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Dark Aemilia By Sally O'Reilly (2014)

by Sally O'Reilly(Favorite Author)

3.29 of 5 Votes: 4

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

Picador

review 1: Ahhh the beautiful language of this historical fiction book, I can't describe how eloquently this author puts words on a page. This is a book that must be experienced to fully understand it's magnificence.Dark Aemilia is a fictional account of the life of Aemilia Lanyer, one of several women whose names have been suggested as possible candidates for the 'Dark Lady' of Shakespeare's sonnets. She was also one of the first women in England to have a book of poetry published.Born Aemilia Bassano, the illegitimate daughter of a Venetian musician at the court of Elizabeth I, Aemilia becomes the mistress of the much older nobleman Lord Hunsdon. When she discovers that she is pregnant, she is forced to leave court and is married off to another court musician, Alfonso Lanyer. Howev... moreer, the father of her child (according to Sally O'Reilly) is probably not Hunsdon, but a young playwright by the name of William Shakespeare.Aemilia and Shakespeare first meet at a performance of his play "Taming of the Shrew." She is appalled by the way Will makes the woman out to be a cast off in this play and she isn't afraid to tell him so. The two first start corresponding in poetic letters but soon begin a love affair.It is a love affair so heart stopping and so well wrote that I felt transported to Elizabethan times. The language was at times vulgar but never not true to the language of the time. I feel the author portrayed the love and the language perfectly that the reader was able to imagine the scenes perfectly as if they themselves were there. I adore writers that are able to do this!The character of Aemilia was written well and one cannot help themselves but to feel for this woman. I this Sally O'Reilly does a great job portraying this complex and sometimes provocative character. Aemilia is a heroine whose passionate, fiery nature and drive is so courageous that she faces such dark times headlong with admirable will to go on. I find myself compelled to know more about this woman and the Elizabethan times.One of the many things I found enchanting about this tale, was the fact that it wasn't difficult to read and digest for the average person. Personally, I shy away from poetry and books that take place in long ago eras, because the language is usually old world English. I did not have this problem at all with this book and I can't wait to pick up more of this writers books.
review 2: The bastard daughter of a Venetian musician, Aemilia Bassano came of age in Queen Elizabeth’s royal court. She becomes a favorite and is educated and develops a love of poetry. Aemilia becomes as well-known for her sharp mind as she is for her beauty. Because of the circumstances of her birth she becomes the mistress of the wealthy but much older man, Lord Hunsdon. Then she crosses paths with the playwright, William Shakespeare, and neither of their lives are ever the same. In Dark Aemilia, O’Reilly takes us back to Shakespeare’s England. The plague is still feared as is starvation and pestilence. Aemilia Bassano was indeed the first published female poet in England and her tale is one of rich passion and devilish schemes.I absolutely love these fact-based historical novels. The depth of historical detail adds many layers of enjoyment. In the author’s notes she discloses her reasons for taking Aemilia’s story and embellishing it. I was entranced by the blending of historical fact and the author’s vision. Truly inspired. (Debbie) less

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