Description

‘With stunningly lyrical writing, Greeley elevates Austen-inspired fiction onto a whole new plane.’ – Natalie Jenner, author of The Jane Austen Society

As a fussy baby, Anne was prescribed laudanum to quiet her and has been given the opium-heavy syrup ever since on account of her continuing ill health. While her mother is outraged when Darcy chooses not to marry Anne, as has been long planned, Anne can barely raise her head to acknowledge the fact.

But little by little, she comes to see that what she has always been told is an affliction of nature might in fact be one of nurture – and one, therefore, that she can beat. In a frenzy of desperation, she throws away her laudanum and seeks refuge at the London home of her cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam.

Suddenly wide awake to the world but utterly unprepared, Anne must forge a new identity among those who have never seen the real her – including herself.

With its wit, sensuality and deep compassion for the human heart, The Heiress is a sparklingly rebellious novel that takes a shadowy figure from the background of Pride & Prejudice, one of the world’s most beloved books, and throws her into the light.

‘Haunting. The Heiress has all the hallmarks of nineteenth-century Gothic, which doesn’t shy away from “modern” ills, such as the opiate crisis, Munchausen syndrome by proxy, and homophobia. Highly recommended.’ – Finola Austin, author of Bronte’s Mistress

Publisher Review

Molly Greeley is one of the best young writers working today - the sheer beauty of her prose has few rivals. In reimagining the character of Anne de Bourgh from Pride and Prejudice, Greeley takes us inside a troubled, resilient and poetic mind and gives us a heroine to both sympathise with and root for. With stunningly lyrical writing, Greeley elevates Austen-inspired fiction - and psychological fiction in general - onto a whole new plane. * Natalie Jenner, author of THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY * Haunting. In The Heiress, Molly Greeley shines a light on the darkness cloaking Anne de Bourgh, Lady Catherine's sickly daughter and Mr. Darcy's intended. The result is a novel with all the hallmarks of nineteenth-century Gothic, which doesn't shy away from "modern" ills, such as the opiate crisis, Munchausen syndrome by proxy, and homophobia. Highly recommended.' * Finola Austin, author of Bronte's Mistress * This inventive novel will delight Pride & Prejudice fans, and win over readers who are sceptical of Austen reimaginings * Booklist - Starred Review * An entertaining elaboration to satisfy generations of readers who have wondered and theorized about Anne. In perfectly Austenesque style, Greeley reveals the backstory of the Rosings Park heiress and just what made her so sickly, so interesting and so complicated . . . Keen observations about society and strong supporting characters make The Heiress a perfectly joyful read. * Book Page *