The Smile of the Stranger

(Paperback)

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Description

The Paget family's adventures begin in this Gothic regency romance from legendary author Joan Aiken, perfect for fans of Bridgerton, Netflix's romantic drama series inspired by the novels of Julia Quinn. When danger forces expatriate English gentlewoman Juliana Paget to flee her home in Italy, she embarks on a journey full of thrilling adventure. Nothing could have prepared her for outwitting a French mob, crossing the Channel in a hot air balloon, or fending off the advances of the fascinating Count Welcker. Arriving in London just in time for her very first Season, Juliana is going to find all her ideals challenged and the truth of her heart finally revealed. 'Joan Aiken's invention seemed inexhaustible, her high spirits a blessing, her sheer storytelling zest a phenomenon. She was a literary treasure, and her books will continue to delight for many years to come.' Philip Pullman

Reviews

The Smile of the Stranger would have won Miss Heyers complete approval a regency Gothic romp stamped with Joan Aikens splendid wit, pace and sentiment * The Observer *
Joan Aiken has such fun when she writes that its infectious gloriously exaggerated characters and plot are spiced by a dry wit which forbids one to take anything seriously at all * The Daily Telegraph *
Joan Aiken is a storyteller par excellence with an educated awareness of nineteenth-century English fiction * The Guardian *

One of those authentic storytellers who can make you gasp

* New York Times Book Review *

Another top-notch confection from a first-class pastry cook!

* Kirkus Reviews *
Intrigues, false identities and plots to marry the girl . . . for an evening of delightful adventures and misunderstandings you cant do better * News Sentinel *

Author Bio

Joan Aiken was born in Rye, Sussex in 1924, daughter of the American poet Conrad Aiken, and started writing herself at the age of five. Since the 1960s she wrote full time and published over 100 books. Best known for her children's books such as The Wolves of Willoughby Chase and Midnight is a Place, she also wrote extensively for adults and published many contemporary and historical novels, including sequels to novels by Jane Austen. In 1969 she won the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize for The Whispering Mountain, followed by an Edgar Allan Poe award for Night Fall in 1972, and was awarded an MBE for her services to children's literature in 1999. Joan Aiken died in 2004.