Victoria Meeks' story is one of heartbreak and loss. Despite everything, she sees great success in publishing a series of romances under the pen name Victoria Swann. But her past and her husband's vices lead to her pen name's literary undoing. This is a lovely story of post-traumatic growth. Victoria navigates through each tragedy and setback with aplomb and finds the place she always sought in Boston literary circles. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys books about books and writings books.

Living in her Boston in the late 19th century, Victoria Byrne (neé Meeks) has written nineteen highly successful romance novels under her nom-de-plume of Mrs Swann. These tales of high adventure always feature plucky heroines in exotic locations, finding themselves in dangerous situations and along the way swooning into the arms of a wealthy, handsome stranger with the sound of wedding bells noy far behind. Not literary fiction, but popular with housewives, servants and shop girls in the new breed of working women and an excellent money spinner for her publishing house.

However, recently she’s tired of writing the Mrs Swann novels and wants to write novels more grounded in reality and more relevant to the lives of her readers. Her resolve is further strengthened by events at her publishers and acts as the catalyst for changes in her marriage, life and desire to stand up for herself and the rights of women authors.

I enjoyed this delightful tale of the power of writing and reading and of a woman finding her own voice, despite it leading to her losing the way of life she had known. I also enjoyed the characters who supported her young editor Jonathan Cartwright, as well as a fellow author and the owner of a bookshop. However, I would have enjoyed it even more if there had been more depth in the characters, especially Victoria’s husband, her previous editor and the unscrupulous rogue, Louis Russell who all came across as too stereotypical. I would also loved to have got to know Victoria’s fascinating Aunt Edwina and her assistant Dottie Windsor better as both had a lot more they could have given to the tale. Nevertheless, it’s a wonderful tale and a very engaging read.

A literary reclaiming ★★★☆☆

Inspired by the true story of author Gail Hamilton, who sued her Boston publisher in 1867 for deliberately underpaying her compared to her male counterparts, The Literary Undoing charts the journey of a successful romance adventure “penny dreadful” novelist and moral advice columnist who decides it’s time for change.

Already tired of her writing talents being restrained and of writing under a pseudonym, a change of editor exposes how underpaid and disrespected she has been as an author. Beginning to realise her true value, Victoria decides to retire “Mrs Swann” and write a realist novel.

However, as a woman in 19th century Boston she must fight against her publisher, the industry, society and even her own husband in order to reinvent her life and her career.

Victoria’s challenges are outrageous and admirable, although some of the plot strands are too easily or not satisfactorily resolved.

This is an important and sadly not shocking topic which raises questions of the perception of women and their work as well as what constitutes “proper” literature.

An interesting venture into the sexist and classist world of 19th century publishing which still rings true today.

This was historical fiction -lite to me. It was pleasant enough but had many anachronisms and modern sensibilities that ultimately rubbed me up the wrong way. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.

A booklover's delight. 1860s Boston is a man's world. Popular author Victoria Swann becomes disenchanted with her light, flowery novels and decides to write a book with more bite. Her traditional publisher is not enamoured of the idea and neither is her husband, so she enlists the help of a new young editor. The descriptions of Boston life and society are witty and charming. For fans of Louisa May Alcott and Jane Austin.

Thank you, NetGalley and Regal House Publishing, for my free copy in exchange for review.

The Literary Undoing of Victoria Swann offers a unique and captivating experience. This intellectually stimulating book delves into the author's journey in writing what truly resonates with them while also exploring the readers' freedom to choose their preferred literary works. It delves into the complexities of critics, self-proclaimed book connoisseurs, and the intricate relationship between authors, editors, and publishers. Furthermore, it highlights the theme of women empowering one another and asserting their rights during a time when they were beginning to gain some control over their lives. Alongside this narrative unfolds an editor's voyage of self-discovery regarding his sexual orientation in a society where gay relationships were still considered taboo.

Although the story may take some time to unfold fully, I encourage readers to persevere as this book is an enthralling adventure that will leave you captivated until its end.

I ended up DNFing this book (didn't finish it) at around the 35% mark. Not because it was awful, I actually thought the writing was very well-done, but because I realized this book just simply is not for me! I felt as though it was moving too slowly for what I typically enjoy in my books and not enough was happening/developing for me to continue to be interested in reading it. If, however, you are someone who really loves historical fiction and literary fiction and you enjoy reading about authors and strong female leads, I think you could enjoy this book! Unfortunately, it just wasn't for me.

