What do you think?
L'amour est un songe
"Le rideau est levé, à moi de jouer", songe Cassandra, jeune fille ravissante, impulsive et riche héritière d'une des plus vieilles familles de la noblesse anglaise. C'est ce soir, en effet, à la réception de lord Carwen, qu'elle a décidé de séduire l'homme chéri en secret depuis sa plus tendre enfance, le duc d'Alchester. Le duc préfère la compagnie des actrices de théâtre, brillantes et gaies, aux réceptions guindées de la haute société londonienne ? Qu'à cela ne tienne ! Cassandra se glissera dans le personnage de l'une de ces actrices provocantes qui sont sa distraction. Le duc succombe vite à ce déploiement de charme et de fantaisie. Mais la comédie ne tournera-t-elle pas au drame une fois les masques tombés ?
160 pages, Pocket Book
Published September 10, 2002
About the author
Barbara Cartland
1,285 books872 followersBorn in 1901, Barbara Cartland started her writing career in journalism and completed her first book, Jigsaw, when she was just 24. An immediate success, it was the start of her journey to becoming the world’s most famous and most read romantic novelist of all time. Inspiring a whole generation of readers around the globe with her exciting tales of adventure, love and intrigue, she became synonymous with the Romance genre. And she still is to this day, having written over 644 romantic fiction books.
As well as romantic novels, she wrote historical biographies, 6 autobiographies, plays, music, poetry and several advice books on life, love, health and cookery – totalling an incredible 723 books in all, with over 1 billion in sales.
Awarded the DBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 in honour of her literary, political and social contributions, she was President of the Hertfordshire branch of the Royal College of Midwives as well as a Dame of Grace of the Order of St John of Jerusalem and Deputy President of the St John Ambulance Brigade.
Always a passionate advocate of woman’s health and beauty, she was dubbed ‘the true Queen of Romance’ by Vogue magazine in her lifetime. Her legend continues today through her wonderfully vivid romantic tales, stories that help you escape from the day to day into the dramatic adventures of strong, beautiful women who battle, often against the odds, eventually to find that love conquers all.
Find out more about the incredible life and works of Dame Barbara Cartland at www.barbaracartland.com
As well as romantic novels, she wrote historical biographies, 6 autobiographies, plays, music, poetry and several advice books on life, love, health and cookery – totalling an incredible 723 books in all, with over 1 billion in sales.
Awarded the DBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 in honour of her literary, political and social contributions, she was President of the Hertfordshire branch of the Royal College of Midwives as well as a Dame of Grace of the Order of St John of Jerusalem and Deputy President of the St John Ambulance Brigade.
Always a passionate advocate of woman’s health and beauty, she was dubbed ‘the true Queen of Romance’ by Vogue magazine in her lifetime. Her legend continues today through her wonderfully vivid romantic tales, stories that help you escape from the day to day into the dramatic adventures of strong, beautiful women who battle, often against the odds, eventually to find that love conquers all.
Find out more about the incredible life and works of Dame Barbara Cartland at www.barbaracartland.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 15, 2018
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
Although the h (Cassandra/Sandra) like all Cartland heroines, is so sweet that your teeth will ache--from gnashing them--her heart is in the right place. In the beginning, I valued her strength and independence, just not her creepy fixation on the H (Varro-cool name, huh?). Once Lady Cassandra goes to London, the story picks up and becomes really interesting. She is inventive, although rather silly at times, in capturing the Duke's attention. The real historical figures, such as Lili Langtry, help connect the dots and give an authentic element to the story line. We get to visit some of the haunts frequented by the sub-culture of those from a class quite outside the impoverished who mingled with the elite. The theater Gaiety Girls were making a splash, and we would consider them to be the early It Girls and celebs. Sandra experiences the freedoms of these women but also the consequences such as social ostracism by 'respectable' people, unwanted pregnancy, and sexual predators without scruples.
I wasn't sure how things would tidy up once Cassandra wins Varro over after deceiving him. Still, I enjoyed discovering what drives him, mainly the weight of his inheritance, the expectations of his life/class and how only those who transition from the old views--i.e. "gentlemen do not work"-- would not and did not survive the social changes. It takes loads of pounds to keep up a large estate, fully stocked stables, heirlooms and priceless antiques. So one must marry money, which is where Sandra comes in but does not want to be despite the paternal arrangements early on.
Regardless of his woes, Varro was admirable and honorable, seeking his independence without compromising his morals. He carries a type of vulnerable innocence despite dealing with his father's duplicity, having made his way into the world and learning from his mistakes. One of the things Sandra is drawn to is his magnetic personality and genuine warmth. He is a ladies man who is loved and respected by the Gaiety Girls because he shows them regard despite not being from his world.
This is Cartland at her best, and one I would reread again.
