I was really drew by this book because of its subject, and that is the love story between the great poets Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett. I admit that even if I'm quite knowledgeable in English literature, I didn't know a lot about these two particular figures, even if they're very famous indeed.

The book was fine in my eyes, it didn't blow me away, but certainly it wasn't a bad book. The main problem I had with this one is that we don't see a whole lot about these two poems, and at the 60% mark I still didn't know why they were in love with each other. We see a lot of the side characters, and while that's fine and they were quite interesting, I still would have liked to focus a little bit more on the two main characters.

The writing was quite good and immersive, and I get that the author has done a whole lot of research for this book, so I respect her for that, in the end this one didn't capture me a lot to be honest.

When I was an English teacher, I taught Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnets from the Portuguese (especially “How Do I Love Thee?”) and Robert Browning’s dramatic monologues like “My Last Duchess,” “Porphyria’s Lover,” and “The Bishop Orders his Tomb at St. Praxed’s Church”. And of course I told students about the courtship and marriage of these two 19th-century poets. This novel, based on extensive research, is a fictionalized account of that love affair.

Elizabeth Barrett is already a successful, well-known poet when Robert Browning, a younger and less popular poet, writes to her praising her work. An admirer of his innovative, obscure poems, she is ecstatic. Robert begs to meet her but she has been confined to her home for almost her entire life because of a debilitating illness. She keeps delaying their meeting: “There must never come a day when Mr. Browning saw her as she was, a person, a body instead of a mind. There must never come a day when she had to see him being disappointed in what she was.”

Five months later, the meeting does eventually take place. Romance blooms, but Robert has difficulty convincing Elizabeth to marry him. She fears her father’s reaction, knowing that he will see the impecunious Robert as wanting to wed her because she has a degree of financial independence. Elopement means a long, tiring journey for them, especially for Elizabeth because of her precarious health.

Besides the love affair, the book touches on other topics. Because some of the Barrett money is derived from a Jamaican sugar plantation, the issues of racism and slavery are discussed. A subplot deals with Edward Barrett, the family patriarch, refusing to acknowledge the illegitimate child of his son and a black servant. One of Elizabeth’s brothers is attracted to a woman, but her abolitionist views make her an unacceptable partner.

The differences between the lives of men and women are also depicted. Women’s lives tend to be narrow and restricted. Robert, for instance, though he cannot travel in luxury, is able to travel freely. His sister Sarianna, however, is trapped by her gender, financial dependence, and family responsibilities. While her brother is away, she is expected to look after her parents. The sections from her point of view are heart-breaking; she asks herself, “how many times could you look at the same view? The view that would be hers next year, and the next.” Arabella, Elizabeth’s youngest sister, is in the same position. Even though Elizabeth has money of her own, she is expected to do as her father wishes. Englishmen in charge of plantations in Jamaica are free to have mistresses who are often abandoned to look after any children from these liaisons while “’the men are never punished, unless they are Black.’”

The protagonists are realistic because both are flawed. Though we might know them as famous poets, Elizabeth has a laudanum/morphine addiction, and Robert proves to be naïve in his lack of preparations for their trip to Italy. He has to be rescued by a woman! The villain is certainly Elizabeth’s father who is a stern, controlling tyrant. He believes he knows what is best for Elizabeth; he even refuses to send her to a warmer climate for the winter despite a doctor’s strong recommendations. He wants none of his children to marry, probably because he is concerned about the family’s dwindling finances: “Protecting a smaller and smaller fortune from lawyers and extended family has given him a horror of wills and additional descendants.’” Elizabeth loves her father but she concedes that “his disapproval of men and marriages never stopped being what it was: illogical and cruel to everyone except himself, benevolent and protective in his own mind.”

One aspect that I found problematic is the point of view. The perspective of various characters is given and that I enjoyed. It’s just that characters appear and then disappear. For instance, we are given the perspective of Elizabeth’s sister Henrietta but then she seems to be replaced her younger sister Arabella. Sarianna is given attention at the beginning, but then she too is given short shrift. As a consequence, the novel feels disjointed at times.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It is not just about the romance between Elizabeth and Robert; it also depicts the harsh realities of racism and the restrictions women faced at the time. Whether familiar or not with Elizabeth and Robert’s poetry or love story, readers will find much to enjoy in this novel.

