Confessions of a Courtesan Kindle Edition

Eighteen year old Elizabeth Cane, destitute and starving after the sudden death of her sick, blind father, was saved from dying on the streets of London when she was spotted by Ned Armistad, who recognizing her beauty and especially her lovely hair, took her in, fed her, had her clean up, dressed her well and took her to a nice building where he introduced her to Mrs. Goady. Although Elizabeth asked Ned if this was a brothel, he denied it. In the following weeks, Ned took her there often to be trained in being a lady and catering to men. Elizabeth fell in love with Ned and because he often left her at night, she became jealous and followed him. She discovered that he was gay and she left him. Knowing that she must find a way to make a living, she returned to Mrs. Goady, quickly learning that Mrs. Goady owned a high classed brothel catering to young, rich men, especially upper class. Mrs. Goady was extremely strict about the girls and if they got pregnant or poxed, she threw them out immediately. Since this was to be her profession, fortunately Elizabeth was naturally a passionate woman.One night a group of five drunken, overly exuberant young men who lived rather frivolous lives, burst into her room while she was servicing one of their buddies. They made such a disturbance that Mrs. Goady held Elizabeth responsible and forced her to leave. Elizabeth decided the only way she could support herself decently was to become "the most sought after courtesan in the empire." They took up the challenge and decided she must have French lessons, her portrait painted by a famous painter and hung up with those of other famous courtesans, and she must learn to act. A courtesan personified the goddess of pleasure and sin and had to be publicized with an air of mystery as to pique the curiosity of rich men, who would support her and ply her with expensive gifts. She was like a status symbol to those rich or titled men who competed for attention in society.Through the help of these men, she was "discovered" and many important men sought her favors in return for supporting her extremely well. Several courtesans were in favor and Elizabeth became competitive for patrons. Elizabeth, however, was very human, kind, helpful and loving to most of them. Although Elizabeth did bed each of those buddies, they flowed in and out of her life through the years, seeking her moral support, sympathy and advice.The reader becomes one with Elizabeth as she experienced sometimes happiness, sometimes grave disturbances, needs and love. Many realistic sexual scenes were described so that the reader was aware of the life of the courtesan, but with taste. All of the time I was reading this book, which named so many different lords, ladies, prominent men, I wondered if these events and people actually existed. At the end of the story, the author revealed her research, which made her story a truly historical novel. For those readers who enjoy history, romance, and drama, you will find this book entertaining, fascinating and informative.

I truly enjoyed this book. It is part Georgian Historical (takes place during George III's battle not to lose the American Colonies) and part biographical novel of the life of Elizabeth Fox, Queen of the Cypriots and wife of George Fox, a notable statesman. Elizabeth loses her brother and Mother to an epidemic that leaves her actor father blind. She takes care of him on the small amount he earns begging until she loses him one day. She is unable to find work and is care for by Mr. Armistead, a hairdresser and molly who is being blackmailed and needs to leave the country. She had fallen in love with him before she knew he was gay and with no other options, decides to let him go ahead with his plans to sell her to a good London bordello. She stays there five years and learns the difficulties and dangers facing a woman of her occupation. When she is thrown out through no fault of her own, she decides to make the best of it and wagers the men who caused her downfall to make her the best courtesan of her time and she becomes that through luck, self improvement, hard work and intelligence.Lizzy is as steadfast as her literature namesake and she is a women who has heart and warmth in a business where it is every woman for herself. Her breaking her own rule of never falling in love is surprising and dangerous. Rooting for Elizabeth to make it through the pitfalls of age, fortune and time is easy. The story never flags and the pace keep you interested. The whims of fortune that takes Elizabeth off the street and makes her a part of the great or important men of her time gives you a snapshot of the Georgian era. I cannot recommend this story enough.

The general storyline of this book is a good read and you'll find yourself wanting to know what happens next. However, so much of the areas that could've been poignant are taken up by steamy bedroom moments. The main character is a very sexual being which lays doubt for a reader when it seems every man she sleeps with for money also seems to stimulate her. Courtesans by the very nature of their work may have found some of their associations pleasurable but certainly not all. The book often comes across as soft core pornography as well as a romance novel. I was truly hoping to see more into the mind of the character but she appears to have very little mind. If anyone is interested in a rags to riches through use of the body as well as the mind, I recommend "Forever Amber." It's a far better read with a plot that's been called the English Gone With the Wind.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, based upon real persons and great historical research performed by the author. It provides a fascinating view into the life of a self-made woman of her time, while destigmatizing her profession.

