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Audiobooks > Fiction >  Historical > The Mistress of Nothing

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Extended Audio Sample The Mistress of Nothing Audiobook, by Kate Pullinger Click for printable size audiobook cover
3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 3.00 (1,732 ratings) (rate this audio book) Author: Kate Pullinger Narrator: Rosalyn Landor Publisher: Blackstone Audio Format: Unabridged Audiobook Delivery: Instant Download Audio Length: Release Date: February 2011 ISBN: 9781470800215
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Winner of Canada’s prestigious Governor General’s Award, this richly rendered American debut captures the life of a lady’s maid on her journey from the confines of Victorian England to the uncharted reaches of Egypt’s Nile Valley, awakening first love, testing loyalties, and discovering freedom has a price.

When Lady Duff Gordon, toast of Victorian London society, departs for the hot, dry climate of Egypt to seek relief from the debilitating effects of her tuberculosis, Sally doesn’t think twice about remaining by her mistress’ side. Sally and Lady Duff Gordon throw themselves into their exotic surroundings, adopting native dress, learning Arabic, and visiting the tombs of ancient pharaohs. Along the way, Sally comes to experience freedoms she, as a servant, has never known before, as well as her first taste of romance.

But freedom is a luxury that a maid can ill afford, and when Sally grasps for more than status entitles her to, she is brutally reminded that she is mistress of nothing. Ultimately, she must choose her master and a way back—or a way to the unknown.

Based on the real lives of Lady Duff Gordon and her maid, The Mistress of Nothing is a lush, sometimes dark portrait of forbidden love, tested loyalties, and finding an unexpected new definition of “home”—a compelling story that will take listeners on a journey they will not soon forget.

Download and start listening now!

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Quotes & Awards

  • “The Mistress of Nothing sent me between torrents of emotion much like those conflicting forces the Nile has provoked since ancient times: tranquillity, excitement, even shock. Have fun!”

    Hanan Al-Shayhk, author of The Locust and the Bird

  • “It’s Sally’s observations—of men sleeping on the deck of a ship, ‘rolled up like carpets in a souk,’ or the feel of the Arabic language in her mouth, ‘full of air and full of earth at the same time’—that bring this lost world to life.”

    New York Times Book Review

  • “Romance and tragedy baked in the blistering oven of British morals and prejudice.”

    Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

  • “Incorporating actual quotes from the real Lady Duff Gordon’s letters, and endowing Sally with tremendous character, Pullinger successfully imagines an ordinary life in extraordinary circumstances.”

    Publishers Weekly

  • “The book’s commitment to a historical and pragmatic voice is its true gem. Even with its soft voice, The Mistress of Nothing is a tough story of the unavoidable tragedies and celebrations that three simple, yet extraordinary, lives may yield.”

    BookPage

  • “A highly sensual evocation of place and time, Kate Pullinger’s The Mistress of Nothing is a journey down the Nile that explores the subtle complexities of power, race, class, and love during the Victorian era. The book, narrated by the character of the maid, Sally Naldrett, has one of the most distinctive and memorable voices in recent literature.”

    Governor General’s Jury Citation

  • “The fascination of this deft and unfussily written narrative lies partly in the contrast made between then and now—the merciless progress of tuberculosis, the power of master over servant, the hypocrisies inherent in such a relationship; partly, it stems from the satisfaction in participating in one woman’s determination to survive.”

    Sunday Times (UK)

  • “Pullinger’s narrative flows as smoothly as the Nile…This is an absorbing and gripping tale.”

    Independent (UK)

  • “Pullinger is equally unerring at conveying the subtle cruelties of power relationships and the incremental dawnings of love and affection. Coupled with this is an almost painterly ability to depict an Egypt alternately parched and sumptuous—both literally and metaphorically.”

    Metro (UK)

  • “Pullinger has set herself a challenge that also pays rich dividends. The remarkable life of Lucie Duff Gordon deserves renewed attention, and Pullinger’s novel about this unconventional literary figure’s even more unconventional maid yields some moving narrative which, whether factual or not, rings utterly true.”

    Globe and Mail (Canada)

  • “British actress/voice artist Rosalyn Lander conveys an overall sense of intrigue with her smooth, well-paced narration.”

    Library Journal audio review

  • “Landor’s narration is solid, with good inflection, and she gives Sally an authentic voice while making other characters, both male and female, sound realistic…Landor is a good fit for the novel and for Sally’s character in particular.”

    AudioFile

  • “I couldn’t stop reading this wonderful book…Kate Pullinger’s skill is to make you feel like the confidante of her strong and unconventional heroine as she journeys down the Nile into the greatest adventure of her life. Highly recommended.”

