I can remember a card game I would play with my siblings when I was a child; it was called “Authors”. Each playing card had the face of a classical author on it, and a title of one of the author’s books. When you had collected all the works by one author, you had a set. Whoever collected the most sets won. I was first introduced to Robert Louis Stevenson in this way. I had yet to read any of his books, even A Child’s Garden of Verses. I had the impression he was a regal man and somewhat of a scholar. He didn’t seem very intriguing to me, after all, he was only a dead man who used to write boring books.

Little did I know how interesting his life really was, how he struggled at times and rejoiced in wealth in others; who he loved and who he hated; how he lived and how he died. All of these things and more are revealed to us in this magnificent historical fiction novel by Nancy Horan. I wasn’t quite sure if I should invest time in this book–simply reading the flap of the dust jacket told me this book was more than a light, mindless read. I am quite glad that I decided to take the plunge and read it. I was left feeling more knowledgeable and interested in the life of Louis and his wife Fanny.  Their lives were rough, but entertaining to learn about. I have not read Horan’s previous novel, but I will have to, now that I have experienced her writing. This book is not one you will want to miss.

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  3 religious exclamations; 12 mild obscenities; 3 religious profanities; 1 derogatory name; 3 anatomical terms.

Violence/Gore:  A man is suspected to commit suicide; a character falls violently ill and dies; a character briefly describes experiencing another character beating a dog; a character discovers a dead body on front stoop, this is briefly depicted; a group of natives are mentioned to be at war and some are beheaded by their enemies; a man dies suddenly, but not violently.

Sex/Nudity:A married man and woman have sex multiple times, brief & non-detailed; character mentions/reports that a married man employs whores; it is mentioned that a married man frequents a brothel; a man and woman kiss several times; an art student describes a nude model (non-sexual).

Mature Subject Matter:

Depression, infidelity.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

Adults drink; adults smoke; a woman is mentioned to be slightly addicted to laudanum.