Book Spotlight & Giveaway: The Lodger


Top Five Reasons This Novel is On Andrea's TBR List:
1. The Cover - Isn't it gorgeous?
2. It tells the story of Dorothy Richardson who knew both Virginia Woolf and H.G. Wells.
3. I am drawn to historical fiction.
4. I don't know anything about Dorothy Richardson. I'm always eager to learn new things.
5. London in the early 1900's fascinates me.


The first biographical novel about Dorothy Richardson, peer of Virginia Woolf, lover of H.G. Wells, and central figure in the emergence of modernist fiction

Dorothy exists just above the poverty line, doing secretarial work at a dentist's surgery and living in a seedy boarding house in Bloomsbury, when she is invited to spend the weekend with a childhood friend. Jane recently married a writer who is hovering on the brink of fame. His name is H.G. Wells, or Bertie as he is known to friends.

Bertie appears unremarkable at first. But then Dorothy notices his grey-blue eyes taking her in, openly signalling approval. He tells her he and Jane have an agreement which allows them the freedom to take lovers, although Dorothy is not convinced her friend is happy with this arrangement.

Not wanting to betray Jane, yet unable to draw back, Dorothy free-falls into an affair with Bertie. Then a new boarder arrives at the house—striking unconventional Veronica Leslie-Jones, determined to live life on her own terms—and Dorothy finds herself caught between Veronica and Bertie. Amidst the personal dramas and wreckage of the militant suffragette movement, Dorothy finds her voice as a writer.

The Lodger is a beautifully intimate novel that is at once an introduction to one of the most important writers of the 20th century and a compelling story of one woman tormented by unconventional desires.




To celebrate the release of The Lodger, we have one copy to give to one of our lucky readers. This giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents who are 18+ years of age. The prize will be shipped by the publicist; Reading Lark is not responsible for prize delivery.

The giveaway runs from October 14-21. Winner will be notified via email on October 22.

Comments

  1. Any story of a person who knew both Virginia Woolf and H.G. Wells has to be a story worth reading. Plus, the cover is gorgeous.

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  2. I like the time period (and the cover is beautiful), and Dorothy's ties to Virginia Woolf and H.G. Wells have me very intrigued/curious. Thanks for the chance, sounds great.

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  3. Especially love the tie-in to HG Wells. Thanks.

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  4. The plot sounds like an irresistible hot human mess; the cover is very coy. I am sure this will be a pageturner given the characters and situations implicated in the premise. Thanks for exposing me to this new book and for the chance to win. Cheers, Kara

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  5. I don't read many biographical stories (bad memories from being forced to read dull ones in middle school by the librarian), but this sounds like one I could get behind. HG Wells and Virginia Woolf had such an impact on the literary world, so I bet Dorothy has some great stories surrounding her life. (popping over from the Spooktacular hop!)

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