A wonderful, immaculately reserached novel that brings Dr Johnson, his friends and his times to life.
Beryl Bainbridgeās novel is a masterly evocation of the last years of Dr Johnson, arguably Britianās greatest Man of Letters. The time is the 1770s and 1780s and Johnson, having completed his lifeās major work (he compiled the first ever Dictionary of the English language) is running an increasingly choatic life. Torn between his strict morality and his undeclared passion for Mrs Thrale, the wife of an old friend, According to Queeney reveals one of Britainās most wonderful characters in all his wit and glory. Above all, though, this is a story of love and friendship and brilliantly narrated by Queeney, Mrs Thraleās daughter, looking back over her life.