WOMS: Bringing Down the Duke

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As promised, here’s my first book review after a lengthy hiatus of my WOMS [What’s on my Shelf?] series! So beware: spoilers!

At the moment of writing this, I stayed up last night until after the wee hour of 2:00 AM, and then immediately picked the book back up first thing the next morning to continue reading Evie Dunmore’s book Bringing Down the Duke.

I say this because I was a bit reluctant to pick up the book in the first place. Some of you may have noticed I tend to read exclusively genre-specific fiction, either fantasy or, now, mystery (with the exception of the classics). This novel, as tempting as it seemed, and as much as it was recommended—I didn’t feel particularly drawn to since it was “only” a historical romance.

(We all know and agree I’m pretentious at times, so let’s just collectively roll our eyes and move on, shall we? Thank you.)

Witty, saucy, albeit at times even scandalous—beneath the clever banter of the two main characters, Annabelle and Montgomery, there is a depth of raw, human emotion which gripped me in so strong a hold, I haven’t felt this emotionally swayed by a book since…well, I can’t remember.

If you recall, I’ve mentioned how “recently,” within the past year, I’ve shifted from reading the monotony of teen fiction to more adult tales. I reasoned it was probably due to the nature of now being married, that my perspectives on romance had matured some, and that the impulsive decision-making of said age group lacked the calculation I desired.

Interesting, then, I found within this very book both equal parts impulse and calculation. The constant battle between those opposing forces, spectacularly epitomized within the two main characters was glorious to be enthralled by; to experience the throes of two people so unsuitably matched by society’s standards, and for both of them to arrive at the same conclusion on their own, to throw caution to the wind in the name of their irrefutable love—it was grand.

Perhaps this is why I loved it so, especially since Dunmore wrote her characters with such compelling, such human, motivations. I think it an excellent source to show aspiring writers like myself how to reach to the depths of the souls of your characters, to know them fully, so that you are true to their emotions on the page, that you honour them as though they were real people.

Annabelle and Montgomery felt real to me.

There were a few moments I had to pause because I needed to cry from a simple line, which revealed a universe of heartache within one of her characters. I read on eagerly hoping for the happily ever after, knowing that Dunmore wouldn’t be that cruel of a writer; though, I had my doubts when she wrote as tumultuous a journey as theirs to that inevitable happy ending.

Also, I loved her use of time. For a moment, I wondered if the book—which hadn’t strayed from one setting for what felt like either one third or half of its drama—would occur only within a limited setting. While I enjoyed their leisure at the Duke’s estate, I’m glad I was wrong, but only because it allowed me to explore their world more. However, I still greatly appreciated the story’s action slowing to focus on a full two weeks (I think), expounding on the budding romance between the two characters. I think too many authors either rush their character’s romance with an immediate boil, or tease it so much in hopes of creating a simmering burn it instead fizzles out before ever reaching a boiling point with the full force of their passion. Somehow, Dunmore found a perfect balance between the two, probably from her brilliant use of both external and internal conflict.

And thank you, Dunmore, for not beating around the proverbial bush, either, and letting them almost immediately throw themselves at each other. I like a slow burn every once and a while, but honestly I think we need more characters just diving into their emotions and suffering the consequences. To me, it is a much more compelling narrative. (For those of you who prefer the other, I will note that it’s not like it happens on page 12. Dunmore takes her time, but she doesn’t drag it out either as if to torture her characters and her readers.)

Overall, if you’re looking for a book with relatable characters, full of tempestuous emotions, class conflict, feminists in their toddling stages fighting for equality, and a well-earned happily ever after—then you’re in for a treat with Dunmore’s Bringing Down the Duke.

I give it a 4.5 stars. (Y’all should know I’m very selective with my 5 stars.) Hopefully it becomes the next hit BBC series soon with a dream cast I am now fantasizing over. For now I’ll settle with reading the next installment in her League of Extraordinary Women series, A Rogue of One’s Own.

Stay tuned for its review!

Have you read it? What did you think? Do you have a suggestion of what I should read next? Let me know by leaving your comments below!

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