We all know Julian Fellowes is an excellent writer from our love of Downton Abbey, but I could not turn the pages of Belgravia fast enough. This novel is full of intrigue, mystery, love and excitement and if you are a period piece lover like myself, I could not recommend Belgravia more.
Opening the night before the Battle of Waterloo in Brussels, Fellowes introduces readers to a mismatched pair of young lovers, Sophia and Edmund, from contradicting social standings. Their love, however, unites their families through a deep secret that is not revealed till roughly 30 years later back in their home country of England. This secret is not the only unifying thread, though. The novel is named for the neighborhood in which these families reside, Belgrave Square, built by the father of Sophia. 19th century London proves to be a “small town” as individual storylines quickly cross streets.
What was so great about the plot of Belgravia, was how inquisitive I was while reading it. I kept wanting more detail and answered questions through each page flipped. And just when I would think I knew where the twist lied, I was completely surprised by revealed facts.
My favorite part about this novel is the attention to character development. Fellowes writes from the perspective of all characters equally, and you truly feel as if you understand each of them. All of the characters have their own history, desires and storyline. One could argue there is not one true protagonist or antagonist, which keeps things ever interesting, and never dull. And of course, all of these storylines are connected to one another, culminating in the final pages.
Belgravia receives a 5 out of 5 from me and goes onto my list of top favorites. It is definitely a novel I will pick up again in my lifetime.
Happy reading!