Season of Light
Season of Light begins in 1788, in the heady days just before the French revolution, when Paris is fizzing with new ideas about liberty and equality.
Asa Ardleigh, the impressionable 19-year-old daughter of a country squire, has traveled to the city with her older sister, Philippa, and Philippa's new husband. In Paris, they are introduced to the literary salon of Madame de Genlis. It is in this salon that Asa meets, and falls in love with, a dashing intellectual and idealist, Didier Paulin. Their affair is curtailed when Asa is forced to return to England, but they continue to write as the storm clouds gather over France and war with England seems imminent.
Meanwhile back at home, no one knows of Asa's liaison. Asa's middle sister, Georgina, has met Harry Shackleford, the most eligible man in London that season, and to whom the Ardleigh estate is entailed. After the death of their mother, the Ardleigh girls' father began to drink heavily and now the estate is nearly bankrupt.
In Shackleford, Georgina sees not only a fortuitous marriage for her sister, but also the solution to their financial woes. However Asa's accomplishments need some polishing. Georgina therefore employs Madame de Rusigneux, a French Marquise. Asa soon discovers there is more to this woman than meets the eye...
Asa Ardleigh, the impressionable 19-year-old daughter of a country squire, has traveled to the city with her older sister, Philippa, and Philippa's new husband. In Paris, they are introduced to the literary salon of Madame de Genlis. It is in this salon that Asa meets, and falls in love with, a dashing intellectual and idealist, Didier Paulin. Their affair is curtailed when Asa is forced to return to England, but they continue to write as the storm clouds gather over France and war with England seems imminent.
Meanwhile back at home, no one knows of Asa's liaison. Asa's middle sister, Georgina, has met Harry Shackleford, the most eligible man in London that season, and to whom the Ardleigh estate is entailed. After the death of their mother, the Ardleigh girls' father began to drink heavily and now the estate is nearly bankrupt.
In Shackleford, Georgina sees not only a fortuitous marriage for her sister, but also the solution to their financial woes. However Asa's accomplishments need some polishing. Georgina therefore employs Madame de Rusigneux, a French Marquise. Asa soon discovers there is more to this woman than meets the eye...
Expected Publication Date : November 10th 2011
ISBN: ISBN-13 Number: 9780297853398
Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson
ISBN: ISBN-13 Number: 9780297853398
Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson
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‘The novel is given depth and colour by the appearance of real historical figures, such as Corday and Mme de Genlis and by McMahon’s meticulous research and sense of period.... this densely plotted novel is a spirited and engaging read.’
VANESSA BERRIDGE - DAILY EXPRESS
‘From the first page to the last this book will take over your life and have you mentally living in the 18th Century. It is an exciting account of turbulent times and the author brings them vividly to life. It is escapism at its best with its twists and turns so don’t be put off by the unimaginative book cover that groups it into a specific genre rather than for the colourful and exciting story-line it should convey.'
BILL SPENCE - GAZETTE & HERALD
<TITLE>Katharine McMahon, national bestselling and award-winning author of The Rose of Sebastopol, The Crimson Rooms and Season of Light</TITLE>
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<META NAME="KEYWORDS" CONTENT="Katharine, McMahon, author, novel, books, Rose, Sebastopol, official, Alchemist, Season, Light, romance, romantic, historical, writer, history, books, book, writer, readers, Crimson, rooms, Katherine,">
<META NAME="DESCRIPTION" CONTENT="Welcome to the official website of Katharine McMahon, author of The Rose of Sebastopol (chosen for Richard and Judy's Book Club 2008), The Crimson Rooms and The Alchemist's Daughter.">
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