The Governor-General's Lady

By Jean Heyn

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0936784687
• ISBN13: 9780936784687
• Release Date: January 1988
• Publisher: John Daniel & Co
• Length: 211 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.5" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

A Touching Tale...

I was born in St. Croix, the same as Anna Heegard, whom this book is about. She was the mistress of Peter von Scholten, the Danish Governer General who wrote the Danish West Indies' emancipation proclamation in 1848, under pressure of a violent slave revolt. As a free woman of mixed ethnic descent, Anna Heegard's options in life were limited and she made decisions that today would be considered immoral, but to her, they were benefitial. By the end of her life, she was a rich woman, although born with nothing to her name. This books follows her through all her years, tracing the long-standing relationship between her and Peter von Scholten. It should be noted that this relationship, though extramarital on his part, began when she was over 35 years old and lasted over 10 years and the book embellishes what that suggests, that they were in love. It is a lovely story, though essentially a romance, and it presents a picture of a ruthless woman in a difficult time period, of a little known place. I have always believed, too, that von Scholten was essentially a good man...although perhaps not strong enough to follow through on his better impulses with the right speed. Anyone who is interested in the subject should also read the book entitled "Buddhoe" by Patricia Gill for fictional narrative. It's the same story from another pair of eyes, a young English woman who fell in love with the notorious and ruthlessly heroic slave general Buddhoe who led the 1848 revolt for emancipation, although it should be taken with a grain of salt. "The Governor General's Lady" gives a historical picture of St. Croix in the 1800s which is at least partly accurate. It comes complete with hurricane! I enjoyed this book very much, though I await a novel from the slaves' point of view to balance it. Anyone who likes historical fiction will like this book, I guarantee it.