This book made me feel grateful for living in modern times even as the world burns. I understand that this story is what one person, the author, crafted together as one possible story inspired by the short life and death of a young duchess and a few others if the ending author’s note is anything to go by.
I felt like the struggle at the very center of this story was between one woman’s desire to craft her own story and destiny to be her own person and the desire of first her family and then her husband to make her what they want her to be or to possess her. The writing is beautiful and the story feels familiar to anyone who has been in or witness similar dynamics in abusive relationships. That is what made it a difficult even if worthwhile read.