Secrets and Scandals in Regency Britain: Sex, Drugs and Proxy Rule by Violet Fenn.
* Thank you so much to Rosie Crofts and Pen & Sword
books for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis:
This book takes an entertaining peek at the secrets and
scandals of Regency Britain, a period in which the heir to the throne was
making merry with his mistress whilst his ailing father attempted to keep a
grip on both his crown and his finances. From Princess Caraboo to the Peterloo
Massacre, the Regency was a period of immense upheaval in both personal and
public lives as well as in politics. We’ll see how the advent of the modern
media brought ‘spin’ to scandal and focus on stories of those people and events
who encapsulated the age.
My review:
The Regency Period lasted a relatively short amount of time – only nine years – but it was filled with scandal! Violet Fenn’s book Secrets
and Scandals in Regency Britain: Sex, Drugs and Proxy Rule highlights some of
the biggest scandals of the era, as well as some you may not have previously heard
of.
Today, when most people think of Regency Britain, they
automatically think of Bridgerton (I’m still not a fan, sorry!) however, this
book gives us a sobering, and far more realistic peak behind the curtain. Each
scandal has its own short chapter and discusses Regency Britain’s darker side: poverty, Human
Zoos, foundlings, mental health, the penal system, affairs, secret love
children, drugs, and the unruly Prince Regent and his family.
As well as some familiar names such as Byron, and Shelley,
there are also lots of names featured that weren’t well-known to me, and some I had
never heard of at all - perfect for those of us who like to do further research
after we read a book!
Impeccably researched, and well-written, this was the first of Violet Fenn’s books I have read, it was a fascinating and engaging read. I loved reading about the shadier side of Regency Britain,
it was a sobering look at an era that is often glamorised. If you want to find out about the
true Regency Britain, then I highly recommend
you read this book!
Comments
Post a Comment