    Julia Gregson, author of East of the Sun
  • Winner of the Governor General’s Literary Award
  • A BookPage Book of the Day in January 2011
  • A Historical Novels Review Editors’ Choice
  • A 2011 BookPage Best Book
  • Selected for the February 2011 Indie Next List

Listener Opinions

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Marlene | 2/20/2014

    " An interesting, but self-indulgent historical fiction. I learned something about women, Egypt, 19th century mores. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Lucy Parat | 1/18/2014

    " Excellent historical detail. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Liz Fenwick | 1/17/2014

    " I had read a review of this book a while ago and thought it sounded intriguing and it was. But it has left me not quite satisfied. I think it may be the intrusive first person voice...I found it a bit tiring. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Susan | 1/2/2014

    " Very interesting story built on imagining the lives of two people in the background of Lady Duff's Gordon more prominent one: her maid, Sally, who accompanied her to Egypt as she battled to survive tb, and Omar, the Egyptian "butler/cook" hired to assist them during their travels/stay. Loved the historical details of the environment and social mores. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Karen | 12/29/2013

    " An interesting tale that clearly defines class lines and the strange bond of aristocracy and servant. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Nora | 12/29/2013

    " I liked this book although the descriptions tended to run a bit long. I'm a bit sad that the ending was so open-ended and rough although since this is based off of a true story I guess the ending makes sense. "

  • 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Marya | 12/27/2013

    " About 30 pages in, I realized this was going to be an Exotic Romance with Serious Literary Overtones. In other words, not my cup of tea. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Shari | 12/20/2013

    " winner of the Governor Generals Literary Award, this novel is loosely based upon real letters from the 1860's. Lady Duff Gordon suffers from Tuberculosis and needs to seek a dryer climate. she travels to Egypt with her maid Sally. the 2 women throw aside their "English" ways and fall in love with the Egyptian people and their ways-Sally perhaps more than she should have. What unfolds is the stark realization that Sally really is "the mistress of nothing" as Lady Gordon shows her. A love story against all odds. good read. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Beth | 11/24/2013

    " Good read....the descriptions of Egypt are amazing, as is the novel's focus on social class structures. My only problem was I wanted the novel to be a few pages longer...I wanted to know, what now? "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Karen Onofrio | 11/24/2013

    " Quite enjoyable. Scandalous historical fiction, feminine struggles against the conventions of the time. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Merry | 11/10/2013

    " I loved the geographical descriptions in story. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Wheresmonica | 5/24/2013

    " This book takes you on a journey to Egypt. It is well researched piece of historical fiction. The writing is so vivid that you can taste and smell the words on the page. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Zoom | 12/13/2012

    " I didn't love this book. It was ok...a quick, easy, almost mindless read. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Theresa | 8/8/2012

    " Very interesting book and perspective on Egypt--especially in light of recent events. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Blackley | 7/6/2012

    " Great sense of place. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Elizabeth | 3/1/2012

    " I really liked this book, slow start but finished the final 2/3's of the book in one evening. I really grew to hate Sitti Duff Gordon in this novel! But I would like to read more about her REAL life adventures. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Janice | 10/11/2011

    " Liked the story. Good writing. "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Julie | 6/29/2011

    " It seemed like she didn't know how to end it so it just trails off. She also needed to do a little more research on the Arabic and Islam. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Notty | 6/29/2011

    " Just finished this book, and would recommend it to anyone. An Easy Read and most enjoyable, based on a true story, a great read! "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Johanna | 5/16/2011

    " Great book, so slowly developing and so hot and lazy that you imagine yourself on the river Nile on that boat with the protagonist. Really good portrait of the times and the class differences and basic racism at work in a colonial world. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Melanie | 5/14/2011

    " Very easy read, read it during my Ireland trip. Good book, but couldnt compare to "Beneath a Marble Sky." Read it for a book club meeting :) "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Kim | 5/13/2011

    " This book is a fictionalized account of a real person...the ladies' maid to Lucie Duff Cooper, a titled British aristocrat who lived the last several years of her life in Egypt (along with the ladies' maid). Very evocative of a time period and a good description of class issues. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Karen40000 | 5/7/2011

    " This novel explores the complexities of power, race, class and love. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Marlene | 5/2/2011

    " An interesting, but self-indulgent historical fiction. I learned something about women, Egypt, 19th century mores. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Steve | 4/25/2011

    " I really enjoyed this book. Interesting how history repeats itself in the middle east as most of this book takes place in Egypt. Very easy read and not too long... it keeps moving. "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Julie | 4/22/2011

    " It seemed like she didn't know how to end it so it just trails off. She also needed to do a little more research on the Arabic and Islam. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Greg | 4/13/2011

    " Cdn author and 2009 Governor General award winner. The romantic story of a maid in 19th century Britain and her travels to Egypt with her employer. A good read and interesting depiction of life in those times. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Bluejay4 | 4/7/2011

    " Interesting information about Egypt and the time period, class and life. "

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About the Author
Author Kate Pullinger

Kate Pullinger was born in British Columbia, Canada, and now lives in London. She is the author of several novels and collections of short stories. She collaborated with Jane Campion on the novel of the film The Piano and has written for film, television, and radio. She teaches creative writing and new media at De Montfort University.

About the Narrator

Rosalyn Landor has won eight AudioFile Earphones Awards and been a finalist for the Audie Award. She has worked as an actor since the age of seven, both in Europe and the United States. Her extensive list of credits includes leading roles in film, theater, and audio productions, as well as in various miniseries on all the major television networks and in such productions as Masterpiece Theatre’s Sherlock Holmes and Rumpole of the Bailey.

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