All for Love: The Scandalous Life and Times of Royal Mistress Mary Robinson

by Amanda Elyot

Actress, poetess, novelist, essayist, playwright — Mrs. Mary Robinson was all of these as well as a devoted wife and mother, until her husband at last severed all her affection with his licentious, degrading behavior. Though she was immensely intelligent she made rather bad choices when it came to matters of the heart. She was referred to as ‘the Perdita’, the role she played when first admired by the Prince of Wales. ‘All for Love’ is another play she starred in. Mary is quite a heroine with one distinct flaw — her devotion to men who treat her badly, though through these experiences she gained the knowledge needed to pen her many great works. I’m impressed by the author’s vocabulary and writing style, as well as her knowledge of eighteenth-century culture, politics and society. In fact, this is one of the best books I’ve read this year!