Although the h (Cassandra/Sandra) like all Cartland heroines, is so sweet that your teeth will ache--from gnashing them--her heart is in the right place. In the beginning, I valued her strength and independence, just not her creepy fixation on the H (Varro-cool name, huh?). Once Lady Cassandra goes to London, the story picks up and becomes really interesting. She is inventive, although rather silly at times, in capturing the Duke's attention. The real historical figures, such as Lili Langtry, help connect the dots and give an authentic element to the story line. We get to visit some of the haunts frequented by the sub-culture of those from a class quite outside the impoverished who mingled with the elite. The theater Gaiety Girls were making a splash, and we would consider them to be the early It Girls and celebs. Sandra experiences the freedoms of these women but also the consequences such as social ostracism by 'respectable' people, unwanted pregnancy, and sexual predators without scruples.
I wasn't sure how things would tidy up once Cassandra wins Varro over after deceiving him. Still, I enjoyed discovering what drives him, mainly the weight of his inheritance, the expectations of his life/class and how only those who transition from the old views--i.e. "gentlemen do not work"-- would not and did not survive the social changes. It takes loads of pounds to keep up a large estate, fully stocked stables, heirlooms and priceless antiques. So one must marry money, which is where Sandra comes in but does not want to be despite the paternal arrangements early on.
Regardless of his woes, Varro was admirable and honorable, seeking his independence without compromising his morals. He carries a type of vulnerable innocence despite dealing with his father's duplicity, having made his way into the world and learning from his mistakes. One of the things Sandra is drawn to is his magnetic personality and genuine warmth. He is a ladies man who is loved and respected by the Gaiety Girls because he shows them regard despite not being from his world.
This is Cartland at her best, and one I would reread again.
June 29, 2011
In retrospect I have to think that it is bad enough to have a "romantic period" but it is even worse to have a "Barbara Cartland period." Talk about formulaic! But, now, in my mature years, I think it was probably just what the doctor ordered for someone who wanted the Romance of Romance!
August 21, 2024
Very weird father/daughter vibes at the beginning
Read
June 9, 2014For a time back in the 80’s & 90’s, my reading material of choice was frequently bodice rippers, historical fiction, and regency romances with a few contemporary best sellers thrown in for good measure. Most of them were pretty steamy (blush) &/or overly romantic, but I read them during a time in my life when I found myself as a single parent, and these books fit the bill. I found them to be highly entertaining.
I recently donated a slew of them, but I wanted to catalog them all the same. So if there is no rating here from me, it means that I don’t remember anything about the book other than I obviously read it. If there is a rating, it must have been in some way memorable for me.
I only wish that GoodReads had been around years ago so that I had some idea of the many books I have read – there were thousands! I did own a copy of this book, but most others came from the library because back then I could never have afforded the 100+ books I generally read in any given year.
And by the way, I still read bodice rippers – just not quite so many as I used to!
I recently donated a slew of them, but I wanted to catalog them all the same. So if there is no rating here from me, it means that I don’t remember anything about the book other than I obviously read it. If there is a rating, it must have been in some way memorable for me.
I only wish that GoodReads had been around years ago so that I had some idea of the many books I have read – there were thousands! I did own a copy of this book, but most others came from the library because back then I could never have afforded the 100+ books I generally read in any given year.
And by the way, I still read bodice rippers – just not quite so many as I used to!
August 20, 2010
I really enjoyed this book I just could not put it down
March 14, 2023
One of Dame Barbara's better ones. Introducing Lillie Langtry was a nice touch.
June 9, 2024
This is Barbara Cartland's at her best! I literally devoured this book, finished way faster than planned bc I couldn't stop reading!
January 29, 2025
فكرتني بروايات عالمية الي ب ٦٠ قرش الي كنت بقرأها وانا ف اعدادي قبل ما انام بس اسلوب السرد هنا جميل
February 1, 2015
A marriage has been arranged for heiress Cassandra Sherburn by her father and the Duke of Alchester to his heir -- the young Marquis of Charlbury. Owing to the unexpected deaths of first Cassandra's grandfather, then the Duke, their engagement is postponed. But Cassandra has learned that her betrothed's only interest appears to be the beautiful actresses of the Gaiety Theater, and feels she could not contemplate being married to a man who only wants her money. So Cassandra goes to London to meet the young Duke disguised as one of the women he admires -- and gets herself into a very dangerous situation.
When they were still children, their loving fathers had arranged that Cassandra Sherburn and the Duke of Alchester would marry. Now that Cassandra was old enough to become his bride, the wealthy and beautiful country heiress realized that more than anything in the world she truly wanted to marry the handsome Duke.
But the thought that the Duke of Alchester would marry a young woman he hadn’t seen since childhood for money alone horrified Cassandra. Defying both her family and an unyielding Victorian society, the stubborn heiress set out for London, fired by a daring scheme to win the young Duke’s heart.
When they were still children, their loving fathers had arranged that Cassandra Sherburn and the Duke of Alchester would marry. Now that Cassandra was old enough to become his bride, the wealthy and beautiful country heiress realized that more than anything in the world she truly wanted to marry the handsome Duke.
But the thought that the Duke of Alchester would marry a young woman he hadn’t seen since childhood for money alone horrified Cassandra. Defying both her family and an unyielding Victorian society, the stubborn heiress set out for London, fired by a daring scheme to win the young Duke’s heart.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews