- Paperback: 432 pages
- Publisher: Penguin Canada (APB) (Jan 20 2006)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0143017683
- ISBN-13: 978-0143017684
- Product Dimensions: 20.6 x 13.5 x 2.3 cm
- Shipping Weight: 363 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #691,145 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Product Details |
Product Description
Book Description
One of literary history’s most enduring mysteries, Esther Johnson was Jonathan Swift’s friend, secretary, confidante, and muse. She was the Stella of his poems—and possibly his wife. From scant facts and the few writings credited to Esther Johnson, Trudy J. Morgan-Cole creates a brilliantly realized, Brontë-esque portrait of a remarkable woman and her lifelong relationship with one of the giants of Western literature.
Unlike most women of the early eighteenth century, Esther led a life governed by choice. She had been born into the servant class, but unexpected fortune led her into an uneasy, sometimes treacherous independence. She could choose how to live and with whom to socialize—and whether and whom to marry. One of the few constants in her life was Jonathan Swift, whom she’d met when she was only eight years old. Morgan-Cole mines deeply that relationship to explore the nature and boundaries of love—platonic, romantic, and sexual.
Beautifully written and meticulously researched, The Violent Friendship of Esther Johnson offers a fascinating and emotionally rich portrait of an unforgettable woman.
About the Author
Trudy J. Morgan-Cole lives in St. John’s, Newfoundland. She published several works of young-adult fiction before writing The Violent Friendship of Esther Johnson, which won the H.R. (Bill) Percy Prize for Unpublished Novel in Atlantic Writing Competition in 2000. After working as a high-school teacher for many years, Trudy now teaches English and creative writing to adult learners. She is married to Jason Cole and has two children, Christopher and Emma.
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items. |
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Read, Enjoyable Character Study,
By Artsy Fartsy Music Fan (Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Violent Friendship Of Esther Johnson (Paperback)
One of Morgan-Coles strengths is her ability to write a character in a way that makes us feel we know them, and that works well in historical fiction when there is no adventure or quest to make you turn the page. What makes you keep turning pages is that you get to like Esther Johnson, and you want to spend more time with her and get to know her better. Yes, you also want to see what happens to her, but it doesn’t seem as important as just being with her and enjoying her world.That said, the character of Esther Johnson is not written without faults and weaknesses. But then characters without any faults or weaknesses are harder to like, aren’t they? Even though none of the characters in this book are sugar coated, but I still found myself sympathizing with them. Even Jonathon Swift, who I was told most people hated by the end of the book, was someone I could identify with. He was portrayed as a man who wanted more out of life and thought he deserved more. He was selfish, perhaps, but no more selfish than anyone with a any amount of ambition. The only point of the book where I could say I strongly disliked Swift was the last page, and even then his actions were in character. The Violent Friendship of Esther Johnson deals with our place in the world and how we see that place. The Truth about Esther is revealed little by little, as much to Esther herself as it is to the reader. This is true of all of main characters especially Jonathan Swift and Becca Dingley. There is also something to be said of The Truth About Love and how difficult it can be for us to know it. Esther’s understanding of love grows and changes as she ages, and sometimes she is not sure which understanding is correct or best. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I hope to see more writing from Trudy Morgan-Cole in the future.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.0 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)
4.0 out of 5 stars
Experience Life in the 17th Century,
By ghost of a red rose "ghost of a red rose" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Violent Friendship Of Esther Johnson (Paperback)
The Violent Friendship of Esther Johnson, by Trudy J. Morgan-Cole is a fictionalized account of a true story. Esther Johnson was the lifelong and closest friend of Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver's Travels. Some historians believe that they may have been secretly married, but they never lived together. The book isn't action-packed, being an account of an ordinary life, but it is interesting reading. It offers a vivid glimpse into 17th Century life that is fascinating, and also an examination of an unusual and mysterious relationship. And it brings Jonathan Swift to life as a real person.
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Memorable Heroine,
By Catherine Dix - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Violent Friendship Of Esther Johnson (Paperback)
Many of us are familiar with the story of Jonathan Swift, but few of us have heard of Esther Johnson who played a significant role in his life and success. Trudy J. Morgan-Cole has shined a much-needed light onto her compelling tale of love, friendship betrayal, forgiveness. I was surprised at how much I could relate to a woman of the late 17th century, her desire to explore, her determination to persevere, her rejection of conformity. I'll carry this character with me for a very long time.
|
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