Having not known much about Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Browning but passing knowledge, I set out to read this book. It is historical fiction, with the aim to tell the love story between the two poets. The characters came to life, and even as someone who doesn't much enjoy poetry, I found myself intrigued and interested in learning more about these two individuals. Learning about Elizabeth Barrett Browning was interesting, she was a strange character, but also had the most interesting quirks. I will for sure be learning more about her in the future and looking into her poetry as well. I would highly recommend this to someone who loves historical fiction, wants something new, and enjoys well researched and well-written books!

This ebook was provided by NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

In The Swans Nest by Laura McNeil I thought the author did a great job capturing the first blush of a romance and the excitement of hearing your crushes name on their lips and in this case in a poem. As was the case with Robert Browning. From there exciting courtship to their eventual trip to Italy with a story about her brother Sam thrown in for a little drama this book really makes for a great read, especially to those who love romance or those who always wants the underdog to come out on top because that is exactly what happens with poor sickly Elizabeth Barrett browning.I wish we would’ve found out what happened when she got to Italy if she was better or not? She went on to have a son with her husband I guess she was a little bit better? Either way this was a great book a lovely romance just be fore warned there’s talk of slavery and rape in the book it’s only talked about after the fact but I know some people don’t like that and so there is your warning. This is a great book and one I definitely recommend. I want to thank Algonquin books and net Galley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

This is such a lovely novel that traces the romance of real poets Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning. There are parts of this novel that will really make your heart ache. I loved how clearly the author cared about her characters and she included appendices to explain real characters vs. invented. Most of the research for this book is based on the real letters passed between Barrett and Browning, so of course some of the included characters have to be either invented or embellished.

This novel to me is a little languid and I did wish the pace was a little quicker. However, this is a historical novel so the pace is to be expected. I thought the characters were so sweet for the most part with the exception of Elizabeth's dad and brothers. Learning about how women in Jamaica were treated was just another disgusting piece of colonial history.

Overall I enjoyed the romance and the story; it was just a little slow for me.

Thanks to Algonquin Books for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

You need not be a fan of Elizabeth Barrett (Browning) or Robert Browning to enjoy this novel of their love story- but you will find yourself seeking out their poetry as you and after you read it. I was familiar with her story but not with that of her family, which made its money on the backs of enslaved people in Jamaica. The inclusion of this, as well as a subplot about her brother, his "housekeeper," and their son, strengthened the narrative. Browning's sister Sarina is also an intriguing woman. Their letters, Elizabeth's illness and use of laudanum, their voyage, all of it, is part of this sweeping tale I almost put aside because well, EBB. I'm so glad I didn't. It's beautifully written and illuminating. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Great read.

Delighted to include this title in the March edition of Novel Encounters, my column highlighting the month’s most anticipated fiction for the Books section of Zoomer, Canada’s national culture magazine. (see column and mini-review at link)

The Swan’s Nest brings a fascinating story of two 19th century poets, Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett.

In January 1845, Elizabeth has been confined to her room for the past four years by recurrent illness when she receives a letter from another poet she has secretly admired. Robert not only loves her poetry but also declares his love for her. This leads to an affectionate correspondence, but her insecurities delay their meeting in person.

Elizabeth’s stronger position, poetically and financially, has her family against Robert. Despite her health and the poetic love, Elizabeth has the strength to defy her family and follow her heart.

The story also involves a subplot which explains the financial status of Barrett family. They made their fortune on the backs of slaves at their sugar plantation in Jamaica.

It is truly a captivating story written with lyrical prose. However, the style of writing has a distant feel. A reader is invited to witness the conversations but kept at bay. This distant feel didn’t let me get fully attached with the characters.

This is a beautiful story and gives us a glimpse into the love story of poets Barrett and Browning. The writing is poetic and lyrical and this is an enjoyable read.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this e-ARC.

Very well written and researched book about the Brownings and their world. There was more to it than a love story and I appreciated that. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher!

"A tender and engrossing historical novel about the unlikely love affair between two great 19th-century poets, Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett.

On a bleak January day in 1845, a poet who had been confined to her room for four years by recurrent illness received a letter from a writer she secretly idolized but had never seen. "I love your verses with all my heart, dear Miss Barrett," Robert Browning wrote, "and I love you too."

