Gaynor Arnold Libri

A sweeping tale of love and loss, this novel offers an intimate glimpse into the life of a woman behind one of literature’s most esteemed figures and explores the complexities of marriage across time. At the end of her life, Catherine, the estranged wife of Charles Dickens, entrusted letters from him to their daughter Kate, asking her to donate them to the British Museum so that the world might know of his past love for her. This poignant moment inspired the author to create a character based on Catherine, named Dorothea “Dodo” Gibson, who lives in the shadow of her husband, Alfred, a celebrated Victorian author. The narrative begins on the day of Alfred’s funeral, where Dodo mourns in solitude, having been cast aside by him over a decade earlier. Her children, influenced by Alfred’s public denouncement of her as an unfit wife and mother, do not offer support, except for her outspoken daughter Kitty. Dodo refrains from condemning her late husband, instead reflecting on their passionate courtship and the early days of their marriage before the challenges of family life took their toll. Now free from his influence, Dodo must confront her adult children, a betraying sister, and the actress who captured Alfred's affections, all while navigating her own heartache. This captivating story, long-listed for prestigious literary awards, resonates with themes of love, loss, and the intricacies of marriage.