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Lord Byron #4
A Runaway Star
With the instant success of his brilliant new works, The Corsair and Lara, Lord Byron's literary fame as a poet of stature has spread to all parts of America and throughout Continental Europe.
Mary Chaworth still invades Byron's thoughts, but two other women now seek to move her completely out of his way — Miss Annabella Milbanke, who has now turned into a persistent letter-writer in the hope of renewing Byron's interest in her; and his half-sister, Augusta Leigh, who wishes only the best for him.
Lady Caroline Lamb finally sees a way to wreak her obsessive revenge on Byron, so damning and so unproven, it infuriates all his friends who rush to his defence, but the catastrophic aftermath rings down through history, destroying Byron's reputation, and almost destroying the man.
Mary Chaworth still invades Byron's thoughts, but two other women now seek to move her completely out of his way — Miss Annabella Milbanke, who has now turned into a persistent letter-writer in the hope of renewing Byron's interest in her; and his half-sister, Augusta Leigh, who wishes only the best for him.
Lady Caroline Lamb finally sees a way to wreak her obsessive revenge on Byron, so damning and so unproven, it infuriates all his friends who rush to his defence, but the catastrophic aftermath rings down through history, destroying Byron's reputation, and almost destroying the man.
404 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 21, 2018
128 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 14, 2016
The fourth of 6 books on the life of Lord Byron. Factual events taken from letters from friends, colleagues and family Gretta Curran Browne weaves a wonderful page turning story on the life of Byron. The next two books are due on Spring of 2017. I would highly recommend this series to anyone who is interested in Lord Byron, the regency period, biographies, or just really well told stories.
June 9, 2018
Amazing story!!!
I'm shocked by the vitriol of Lord Byron 's wife! What a Class A, foul biotch!!! Yes, biotch I say!
This book of the Lord Byron series was hard to stomach as the betrothal and marriage of this sensitive genius is dissected. It's hard to imagine a more self-righteous, self-centered woman than Ms. Milbanke. It makes me very angry and sad as I read on. And to have her insanely jealous cousin pour gasoline on the public fire is unconscionable! Ugh!!!!I
This series truly makes you understand Lord Byron and his poetry and lyrics. An amazing talent and true iconic personage of history.
Definite recommendation to readers of historical fiction!
I'm shocked by the vitriol of Lord Byron 's wife! What a Class A, foul biotch!!! Yes, biotch I say!
This book of the Lord Byron series was hard to stomach as the betrothal and marriage of this sensitive genius is dissected. It's hard to imagine a more self-righteous, self-centered woman than Ms. Milbanke. It makes me very angry and sad as I read on. And to have her insanely jealous cousin pour gasoline on the public fire is unconscionable! Ugh!!!!I
This series truly makes you understand Lord Byron and his poetry and lyrics. An amazing talent and true iconic personage of history.
Definite recommendation to readers of historical fiction!
July 14, 2021
This for me was the best book of the first four. In particular the last half when I could rarely put it down.
Not being knowledgeable of the many facets of literature, I can only comment based on how a story affects me. I'm a lover of historical fiction that involves families and their lifes' challenges closely adhering to the period of the day. This book could not have more fulfilled my expectations just as did the previous instalments of this amazing series.If you plan on reading any of this series please do yourself the favour of reading the entire series from beginning to end, these are not stand alone books. Each book is as excellent as it's predecessor and once you start you cannot stop reading this series. I found book 3 for me was a little slow but worth the read. Also, it just could have been me in a funk. I will be starting book 5 asap I hope because I have 4 others on the go that have been ignored.
Not being knowledgeable of the many facets of literature, I can only comment based on how a story affects me. I'm a lover of historical fiction that involves families and their lifes' challenges closely adhering to the period of the day. This book could not have more fulfilled my expectations just as did the previous instalments of this amazing series.If you plan on reading any of this series please do yourself the favour of reading the entire series from beginning to end, these are not stand alone books. Each book is as excellent as it's predecessor and once you start you cannot stop reading this series. I found book 3 for me was a little slow but worth the read. Also, it just could have been me in a funk. I will be starting book 5 asap I hope because I have 4 others on the go that have been ignored.
December 7, 2018
Poor Lord Byron! He is simply too gallant and ethical and considerate of others’ feelings; now he has married without love so as not to upset the lady. I wish I hadn’t read this book because she has ruined his life! Is that a spoiler? Not if you have read up on Lord Byron from other sources.
This is not a happy book. The other three have been happy, despite Byron’s occasional financial hardships. I do wish he was a better money manager, but it only became a problem when he became betrothed.
Hey, I’m talking about him like he’s my friend. Well, I feel like he is after reading these books, so I can’t help feeling badly about Byron’s misfortunes.
Another cliff hanger ending, so don’t expect otherwise.
This is not a happy book. The other three have been happy, despite Byron’s occasional financial hardships. I do wish he was a better money manager, but it only became a problem when he became betrothed.
Hey, I’m talking about him like he’s my friend. Well, I feel like he is after reading these books, so I can’t help feeling badly about Byron’s misfortunes.
Another cliff hanger ending, so don’t expect otherwise.
November 24, 2017
As always, I love Gretta Curran Browne's historical novels. This 4th in the Lord Byron series does not dissapoint. It details Lord Byron's entrapment and marriage to a very duplicitous young lady and the subsequent gossip mongering that ensued. This one made me sad for our honorable protagonist. I really look forward to the next book on what became of him once he got free of two women who were very destructive to his life.
