Summary

The Secret Life of Mrs. London offers a tantalizing glimpse into the life of a woman torn between two famous men.

5-STAR REVIEW: THE SECRET LIFE OF MRS. LONDON by Rebecca Rosenberg

The Description

Publication Date: January 30, 2018

San Francisco, 1915. As America teeters on the brink of world war, Charmian and her husband, famed novelist Jack London, wrestle with genius and desire, politics and marital competitiveness. Charmian longs to be viewed as an equal partner who put her own career on hold to support her husband, but Jack doesn’t see it that way…until Charmian is pulled from the audience during a magic show by escape artist Harry Houdini, a man enmeshed in his own complicated marriage. Suddenly, charmed by the attention Houdini pays her and entranced by his sexual magnetism, Charmian’s eyes open to a world of possibilities that could be her escape.

As Charmian grapples with her urge to explore the forbidden, Jack’s increasingly reckless behavior threatens her dedication. Now torn between two of history’s most mysterious and charismatic figures, she must find the courage to forge her own path, even as she fears the loss of everything she holds dear.

The Review

If you have ever heard the saying, “Behind every great man is a great woman,” then it is time for an introduction to Charmian Kittredge London.

Author Rebecca Rosenberg delivers a fascinating peek in The Secret Life of Mrs. London. While the book draws upon Charmian’s letters and is based on real people and events, it is a fictional account.

With that said, upon finishing the book, I found myself wanting to know more about the various characters in order to determine any nuggets of truth. For example, Jack London typically appears on the required reading list for students, whether it is The Call of the Wild or White Fang. However, I didn’t know anything about his colorful life.

Perhaps it is the time frame covered in the story (1915-1917), but the laissez-faire relationship between the Londons has the same feel as those displayed in The Great Gatsby. It’s a time of great excess, whether it is drinking, smoking, or spending money.

Charmian’s character represents a multi-faceted woman who yearns to be the only woman in Jack’s life. While she has her own writing aspirations, she is often relegated to serving as Jack’s typist and editor. Her role as his muse, his Mate-Woman, comes with countless responsibilities.

The attraction between Charmian and Henry Houdini complicates the already messy London union. However, Charmian’s final decision, highlighted in the conclusion, reveals her true character.

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About The AuthorCalifornia native Rebecca Rosenberg lives on a lavender farm with her family in Sonoma, the Valley of the Moon, where she and her husband own and operate the largest lavender-product company in America. A longtime student of Jack London’s work and an avid fan of his daring wife, Charmian, Rosenberg is a graduate of the Stanford Writing Certificate Program. The Secret Life of Mrs. London is her first novel.

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REVIEW AUTHOR

Amy Wilson
Amy Wilson
My name is Amy W., and I am a book addict. I will never forget the day I came home from junior high school to find my mom waiting for me with one of the Harlequin novels from my stash. As she was gearing up for the "you shouldn't be reading this" lecture, I told her the characters get married in the end. I'm just glad she didn't find the Bertrice Small book hidden in my closet. I have diverse reading tastes, evident by the wide array of genres on my Kindle. As I made the transition to an e-reader, I found myself worrying that something could happen to it. As a result, I am now the proud owner of four Kindles -- all different kinds, but plenty of back-ups! "Fifty Shades of Grey" gets high marks on my favorites list -- not for character development or dialogue (definitely not!), but because it blazed new ground for those of us who believe provocative fiction is more than just an explicit cover. Sylvia Day, Lexie Blake, and Kristin Hannah are some of my favorite authors. Speaking of diverse tastes, I also enjoy Dean Koontz, Iris Johansen, and J.A. Konrath. I’m always ready to discover new-to-me authors, especially when I toss in a palate cleanser that is much different than what I would normally read. Give me something with a well-defined storyline, add some suspense (or spice), and I am a happy reader. Give me a happily ever after, and I am downright giddy.

1 COMMENT

  1. So glad you enjoyed the secret love triangle between Houdini, Jack London and Charmian London! Thanks for your great review!

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The Secret Life of Mrs. London offers a tantalizing glimpse into the life of a woman torn between two famous men.5-STAR REVIEW: THE SECRET LIFE OF MRS. LONDON by Rebecca Rosenberg