Emily’s House
Emily’s House by Amy Belding Brown, published by Penguin on August 3, 2021, is a historical fiction novel that delves into the life of Margaret Maher, the maid and confidante of the renowned poet Emily Dickinson. Set in Massachusetts during 1869, the story follows Margaret, an Irish immigrant who, seeking independence, takes a temporary position at the Dickinson family home. What begins as a short-term arrangement evolves into a profound friendship that shapes both women’s lives and ultimately impacts the legacy of Dickinson’s work.
In this evocative narrative, readers will discover the complexities of Margaret’s character as she navigates her role within the Dickinson household over three decades. The novel highlights themes of friendship, loyalty, and the experience of being an outsider, offering insights into the life of one of literature’s most enigmatic figures through the eyes of her devoted maid. With 384 pages, this edition presents a rich exploration of historical and biographical elements, inviting readers to reflect on the connections that can alter the course of history.
Official synopsis Publisher
She was Emily Dickinson’s maid, her confidante, her betrayer… and the savior of her legacy.
An evocative new novel about Emily Dickinson’s longtime maid, Irish immigrant Margaret Maher, whose bond with the poet ensured Dickinson’s work would live on, from the USA Today bestselling author of Flight of the Sparrow, Amy Belding Brown.
Massachusetts, 1869. Margaret Maher has never been one to settle down. At twenty-seven, she’s never met a man who has tempted her enough to relinquish her independence to a matrimonial fate, and she hasn’t stayed in one place for long since her family fled the potato famine a decade ago.
When Maggie accepts a temporary position at the illustrious Dickinson family home in Amherst, it’s only to save money for her upcoming trip West to join her brothers in California. Maggie never imagines she will form a life-altering friendship with the eccentric, brilliant Miss Emily or that she’ll stay at the Homestead for the next thirty years.
In this richly drawn novel, Amy Belding Brown explores what it is to be an outsider looking in, and she sheds light on one of Dickinson’s closest confidantes—perhaps the person who knew the mysterious poet best—whose quiet act changed history and continues to influence literature to this very day.
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