Synopses & Reviews
Inspired by an episode in Henry James's life-the story of an independent young woman's flight from convention. After the start of the Civil War, Emily Hudson-an orphan who lost her family to consumption and fever-finds herself the begrudged guest at the home of her relatives in Newport. Emily's longing to be an artist is dismissed by her puritanical uncle, who wants nothing more than to rid himself of her through marriage. Her only friend is her aesthete cousin, William, an ailing young writer. When a promising engagement to the eligible Captain Lindsay is broken, William rescues Emily from an uncertain future by taking her to England. Lonely and desperate to escape her cousin-once her confidante, now her obsessively controlling patron-Emily sets out alone to meet her destiny in the eternal city of Rome.
Reminiscent of the novels of Edith Wharton, Emily Hudson is an exquisitely told tale about a heroine struggling to be true to herself, and also find love in a society where only marriage or an independent income guaranteed a woman the freedom to do as she pleased.
Synopsis
Emily Hudson, an orphan who loses her family to consumption and fever, finds herself the begrudged guest at the home of her relatives. Her cousin, an ailing young writer, rescues her from an uncertain future by taking her to England where she struggles to be true to herself, and also find love in a society where only marriage or an independent income guaranteed a woman freedom.
Synopsis
Based on an episode in Henry James's life, the captivating story of a young heroine with ambitions and desires beyond her time.
By the start of the Civil War, Emily Hudson has lost her entire family to consumption. Wholly dependent upon her puritanical uncle, Emily forms a close bond with her ailing cousin, William, an ambitious young writer. When a promising engagement is broken, William, obsessed by Emily's spirit and beauty, becomes her patron and takes her to England-only to manipulate and neglect her for the sake of his own creativity. There, Emily finally spurns her cousin's rules and sets out alone to pursue an artist's life in the eternal city of Rome. Reminiscent of the novels of Edith Wharton and the films of Merchant Ivory, Emily Hudson will resonate with anyone who has ever sought to be true to herself.
About the Author
Melissa Jones lives in Essex, England, with her husband and two children. She is the sister of novelist Sadie Jones.