Under the Wide and Starry Sky: A Novel

Recommended to me by a dear friend with great taste in books (and everything else for that matter!), I was delighted when I began reading Under The Wide and Starry Sky by Nancy Horan to discover it was a fictional account of the life of Robert Louis Stevenson and his older and beloved wife, Fanny ven de Grift Osbourne.I didn't know anything about Fanny so discovering more about this magnificent woman, her life, strength, creativity, loyalty and endurance, was wonderful. We first meet Fanny when, with three young children, she sets off from San Francisco to study art in Belgium only to find the school she intended to enroll in doesn’t accept women. Taking this in her stride, Fanny sets off to Paris, determined to pursue her dream and escape the trap her life with her unfaithful husband, Sam, has become. Once there, her life changes in ways she could never have foreseen, but it’s indicative of the era (and the mindset of various folk) that women – and especially ones like Fanny who are smart and independent - often exchange one form of imprisonment for another.Horan does a wonderful job of presenting the reader with a fully rounded character whom you champion as much for her flaws as her warmth and formidable directness. A woman ahead of the times in many ways, Fanny does not suffer fools, especially after her early life is mostly defined by one. Experiencing great tragedy and loss, Fanny tries not to let these circumstances define her or the lives of her children, though these are a constant sad presence which mark her indelibly and make her artistic soul ache. A fish out of water as an American in France, England, Scotland and later the South Pacific, Fanny is both a survivor and someone who seeks to improve her situation in whatever way she can. Unable to tolerate injustice, this is one characteristic she shares with her husband, Robert Louis Stevenson.RLS was also a revelation. Horan draws this ebullient, sick, witty, intelligent and oft-times difficult man with sensitivity and realism. As a child, I was introduced to the work of RLS with the beautiful Child's Garden of Verses, which I in turn read to my own kids. I adored this book and it provided succor and delight through some dark times as did, when I was a little older, Kidnapped! and Treasure Island (Long John Silver both terrified and exhilarated me!). As a mature age Uni student, I came to appreciate Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde so, in a sense, Stevenson’s works have been literary paving stones upon which I stepped at different parts of my life. Discovering, even in fiction, the man behind the words was lovely. Popular, generous, offended by and active against injustice, he used his gift with words to entertain, thrill and inform. Surrounded by good friends, including members of the literary elite such as Henry James, it wasn't until RLS's fame grew that he also encountered syncophants and the pressure that can come with professional expectations.Dogged by illness his entire life, he and Fanny (who was as much a nurse as critic and wife) would move locations to manage his sickness. This took them to fascinating places and had them enjoying (or not) amazing encounters: from the Swiss Alps to the South Seas all of which are covered in this lovely book.I had no idea RLS was so peripatetic and this was particularly fascinating.You don't have to be a fan of RLS or his work to adore this book. It is a great story, a love story that deserves to stand with better known and heralded ones, as well as a fabulous recounting of a life well-lived and well-loved. Terrific.

Robert Louis Stevenson and his wife Fanny had an interesting life but this book moves slowly. It would have benefited from some editing. Too much description.

The focus of the book is the woman and would-be writer who married Robert Louis Stevenson. Fannie is an American separated, and eventually divorced, from a philandering husband. She meets and eventually marries Robert Louis Stevenson during a period in her life she is trying to establish her own artistic, or literary career. The problem is that Fannie isn't a very interesting character. I assumed this would be a story about a talented woman of the time, who sacrificed her own talents for the man she loved, and that seems to have been the author's intent. In my view, however, the author never persuades the reader that Fannie's talents were the least bit remarkable, or that she is otherwise remarkable. She wants to be an artist, or then again, maybe a writer. There is an episode in the book which is telling. The couple has a female friend who has written a book but can't get it published. Fannie believes she has a better angle on the story and persuades the woman to let her have a chance to rewrite it. It is obvious the writer did not want to agree, but Fannie proceeds with the writer's reluctant assent. A close friend and a member of a tightknit circle of friends, who include this woman, however, regard Fannie's work as plagiarism and says so. the Stevensons are outraged at their friend's lack of understanding that Fannie had permission and it causes a breakdown in their friendships. Again, I believe the author intended this as a moment of injustice for old Fannie, who can't seem to move her own work forward. My reaction was that if she herself were a talented writer,, she would have her own stories and not use someone else's work as a springboard, particularly where the author wasn't looking for collaboration. To me it was an indication she wasn't a serious writer in the first place. On the other hand, the story of Robert Louis Stevenson was very interesting and to some extent saves the book. My advice is not to read it with the expectations it is a great story of an underappreciated historical woman.

Having loved Robert Louis Stevensons poetry as a young child and treasured his Child's Garden of Verse book, this was a very special read for me.I was fascinated to learn what a sick man he was all his life but always so upbeat, cheerful and positive. He truly lived life. It was beautifully written and I couldn't put it down. ..I love reading books with truth in them and it was a wonderful way to learn about one of the best poet/author of all time who was a genius despite his severe disabilities. .I would thoroughly recommend it...

I have difficulty balancing fact with fiction in this book. Some incidents don't fit with biographical accounts I have read.The style is too contemporary. It would have been more comfortable for me if the language matched the era being portrayed.

Enjoying this partly fictional but well researched historical account of Robert Louis Stevenson life and his relationship with his feisty American wife. Easy read and interestingly observed.

I enjoyed reading about someone I had only heard about as an author. Very well written and researched an interesting read

What a wonderful story beautifully written.Completly lost myself in it which is what reading is to me.I hope Nancy is working on another!