Elizabeth Barrett was ecstatic. She was famous for her poetry but completely cut off from the kind of international travel that Browning used to fuel his obscure, unsuccessful, innovative poems, one of which was written from a murderer's point of view. They began an affectionate correspondence, but Elizabeth kept delaying a visit. What would happen when he saw her in person? What was Robert really like? Could she persuade her father and brothers that he was honorable, even though she had never met his family? And what would happen if she gave in to Robert's wild proposal that they go to Italy and see if the sun could cure her?

McNeal brilliantly tells the story of how Robert and Elizabeth fell in love with each other's words and shocked her conservative, close-knit family and the literary world. Sensitively and lyrically written, as rich as the lovers' own poetry, The Swan's Nest will sweep up readers in the triumphant story of two people forced to choose between a safe, stable life and the love they felt for each other."

When I was clearing off my shelves I had a set of poetry books, the only ones I decided to keep where Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett's.

The story was enjoyable enough and the dynamic between the two "main" characters was very good but I felt like the side characters were given a bigger plot than the main characters.

I was eager to read about the storied love of Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning. And, the novel did a remarkable job of taking the reader in to the Barrett’s household.

This was the challenge for me: the narrow, restrictive life of Ms. Barrett closed in on me as tightly as it must have for her and the female’s in that household. It became stultifying and repetitive to me. Even as the poetess “ escaped” to marry, I felt the tentacles of her family and the paralyzing issues of her poor health.

The book seemed too narrow in focus to me; I wanted to experience a bit more of her life with Robert Browning, not just her yearning for him.

I'm an easy mark when it comes to a story about Barrett & Browning, having read their letters and sighed over their clasped hands in bronze. To write about the personal lives of literary greats is a daunting and ambitious task, but McNeal keeps it light and deft when she tells their story without trying to overtly mimic their respective voices. What unfolds feels like a bird's eye view of the comings and goings in the Barrett house, with all the tensions of a controlling father and adult children left at his mercy.

Many parts of the book are not directly about the romance, focusing on social issues and bringing to light pressures or scandals surrounding both families. You feel for Browning's sisters Sarianna, entrapped by gender and income and family responsibilities, unable to waltz off to the Continent in the way Robert can so easily. And it would be inconceivable to write a novel about the Barretts in the twenty-first century without reference to the source of their income in Jamaica and the societal injustices that underlie everything happening in London. As such, we broaden the cast of characters and spend a good deal of time with Elizabeth's brother. It doesn't feel directly related to the love story of Barrett & Browning, but it would have been an oversight if not included. This adds a level of relevant critique to any readers interested in a deeper portrait of England at the time, if not for those who came expecting a non-stop poetic love story.

Legendary poets Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning’s romantic love story is recreated in The Swan’s Nest.

The Barrett fortune was derived from their Jamaican sugar plantation. Elizabeth’s father determined that his twelve children would never marry as a way of consolidating the family’s dwindling fortune. A secondary plot line comes from the dark realities slavery and racism.

The two poets admired each other’s work, and when Robert wrote to Elizabeth of his love of her books–and the authoress–it sparked a relationship. Robert secretly visits Elizabeth and they exchange over five hundred letters. Learning of their love, Browning’s sister is alarmed because of Elizabeth’s use of prescribed laudanum and morphine for her health issues, while Elizabeth’s family sees Browning as a failed poet interested in Elizabeth because of her fame and financial independence.

The novel traces their secret courtship and marriage, culminating in their escape and arduous journey to Italy.

A secondary plot line concerns Elizabeth’s older brother who had taken a ‘housekeeper’ in Jamaica, a mistress who bore his son. After his death, she brings her son to England hoping the Barrett family will accept responsibility for the boy’s education. She is championed by a female abolitionist who is Elizabeth’s brother’s love interest, but he will not present the cause to their father.

Elizabeth takes great risks for a chance at love and a normal life, leaving behind a comfortable home and an overprotective, limiting father. Robert is determined to care for her, but is naive and unworldly. They believe that life in Italy will restore Elizabeth’s health.

It’s a powerful story, beautifully told.

Thanks to the publisher for a free book.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning has always been one of my favorite poets, so I knew I had to read this book. This book is not only a love letter to the great poetess, but poetry in of itself in the lyrical descriptions and interactions between the characters. The romance is lovely, and I can just imagine Ms. Barrett sitting down at her wooden desk to create one of the greatest love poems of all time. I highly recommend this novel to all lovers of historical fiction!