Well, I was in need of something less sombre to read — and the Journal of Mrs Pepys waved at me indignantly from the TBR (G) shelf:

'I've been waiting here since you bought me in 2008' it said, '... you fell in love with the cover art because you find still life artworks captivating, and you learned about Sam Pepys and his diary at school. But I keep getting passed over for other books. I have survived the annual TBR cull 10 times, which is pretty good for an historical novel first written in 1998, but will I survive another? What is it with you? Am I not serious enough, is that it?

Perhaps now you might condescend to liberate me from the TBR??'

Done.

The inset of Elisabeth Pepys at Wikipedia says it all. Check it out:

Born 1640
Died 1669
Cause of death: Typhoid fever
Resting place: St Olave's London, and
Known for: *Deep sigh* Husband's diary.

When you look at her portrait, it's as if she knows...

Author Sara George has done a fine job of rescuing Elisabeth* from this ignominious fate. Using Samuel Pepys' diary, (which he kept between January 1660 and 31 May 1669, famously chronicling the Restoration, the Great Plague of London, the Second Dutch War, and the Great Fire of London) George has created a vivid portrait of a lively woman in a tempestuous marriage, and living through exciting times.

Elisabeth has plenty to say about Sam: his drinking; the unfairness of the family budget over which he has total control, and his unreasonable expectations about housekeeping standards and keeping the servants in line. She is also suspicious about his frequent nights away from home; and distraught when she finally discovers his infidelity. But apart from a brief separation because of his jealousy, their quarrels resolve in what she coyly calls the usual way and she is very proud of his achievements. (Which you can read about at Wikipedia if so minded).

To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2019/03/16/the-journal-of-mrs-pepys-by-sara-george/ ( )

14/06/07
Well researched and cleverly written, based closely on the diary of Samuel Peyps, Sara George deserves the highest praise for this stunning little book. Elizabeth Peyps, married at fifteen to Samuel, takes us from her early married life in a garret in Whitehall Palace – where ‘we couldn’t afford soap to wash clothes so I had to use lye and my hands were so raw I cried with pain’ – to the Navy office and the luxury of Seething Lane. By dint of hard work, good luck and supported by his mentor Lord Montagu and Elizabeth’s obvious excellent sense and careful household management Samuel rises from near poverty to wealth. Though Elizabeth’s married life is marred by childlessness and Samuel’s petty meanness’ and uncertain temper, her steady good humour carries her through the trials and tribulations with which she is constantly faced. Whether the problems are every-day ones or the terror of the Great Fire and Plague we cannot but admire Elizabeth’s ability to deal with every situation.

The book takes us from the uncertain days of General Monck and his army marching on London to lend his support to who? – ‘the hated Rump Parliament or the free Parliament that everyone wants’ – and on to the profligacy of Restoration London. It tells of the gory end of Cromwell’s corpse; introduces Charles II, his sad and neglected queen, James Duke of York, the notorious Lady Castlemaine and her rival for the King’s affections Frances Stuart. We meet the Peyps’ friends, both high and low, as the story moves from London to Huntingdonshire – Hinchinbrooke House the home of Lady Montagu and nearby Brampton the property left to Samuel in which his parents reside.

I can thoroughly recommend this read. ( )

Interesting and cute at times. It helps if you are a bit familiar with Pepys Diary and can match his view of events with hers. The description of the plague in 1665 and the fire in 1666 are terrific.
The ending, however, seemed a bit artificial. The last several entries tried too hard to tie up a lot of loose ends: marriages, divorces, births, and so forth -- much more like a novel, as though Mrs. Pepys knew her death was impending.
Overall a fun read -- especially for students of the Restoration period.
--Jim, 2/13/07 ( )