Boston Globe Bestseller
“Brings Isabella Stewart Gardner fully, intimately alive—irrepressible and avid for life. In this richly compelling novel, Emily Franklin beautifully conjures this extraordinary woman and her world.” —Claire Messud, author of The Emperor’s Children
“A captivating story of a significant woman in Boston’s history who left that city a cultural legacy to last the ages. This beautiful novel will appeal to those who love masterful historical fiction, literary fiction, and stories of triumphant women who leave an indelible mark.”
—New York Journal of Books
“A vivid narrative…cannily captures Isabella Stewart Gardner’s ambition, independence, and quirks. Fans of strong female protagonists and Gilded Age historicals will enjoy this.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Franklin’s lyrical, erudite style befits Belle and grabs readers’ attention.”
—Library Journal, starred review
“An engaging portrait of a bold yet vulnerable woman….A perennial tale of a woman fighting for her place in a man’s world.”
—Kirkus