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The Invisible Woman: The Story of Nelly Ternan and Charles Dickens.

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This is the life story of Ellen Ternan, the woman who was Charles Dickens' mistress. If you enjoy Dickens biographies, this story will add to your appreciation of the great man. Nelly Ternan's life, however, is of interest even without it's involvement with Dickens. She was a professional actress in the days when women in the theatre were not socially acceptable. Claire Tomlin, with a biography of Dickens behind her, is well qualified to flesh out the woman that Dickens would have liked to have kept secret from his Victorian readers and posterity. For more than 70 years Ellen Ternan's life and involvement with Dickens has remained hidden, but now, thanks to Miss Katherine Longley (who bequeathed her research to Claire Tomalin) and Claire Tomalin's skill as an author, we have a vivid portrait of an extraordinary woman and her times. This biography is the result of many years of detective work and is a fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable read.