The Chosen: who pays the price of a writer's fame?

In November 1912, Thomas Hardy finds his wife Emma dying in her bedroom. He discovers a set of diaries that she had secretly kept, revealing that he had been cold and incapable of human affection, and had kept her childless. This novel is a unique combination of love story and ghost story, exploring the unknowable spaces between man and wife, memory and regret, and life and art.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 13 April 2023
Publisher: Quercus Publishing

A poignant tale of love and loss, Hilary Mantel's "The Chosen" is a masterful work of historical fiction that has been shortlisted for numerous prestigious awards. Set in November 1912, the novel follows the life of Thomas Hardy, an aging author who is estranged from his wife, Emma. On a Wednesday morning, Emma suddenly passes away in her bedroom, leaving Hardy shattered by her loss.

The day before, Hardy and Emma had exchanged bitter words, raising doubts in Hardy's mind about the nature of marriage. His family and Florence Dugdale, a younger woman with whom he has been in a relationship, assume that Hardy will be relieved to be free from his wife. However, they are unaware of the deep pain and resentment that Hardy harbors towards Emma.

As Hardy sorts through Emma's belongings, he stumbles upon a set of diaries that she had secretly kept, titled "What I Think of My Husband." These diaries reveal Emma's true feelings about their marriage, revealing Hardy's coldness, distance, and inability to show affection. Hardy is consumed by grief and chaos, questioning his choices and reimagining his wife as she was when they first met.

"The Chosen" is a unique blend of love story and ghost story, exploring the unknowable spaces between man and wife, memory and regret, life and art. Mantel's writing is tender, surprising, comic, and deeply moving, as she delves into the complexities of human relationships and the consequences of our choices.

Through the character of Hardy, "The Chosen" offers a reflection on the nature of marriage and the sacrifices we make in pursuit of love. It explores the complexities of human emotions and the ways in which we can both hurt and be healed by the people we love.

In conclusion, "The Chosen" is a must-read for anyone who appreciates fine historical fiction and explores the depths of human emotions. Hilary Mantel's masterful storytelling and insightful portrayal of characters make this novel a truly unforgettable experience.

Weight: 214g
Dimension: 128 x 196 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529410709