This was a book I picked up on a whim at the library and really enjoyed. Majority of the enjoyment came from the fact that it was based on the real historical figures, two women who chose to defy the societal norms of mid to late 1700s and early 1800s and make their own lives according to their own preferences. For a female in that day and age it was pretty phenomenal and phenomenally bold. I thought it was a fascinating story. And Doris Grumbach did a terrific job dramatizing it, although some of it was clearly factually based, the speculative parts were exceptionally well written and lyrical without being overdone. In fact Grumbach tells the entire story of the ladies' impressively long for the time lives in just over 200 pages. Interestingly enough this was not an entirely objective narration, in fact it was quite biased as in the author's feelings toward her subjects were very apparent to the reader, but somehow it neither detracted nor subtracted from the book. Grumbach described the ladies' lives in such rich detail, it was really lives only up to a point, once together it was a Life, one shared life, with as much love, kindness and affection as anyone can hope to share with another person, a genuine definition of what a marriage should be regardless of gender and small minds, and though their isolation could be viewed as a burden, personally I thought they had a pretty nice life together, however geographically restricted. Their love of books and learning and impressive array of visitors was very admirable and their quirks came across as very human. Every couple creates their own world to an extent, but few are quite as thorough and accomplished at that as were the ladies of Llangollen. No cheap thrills here, no sex even, although plenty of intimacy, in this story of a genuine life long loving union of two kindred spirits, who chose and dared to be wholly unique and boldly authentic. Highly recommended.
