Product Description

In a biography of style and energy, Frances Wilson makes use of previously unseen letters, law reports and confidential Government correspondence to reveal the true story of the sexual celebrity who blackmailed the British aristocracy and held even the king to ransom. Harriette Wilson was the most desired and the most dangerous woman in Regency London. This biography reveals for the first time the true story behind her sensational life and scandalous 'Memoirs'. When her former lovers - including much of the British aristocracy - turned against her, she knew exactly how to take revenge ...

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #151759 in Books
• Published on: 2004-02-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 380 pages

Daily Telegraph
'A wise and witty biography . . . Wilson produces glinting one-liners that pin her subject down.'

Guardian
'Frances Wilson draws on an impressive range of contemporary sources to distinguish fact from fiction.'

Daily Mail
'In ‘The Courtesan's Revenge’ Harriette's story is deftly and stylishly told. It also beats most novels with its rich ingredients.'

Customer Reviews

Tiresome
The cover of the book gives a false impression of the period, suggesting that Harriette Wilson was a late eighteenth century rather than a Regency courtesan. Unfortunately things do not improve within, and Harriette herself comes across as not only shameless (which is to be expected) but also thoroughly unlikeable. Not entirely the author's fault that her chosen subject causes the reader to lose patience before the end, as Harriette's story is somewhat repetetive. Best avoided.

Donny
What a masterful scholarly piece of detective work by Frances Wilson. Not only has she told the Harriette Wilson story with such feeling,her family and her acquaintance with so many of the Regency higher echelon come so alive its impossible not to see them in your minds eye.
The mention of the many places which featured in her life is a further bonus to the. Then and Now buffs
A brilliant read for any 18th and 19th century historian.
DC

Surprisingly boring, actually..
I was disappointed in this book; it's a period of history in which I am interested and I was expecting it to be fascinating but the story just never came to life at all and felt v-e-r-y long. Sorry to be so negative but I really wouldn't recommend this book unless you enjoy a rather dry read.