Thomas B. Costain Last Love

Annotation

A FASCINATING NOVEL DRAWN FROM THE LIVING FABRIC OF HISTORY...THE MASTER OF THE HISTORICAL NOVELCutting a colorful swath through the misty past, Thomas B. Costain weaves a charming, bittersweet tale of a defeated hero, a remote island exile, and a lovely young girl who enriches the great man's final years.THE LAST LOVE begins as Napoleon, defeated and a prisoner, arrives at the island of St. Helena to begin his exile. But while Longwood-a broken-down, rat-infested farmhouse-is being readied for the captive hero and his entourage, he stays at an Englishman's country mansion, where he meets lovely young Betsy Balcombe-high-spirited, outspoken, and the only French-speaking member of the family. Betsy acts as interpreter for the hero, and through this inspired rendering of their great friendship, this colorful conqueror emerges as a compelling human figure...an extraordinary man and a transcendent genius. Here is a stirring narrative of magnificent tenderness and understanding, the moving story of the great man-andTHE LAST LOVE"Absorbing...Costain's skill at giving intimate insights into a great historical character has never been better shown. Betsy...should certainly take her place as one of literature's charming feminine characters, if not a newly revealed flower of history..."-Christian Science Monitor"Costain paints a tremendous canvas filled with warm color and life...As those know who have read his many vigorous recreations of the past, Costain has a magnificent talent for breathing life into history..."-Chicago Sunday Tribune