Mr. Emerson's Wife

By: Amy Belding Brown

Narrated by: Gabrielle de Cuir

In this novel about Ralph Waldo Emerson’s wife, Lidian, Amy Belding Brown examines the emotional landscape of love and marriage. Living in the shadow of one of the most famous men of her time, Lidian becomes deeply disappointed by marriage, but consigned to public silence by social conventions and concern for her family’s reputation. Drawn to the erotic energy and intellect of close family friend Henry David Thoreau, she struggles to negotiate the confusing territory between love and friendship while maintaining her moral authority and inner strength.

In the course of the book, she deals with overwhelming social demands, faces devastating personal loss, and discovers the deepest meaning of love. Lidian eventually encounters the truth of her own character and learns that even our faults can lead us to independence.

©2005 Amy Belding Brown (P)2020 Blackstone Publishing

A beguiling and masterful work in words....

Beautifully written and perfectly narrated, this mournful tribute to the human condition should be on everyone's list. Be prepared for love, tears, joy and anger. The repression and confusion of women during this time in history was epic. Passive aggression was the emotion of the day because these women all knew they could never have what they really yearned for...freedom to live and love as they choose...

story read with personal, emotional view of Ms. Emerson.

i loved this book. for me it was connected due to my life in both Plymouth, and ny familiarity with Waldon Pond, Concord. and the personalities written about. it was a pleasure to listen to as I traveled along the highway or sat comfortably in my favorite chair on the Spring warmed porch.

Everything! Moving and perfect in every way

A story that is so eloquently told and that also contains so much that is instructive to the rich living of life without being either preachy or oversimplified. Stunning in all ways!

Wonderful vocabulary !

Supered writing! I really wish it didn’t end.
It was so life like I had a hard time deciphering was made up.
Did they die that way? So excellent I hope she has more historical novels

Astoundingly compelling

What a fabulous book! First, the 'reader' was amazing. She added so much with her nuanced performance. But the story, holy crap, what a great tale. It brought up every emotion I have, and more. I had to google every character in the book to learn more. Prepare to meet Ralph Waldo Emerson, his amazing wife, Henry David Thoreau, Louisa May Alcott, and many others. But the story itself is almost a case study in so many psychiatric disorders, told in such breathtaking clarity. I literally could not put it down. Such a great book, so highly recommended..