Lady's Maid

The basic story could have been interesting, but the storyline was very slow and plodding. I did finish the entire audiobook, but it stayed tedious throughout.

A poignant quietly compelling story.. oddly boring, but at the same time a good listen if you are wanting a quieting of the mind. I waited for the story to reach a pinnacle, but that didn't happen and when it ended, I wanted more meat.. more something..
Its a take it or leave it book. But an interesting biography.

Beautifully written with the ability to hold your interest through human emotion and hope.

It could be compared to "The Help" although from a completely different era. The author brings you into the life and thoughts of those that have lived a conflicted life of servitude and devotion.

The narrator was excellent. Perfect for this book, which makes a huge difference in the success of any audio book.

Yes. I couldn't put it down.

This was by far one of the best and most engrossing books I listened to this year. There's nothing better than a superb book with a very engaging, well-spoken narrator, and Carol Boyd did a fantastic job. This book is about Elizabeth Barrett Browning and her husband, Robert Browning. But the story itself centers around Elizabeth's maid, Wilson. I can't honestly remember when a book evoked so much emotion in me: joy, love, happiness, interest, resentment, anger, outrage. The writing was so beautiful, and so true to the period. If you love reading vintage women's fiction like Jane Austen or Edith Wharton, then you'll love the writing style and narrative of this book. While a few liberties were taken (explained in the book's epilogue), much of it centers around fact. However, I was still unable to discern if Elizabeth Barrett Browning was such a selfish, mean-spirited and confused person as portrayed here, or if the author used her creative license to vilify Elizabeth Barrett Browning. I'm not going to recreate the synopsis, since many have already done so in so many places. I'm simply recommending it as a truly gripping story of love, loss, devotion and social injustices. It's a bit slow in parts, but I listened to it almost straight through -- never was I bored or indifferent about the storyline in any way. Every piece of it is wracked with feeling in some form or fashion. Enjoy!

Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning are interesting characters by any standard. This fictionalized tale as told by her lady's maid makes fascinating listening for anyone who finds the romantic poets of interest. Best of all, it is a marvelous period piece about the life of women in the first half of the 19th century and a look at the difference class made in the way people lived. All in all, an enjoyable listen.