May 12, 2019
As the story progresses it seems more and more like Lord Byron is being whitewashed and can do no wrong. I'm no expert on him but it feels like a great deal of historical detail is being left out, and worse, changed, in order to portray the author's idealized portrait of Byron. I might finish off the series for completeness' sake but it's definitely more fiction than biography at this point.
May 30, 2018
The way Lord Byron was treated by his manipulating wife makes me so sad and frustrated. This book was hard to read because of her twisted behavior and his sadness. I'd like to learn more about his daughter, Ada Lovelace, and how she turned out to be so successful with a mother like that.
November 10, 2019
This series of books seem very well researched based on Byrons correspondence, letter to and from friends, his poems and speeches. He seems to have been a victim of “kiss and tell (lies)” and “fake news” which has survived to this day and age!
January 30, 2020
A Must Read
A RUNAWAY STAR was a very good read. It was so good I can't wait to start reading the next book in the series. I will read more Biographical Novels in the future and tell others about this series and author, Gretta Curran Browne. Love this series, so far.
A RUNAWAY STAR was a very good read. It was so good I can't wait to start reading the next book in the series. I will read more Biographical Novels in the future and tell others about this series and author, Gretta Curran Browne. Love this series, so far.
January 5, 2022
This series is great. I can't put my finger on why, it is very well written, it kept me engaged through all seven books! I do enjoy historical novels, and learned a lot about Lord Byron, and the time during which he lived. No sex, no murder, just plain good writing.
March 4, 2020
Not as good
Tedious reading in many sections; not as well written as I expected. Hard to read so much text about a woman as duplicitous as Bella.
Tedious reading in many sections; not as well written as I expected. Hard to read so much text about a woman as duplicitous as Bella.
February 7, 2021
Just superb....
February 24, 2021
Don’t have time to write a review as I must read on, read on to book #5 in the series and if that isn’t a positive, don’t know what is. Absolutely loving Gretta Browne’s take on Lord Byron!
March 29, 2022
I can’t get enough of Lord Byron. The books should be a mini series.
April 14, 2020
What a story. Couldn't put it down. Showed human behaviour doesn't change. Must read.
June 25, 2020
This series is just a lot of fun.
December 27, 2022
No no no no NO NO NO NO NO!!! Listen, I love Byron. I've been fascinated with him since I was a sophomore in college and I'm about to do a lecture on him at my library. So, when I stumbled upon this of COURSE I wanted to read it.
First of all - what is with Annabella using the word "Dad" in the first chapter? "Dad" is inaccurate for that time. Also, while the author incorporates bits and pieces of his life and makes it SOMEWHAT believable she gets so many things utterly and completely WRONG.
Annabella Milbanke was NOT the woman presented here. Byron, God love him, was a complete douchebag to her. And I've read SEVERAL accounts of their marriage. Also - what the FUCK is going on with Augusta and Byron in this book? Nothing. AND THAT IS THE PROBLEM. While Byron and Annabella were married, he was still trying to make things happen with Augusta and would make comment after comment eluding to his past relationship with Augusta. He all but declared that Medora was his.
Please, if you want to read a book that features a way watered down Lord Byron, by all means, keep reading the series. But do not take this as historically accurate because it is not. (And also, Byron was bi!)
First of all - what is with Annabella using the word "Dad" in the first chapter? "Dad" is inaccurate for that time. Also, while the author incorporates bits and pieces of his life and makes it SOMEWHAT believable she gets so many things utterly and completely WRONG.
Annabella Milbanke was NOT the woman presented here. Byron, God love him, was a complete douchebag to her. And I've read SEVERAL accounts of their marriage. Also - what the FUCK is going on with Augusta and Byron in this book? Nothing. AND THAT IS THE PROBLEM. While Byron and Annabella were married, he was still trying to make things happen with Augusta and would make comment after comment eluding to his past relationship with Augusta. He all but declared that Medora was his.
Please, if you want to read a book that features a way watered down Lord Byron, by all means, keep reading the series. But do not take this as historically accurate because it is not. (And also, Byron was bi!)
August 25, 2016
Wow...
What an excellent read! One can't help but to feel for Lord Byron's life and loves. As you finish one book you can't wait to read the next. She (the author) has done a great job of having her reader's fall in love with the famous poet all over again. Cheers! A remarkable job!
For those who studied Lord Byron's poetry in English Literature and even those who may have only heard of him should enjoy such a wonderful representation of his life.
What an excellent read! One can't help but to feel for Lord Byron's life and loves. As you finish one book you can't wait to read the next. She (the author) has done a great job of having her reader's fall in love with the famous poet all over again. Cheers! A remarkable job!
For those who studied Lord Byron's poetry in English Literature and even those who may have only heard of him should enjoy such a wonderful representation of his life.
May 3, 2017
A Good Read
After the third book in this series, I was totally taken in and wanted to follow through with this one and wasn't disappointed. I knew Byron was a famous poet, but nothing about his life and, although a novel, it follows closely to the truth from what I've learned since this reading.
After the third book in this series, I was totally taken in and wanted to follow through with this one and wasn't disappointed. I knew Byron was a famous poet, but nothing about his life and, although a novel, it follows closely to the truth from what I've learned since this reading.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews