kind?
i really like how this book was written. you are taken to a whole different time and its a joy to read about the people and place within it.