Forget-Me-Not: The Strange Case of Lucille Clery

by Marjorie Bowen

This novel is based on a fact—that of a crime so incredible that it caused amazement equal to the horror it inspired; the public sentiment aroused by this atrocity went far to provoke the sudden French Revolution of 1848. The author is responsible for everything in the novel save this central fact, and for the details of the life of the period, which are largely taken from contemporary newspapers.

Genres: Historical Fiction

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 20, 2015

About the author

Marjorie Bowen (pseudonym of Mrs Gabrielle Margaret V[ere] Long née Campbell), was a British author who wrote historical romances, supernatural horror stories, popular history and biography. Her total output numbers over 150 volumes with the bulk of her work under the 'Bowen' pseudonym. She also wrote under the names Joseph Shearing, George R. Preedy, John Winch, Robert Paye, and Margaret Campbell. As Joseph Shearing, she wrote several sinister gothic romances full of terror and mystery. Many of these stories were published as Berkley Medallion Books. Several of her books were adapted as films. Her books are much sought after by aficionados of gothic horror and received praise from critics.

Bowen's alcoholic father left the family at an early age and was eventually found dead on a London street. After this, Bowen's prolific writings were the chief financial support for her family. She was married twice: first, from 1912-16, to a Sicilian named Zefferino Emilio Constanza, who died of tuberculosis, and then to one Arthur L. Long. Her first novel was The Viper of Milan (1906), after which she produced a steady stream of writings until the day of her death on 23rd December 1952. Her last, posthumous, novel was The Man with the Scales (1954).

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

For whatever reason I find the incident on which this book is based fascinating. I’m an old movie buff, and I first became aware of this story from one of my favorite movies, “All This and Heaven Too,” starring Charles Boyer and Bette Davis, with Barbara O’Neill in a very different role than the one she’s most famous for (Ellen O’Hara in GWTW) and four truly gifted child actors, as well as Harry Davenport (a lovely character actor who also had a role in GWTW). That movie is based on a book written by the female protagonist’s real-life great-niece (or some such), Rachel Field, and shares the same name as the movie. I read that years ago. I no longer really remember it and need to reread. This is the second book (of three that I’m aware of) I’ve come across about the murder of the Duchesse de Praslin, and it’s a much darker work than I recall the Field book being. The governess is painted in a sort of strategic, scheming light which lends the whole book a tone of spiraling toward inevitable tragedy. I recently obtained the third book, which is called Crime of Passion, and we’ll see how that compares.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Competently written historical romance about a poor but intelligent and educated young woman attempting to better herself in the France of Louis-Philippe and thereby becoming entangled with a member of the French aristocracy. Set in 1845, the author claimed her tale was based on a true story, which contributed to the fall of Louis-Philippe in the revolution of 1848. It’s a pleasant enough read, well-researched and the author has an eye for period detail. Enjoyable and with an interesting historical background.

[Sara G · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I read this book for the A Book A Day Keeps the Boredom at Bay challenge. 24– There are 24 hours in a day. Read a book in one day. Or one that takes place all in one day.

This was a fairly quick read, but although the subject matter seemed interesting at first, it ended up being fairly tedious. Our heroine is an intelligent atheist in France during Louis Philippe's reign, working as a governess for one of the aristocratic families. Basically, the mother of the family becomes wickedly jealous of the governess for taking control of her man and her kids, and behaves very badly. Our heroine, of course, didn't dissuade her at all, and in fact provoked this behavior. The man of the house, the Duc du Boccage, is a fundamentally weak person, and is somehow convinced that he cannot live without the governess. Hijinks ensue, and her life becomes an absolute disaster.

I can't explain the rest of the plot without major spoilers, but I would like to share a few thoughts about this book. First of all, it says it's based on true events, so I suppose maybe that explains why so little happens throughout this book. For as short as this book is, it took me practically all day to read it, because I kept getting bored by inaction and setting it down. Weak male characters are a central theme in this novel, and our heroine takes advantage of them quite handily. It's not a bad read and I enjoyed the author's style, it's just not something I'd reread.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is outside my usual style and period, but I found it an amazing historical novel, that I had to finish as quickly as possible.
In this novel, set partly in nineteenth century France, the heroine is a lady who is born into great poverty, She uses every scrap of cunning and ambition to try and escape it. Her methods are not always lofty and moral, but the situation she is in is so desperate, that the path she takes seems understandable. Further, she has to deal with such nasty characters, in some parts of the book, that her attitude is, again, predictable.
The book opens with a situation where Mary, the heroine, has run away from secure employment to marry an aristocrat. I will say no more of that, to avoid spoiling the story, but would recommend the book highly.

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must admit I did not like this as much as the previous books I'd read by Marjorie Bowen. The style of "Joseph Shearing" was a little too detached and a little dry. The character of Lucille was quite strong. A woman trying to make her way in the 19th century on her own. She did what she needed to survive, was clever and deceitful. But there just wasn't enough of a plot to drive the events. The books was two thirds romance novel and only one third murder. Despite being based on a true story it just didn't fit together very well.

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully written book, very descriptive but so many unlikable characters, I couldn't identify with a
ny of them. At some points, I had a hard time picking it back up to read, but I'm glad I did. Well researched, you feel like you're in mid 18th century France.

*I'd like to thank the publisher/Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fait and honest opinion*

[Zofia]

Also known as The Strange Case of Lucile Clery by Joseph Shearing (aka Marjorie Bowen)