it had very little character development, events just happen one after the next, notably jane meets julietta once and suddenly they're in love and having an affair. also the parts set in malaysia were a mess and didn't add anything to the story. not that there was much of a story tbf. and to top it off, we of course had to have a lesbian beaten to almost death by the man she's supposed to marry Over a distinguished literary career, Rose Tremain has traversed genres with her customary flair... in her portrayal of the ways in which individual longing and frustration unfold against the constraints of forces beyond our control, Tremain has long been one of our most accomplished novelists, and here is further confirmation Stephanie Merritt, The Observer I started this book as it was narrated by the one and only Katie McGrath, and it didn’t disappoint. After this encounter with Valentine, Jane goes to London to spend time with her childless, unmarried, financially independent Aunt Emmilene, an artist. She is like a mother to Jane and it is during this visit that Jane discovers more of the essence of who she is, an aspect captured by her Aunt in a portrait she sits for. The events that unfold create a significant dilemma for Jane, that she must navigate.

First of all, this is extremely well written as you would expect from a writer of the calibre of Rose Tremain. It beautifully and almost forensically reflects the times - it’s social mores, beliefs, attitudes, the scientific understanding and medical beliefs in particular, as this is intrinsic to the storytelling. The female characters are admirable- I love Clorinda’s work ethic and desire to overcome the poverty and famine of her native Ireland, I love Jane’s independence and unconventionality which is at total odds with the times, something she perhaps inherits from her artist Aunt Emmeline. The Male characters are less likeable with perhaps the exception of Jane’s father Sir William Adearne an eminent Bath surgeon. Valentine Ross gets less and less likeable as the book progresses as he perceives he will not be able to control Jane. I’m not sure what to make of The Rajah Sir Ralph Savage who is so rich he spends his money on pointless things just because he can - maybe that’s the point! All the characters are searching for something that’s possibly elusive and unattainable - be it love (whether of the kind at odds with society at the time), friendship, freedom, some are ambitious and ruthless in seeking their desires but all are trying to survive the constraints of the times and circumstances. There are some lovely descriptions of places especially Bath, London and the Paris of Haussmann but I found it harder to engage with Borneo. This is also true of the storytelling set in Borneo which I find less interesting and overlong.

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Katie McGrath narrating book made the entire experience so much better, and I'd gladly sign a petition for her to narrate more books.

So first of all, I listened to it on Audible, cause hearing Katie McGrath amazing voice acting out the dialogues and everything made my whole month (I might be in love honestly). An exhilarating exploration of love, life, loss and death... A thrilling and seductive story... Vivid and beguiling Rowan Mantell, Eastern Daily Press Once again, Rose Tremain has produced a beautifully moving and rich novel. Initially the multiple story lines feel a little jarring, but eventually build into a powerful thread of storytelling that explores the way people seek freedom, power, beauty and love.

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In a novel with a large cast it is perhaps inevitable that some characters engage more than others, and the Borneo episodes never quite come to life in the way that Jane’s story does. But in her portrayal of the ways in which individual longing and frustration unfold against the constraints of forces beyond our control, Tremain has long been one of our most accomplished novelists, and here is further confirmation. I have felt for years that there was much more to say about the psychic distance between west and east and those who tried to make that journey in the 19th century.” Rose Tremain" She was 'The Angel of the Baths', the one woman whose touch everybody yearned for. Yet she would do more. She was certain of that. At a certain point while reading, when I thought of all the female characters, and realised how strongly independent all of them were, and looked at the relationships they had to the men around them, I wondered if this novel was actually satire. For most of the yearning and longing is done by the male characters, the female characters are all strong and given the era and location, none of them sit around in parlours pining for suitors, they're too busy creating their lives, working and supporting each other. Inadequately thought out and also big components entirely unnecessary to the story. The sections on Borneo are dreadful, no genuine development of the personalities or problems. Included just to bring in male homosexuality? It definitely appeared the only reason for that part of the story.

Meanwhile, on the wild island of Borneo, an eccentric British ‘rajah’, Sir Ralph Savage, overflowing with philanthropy but compromised by his passions, sees his schemes relentlessly undermined by his own fragility, by man’s innate greed and by the invasive power of the forest itself. You may also opt to downgrade to Standard Digital, a robust journalistic offering that fulfils many user’s needs. Compare Standard and Premium Digital here.Not to mention the power the book exude in the richness of truly courageous and powerful female characters who defy the patriaarchy, society expectations and opressions! You cannot but love and respect each and one of them in their own rights!