The Curious Tale of the Lady Caraboo by Catherine Johnson

A delicious historical romance inspired by the true story of Princess Caraboo.

Cassandra Worrell is beautiful, rich and very, very bored. Trapped in her parents stately home, she dreams of escape. Life suddenly becomes much more interesting with the appearance of a beautiful, disorientated young woman, who speaks a mysterious language…

Cassandra is convinced she’s found a princess from a far away land. Could the princess hold the key to the adventure she’s been seeking? Or might the escape she desires be found in the arms of the wholly inappropriate but utterly delectable local boy, Will Jenkins?
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How did I get the book? Received from publisher in exchange for an honest review

Genre: Historical Fiction

Review: The story of Princess Caraboo was real, while Catherine Johnson’s retelling is a little different, it is fascinating that the woman who became Caraboo (Mary Willcox) existed and her story of fooling the upper class made headlines.

The Curious Tale of the Lady Caraboo is wonderfully written. Catherine Johnson provides a very engaging narration with interesting and descriptive characters. The most alive and interesting of course is Caraboo, who sheds her past and become someone else to survive. I never thought of Caraboo as someone who was taking advantage of the Worrell family but instead a person who needed a way out and they provided this. Caraboo’s deception becomes her truth, for she is this a strong princess warrior who dares to do the things she would never have done as Mary.

While Caraboo might be a creation, she is in many ways the truest person in the Worrell household and holds up a fascinating counterpoint to the family she’s staying with. Cassandra Worrell, who is both kind and self-absorbed. There’s Mrs Worrell who is thrilled at having some recognition for her scientific hobby (that’s parading Lady Caraboo around) and Fred (Cassandra’s brother) who is sceptic of Caraboo.

I enjoyed reading this book immensely. Not only because I loved Lady Caraboo but also because of how the writing pulled me into the story.

Recommend it?

Absolutely