The Secret Countess
The Secret Countess by Eva Ibbotson, published by Young Picador in 2007, is a captivating novel that follows the journey of Anna, a young countess from St. Petersburg. After her family is forced to flee Russia due to revolution, Anna finds herself in England, determined to start anew as a housemaid. With an outdated housekeeping book in hand, she secures a position at the Earl of Westerholmes’ grand yet deteriorating mansion, where her warmth and dedication gradually win over the skeptical staff and family.
Readers will discover a rich narrative that explores themes of identity and class against the backdrop of early 20th-century Europe. As Anna navigates her new life, she encounters challenges and unexpected romance, particularly with the young Earl, Rupert, who is engaged to someone else. This edition, comprising 343 pages, presents Ibbotson’s characteristic warmth and wit, inviting readers to immerse themselves in a story of resilience and love amidst societal upheaval.
Official synopsis Publisher
By the award-winning and bestselling author of JOURNEY TO THE RIVER SEA, a novel that sings with characteristic Ibbotson warmth and wit Anna, a young countess, has lived in the glittering city of St Petersburg all her life in an ice-blue palace overlooking the River Neva. But when revolution tears Russia apart, her now-penniless family is forced to flee to England. Armed with an out-of-date book on housekeeping, Anna determines to become a housemaid and she finds work at the Earl of Westerholmes crumbling but magnificent mansion. The staff and the family are sure there is something not quite right about their new maidbut she soon wins them over with her warmth and dedication. Then the young Earl returns home from the warand Anna falls hopelessly in love. But they can never be together: Rupert is engaged to the snobbish and awful Murieland anyway, Anna is only a servant. Or so everybody thinks .
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