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Jun 17, 2013WVMLBookClubTitles rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Winner of the 2009 Governor General’s Literary Award, this novel is set in Egypt in the 1860s. Based very loosely on the life of Lady Duff Gordon, the story revolves around her maid, Sally. Lady Gordon is diagnosed with tuberculosis and her husband sends her to Egypt for the dry climate. The lady and her maid set up house in Luxor and soon become the toast of the town. Sally finds herself drawn into an illicit relationship with one of the other servants and before long finds her life in a state of turmoil. A romantic novel, rich in historical detail that blends struggles with race and class and sexual morals in an exotic setting. The novel prompted a number of discussions on the question of historical accuracy and the right of the novelist to play with the facts to create an engaging story.