Book description
Alfred Gibson's funeral has taken place at Westminister Abbey, and
his wife of twenty years, Dorothea, has not been invited. The Great
Man favours his children and a clandestine mistress over his
estranged wife. Dorothea revisits their early courtship before the
birth of too many children snapped her vitality, and discovers the
devious nature and hypnotic power of this celebrity author. Now she
needs to face her grown up children, and worse, her nemesis of ten
years, the charming Miss Ricketts. This is a re-telling of the lives
of Charles and Catherine Dickens.
'Arnold's knowledge of Dickens is impeccable, and she uses fiction to
give Mrs D what she never had - a chance to interview her husband's
mistress, and reclaim her beloved children. Beautifully written,
entirely satisfying' Times 'A fine work of imagination and compassion
that offers up other ways for us to understand a popular genius and
those who loved him' Telegraph 'Fabulously indulgent Victoriana ... a
lovely, rich evocation of the period' Observer 'Arnold's portrayal of
Gibson/Dickens is spot on - charismatic, theatrical, depressive;
preoccupied with death and with childhood; endlessly courting celebrity
and reputation' Guardian Beloved writer Alfred Gibson's funeral is
taking place at Westminster Abbey, and Dorothea, his wife of twenty
years has not been invited. Gibson's will favours his many children and
secret mistress over Dorothea - who was sent away from the family home
when their youngest was still an infant. Dorothea hasn't left her
apartment for years, but when she receives a surprise invitation to a
private audience with Queen Victoria, she is shocked to find she has
much in common with Her Highness. With renewed confidence Dorothea is
spurred to examine her past and confront not only her family but the
pretty young actress Miss Ricketts.