Virginia Pye's "The Literary Undoing of Victoria Swann" is a captivating exploration of a woman's quest for authenticity and equity in the Gilded Age's literary world. Pye masterfully crafts Victoria Swann, a successful romance author, who defies the expectations of her publisher and society to find her true voice. Amidst the challenges, Victoria's resilience resonates powerfully, making her a character to root for. Tired of writing escapist romances for paltry pay, she switches genres and addresses women's issues in realistic fiction, much to the annoyance of her publisher and husband. Her determination to write meaningful stories blossoms into a fight for pay equity, gaining her unlikely allies and awakening her authentic voice. The novel is a testament to the liberating power of writing and reading, and a delightful celebration of women's strength and determination. A must-read for anyone who appreciates stories of self-discovery, empowerment, and the beauty of literature. Five stars for this thought-provoking, engaging, and thoroughly delightful read!

Thanks Net Galley and Regal House for the early peek at this wonderful novel.

Copied from Goodreads: The Literary Undoing of Victoria Swann explores the injustice of gender in 19th century and its publishing world. Unfortunately, many of the social issues raised by Virginia Pye remain challenging in 2023. Perhaps deliberately, the writing is as overwritten as the Mrs. Swann books are said to be. However, the cast of characters and premise are enjoyable. I especially appreciated the many other outsiders that were included in Victoria’s journey.

Many thanks to Regal House Publishing via NetGalley for a Kindle ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As a giant book nerd, I was SO excited for this one - the word "literary" in the title AND a woman writing on the cover? Sign me up! Unfortunately was very disappointed by the lack of depth, substance, and complexity - I would categorize this as chick lit/beach read fluff rather than historical fiction.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC. 4 out of 5 (maybe could have used a bit of editing to tighten up side plots)
I really enjoyed this books about a woman living in late Victorian Boston who writes the equivalent of fantasy adventure novels marketed to working women. When her publisher is bought out, she discovers that her professional life has been manipulated by not only her editor, but also by her n'er-do-well husband, and she decides to fight back. She decides that she's going to write a more realistic book and hopes her fans will stay loyal.
I love the details of Victoria's life, her journey to see her estranged family, and the way she reaches out to make new friends. Her economic and emotional struggles rang true to me, but she had a lot of support from people who believed in her.
I'd recommend this to fans of female-driven historical fiction, and I loved all of the details of Boston that the author had obviously spent a lot of time researching.
Very solid and entertaining (and yes, there are some gay characters, get over this people!).

Well written. Dialogue flowed well. I'm not sure I would read it AGAIN. The story wasn't that captivating. However, the storyline did not follow converntions and I didnt predict the ending. I could have done without the homosexual reference thrown in by surprise at the end....

"As soon as she was old enough to read she turned to books for companionship...they had saved her as a child and offered her a direction in life." Victoria Meeks, farm girl, seemed to have found her niche in writing in the Gilded Age in 1890s Boston.

Under the pseudonym of Victoria Swann, she penned a series of romance and adventure novels about ne'er-do-wells and their adventures in foreign lands, places she herself had never visited. Following the advice of her editor, she married, giving credence to her writing status.

"I write what they want to read-my readers are shopgirls, widows, seamstresses...young lads who save their pennies for weekly westerns and frontier tales in the thin dime-novel format...but...never before has there been so much frivolous writing and so many uneducated readers." "I've become a cottage industry...predictable...I want to write something meaningful."

In Boston, times were a changin'. "Boston's past was being escorted out by a ruffian and overseen by a rogue." The first change occurred when Victoria's publishing house changed hands. The new publisher did not want to be "bothered" with details (or books), choosing to siphon the proceeds from his most successful author, Mrs. Swann, to pay male writers and to pursue nefarious projects. This new publisher demanded that Mrs. Swann now deliver three romance novels a year as well as an increased number of penny dreadfuls.

Mrs. Swann would choose the path of mover and shaker. "I've become bored with the terrain of hapless women and heroic men in distant lands...but now, I want to write what I please." Her editor called her behavior erratic when she asked him to read the first chapter of her new, different novel based upon her own life experiences-a farm girl in the city. Literary support came in the form of an encouraging new editor and a change to a fledgling publishing house. Mrs. Swann refused to write additional romance novels to meet the demands and deadlines of unscrupulous men. She hoped her readers could soon read her "story that reflects the changing world around them...a new voice to capture their reality..".

The awakening of Victoria Swann was also her undoing. When questioning the mores of the male dominated society of the 1890s, she discovered that publishers did not constrain the works of male authors. Why were women compensated on a paltry scale? Although she received scandalous threats, she spoke to the "new women" who had come from farms to the cities. "She spoke not as the famous Mrs. Swann but as 'their' Mrs. Swann". Women listened.

