Today is my stop on the Blog Tour to celebrate Annabel Fielding's historical novel A Pearl for a Mistress.
England, 1934. Hester Blake, an
ambitious girl from an industrial Northern town, finds a job as a lady's
maid in a small aristocratic household.
Despite their impressive
title and glorious past, the Fitzmartins are crumbling under the
pressures of the new century. And in the cold isolation of these new
surroundings, Hester ends up hopelessly besotted with her young
mistress, Lady Lucy.
Accompanying Lucy on her London Season,
Hester is plunged into a heady and decadent world. But hushed whispers
of another war swirl beneath the capital… and soon, Hester finds herself
the keeper of some of society’s most dangerous secrets…
My Thoughts
I found A Pearl for my Mistress to be one of the most surprising books that I have read this year. I think that this was because of the background to the story and the issues which were involved. Set in the 1930's in England, it centres on an aristocratic family, primarily on the adult daughter, Lucy. It calls into play the theme of class and how interdependent and rigid the whole class structure was at that time. Each person had to play their allotted role. As the employer, the upper class provided a structure, home and job for their servants who were dependent on them, to avoid the poverty of unemployment which many were facing. At the same time, they were needed by their employers who at times could appear almost childlike. They all existed alongside each other. How complicated life could get when the differences between the classes became blurred.
Through this story, the author explores some of the attitudes which were simmering in Britain between the two World Wars. The readers knows what is coming in 1939, but many at that time were desperate to avoid conflict. This book takes you right into these times, contrasting anti-german feeling versus nazi sympathy and examines people's motives. How far will ruthless people go to infiltrate society? It even causes you to consider what exactly patriotism is. The fascism which has taken hold on the continent is bubbling beneath the surface. I found it to be a fascinating time to consider, especially with the references to actual people, such as Edward, Prince of Wales and Unity Mitford.
In addition, you are led into a consideration of the place of women in society in the 1930's. How were aristocratic young ladies expected to behave? How were they controlled and how did they gain independence? How did they address their sexuality? The excesses of the jazz scene, spilling over from the 1920's flappers, racial prejudice and clandestine meetings are all there. I think the most striking thing to me was how nothing was as it appeared on the surface. Respectability and scandal were there as bedfellows. You can just feel the changing times as War looms.
In short: an historical romance with a difference.
About the Author
Annabel Fielding graduated from the University of Arts London with an
MA in Public Relations. She is a PR assistant by day and a novelist by
night. Being a self-professed history geek, she dedicates her free time
to obscure biographies, solo travel and tea. She also posts a mix of
book reviews and travel photos on her blog at .
Thanks to Annabel and her publisher, HQ Digital, for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.
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