England, 1864 By the mere age of nineteen Lavinia already has many secrets, and carries the weight of being an immensely bitter disappointment to her parents. Twice. First by the audacity of being born a girl as the eldest, and then by failing to secure a marriage proposal from her debut. Despite that, and her fears of leaving her sisters behind, she yearns to escape the strictures of home and gain independence as an actress and writer. The world sees the fa ade of a wealthy English family, not the twisted truths beneath. Mr. and Mrs. Warren mask their controlling ways in an adherence to rigid rules on class and propriety, regarding their children as necessary property. The pressure from such critical parents in an already confining society and a fierce need to express herself pushes Lavinia into making increasingly reckless decisions. The repulsive grooms then chosen for her, and her gentle sister Diana, only serve to heighten her actions further until the Warren family is shattered forever.
ThriftBooks sells millions of used books at the lowest everyday prices. We personally assess every book's quality and offer rare, out-of-print treasures. We deliver the joy of reading in recyclable packaging with free standard shipping on US orders over $20. ThriftBooks.com. Read more. Spend less.