The second novel in the bestselling Wideacre Trilogy, a compulsive drama set in the eighteenth century. By Philippa Gregory, the author of The Other Boleyn Girl and The Virgin's Lover.

The Wideacre estate is bankrupt, the villagers are living in poverty and Wideacre Hall is a smoke-blackened ruin.

But in the Dower House two children are being raised in protected innocence. Equal claimants to the inheritance of Wideacre, rivals for the love of the village, they are tied by a secret childhood betrothal but forbidden to marry. Only one can be the favoured child. Only one can inherit the magical understanding between the land and the Lacey family that can make the Sussex village grow green again. Only one can be Beatrice Lacey's true heir.

Sweeping, passionate, unique: 'The Favoured Child' is the second novel in Philippa Gregory's bestselling trilogy which began with 'Wideacre' and concluded with 'Meridon'.

About the Author

PHILIPPA GREGORY is one of the world's foremost historical novelists. She wrote her first novel, Wideacre, when she was completing her PhD in eighteenth-century literature. Wideacre was sold worldwide and heralded as a literary sensation on publication. The novel is the first in a trilogy, succeeded by The Favoured Child and Meridon.

The release of Wideacre launched Philippa Gregory as a new interpreter of historical fiction, one focused on women as active agents in a historical period. The bestselling Tudor Court and Cousins' War novels display her unrivalled talent in discovering the hidden stories, especially of women, in familiar history, skilfully combining period biographical research, psychological truth and fictional detail.

In 2016, Philippa was presented with the Outstanding Contribution to Historical Fiction Award by the Historical Writers' Association. She graduated from the University of Sussex and received a PhD from the University of Edinburgh, where she is a Regent. She holds an honorary degree from Teesside University, and is a fellow of the universities of Sussex and Cardiff. She lives with her family on a small farm in Yorkshire and welcomes visitors to her site www.PhilippaGregory.com.

Reviews

Praise for 'The Favoured Child':

'For sheer pace and percussive drama it will take a lot of beating.'
Sunday Times

Praise for 'Wideacre':

'This is a story of violent love and unsettling passions. It will never let you rest for a page as you wait for the climax that must come for the people and the land.'
Maeve Binchy

'Amid all the social upheaval strides Beatrice Lacey, who, for singlemindedness, tempestuousness, passion, amorality, sensuality and plain old-fashioned evil, knocks Scarlet O'Hara into short cotton socks.'
Evening Standard

Book Information
ISBN 9780007230020
Author Philippa Gregory
Format Paperback
Page Count 640
Imprint HarperCollins
Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
Weight(grams) 440g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 39mm