The Duchess of Drury Lane

March 1, 2013

Set against the backdrop of Georgian and Regency England, this historical novel by a prolific author (The Queen and the Courtesan; Reluctant Queen) describes the life of Dorothy Jordan (1761-1816). It is no surprise that Jordan, born into a theatrical family, took up the life herself. What is perhaps surprising is that she captured the heart of a prince, the Duke of Clarence, and lived with him as though married for 20 years, bearing him ten children. When the Duke left her to marry, he provided a stipend for her so long as she stayed off the stage. Ultimately Jordan returned to the theater to help her eldest daughter, though it meant losing her income from the stipend as well as custody of the daughters she had with the prince. She died alone and in poverty, while her former lover went on to become King William IV. VERDICT Lightfoot's title, written much in the style of Jean Plaidy, is well paced, and plausible in following Dorothy's early life, about which little is known. Readers of Regencies will enjoy this, as will fans of Jean Plaidy's work.--Pam O'Sullivan, SUNY Coll. at Brockport Lib.

Copyright 2013 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2013
If Dolly Jordan's sister Hester didn't come down with a severe case of stage fright, Dolly never would have become a star. When Hester couldn't face a Dublin audience, Dolly was forced to go on in her place and, much to her surprise, discovers that she loves acting and has a flair for comedy. As she learns to deal with lascivious managers and fellow actors, Dolly, who adopts the stage names Dora and Miss Francis, is soon playing to packed houses on Drury Lane. Among the audience is the Duke of Clarence (the future King William IV), with whom Dolly becomes involved in a romantic relationship that will last two decades. But while the plays in which she stars almost always have happy endings, Dolly will find that, in life, that is not always the case. In her latest richly detailed historical novel, which will definitely speak to fans of Rosalind Laker, Lightfoot fictionalizes the rags-to-riches-to-rags tale of real-life actress Dora Jordan, whose tragic life was filled with more drama than any play in which she starred.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)