Effie Gray, a beautiful and intelligent young socialite, rattled the foundations of England's Victorian age. Married at nineteen to John Ruskin, the leading art critic of the time, she found herself trapped in a loveless, unconsummated union after Ruskin rejected her on their wedding night. On a trip to Scotland she met John Everett Millais, Ruskin's protege, and fell passionately in love with him. In a daring act, Effie left Ruskin, had their marriage annulled, and entered into a long, happy marriage with Millais. Suzanne Fagence Cooper has gained exclusive access to Effie's previously unseen letters and diaries to tell the complete story of this scandalous love triangle. In Cooper's hands, this passionate love story also becomes an important new look at the work of both Ruskin and Millais with Effie emerging as a key figure in their artistic development. Effie is a heartbreakingly beautiful book about three lives passionately entwined with some of the greatest paintings of the pre-Raphaelite period.
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"Thought it was an interesting historical account of women's rights during that era. Also enjoyed reading about the interplay among families." — Shellyjock (4 out of 5 stars)
"Thought it was an interesting historical account of women's rights during that era. Also enjoyed reading about the interplay among families."
“Ms. Fagence Cooper’s book is for the most part graceful and judicious, and Effie Gray emerges from it as a very likable figure: lively, fashionable, brave enough to resist publicly the Victorian code that said wives were subject to their husbands and should suffer in silence.”
“Effie Gray’s story is extraordinary and Cooper feasts upon it with appetite…I cannot recommend Suzanne Fagence Cooper’s biography of Effie Gray more highly to anyone with a heart, a liking for a good read, and an interest in things Victorian.”
“A lively and highly readable triple biography of these figures, the first one to focus on the woman at the center of this triangle.”
“Cooper illuminates an atmosphere of passionate artistic innovation and literary appreciation, and a high-profile romantic triangle offers an intriguing look into the peculiar interaction between Effie’s two husbands in the name of art, and a young woman’s remarkable refusal to bow to relentless class and marital subjugation.”
" Interesting book, although not something I'd suggest anyone rush out and read, unless they were particularly interested in the lives of the Pre-Raphelite painters. "
" Biographies about Victorian times make you feel lucky to live in the era of modern medicine. "
" The story is captivating but the writing is uninspired. Holding out hope for a movie. "
" Very Well written. Spurred me on to read more about Ruskin, etc. "
" Most gripping read - as much about the social political landscape of Victorian England as it is about the life of a most unusual woman. "
" Loved reading about the love triangle of Effie Gray, Ruskin, and Millais. A non-fictionalized account yet very enjoyable and lively. "
Suzanne Fagence Cooper is a research fellow and curator at the Victoria & Albert Museum. She has also worked as a consultant for the BBC. She lives in London and York.
Sophie Ward is an English actor, known for Book of Blood, Young Sherlock Holmes, and Jane Eyre. Her acting career also includes recurring roles in Heartbeat and The Nanny.
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