Overview

Sarnia is the Latin name for Guernsey, and 'Sarnia Cherie' is the island's national anthem - 'Sarnia Cherie. Gem of the Sea'. According to the Rev J B Goode, 'Who never has suffered, he has lived but half / Who never failed, he never strove or sought', words of particular resonance for Louise of Sarnia, whose eventful life is lived on that 'gem of the sea', in the bustle of nineteenth-century enterprise and optimism. Louise is her father's favourite but despised by her mother, and because this is the Victorian era, and because of the laws of primogeniture - she is second to an older brother - whatever success she has won't be handed to her. Her social ascent is a project she is obliged to model herself. With what relish and determination she undertakes that task, in a gradual unfolding from headstrong youth, to wife, mother, woman of business, a being both forceful and shrewd in the friends and professional associates she chooses, all of which adds up to a kind of proto-feminist without the reforming zeal. But there is tragedy too, more than one person's fair share, and it is how Louise responds to and copes with her personal highs and lows that gives us one of Wallis Peel's most compelling novels.

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9780956846631

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'...yet another brilliant historical tale from the talented pen of this veteran author.'

Author Information

Wallis Peel is the writer of numerous published books, short stories and newspaper features. She had the normal working-class education of her era but she hated school and left at fourteen. She spent one miserable year in offices then followed her heart's desire to work with horses. She started at the bottom and worked her way up as she gained experience and knowledge. She started writing in her late twenties then had gaps because of one thing or another but always, at the back of her mind, was the desire to write. Recent books writing under the name of Wallis Peel include Sea Gem, set in Guernsey, Republic set in Bristol and Yate, Bold Spirit, Glorious Gloucestershire, Spirit of Defiance, Battle Royal, Pride of Mercia & Birth of the English, Yate and For Valour. Sea Gem is also available as an unabridged audiotape published by Isis, and all the novels are available in large print and as ebooks. Fury & Jago, written under the name of H M Peel have recently been reprinted.

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