Review: The Diamond of London

In “The Diamond of London,” Andrea Penrose takes on the life of Lady Hester Stanhope in a riveting historical fiction biography. One of the things I really love about Penrose’s books is that they are well-researched and provide historical context for her characters. This is an excellent example of historical fiction that makes the reader curious about the real story**. 

Lady Hester Stanhope moved at the highest levels of British Society, but her desires and intellect were constrained by rigid rules and expectations for women. “The Diamond of London” focuses on a short period of her life in the early 1800s when she advised her uncle, the Prime Minister, designed gardens, and had relationships that brought her to the brink of disaster. Lady Hester is not always likable as she struggles to find her place in life, but Penrose finds a way to make the reader care about her. 

Penrose, as always, includes an extensive afterword to describe her process. She also includes a reading list just in case you want to go down the rabbit hole (you will) to learn more about Lady Hester’s real life.  

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and Kensington Books, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

**Personally, I’ve always found historical fiction to be a fantastic entry point to the study of a particular historical figure or era (e.g. Laura Ingalls Wilder and the American West after reading “Little House in the Big Wood” and “Little House on the Prairie”). As a history teacher, I like having lots of historical fiction in my classroom to entice my students into exploring real history.