THE BOY … THE MAN … THE LEGENDMultiple Award Winning Author“Will seduce the reader right off the bat.” — Perfect for fans of POLDARK and DOWNTON ABBEY – Readers’ Favorite Book Award Winner Finalist
IAN BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD for Outstanding Historical FictionHe was later to become known as “The most beautiful and most famous man in England” — but not yet…. Although presented in Novel … later to become known as “The most beautiful and most famous man in England” — but not yet….
- Although presented in Novel form and cloaked in the style of fiction,, this is the true and meticulously researched story of the most iconic superstar of his time – Lord Byron. Ignoring all the old and unproven rumours and sensational scandals fabricated at the time of the 19th Century, which have been regurgitated by biographers every generation – all the events in this book come from the people who physically were THERE with Byron at the time. If they were not there, or did not write about it, or did not see the events as eyewitnesses – they are NOT included in this book.
Beginning when he is a boy of ten years old, we join George Gordon when he is living a miserable life with his manic Scottish mother in a few rented rooms above a shop in Aberdeen, unaware that his true heritage is with the English aristocracy – who soon come to claim him.
A life of wealth and privilege is then bestowed upon him, which eventually sets the stage for him to prove his own individual worth, in his own way, and in his own time. Meticulously researched, and adapted into novel form, ‘A Strange Beginning’ is the first of a series of books about the most iconic young man of his time, whose fame still lives on today.
“My name alone shall be my epitaph.” — BYRON more
The story of young Lord Byron’s life is fascinating. However, the over-,totally over-use of italicized words and phrases was so distracting! In communication letters sent back and forth I understand this, but in the story line It was as if I had to interpret the feelings and understanding of someone else. The flow of the book was constantly interrupted for me.
Gretta Curran Browne must have believed this was a good idea; I’m so curious as to why? It came close to ruining it all for me! I still gave it a great rating and do recommend it highly. Do your best to get past all the unneeded italics.
A biography that reads like a novel. Lord Byron was a fascinating, complex individual. With him, you not only get a personal look into the lives of the elite in early 1800s London, you get a glimpse into his travels in Europe during the Napoleonic War. I have read the first 3 books in this series, and am looking forward to the fourth.
this is the first book in the lord Byron saga.
it begins with his life in Scotland where he lived with his mother.
his father had abandoned them when George Gordon was very
young. he inherited the title when he was a teenager.
if you are a history buff this is a good book for you to read. I have read
all of the Byron books and am waiting for the next installments.
gretta curran browne is a fantastic author and her books are fascin-
ating.
This historically accurate book about young Lord Byron grabbed my interest right away. Well written, the story is interwoven with Byron’s poetry and correspondence. Excellent
interesting
Loved the characters!
Better than I thought it would be. This is a novelized biography of Lord Byron. The first book takes him up to age 23. I was looking up facts about him online and the novel adhered to his real life. He was certainly an interesting character, and he did indeed have a strange beginning to life. I will have to look for the next one in the series. Can’t be a long series— he didn’t live that long! I will have to say that I’m not a particular fan of his romantic poetry. I was more impressed by the lines quoted in the book from Wordsworth, who Byron had made fun of in his early, ignorant days.
I am a big fan of historical fiction. This book gives a peek into what Lord Byron might have been like.
Of course I know Lord Byron’s poetry, but never imagined his life was as incredible as it was. His sensitivity, caring for animals, rebellious nature, and brilliance, came together to create an extraordinary man. What a damaging childhood.
I love an historic novel well done and that’s exactly what I found here. It takes you on a journey . Friendship, unrequited love, family struggles, growth of maturity. It was a0 good read
This is a marvellous read….I am familiar with the later life and the works of this literary giant,but had no idea of the circumstances and story of his childhood and youth.What a treat to be given all this enlightening background information,told in such detail,and throwing a lot of light on his works as an adult writer ,poet and adventurer!I loved every minute of my reading time with this gem of a biography.Thank you!!
For fans of the poetry of Byron this is a wonderful beginning to learn more about his early life and what inspired him.
I found this book interesting since i did not know the story behind Lord Byron and his poems regarding his lost love and his travels. well worth the time to read
Lord Byron is well known as a Master in British poetic literature. His ‘Childe Harold’ is a lyric poetic account of his travels in Mediterranean countries, although written as fiction. So who was the man? This book is an historical fiction account of the Life of Lord Byron from his difficult childhood, his student life as he does his best to spend as little time as possible under his mother’s drunken thumb, to his life as a young adult. It includes a tale of his truest love, which was at first unrequited, then forbidden as the young woman he loved married another older man, and became the mother of that man’s children.
The narrative ends when his mother dies, and he inherits the ancestral manor of the father who had died when he was a small child.
Beautifully written, well researched, I enjoyed ‘meeting’ this literary giant with all of his talents, and all of his flaws.
I loved that no matter how much life changed for Byron he never forget who he was and where he came from. He could have been very cruel to some people but he chose not to. It’s wonderfully written and I can understand its awards.
great fead
I was slightly disappointed in grammatical errors, but delighted with the information. I appreciate all I have learned.
This was a unique story of Lord Byron’s early life. As a work of fiction I expected less telling in places. But that being said, the story did hold my attention. I knew little of Byron’s younger years. I found reading his earlier verses and letters quite interesting. His talent still speaks from the page and resonates all these years later
I don’t usually read biographies. I am not a historian so I can’t vouch for the historical correctness. This said I enjoyed this book. A worthwhile read.
This is the story of Lord Byron and I can’t recommend it highly enough. I avoid autobiographys and biographys because the few I have tried to read have been dry or read like a history book, unlike this book. This book is so, so good. I was captured by it immediately and will absolutely be reading more from this author. Actually, I can’t wait to read more from her and will go on line today to find her next book.