From acclaimed biographer Paula Byrne, the sensational true tale that inspired the major motion picture Belle (May 2014) starring Tom Wilkinson, Miranda Richardson, Emily Watson, Penelope Wilton, and Matthew Goode—a stunning story of the first mixed-race girl introduced to high society England and raised as a lady. The illegitimate daughter of a captain in the Royal Navy and an enslaved African … enslaved African woman, Dido Belle was sent to live with her great-uncle, the Earl of Mansfield, one of the most powerful men of the time and a leading opponent of slavery. Growing up in his lavish estate, Dido was raised as a sister and companion to her white cousin, Elizabeth. When a joint portrait of the girls, commissioned by Mansfield, was unveiled, eighteenth-century England was shocked to see a black woman and white woman depicted as equals. Inspired by the painting, Belle vividly brings to life this extraordinary woman caught between two worlds, and illuminates the great civil rights question of her age: the fight to end slavery.
Belle includes 20 pages of black-and-white photos.
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Not only did I absolutely love this book. I loved the movie as well. Belle is the wonderous story of a young socialite of mixed race. She is borne into society and is being raised accordingly by her uncle. Unfortunately, given the times, not everyone embraces her in this station. There is also family drama that is expected and a great historical …
Dido Elizabeth Belle, the illegitimate daughter of a slave and captain, was brought up in one of the finest houses in England. Little evidence remains of her existence, but what evidence there is points to a young lady caught between two worlds.
When I first saw the film, I was fascinated by Dido and the painting that has survived to our day. She …
Fascinating and well researched. An excellent read.
Boring
This book is not your usual fiction. There didn’t seem to be a story line.
Incredible, a very educational book depicting the lives of Africans imported by the British for slavery and the English people who fought this deplorable practice and eventually rid Europe of the slave trade. They preceded America in this, and I think have managed to overcome much discrimination, but make no mistake, this book shows IN DETAIL how …
A rare glimpse inside an aristocratic English family and how they dealt with quite a surprise…very well, I’d say!
This is a nonfiction book that was very interesting about the abolition of the slave trade in England and some of the people who were involved.
I thought I’d like it but after two chapters, just skimmed then quit. Disappointing.
As a museum docent, I found the historical information regarding commerce, slavery and interracial relationships of 18 century New England fascinating and enlightening. This helps explain the background to many paintings of that era.
A little slow to begin with but overall I enjoyed it
Like a history book. Boring
This book was a good read. I was a little disappointed because the book was not about Belle. The focus was on the horrors of the slave trade and her great uncle. Understandably, the biographer couldn’t add more information about Belle to paint a clearer picture of her life, but I wish I had known that I wouldn’t be getting much more information …
Research novel
I found i boring
It wasn’t really about Belle, more about ending slavery in the UK. Poorly named and marketed.
1 did not enjoy this book. Would give it 1 star.
Goodread
This book is more scafrmic than dramatic.
Fascinating in a historical context, but dry writing style.