My first novel was a ten year labour of love which involved a great deal of research and a lot of drafting, editing and revising. While my writing was praised by agents, the story didn't quite fit the commercial market appeal and therefore did not find a home. While Infelice has been shelved for now, I hope to resurrect it sometime in the future so do watch this space. For now, why don't you familiarise yourself with the story ...
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You can read two extracts of Infelice here:
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The Inspiration
In May 1823, prolific writer William Hazlitt published Liber Amoris; or, The New Pygmalion. It was an account of his obsessive passion for the then twenty-two-year-old Sarah Walker, made up of conversations and a series of letters that documented their relationship between August 1820 and August 1822.
Infelice is Hazlitt's story from the point of view of his heroine, Sarah. It explores the ‘silent’ voice of a girl history has neglected due to Hazlitt’s biased portrayal of her, the opinions of his contemporaries and then, later, scholars who found Hazlitt’s ‘book of love’ an unappealing and offensive addition to the essayist’s previously impressive scholastic repertoire. Like Liber Amoris itself, Infelice is an account of the very nature of love and the devastation it can cause.
This novel would be perfect for fans of Tracy Chevalier's Girl With A Pearl Earring and Guinevere Glasfurd's The Words In My Hand. The novel has also been linked to the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements.
Infelice is Hazlitt's story from the point of view of his heroine, Sarah. It explores the ‘silent’ voice of a girl history has neglected due to Hazlitt’s biased portrayal of her, the opinions of his contemporaries and then, later, scholars who found Hazlitt’s ‘book of love’ an unappealing and offensive addition to the essayist’s previously impressive scholastic repertoire. Like Liber Amoris itself, Infelice is an account of the very nature of love and the devastation it can cause.
This novel would be perfect for fans of Tracy Chevalier's Girl With A Pearl Earring and Guinevere Glasfurd's The Words In My Hand. The novel has also been linked to the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements.
The Research
The Original Letters
Hazlitt's letters to his friend Peter George Patmore were written during the months he stayed in Scotland where Hazlitt was obtaining a divorce from his first wife, Sarah Stoddart. The letters span from March to July of 1822, in which time he struggled with jealousy, anger, inexplicable hurt and intense heartache. It is possible to get a sense of his emotions by reading the selection of letters I have provided here. Letters published with permission from The Poetry Collection of the University Libraries, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York.
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Mirandola and Romeo & JulietIn January 1821 the play Mirandola - written by Hazlitt's friend Barry Cornwall, featuring a passage said to be inspired by Sarah - was headed by popular actor William Macready at Drury Lane. The next January Hazlitt took Sarah to see Romeo & Juliet, with Macready again in the starring role. Hazlitt later wrote to Sarah, reminiscing about their evening. The letter (or a copy) was sold - anonymously - to The John Bull and published in the second of its two-part review of Liber Amoris on June 22nd 1823.
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The ScandalThe publication of Liber Amoris amassed a vicious response country-wide. Hazlitt's most zealous attacker was The Edinburgh Magazine which insulted the writer for months, even years, afterwards. Out of all the many reviews two in particular stand out for their depth of detail and censure - The Literary Register and The John Bull, both published in two parts. The first of both are available to view below:
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The 1823 Journal
Hazlitt moved from Southampton Buildings between the late summer and early autumn of 1822. Liber Amoris suggests that Sarah and Hazlitt parted ways without issue, however, it is apparent this was not the case. For a two week period in March 1823, Hazlitt kept a journal of events he had instigated in an attempt to trap Sarah into proving she was the harlot he thought she was. This journal documented the attempted seduction of Sarah by an envoy known only as 'F' or 'E' (depending on the source), who made regular reports on his progress. The envoy's reports made Hazlitt finally believe that Sarah was guilty, which prompted him to send the Liber Amoris manuscript to John Hunt for publication.