Claire's quest continues at Ravenna!
A Shadowed Fate (Claire Clairmont Mystery #2)
by Marty Ambrose
I must admit to being more and more taken with Ambrose's tribute to the seemingly infamous Claire Clairmont, stepsister to Mary Shelley, and the propositional mystery surrounding Allegra Byron, Claire and Lord Byron's daughter, said to have died from typhus in the convent Byron had placed her in. The question becomes for Claire, did Allegra die or was this all a ruse to protect her from Byron's enemies?
Ambrose gives a genuine voice to Claire's life, presenting Claire in a more gracious light than others have.
The story is loaded with unknown threats for Claire and her traveling companions as she searches for the truth about Allegra. Made more so by the restrained yet menacing undercurrents.
I was much struck by the thoughtful reflections from the eighty year old Claire, particularly after having visited the convent at Ravenna.
"There are so many unknowns when it comes to how fate might have changed our lives –one small turn around a different corner, one altered decision –I cannot say how it would have turned out."
The scene where Claire hears the imaginary voice of the younger Allegra in her room at the convent is beautifully rendered. Here the story skips between Claire and Allegra as Claire reads Byron's confession. In that reading we come to know Byron through the memories of Claire, the mother of his daughter, and his own words.
Once again we end waiting for more to be revealed. I am in two minds as to whether I am enjoying the serialization approach to Claire's story' and yet it does give me space to reflect.
Whether Claire Clairmont has deserved the bad press she's had or not, I have little knowledge about. I am however thoroughly enjoying this look at these famous literary characters through the lens of a much kinder vision of an older Claire. I find the mature reflections Ambrose imbues Claire with in keeping with her age and experience.
A fascinating read.
A Severn House ARC via NetGalley
****
by Marty Ambrose
Ambrose gives a genuine voice to Claire's life, presenting Claire in a more gracious light than others have.
The story is loaded with unknown threats for Claire and her traveling companions as she searches for the truth about Allegra. Made more so by the restrained yet menacing undercurrents.
I was much struck by the thoughtful reflections from the eighty year old Claire, particularly after having visited the convent at Ravenna.
"There are so many unknowns when it comes to how fate might have changed our lives –one small turn around a different corner, one altered decision –I cannot say how it would have turned out."
The scene where Claire hears the imaginary voice of the younger Allegra in her room at the convent is beautifully rendered. Here the story skips between Claire and Allegra as Claire reads Byron's confession. In that reading we come to know Byron through the memories of Claire, the mother of his daughter, and his own words.
Once again we end waiting for more to be revealed. I am in two minds as to whether I am enjoying the serialization approach to Claire's story' and yet it does give me space to reflect.
Whether Claire Clairmont has deserved the bad press she's had or not, I have little knowledge about. I am however thoroughly enjoying this look at these famous literary characters through the lens of a much kinder vision of an older Claire. I find the mature reflections Ambrose imbues Claire with in keeping with her age and experience.
A fascinating read.
A Severn House ARC via NetGalley
****
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