This is normally a book I would never choose to read. But someone in my book club selected it and I’m glad she did. I was pleasantly surprised. It’s well written and I enjoyed the journey through the Georgian era. I also really liked the story of the heroine’s experiences, as well as the love story. The book had me curious about the various characters within, and I started looking up some of them online, and reading a little bit about them. I was surprised by how much of this book is based on facts (minus the unknown details of course). The Prince of Wales, the Derbys, Dorset, Daly, Fox, Fitzpatrick etc. I’ve been reading about some of these real life characters and they’re fascinating. Goes to show how some of the best “fictional” characters are just real ones!

O começo da história é lento mas a narrativa cresce e se torna cada vez mais envolvente. Ao final a autora traz uma vasta referencia bibliográfica para pesquisa dos fatos.

Die junge Lizzie führt ein behütetes und ziemlich sorgloses Leben im London des 18. Jahrhunderts. Ihr Dasein ändert sich schlagartig, als ihr geliebter Vater stirbt und sie fast mittellos zurücklässt. Hatte Lizzie anfangs noch Illusionen, sich mit einem normalen Job als Dienstmädchen oder Gouvernante durchzuschlagen, scheint ihr Glück noch einmal eine Wendung zum Guten zu nehmen, als ihr ein Bekannter eine scheinbar respektable Stellung anbietet. Lizzies Verliebtheit erlebt ebenso einen herben Schlag wie ihre naive Gutmütigkeit. Sie landet in einem Freudenhaus, und wenn sie eines gelernt hat, ist es der Leitsatz der Kurtisanen: Verlieb dich nie in einen Kunden...Dieser historische Roman war von Anfang an eine positive Überraschung. Die Hauptfigur wird einem schon nach den ersten Seiten vertraut, und mit faszinierten Grausen erlebt man mit, was man wie einen heranrollenden Güterzug kommen sieht: das mittellose Mädchen, naiv und vertrauensselig, landet im Bordell, und all ihre jungmädchenhaften Träume und Hoffnungen werden brutal zunichte gemacht. Wäre dies ein typisches Historical, würde die Heldin irgendwie tugendhaft bleiben und wie Pretty Woman von einem adligen, reichen Wohltäter aus ihrer misslichen Lage gerettet werden.Dass die Autorin nicht in diese Falle tappt, macht den Reiz der Geschichte aus - jetzt wird es nämlich erst richtig interessant. Mit bemerkenswerter Nüchternheit und Sachlichkeit wird der Alltag hinter dem lasziven Glanz des Bordells geschildert - nicht nur die eiserne Härte der Madame, sondern auch der Umgang der Mädchen untereinander und wie wenig glanzvoll dieses Leben ist.Nun wäre der Zeitpunkt für Lizzie, in Selbstmitleid zu verfallen und sich ihrem Schicksal zu ergeben - weit gefehlt. Es wird noch interessanter, denn Lizzie nimmt ihr Schicksal in die Hand und beschliesst, wenn schon Kurtisane, dann richtig- mit den geeigneten Gönnern und strategischem Geschick. Dieser Teil der Geschichte ist glänzend in Szene gesetzt, und immer wieder wird es fast tragisch, als Lizzie immer wieder doch nah dran ist, die eiserne Kurtisanenregel zu brechen, und immer wieder enttäuscht wird.Der Schluss steht der bisherigen Handlung in nichts nach, auch hier bleibt sich die Heldin auf ihre Art treu, koste es, was es wolle. Wie ihr endgültiges Leben aussieht und ob und wer sich an ihrer Seite findet, ist unerwartet und spannend.Wer gern historische Romane liest und die gängigen Strickmuster nicht mehr sehen kann, sollte dennoch der Geschichte eine Chance geben. Ich werde jedenfalls nach weiteren Werken der Autorin Ausschau halten.

I adored this book - the writer cleverly writes using the pen name Elizabeth Charles - combining the happy couples names.Mrs Armistead is brought to life in bawdy,vibrant Georgian London . Charles Fox is one of her sponsors and together with the Foxites plot to make Lizzie the leading courtesan of her day.The book takes us through Lizzie's affairs with men of importance - showing the glamorous but sordid life led by Cyprians during this era.Charles Fox is brought to life and his sweet tolerant charm is a perfect foil for the kindly Mrs Armistead.I hope this writer chooses other historical characters to write about - although we have quite a few books about Nell Gwynn I think this author could do her justice.I felt as though I had been transported through history and greatly enjoyed reading of times where freedom and fun had not given way to modern po faced morality.A wonderful love story where trust and loyalty are pitted against the morals of the day.

This book is a bit different, it creates a different perspective, and its one of those great books were it is difficult to predict the ending. I really enjoyed it as a light read.

I enjoyed this book - the first I've read by this author. I look forward to reading her other books as she writes very well. A few typos here and there but good overall.