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The Secret Wife of King George IV
The Secret Wife of King George IV
Author: Diane Haeger
Although it was illegal, secret, and against the express commands of his famously mad father, King George IV of England married twice--once for duty and once for love. While Caroline of Brunswick eventually became his lawful queen, it was the beautiful Maria Fitzherbert, recognized as his wife by the Catholic Church but not by the laws of Englan...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780312244200
ISBN-10: 0312244207
Publication Date: 3/2000
Pages: 373
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 7

4 stars, based on 7 ratings
Publisher: St Martins Pr
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

MarciNYC avatar reviewed The Secret Wife of King George IV on
Helpful Score: 3
This was truly an enjoyable book. I'm quite fond of historical fiction and this book didn't disappoint me.

While this book is a fictionalised account of England's George IV and Maria Fitzherbert, it is based in some fact. Haeger has created a plausible and engaging story about the woman who would never be Queen simply because she was Roman Catholic and therefore her marriage to the Prince of Wales could not be publicly revealed.

Although I'm quite a fan of the British monarchy I'd never heard of this story before. My wish list at Amazon has suddenly gotten much longer with historical/biographical books about Maria Fitzherbert.
reviewed The Secret Wife of King George IV on + 25 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
The story of the "secret" wife of George IV is interesting. I imagine this person must be a historical figure, though barely heard of in the US.

This is my second Haeger book and although I enjoy the detail of her historical fiction, I think I've reached my saturation point with her repetitive, overblown style. Unimaginitive characterization, repetitive and ham-handed dialogue and a kind of adolescent breathlessness begins to grate on one's nerves after about the third chapter. More than anything, this book cries out for rigourous editing.

If you enjoy your bodice-rippers with a dash of historicity you might like this one. But for that kind of read, I much prefer Diana Gabaldon's "Outlander" series.
reviewed The Secret Wife of King George IV on + 29 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This was an excellent book. Very easy to read.
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reviewed The Secret Wife of King George IV on + 27 more book reviews
This was a good love story. I would've liked a happier ending, but it is based on true accounts, so the author stayed with that. Still a good read!****


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