Melvyn Bragg's highly-acclaimed bestselling historical novel presents the story behind one of the 19th century's greatest scandals. Set in the Lake District in the early 19th century, the riveting story of an imposter, bigamist and fortune hunter who came to grief by falling helplessly in love with the famed 'Maid of Buttermere'. 'A vivid and erudite tour de force' - Penelope Lively. Melvyn Bragg has written fourteen novels as well as several works of non-fiction, including a bestseliing biography of Richard Burton. He is editor and presenter of "The South Bank Show". His birthplace is Wigton, Cumbria. His whereabouts are: London and Cumbria. His previous books include: "Autumn Manoeuvres", "Crystal Rooms", "For Want Of A Nail", "Josh Lawton", "A Time To Dance", "The Nerve", "The Second Inheritance", "The Silken Net", "Without A City Wall", "The Hired Man", "A Place In England And Kingdom Come" (All Sceptre); and "The Promotion."
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Bragg, the author of 15 previous books, has here combined fact and fiction to produce a remarkable tour-de-force, a penetrating psychological novel based on an actual court case of 1802. John Hatfield, ex-convict, forger and bigamist, decides to improve his fortune by impersonating Colonel Alexander Augustus Hope, a member of Parliament and brother of the Earl of Hopetoun. He sets out in a methodical fashion to seduce a young heiress and elope with her, thereby laying claim to her fortune. But while courting his intended victim in the Lake District, Hatfield falls in love with Mary Robinson, a local beauty, and marries her. Exposed as an imposter by a suspicious colonel, Hatfield flees. The Bow Street Runners are sent after him and the chase is on. Hatfield-Hope is gradually revealed as a man who is at once a pathological liar, a religious mystic and a philanderer with a huge sexual appetite, whose unflagging devotion to "his Mary" is oddly touching.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Set in early 19th-century England, this historical novel retells one of the great scandals of the time. Charming scoundrel John Hatfield, forger and bigamist, masquerades as an aristocrat and in this guise woos and marries Mary of Buttermere, famous for her beauty and goodness. When John's villainy is exposed, to great public outcry, poets Wordsworth and Coleridge spring to Mary's defense and a hectic chase ensues as John flees across England pursued by the Bow Street runners. Dense and slow moving at first, the novel's pace picks up by the second half and the fascination Hatfield exerted shines through. A complex story, packed with historical detail and psychological speculation, this will likely appeal to a small audience. Suggested for collections where there is a strong interest in literature. Beth Ann Mills, New Rochelle P.L., N.Y.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
An entertaining read.,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Maid of Buttermere (Hardcover)
This page-turner manages to keep readers interested for most of its five hundred or so pages, however is not what one would call an excellent novel. Bragg's brilliant use of historical detail, from dialect to geography, certainly makes the story come alive. It also, however, gives the impression that it is a true piece of period literature, when in fact the novel's plot, in particular the frequent sex scenes, render it a typical Harlequin-type romance, which soon grows tiresome
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