Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire by Amanda Foreman

 Georgiana was a political leader, a fashion trendsetter and even a novelist! This is a detailed, well-researched and sympathetic portrait of the eighteenth century beautiful duchess, an ancestor of Princess Diana, who could, perhaps, have achieved even more if she had not had such a troubled life. Married to a rather strange, cold man, who she found difficult to understand, Georgiana fell in love with the handsome Charles Grey, leading to a forced adoption, and great misery for her. She also had to endure the machinations of her charming, but calculating friend Elizabeth, who was separated from her violent husband and her children. Elizabeth, in my opinion, saw her main chance when she became friends with Georgiana, and this resulted in an odd trilogy, when she betrayed her with the Duke.

Georgiana's gambling addiction, and troubles with her eye also led to sad times. You really have to admire her sunny nature and resilience after reading this book. She was in a very bad depression at one stage, but she eventually picked herself up with some help from her family, but she got through her troubled life well, especially at a time when there was no help for addiction or psychological problems.

I read this for Rose City Reader's 22 for '22 Challenge and Becky's Georgian Challenge.