"The Literary Undoing of Victoria Swann" by Virginia Pye shines a light on the plight of women living during the Gilded Age of Boston. Women were expected to follow the guidelines laid out by men, without question. The publishing world took advantage as well, creating an unfair pay scale for Mrs. Swann's novels and penny dreadfuls. She was expected to follow "a formula" to continue
to appeal to the masses of readers. Any change in direction could spell disaster, however, Victoria was no fool. She had the ear of women from all walks of life in this read of historical fiction. Her fans included the daughter of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow! A highly recommended read.

Thank you Regal House Publishing and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I strongly recommend this novel for most readers - it explores sensitive and thoughtful themes while also not taking itself too seriously, striking an ideal balance to become both thought provoking and entertaining. I particularly recommend it for fans of Little Women.

The book is set in Gilded Age Boston, and Virginia Pye builds the setting very vividly. The plot is driven by a small cast of well-developed characters, and explores political themes that are relevant both to its historical setting and to the modern day, without feeling forced.

It's worth noting that this book has minimal romance, which is pretty refreshing. I also want to say that it takes a while to get into this one, particularly because of its unfamiliar settings, but it is definitely worth the payoff!

An interesting idea about the struggles faced by a female author in early 20th century America. The opening is promising but the novel sadly fails to find its feet, getting bogged down with the more trivial aspects of the protagonist's life rather than the bigger trials she faces. There are also too many loose ends and unnecessary characters. Additionally there are too many subplots involving supporting characters and at times the story can't seem to remember who the protagonist is. Although the novel is beautifully written in places, this can't make up for its patchy narrative.

A well written story about a female author in Boston in the days when men controlled everything. Victoria had carved out a nice living writing romance novels and trying to keep her life separate from her husband. He gets into trouble and tries to use her to save himself, so she loses everything. However Victoria is strong and she has supporters, so she fights her way back, against the establishment, and becomes the writer she really wants to be.

This was a fantastic read! Love a good strong female lead, especially in a time and place where it’s unexpected and frowned upon. While highlighting the darker side of nineteenth century American publishing the strength and wit with which Victoria Swann conducts herself is refreshing and inspiring. Women have been striving for independence and having their voices heard for centuries and every once in a while some succeeded. Hopefully we’ll be hearing much more from the delightful Mrs. swann. Thank you NetGalley for the arc.

Admired the courage and determination of Victoria Meeks in her quest to break free of the expected norms of the age she lived in and the social constraints placed on women of her social standing. An unusual story of friendship between men and women with mutual interests and opinions. Didn't shy away from hardships and, to modern eyes, the problems facing women as they struggled to break free from the restrictions they faced from family and society. Very engaging read.

I'm afraid I had to abandon this at 40% completed because of the purple prose. I just don't enjoy such elaborate writing when it is every single sentence. It’s just not my style which is a shame as the blurb sounded exactly my kind of thing. I’m sure other people will love it though.

Because my friend Sue, another avid reader, alerted me to download a free copy of The Literary Undoing of Victoria Swann by Virginia Pye, I had the opportunity to read the book well ahead of its October publication date. What a delightful novel!
Victoria Swann is the pen name of a quite successful author. She pens happy romances that take place in faraway lands. Sadly, the author, Victoria Meeks, has never traveled outside of MA. Too, she decides that no matter how successful her books are and how much her readers love them that she is doing them a disservice. Her goal is to write more authentic stories.
Alas, her long-time editor discourages Victoria from this notion. He insists that she owes the publishing house another book in the same vein as the previous ones. In fact, he wants to her continue indefinitely writing the same kind of stories.
However, Victoria’s old editor is on his way out, and Victoria receives a new, recent college grad as her editor. While the previous editor refuses to read the start of a new kind of book for Victoria, the new editor manages to get his hands on the only copy and finds himself intrigued by the beginning of the novel.
The story contains several problems for both Victoria and both of her editors because the publishing house is purchased by an unscrupulous, wealthy, businessman. Victoria learns she has been the moneymaker for the firm while being well underpaid for all of her work. Furious, she demands change, but that change comes at a price.
First, she disappears, going to her uncle’s home in Maine and living in a tiny apartment. Her urge to write that new novel continues, and she finds strength in her new surroundings. She completes the novel and discovers Jonathan, the new editor, and his partner, have opened their own publishing firm.
The Literary Undoing of Victoria Swann is full of trouble, disappointment, and heartache, but it is also full of success, love, and change. It is a thoroughly delightful story.



https://parkdalear.wordpress.com/2023/06/02/the-book-whisperer-is-delighted-with-an-advance-copy/