The Journal of Mrs.Pepys : Portrait of a Marriage

Sara George's The Journal of Mrs Pepys: Portrait of a Marriage is exactly that, the story of a marriage. It is also a unique view of history; the world through the eyes of someone who's experiences are limited by the fact that she is a woman and not a man. Elizabeth Pepys is an intriguing character; she is a woman who's life centers on her husband but unlike the "ideal woman" Elizabeth is very vocal about her wants and needs. In this story the reader is allowed to experience tragic historical events like the Plague and the Great Fire of London through the eyes of a person experiencing these moments. We are given the rare opportunity of knowing the thoughts of the character because the events are presented the way Elizabeth sees them. The journal format, although a very biased account of history, allows readers to experience Elizabeth Pepys' life and times in a way that ordinary storytelling never could. Overall I found this story intriquing and an interesting perspective of the events taking place in London during the late 1600s.

This book was wonderful reading from cover to cover, especially after having read The Diaries of Samuel Pepys, however, do not be misled. This is a fabrication, a novel, NOT a true diary like that of Samuel Pepys. For those who have read the real thing, this comes as somewhat of a surprise, and a disappointment.

This book was recommended to me by my High School British Literature teacher and I just recently finished it. It was an amazing experience. It provided such an insight to history as well as how their marriage might have been. I am very much inspired to read The Diary of Samuel Pepys and compare the two. I have read a few excerpts of his, parts about the Plague and the Fire of London. Many things in just those few pages are exactly like hers. So George did a wonderful job in matching the two, at least with those events. Throughout the book, I always wondered if Sam really loved her. I was pretty sure she loved him because she talked of being so hurt by him, she cared for him and his eyesight as it failed and she refused Lord Sandwich, Hinchingbrooke and Captain Fenner's proposals for an affair. And she always believed that he loved her because she refused partly on grounds that it would break his heart. I discovered that Sam truly loved her after he weeped so much towards the end. Of course that was after he got over his puppy love and attraction of Deb and realized that his marriage was far more important. I was stunned at the end. As I read I wondered how the journal would end, her death never entered my mind. In the last few pages it became painfully obvious that was the case and I read vigorously as if, if I got there faster she wouldn't die. I set the book down after finishing and I thought for about 5 minutes. Then I started bawling. Just when they were starting to grow up and get their relationship on its way to true happiness. I think the story was extraordinary, especially when I realize how much of it is true and how much more is most likely true. It makes the past come alive more. Shows that people had feelings and problems just like today, although we all realize that sometimes we have to be woken up to it. I learned a lot from the Portrait of a Marriage, about myself and my own relationships and about London during that time. I recommend it to anyone interesting in learning about these 3 things and more.

So convincing is Ms. George's creation of Mrs. Pepys and her journal that one sheds a tear at the book's end. Elizabeth Pepys, about whom apparently little has been written, comes alive in this "journal" and presents a convincing picture of what it must have been like to live through the London plague and the great fire of 1666. We witness the trails of her marriage to the rather difficult Samuel Pepys and learn much about the daily business of running a house with unreliable servants and an overly flirtatious husband.Ms. George makes us want to know more about Mrs. Pepys. And that means we have to go to Pepys's Diary to find out firsthand what he has to say about his wife and his time. And so, by her creation, Ms. George sends us back to read what many consider to be the greatest diary in the English language.

After a recent walking tour of London which included the Pepys neighborhood, this book brought everything to life. Really well written and very readable even though it included routine activities such as meal preparation (strange foods), socializing (major transportation problems), and treating of ailments (abscessed teeth). Our life is easy compared to what they had to put up with! Very enjoyable book.