Yours, Dorothy

by E B Wheeler

[phyllish]

Yours, Dorothy by Emily Wheeler


Yours, Dorothy was steeped in history and filled with phrases and references to customs that were new to me. I have not read many books that take place during this time when Oliver Cromwell and the Roundheads (aka Puritans) had control of Parliament and the government. The fact that Dorothy and her family were Royalists added perspective I don’t remember getting from books from this era.

Personally, I think it is a brave thing for an author to base her fiction on historical figures as anyone who wants can research them and tell the author why they portrayed them incorrectly. Secondary characters and those in the background, sure, those would be easier. Author E.B. Wheeler breathed life into William Temple and Dorothy Osborne, real people who have, apparently, scads of information about their lives available to researchers. Theirs is a beautiful love story from a time when it was unfashionable, even scandalous, to marry for love.

Using fragments from actual letters that passed between this couple was a great idea. Just the right amount shared from them kept it interesting.

The struggles Dorothy experienced, not only because of her overbearing brother Harry but also from the loss of fortune due to their political stance, were touching and made very evident. It is hard to picture in our present day that there was once a time when affording paper to write a short letter was a luxury. It is equally difficult in our society imagine a woman would have so much pressure put upon her to marry for the sake of her family.

If you enjoy historical fiction with a more serious yet hopeful tone, this is a book you should be sure to read.


This review was originally posted on Among the Reads

Be sure to read an interview with the author and one of the characters at AmongTheReads.net


I would like to thank EB Wheeler for giving me this item. This gift did not influence my opinion or review.