A Manhattan antiques dealer with a troubled marriage stumbles upon a centuries-old ring that, coincidentally, has her name engraved in it: Jane.
The captivating story that results--actually, the parallel stories of the modern Jane, the pre-Elizabethan Jane, and Jane's friend and seamstress, Lucy--is a beautifully-written tale that emphasizes the importance and the impact of the choices that women make.
I had heard a lot of good things about Susan Meissner, but this is the first time I've read one of her books. I was impressed.
Her writing is lovely, thoughtful and descriptive. Her research and grasp of the era in which Lady Jane Grey and Lucy Day live is impeccable--right down to the detailed descriptions of the elaborate dresses the nobility wore in those days.
In fact, those portions of the book reminded me somewhat of books I've read by Phillippa Gregory, without the explicitness.
Yet, Meissner seems equally at home writing about a completely contemporary setting.
I closed the book feeling that I'd learned something--not only about history, but about life--and I was sorry to see it end. I'll definitely be reading more of Susan Meissner.
A portrait of Lady Jane Grey by an unknown artist, from Historic-UK.com
Note: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. (This did not influence my opinion of the book.)
Order Lady in Waiting, by Susan Meissner
2 comments:
I read Lady in Waiting about a month ago and really enjoyed it. I think you would like some of Susan Meissner's other work as well. My personal favorite is "In All Deep Places." Another good one is "The Shape of Mercy," which switches back and forth from modern day to the Salem Witch Trials era.
I've never heard of Susan Meissner, but your review of her book certainly intrigues me. I don't know of many fictional works that revolve around Lady Jane Grey...
BTW, thanks for your comment on my blog!
~ the Ink Slinger
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