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The Duchess

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About this listen

 A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK • NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE

Lady Georgiana Spencer was the great-great-great-great-aunt of Diana, Princess of Wales, and was nearly as famous in her day. In 1774 Georgiana achieved immediate celebrity by marrying William Cavendish, fifth duke of Devonshire, one of England’s richest and most influential aristocrats. She became the queen of fashionable society and founder of the most important political salon of her time. But Georgiana’s public success concealed an unhappy marriage, a gambling addiction, drinking, drug-taking, and rampant love affairs with the leading politicians of the day. With penetrating insight, Amanda Foreman reveals a fascinating woman whose struggle against her own weaknesses, whose great beauty and flamboyance, and whose determination to play a part in the affairs of the world make her a vibrant, astonishingly contemporary figure.

Praise for The Duchess

“Georgiana bursts from the pages of Amanda Foreman’s dazzling biography like the force of nature she undoubtedly was–passionate, political, addicted to gambling, and drunk on life. This is a stunning book about an astonishing woman.”–Simon Schama

“Biography at its best . . . seamlessly merges a life and its times, capturing not just an individual but an age.”–The New York Times Book Review

“Riveting . . . marvelously diverting.”–The New Yorker 18th Century Europe Great Britain Historical Modern Politics & Activism Royalty England Biography Inspiring Funny Political Fiction

Critic reviews

“Georgiana bursts from the pages of Amanda Foreman’s dazzling biography like the force of nature she undoubtedly was–passionate, political, addicted to gambling, and drunk on life. This is a stunning book about an astonishing woman.”–Simon Schama

“Biography at its best . . . seamlessly merges a life and its times, capturing not just an individual but an age.”–The New York Times Book Review

“Riveting . . . marvelously diverting.”–The New Yorker
All stars
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Incredible intimate insight into the lives of the aristocracy in the 18th century. Has also inspired me to read into politics of that era.

wonderful listen

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A great listen and history of a women who was so impactful during and after her life.

Incredible listen about an truly inspiring women

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Had already seen The Duchess file with Keira Knightly and Ralph Fienes, so sort of knew the storyline. But listening to book with all the extra details and nuances was really illuminating, and left me with the real impression that this lady was born well before her time and really broke through the ‘glass ceiling’ of patriarchy and familial nepotistic ties of the aristocracy of the regency period. Georgiana Devonshire-Spencer was her own feminist wave before feminism was even a ‘thing’. I would absolutely recommend this book, yes!!

A lovely listen really enjoyed this book

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Georgiana was quite an extraordinary lady for her time, This book is largely constructed from her letters and other people's letters to, or about her.
I found the book over long and goes into huge amounts of detail in the politics and political characters of the day, which G was heavily involved in.
However, her romance with Grey is barely touched on, and we learn vet little of the character of the Duke, despite him being ever present.
I felt it was over long, although I persisted to the end because I wanted to know if she ever redeemed herself .

Loving the film doesn't guarantee you will love the book

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