Monday, July 22, 2013

Downton Abbey: The Library


Downton Abbey
The Library

Let us explore some of the rooms at Downton Abbey during our tea visit.

Booklovers that we are, the library beckons.

A-ha! Someone has left this book on the sofa...

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The Age of Desire
A Novel
by Jennie Fields

For fans of The Paris Wife, a sparkling glimpse into the life of Edith Wharton and the scandalous love affair that threatened her closest friendship

They say behind every great man is a woman. Behind Edith Wharton, there was Anna Bahlmann—her governess turned literary secretary, and her mothering, nurturing friend.

When at the age of forty-five, Edith falls passionately in love with a dashing younger journalist, Morton Fullerton, and is at last opened to the world of the sensual, it threatens everything certain in her life but especially her abiding friendship with Anna. As Edith’s marriage crumbles and Anna’s disapproval threatens to shatter their lifelong bond, the women must face the fragility at the heart of all friendships.

Told through the points of view of both women, The Age of Desire takes us on a vivid journey through Wharton’s early Gilded Age world: Paris with its glamorous literary salons and dark secret cafés, the Whartons’ elegant house in Lenox, Massachusetts, and Henry James’s manse in Rye, England.

Edith’s real letters and intimate diary entries are woven throughout the book. The Age of Desire brings to life one of literature’s most beloved writers, whose own story was as complex and nuanced as that of any of the heroines she created.


--~ Book Giveaway ~--

WIN my review copy of this book!

Open to all.

Offer ends: August 4, 2013 -->extended to Aug 11

TO DO:

VISIT the author, Jennie Fields.

RETURN here and tell me something you found of interest there.

AND, leave your email (if I don't already have it)

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Contest has ended - winner is here

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* image source: library

~~- TEA at Downton Abbey schedule -~~

18 comments:

  1. This was a great book -- I had *no* idea Edith Wharton was so scandalous!!

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  2. I loved all the pictures in the Gallery. I would love to find THE AGE OF DESIRE in my 'library'.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  3. That ceiling is gorgeous.
    (not an entry)

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  4. The author has an MFA and her other novels are captivating as well. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  5. Loved reading more tidbits about the book and Edith and all the lovely photos ~ loved the photos of the old letters and handwriting~ And the blog. Age of Desire sounds like a captivating tale and it is on my TBR List ~ Thank you for the chance to win a copy. Cheers ~ Elizabeth MacGregor
    stitchingfaery@windstream.net

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  6. Who would have thought--Edith Wharton with a motor vehicle permit!!
    Judie McDonald
    judiemcd@cox.net

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  7. darkworld_cutie@yahoo.com
    She's writing a book for another famous woman Georgia O’Keeffe

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  8. The letters from the Auction at Christies that backed up what Jennie had already written about Edith & Anna.

    tropicalsunlover05(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  9. I liked your article about meeting Laura Shoffner and reviewing letters between Anna Bahlmann and Edith Wharton. It seems like writing letters is now a thing of the past, and it makes me wonder if electronic 'correspondence' will ever be useful in providing anything of historical significance.

    funmail07 at gmail dot com

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  10. Liked the old letters. Such a dying art nowadays. Thanks for the giveaway.

    mystica123athotmaildotcom

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  11. I love Edith Wharton and a book about her sounds perfect!I didn't know she had an affair..
    Love the cover and the author's webside, especially the letters, it takes you to a different era.
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    milkristia(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  12. I found that she is writing a novel about Georgia O’Keeffe!
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

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  13. I enjoyed reading the q and a as I learned a lot about Edith, I did not know much about her or the author of the book before. This books looks like a nice one to read. Thank you for the chance to win it. giperang at embarqmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. sorry I missed a letter in my email address it is griperang at embarqmail dot com

      Delete
  14. Love the Belle Epoque era in Paris, especially the clothes and jewels. An exciting time in history and literature.
    denannduvall@gmail.com

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  15. It is some coincidence that the letters were found in the midst of Ms. Field's creation. I'd really like to read this one, thanks. nanze55(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  16. Learnt that she is the author of three other novels, Lily Beach, Crossing Brooklyn Ferry and The Middle Ages

    meikleblog at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love the era which is depicted. La Belle Epoque is enthralling and special. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete

 
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