Aristocrats: Caroline, Emily, Louisa, and Sarah Lennox, 1740-1832

by Stella Tillyard

Book Overview

A fascinating insight into 18th century aristocratic life through the lives of the four Lennox sisters, the great grandchildren of Charles II, whose extraordinary lives spanned the period 1740-1832.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0374103054
• ISBN13: 9780374103057
• Release Date: January 1994
• Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
• Length: 406 Pages
• Weight: 1.97 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 6.5" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Wonderfully written history for the general reader

Stella Tillyard does an amazing job bringing the Lennox sisters to life. I felt as though I knew each sister quite well once I had finished the book---and I only wished I could have spent even more time with them. Sarah Lennox's story was undoubtedly the most interesting (early on she was tapped as a possible wife for George III, she then fell into an unhappy marriage, embarked on a scandalous affair, was divorced, and then ultimately found happiness with a man who came from a social background beneath hers). Lennox's comment that "she only knew true happiness after the age of 36" was especially poignant after reading abt her privileged upbringing. Despite her unhappiness, Lennox managed to live life to the fullest. In fact, all of the sisters managed to live life to the fullest---from Caroline who eloped with the radical Henry Fox to Emily who passed through all of the stages of marriage (from happiness to dissatisfaction which ultimately caused her to have an affair). I can't recommend this book too highly---my only regret after reading it was that I would never be able to meet and hang out with any of the Lennox sisters!

Immensely satisfying

These are the life stories of four remarkable women,the Lennox sisters,daughters of the 2nd Duke of Richmond and great grandaughters of Charles 2nd of Great Britain and his mistress Louise de Keroualle, and was taken from the thousands of letters which circulated amongst them over their lifetimes.The author,Stella Tillyard has meticulously recounted not only the letters but also the social customs,fashions in clothing and house decorating and the whole way of life amongst the aristocrats of London and Dublin of that era which spans the years of the reigns of George 2nd,George 3rd and the Prince Regent. Each of these sisters lived an extraordinary life,having been educated far and above the usual standard required of upper class young women of their day.There is quite a bit of English political history included in the book,but although this can get a bit ponderous at times,doesn't distract from the overall story.I thoroughly enjoyed it and am looking forward,eagerly,to the t.v. series.

A most enjoyable book

I have to confess that I haven't read much history at all. I found this book in my parents library and borrowed it. I was sceptical, but since I was in between books I gave it a try. I couldn't put it down. Tillyard really knows how to tell a story and at the same time she succeeds in learning us a lot about the political landscape and culture of the time. I can fully recommed this well-written and interesting book

Wonderful! Enchanting! Fascinating! Read this NOW!

This is a wonderful book! I bought the video from Borders, (39.99) and I LOVED it! Of course, to follow up, I had to but the book. There are two versions of this book, the telivision companion, which I prefer since it has better pictures, and more pictures in color. Stella Tillyard did a fabulous job of writing this book! This edition, has pictures from the video series, and contains the text telling the stories of the Lennox sisters, their passions, deceptions and timless love for one another. I can't get enough of this book! If you have not seen this video, buy it! I promise you will watch it again and again! The costumes are fabulous, and the actors LOOK like the real people! It is made by the BBC. I would buy both versions of the books as well. ajw@marinternet.com

One family, four worlds.

With consummate skill, Tillyard weaves four lives into a story by turns immediate and historically curious. We meet the earnest, emotional Caroline, a force in the lives of her politician husband and son; the regal Emily, mother of 22 children; Louisa, devout, wealthy, and careful of emotions; and the fallen Sarah, redeemed through a military marriage. Wound throughout are the persons, places, and events of Georgian England and Ireland, which affected all four only too closely. Letters are written, secrets are kept, marriages are made and unmade. In the end, the stratagems each sister devises to live her life in that time are truly fascinating -- and often very familiar.