Anne B. Fisher (1) (1898–1967)

This is a lively tale of Robert Louis Stevenson's brief sojourn in Monterey, California, after his arrival from Scotland.
In pursuit of his married lover, Fanny Osbourne, he makes many good friends who helped him to survive. Jules Simoneau offered food, wine, money, and a backroom filled with joy, love, and chess.

A wonderful romantic (if at times moony) suspense alternates with insights into RLS' personality, sicknesses and near deaths, great humor, temper, and use of 'Scots' to captivate his lover.

Readers may wish that, once famous, RLS would have returned to Monterey to find Jules Simoneau.
(As well, we wish not to have heard that he once beat his donkey.)

The end photographs and citations offer a rare chance to compare actual events with this fictional interpretation. The author created a memorable combination.… (altro)

An historical fiction of the few months Robert Louis Stevenson spent in Monterey, California, in the late 1870s. The author interviewed people who had known Stevenson and been there when he visited. She did extensive research in libraries and many other venues to get as many details as possible. There are photographs and newspaper articles she collected included at the end of the book.

Stevenson came to California despite protests from his parents, breaking with them over the love of a woman who was married to another man. They created a bit of scandal in Monterey. He lived there for four months, and was near death several times, being a very sick man who had no money. His writing career had not taken off, his parents would not help him, and he depended on the kindness of the few friends he made for food and shelter.

This seems exciting material for a story. The author thought it was the defining moment of his life. So I was really looking forward to this read. Sadly, it was one of the dullest tales I've read in quite some time. The saving grace of the book were the historical notes and sources, along with photos at the end. I couldn't even finish the story, had to skim it.… (altro)