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Lucy: Ultimate Survivor-bookcover

By: Elizabeth Haywood

Lucy: Ultimate Survivor

Pages: 408 Ratings: 4.4
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A dramatic and intriguing true Georgian tale of love, betrayal and survival. Lucy, a strong-willed girl from a wealthy family, was brought up on the English–Welsh border and married a Caribbean plantation owner, Sam Lord, for love, meanwhile he married her for her fortune, at a time when a woman was a chattel and everything she had, including her children, became her husband’s. Abused and imprisoned in Barbados, she escaped with the help of enslaved people. A vibrant intimate description of early 19th-century life – giving birth at sea, braving disease and cruelty, and witnessing the abject misery of slavery – this is a story of courage in adversity, a runaway marriage to an unfaithful husband and a descent from a life of pampered luxury to a struggle for survival in a far-off land.

Dr Elizabeth Haywood has spent her career in business and has appeared on major TV and radio outlets across the UK. She lives with her husband, Lord Peter Hain, mostly in south Wales. This is her first book, born out of a desire to tell her ancestor’s extraordinary story.

Customer Reviews
4.4
5 reviews
5 reviews
  • Christine Warwick

    This is a fascinating and engaging account about the author's great, great, great grandmother. The story of Lucy's ordeals as the abused wife of Sam Lord on his family's Caribbean plantation is a dramatic one. It has particular resonance because it is broadly based on fact.

    Elizabeth Haywood has undertaken meticulous research into the contemporary context, both in England and Barbados, and used this as the backdrop to what she has been able to discover about her intrepid ancestor.

    It's an extremely interesting, well-written and enjoyable page-turner.

  • Andrew Walker

    I bought this book because I know Elizabeth and I was intrigued to understand this insight into her family history. I wasn't disappointed. Lucy is not a 'quick read'; Elizabeth has obviously thought long and hard about the characters in this book, and how to knit all of her sources together to make this a compelling account of a woman's journey in life. Lucy emerges as a tough, resilient yet compassionate human being. This is a book to take on holiday and read by the side of the pool.

  • Zoe

    I really enjoyed this book and so has my Dad . As Dad said it comes off the page very easily and keeps you page turning wanting to know what happens next . Clearly lots of detailed research has been woven into the amazing true story making it a thought provoking read . Would be a perfect book club read . Thoroughly recommended

  • Ros, Lux

    A great read! I thoroughly enjoyed it and will recommend it to everyone who enjoys historical novels. It was fascinating to read it knowing that it is based on real characters and real events.

  • Meredith Burgmann

    Wow what a journey!
    I began reading 'Lucy: Ultimate Survivor' with no clear idea what I was getting into. I knew it was based on Elizabeth Haywood's ancestor but I did not realise what a great sprawling novel it was. The story does drive you along but so does anger and a thirst for revenge. It reminds me of the early Fay Weldon novels which played havoc with your emotions while taking you down pathways you would not expect. The attention to detail is meticulous and I certainly felt much more informed about the times. The inclusion of significant amounts of storyline involving the slave trade particularly resonated with me as I have recently visited the Slave trading and imprisonment sites in Cape Town. A really intriguing read.

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