Published: Dec. 09, 2011
Words: 89,208 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9781466044449

Short description

william & lucy. one of english literature's most enduring mysteries revolves around william wordsworth's poem, 'she dwelt among the untrodden ways'. the subject of his poem was a young woman named lucy. who was lucy? where did she come from? did she ever exist? no one knows. 1798. england is at war with france. wordsworth is accused of being a french spy. this is their untold story...

Extended description

William & Lucy
(A story that’s never been told)


It’s 1798. England is at war with France as 28 year old William Wordsworth meets 17 year old Lucy Sims. They fall into a love burdened by social prejudice, crushing debt and dangerous (Read more) William & Lucy
(A story that’s never been told)


It’s 1798. England is at war with France as 28 year old William Wordsworth meets 17 year old Lucy Sims. They fall into a love burdened by social prejudice, crushing debt and dangerous
rumors that threaten to send Wordsworth to the gallows for being a French spy. Meanwhile, Lucy’s employer plans to seduce her
and make her his mistress. William and Lucy’s relationship hangs in the balance, until fate steps in and ... their love becomes part of
literary history.

One of the most romantic poems in the history of English literature ‘She Dwelt Among The Untrodden Ways’ was written by William
Wordsworth. The subject of his poem was a young woman named Lucy—she is one of literary history’s most enduring mysteries.

Who was Lucy? Where did she come from? Did she ever exist? No one knows. This is their story…

I believe William & Lucy will appeal to Jane Austin and Nicholas Sparks fans alike.

My review of William and Lucy: A Tale of Suspense and Love...

Some novels are able to transcend the boundaries of imagination where they touch our hearts in gentle ways that leave us nostalgic when we turn the last page: such is the impact of William & Lucy. The characters are brought to life with grace and intelligence. More often than not, I found myself smiling in writer kinship with Wordsworth's pain of finding the right word and his panic when a journal of precious work falls into water. He became more than a name of a famous poet, more than a character in a novel...he became a man I wish I'd known.

Bringing forth a tale based on history is no easy task and I applaud Michael Brown for mastering the feat. The story of William Wordsworth and Lucy Sims flows seamlessly and eloquently. Never once did I feel that history intruded on the story; rather, it served as a solid foundation from which the author's imagination soared. I found myself transported back in time, imagining poets lamenting about their freedom to speak out against the aristocracy, feeling Lucy's helplessness at being a girl during a time when that didn't present many options and experiencing the excitement of love when it's all about discovery and hope.

The author credits the poem She Dwells Upon the Untrodden Ways for his inspiration. After reading the novel, I went back and read all of the Lucy poems by Wordsworth hoping to share one with you all in this review. That's not happening. Even if you've read them and are familiar with Wordsworth, do yourself a favor and read this novel before re-reading the poems because they will have much more impact. Trust me.

If you love history, read this book. If you love brilliant writing, read this book. If you love romance, read this book. If you love a page turning ending, read this book. Yes, even though it's based on historical facts, William & Lucy delivers an ending that will have your heart pumping.

Excellent job, Michael Brown. Not only did I enjoy your novel, I believe I learned a thing or two along the way. I can't rate this book high enough--I'll say five stars because that's the norm, it seems, but it's worthy of a ten.
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Tags

william wordsworth

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Reviews

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Review by: Sharon E. Cathcart on Aug. 18, 2012 :
"William & Lucy" is a somewhat speculative piece of historical fiction about William Wordsworth, based on his poem "She dwelt among the untrod ways." The woman in the poem is called Lucy, and Brown fleshes her out in the person of one Lucy Sims, a governess who is also an artist.

Brown draws fascinating characters and has clearly done his homework. He has taken actual events in the life of Wordsorth (investigation by the Crown as a spy, for example) and interwoven them into a tale that hows us two misunderstood people in a time when behavior was both prescribed and proscribed for people of either gender.

Wordsworth and Lucy meet by accident, when she is out with her charges. On initial meeting, each claims to be unimpressed, but neither can stop thinking of the other. Soon, they are looking for ways to meet. Lucy has the additional challenge of fending off her lecherous employer; Wordsworth is penniless and under investigation. In no way will this relationship blossom easily.

I became engrossed in the characters and their lives, and thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Congratulations to the author on his win at the Global eBook Awards.
(reviewed long after purchase)

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