Who Would Like This Book:
If you enjoy your historical fiction on the gothic and sensational side, Wideacre delivers a wild ride! Think lush English landscapes, family estates, scheming anti-heroines, and definitely not your usual 'feisty-girl-in-a-frock' tale. Beatrice Lacey is ambitious to the point of villainy, and readers who like bold, deeply complicated (and often despicable) female protagonists will find her fascinating. The plot is packed with drama, scandal, and taboo, so it's perfect if you're craving an intense, boundary-pushing read. Fans of morally grey characters, generational drama, and twisted, lush historical settings will be hooked.
Who May Not Like This Book:
This is not one for the faint-hearted! Some readers couldn't get past the repeated and graphic incest, extreme melodrama, or how unlikable (some would say irredeemable) the characters are - Beatrice especially. If you're sensitive to taboo themes, need likable leads, or dislike purple prose or repetitive writing, steer clear. Realism sticklers were also frustrated by anachronisms and over-the-top plot twists, while others found the book a bit too long or relentless in its bleakness. Philippa Gregory fans looking for the type of court intrigue and historical accuracy found in her later works might be disappointed.
About:
'Wideacre' by Philippa Gregory tells the story of Beatrice Lacey, a woman in the eighteenth century who becomes desperate to stay on her manor and run it as the squire, despite societal norms. The plot is described as a gothic tale rich in atmosphere, full of foreboding, murder, deception, romance, and lust. Beatrice's character is portrayed as a complex and morally ambiguous figure, driven by her obsession with owning the land she grew up on, Wideacre, and willing to go to extreme lengths to achieve her goals, including incest and manipulation. is noted for its historical fiction elements combined with a captivating and morally challenging narrative that delves into themes of lust, deception, and the pursuit of power.
Genres:
Tropes/Plot Devices:
Topics:
Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Triggers include incest, graphic violence, and themes of manipulation and betrayal.
Has Romance?
The book contains a significant romantic element, albeit through dark and troublesome lenses.
From The Publisher:
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Philippa Gregory comes the stunning first novel of a thrilling trilogy about the Lacey family, and the captivating woman at the heart of a power-hungry estate willing to go to any means to protect her family name.
Beatrice Lacey, as strong-minded as she is beautiful, refuses to conform to the social customs of her time. Destined to lose her heritage and beloved Wideacre estate once she is wed, Beatrice will use any means necessary to protect her ancestral name. Seduction, betrayal, even murder-Beatrice's passion is without apology or conscience. "She is a Lacey of Wideacre," her father warns, "and whatever she does, however she behaves, will always be fitting." Yet even as Beatrice's scheming seems about to yield her dream, she is haunted by the one living person who knows the extent of her plans...and her capacity for evil.
Sumptuously set in Georgian England from the "queen of royal fiction" (USA TODAY), Wideacre is intensely gripping, rich in texture, and full of color and authenticity. It is a saga as irresistible in its singular magic as its heroine.
Ratings (7)
Incredible (1) | |
Loved It (2) | |
Did Not Like (2) | |
Hated It (2) |
Reader Stats (24):
Read It (8) | |
Currently Reading (1) | |
Want To Read (10) | |
Not Interested (5) |
What can you read after
Wideacre?
About the Author:
Philippa Gregory is the author of many New York Times bestselling novels, including The Other Boleyn Girl, and is a recognized authority on women's history. Many of her works have been adapted for the screen including The Other Boleyn Girl. She graduated from the University of Sussex and received a PhD from the University of Edinburgh, where she is a Regent. She holds honorary degrees from Teesside University and the University of Sussex. She is a fellow of the Universities of Sussex and Cardiff and was awarded the 2016 Harrogate Festival Award for Contribution to Historical Fiction. She is an honorary research fellow at Birkbeck, University of London. She founded Gardens for the Gambia, a charity to dig wells in poor rural schools in The Gambia, and has provided nearly 200 wells. She welcomes visitors to her website PhilippaGregory.com.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.
