Mistress of My Fate

By: Hallie Rubenhold

Narrated by: Moira Quirk

Set during a period of revolution and turmoil, Mistress of My Fate is the first book in a trilogy about Henrietta Lightfoot, a young woman who was abandoned as a baby and raised alongside her cousins, noble children of a lord and lady. At just sixteen years old, circumstance and a passionate love affair tear Henrietta away from everything she knows, leading to a new life fending for herself on the streets of 18th century London as a courtesan, gambler, and spirited intellect of the city.

Enjoyable

Light entertainment, but if a woman mess constantly chase a man well he’s not that into you.

One of the best audio books I've listened to thus far!

As a voracious reader and amateur historian, I've been an avid reader of historical fiction since I was a teenager. Although I've only recently begun to dabble in audio books (by "dabble" I mean I've listened to 75+ titles within the past year), this has to be my favorite audio book so far. The story is thoroughly researched and extremely well written. Hallie Rubenhold sets (and exceeds!) the standard when it comes to historical character development and keeping the reader hooked with an intriguing plotline. There are some reviewers that have complained about Lightfoot's naivety, but, I think this was deliberate on the author's part in order to convey the effects of what such a sheltered, and downright oblivious, upbringing does to women who do not "play by the rules" (for whatever reason) and subsequently rebel against societal standards dictated by the time. I think her naivety is also apart of her voice and who she is, too. It really helps to immerse the reader into the main character's world. It honestly felt as if I traveled back in time and was speaking to a close friend. Do you know how rare it is for a historical novel to be able to do this? It's what I look for everytime I read one!

And, by Jove! The narrator, Moira Quirk, does an impeccable job of capturing and conveying the character's personality traits through the various distinct, yet, subtle voices and accents. My favorite character, besides Lightfoot (of course), has got to be Phillip Quindle.

Also, as someone who has worked as a sex workers rights activist and has worked firsthand with sex workers, I can tell you with 100% certainty that Rubenhold accurately conveys what it is like to be forced to do things you don't necessarily want to do in order to get by. Somehow she is able to portray the innermost thoughts and feelings of some of these women as well as the camaraderie that exists with a lot of women who work in the sex trade.

Needless to day I've already bought The French Lesson in paperback as well as The Covent Garden Ladies and The Scandalous Lady W in audio format. I am bummed Quirk isn't narrating the latter two, but, I actually looked into some other books she's narrated which is a first for me. I'm excited nonetheless! Superb job to both Rubenhold and Quirk!

Sociology of the 1700s a look into women's roles

excellent bravo. An entertainment and historical glimpse into the roles women were pressed into according to their birth. full descriptions from day to day to life long expectations. I love this author!

Very boring book!

I wish I would not have wasted my credit for this book. I have had to suffer through it and it puts me to sleep. Don't waste your credit for this book.