Geraldine Roberts

This book made me so mad! Why do beautiful, intelligent, good-natured, independent women throw themselves away on arrogant, devious men? Catherine Tylney Long was a multi-millionaire heiress in the early nineteenth century, interested in managing her own money and caring for others. William Wellesley Pole was dashing and well-connected - his uncle was the Duke of Wellington - but a complete waste of space, with an ego the size of Catherine's estate yet no talent or means to support himself. He ran through Catherine's considerable fortune in ten years, cheated on her incessantly, cut her off from her family (and her family off from the inheritances they were entitled to), lost her family estate (Wanstead House was razed to the ground and sold off brick by brick), dragged her to the continent when he had to flee the country, paraded his mistress (and second illegitimate child) under her nose, alternately neglected and ruined her children, then drove her to an early grave with his constant threats and abuse. Catherine did get a grip eventually, attempting to divorce him and claim custody of their children, both unheard of at the time, but far too late in the day.

Such a waste of a good woman! Author Geraldine Roberts repeatedly compares Catherine to Elizabeth Bennet in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, but William was more Wickham than Darcy. (And perhaps Catherine should have taken a leaf out of Emma Woodhouse's book, who had 'no need to marry' until she met her soulmate in Mr Knightley!) Catherine could have married the Duke of Clarence - who dumped his mistress of twenty years, actress Mrs Jordan, for her - and become Queen of England, but no, the pretty face and empty head of playboy William won over. Reading this biography of both the 'angel' and the 'cad', I just wanted to shake them both, but particularly Catherine. Idiot, idiot woman!

Geraldine Roberts obviously came to care about Catherine, which is the mark of a good biography - unfortunately, she also tries to excuse the inexcusable, by attempting to present a fair appraisal of William's character too. He should remain permanently forgotten by the history books, even if he did popularise the black tie for men.

A shocking, saddening read, which highlights both how the legal system treats women relatively fairly today, but also that 'the more things change, the more they stay the same'.… (altro)