The Secret Countess
A romantic journey through class and love in post-war Europe.
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Pan Macmillan
Published:25th Jul '19
Should be back in stock very soon
In this enchanting tale, Anna, a Russian countess, finds love in England amidst societal challenges, as seen in The Secret Countess by Eva Ibbotson.
In The Secret Countess, Eva Ibbotson weaves a captivating tale of love and resilience set against the backdrop of post-World War I Europe. As the story unfolds, we meet Anna Grazinsky, a young Russian countess forced to flee her luxurious life in St. Petersburg due to the upheaval of revolution. Arriving in England with her family, Anna's world is turned upside down as they navigate their new reality of poverty and uncertainty. Determined to help her family, she takes a job as a housemaid at the Earl of Westerholme's grand estate, armed only with an outdated housekeeping manual.
The narrative takes a romantic turn when Rupert, the young Earl, returns from the war. His fascination with Anna grows as they spend time together in the sprawling, crumbling mansion. However, their budding relationship is fraught with complications; Rupert is already engaged, and Anna's status as a servant creates an insurmountable barrier. Ibbotson expertly balances humor and heartache, crafting a story that is both uplifting and poignant, as Anna navigates her feelings and societal constraints.
The Secret Countess is not just a love story; it's a tale of personal growth and the pursuit of happiness against the odds. With witty dialogue and richly drawn characters, Ibbotson invites readers to immerse themselves in a world where love knows no boundaries, yet societal norms challenge the heart's desires.
A comfortingly old fashioned tale of hidden identity and love. * LoveReading4Kids *
This year (thanks to a recommendation by Ella Risbridger on Instagram, of all places) I have binged on Eva Ibbotson, not her children’s books, but her elegantly written, witty and well-observed if (after a few) formulaic fables of emigrées with beautiful burnished hair fallen on hard times. I read one after another, and rather feel your Christmas might be brightened by doing the same. So may I suggest A Song for Summer, followed by The Morning Gift, then The Secret Countess, A Company of Swans, Magic Flutes, Journey to the River Sea, and The Star of Kazan. -- Nigella Lawson * The Sunday Times *
Discovering Eva Ibbotson’s books is one of the nicest things that’s ever happened to me. The most beautiful, delicious, wry read -- Marian Keyes
Sheer bliss from start to finish * Daily Mail *
Recently during this pandemic, my friend recommended to me the adult novels of Eva Ibbotson as a solace and a joy, and I’m so glad she did. They are so full of goodness, generosity and romance! I loved The Secret Countess...there are some beautiful observations and there is a strong message underneath it, as in all of Ibbotson’s books – of welcoming people in, of caring for each other, of staying positive, of enjoying food and glamorous things, as well as nurturing the more abstract qualities that make humankind not irredeemable. Ibbotson herself was a refugee from Nazi-occupied Vienna, so she knew what she was talking about. -- Jessie Burton * Good Housekeeping *
A fairy tale for grown-ups. It's unapologetically romantic but it's also extremely funny, wry, dry and witty - and hugely uplifting. -- Marian Keyes * Daily Mail *
I'm so grateful to have discovered her as her books are utterly delightful. The Secret Countess is a fairy tale for grown-ups: after the Russian revolution, a penniless countess gets a job as a housemaid in a stately home in England. It's unapologetically romantic but it's also extremely funny, wry, dry and witty - and hugely uplifting. Her books are getting me through lockdown. -- Marian Keyes * Daily Mail *
ISBN: 9781529012262
Dimensions: 197mm x 129mm x 28mm
Weight: 254g
368 pages