Sue Petigru Bowen The actress in high life an episode in winter quarters

Sue Dupont Petigru King-Bowen was a 19th-century socialite, realist, fiction writer and novelist. Her work focused on subversive portrayals of South Carolina aristocracy, in which men toyed with women’s affections, women plotted against one another’s best interests, and mothers forced daughters to choose wealth over romance. Due to her lack of in-text references to the American Civil War, slavery or the abolitionist movement, Sue’s work has been widely ignored among critics. It is only recently, as part of a renewed interest in 19th-century women writers, that her writing has begun to receive critical attention.1812 is the year and Portugal the location for this adventure. The characters for the most part are British officers. Lord Strathern sends for his daughter Lady Mabel Stewart presently in Scotland to join him in Elvas where he has stationed his brigade for the winter. The debonair Colonel l'Lisle is the hero of our story. The author provides a vivid look into the landscape, history and people of this era and often touches on liturgy...sometimes controversial among the characters. Very informative it is more travelogue than romance however. Enjoy!!