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Wideacre: A Novel (1) (The Wideacre Trilogy) Paperback – July 2, 2003

3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 4,029 ratings

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From #1 New York Times bestselling author Philippa Gregory comes the stunning first novel of a thrilling trilogy about the Lacey family, and the captivating woman at the heart of a power-hungry estate willing to go to any means to protect her family name.

Beatrice Lacey, as strong-minded as she is beautiful, refuses to conform to the social customs of her time. Destined to lose her heritage and beloved Wideacre estate once she is wed, Beatrice will use any means necessary to protect her ancestral name. Seduction, betrayal, even murder—Beatrice’s passion is without apology or conscience. “She is a Lacey of Wideacre,” her father warns, “and whatever she does, however she behaves, will always be fitting.” Yet even as Beatrice’s scheming seems about to yield her dream, she is haunted by the one living person who knows the extent of her plans...and her capacity for evil.

Sumptuously set in Georgian England from the “queen of royal fiction” (
USA TODAY), Wideacre is intensely gripping, rich in texture, and full of color and authenticity. It is a saga as irresistible in its singular magic as its heroine.
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Val Hennessy London Daily Mail When it comes to writers of historical fiction, Philippa Gregory is in the very top league.

Maeve Binchy Author of
Quentins 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.

San Jose Mercury News The quintessential page-turner.

Pasadena Star-News Never has fiction portrayed such a woman as Beatrice Lacey....Wideacre is a compelling story of dark fascination.

"For singlemindedness, tempestuousness, passion, amorality, sensuality and plain old-fashioned evil, [Beatrice Lacey] knocks Scarlett O'Hara into short cotton socks." ―
Evening Standard

About the Author

Philippa Gregory is the author of many New York Times bestselling novels, including The Other Boleyn Girl, and is a recognized authority on women’s history. Many of her works have been adapted for the screen including The Other Boleyn Girl. She graduated from the University of Sussex and received a PhD from the University of Edinburgh, where she is a Regent. She holds honorary degrees from Teesside University and the University of Sussex. She is a fellow of the Universities of Sussex and Cardiff and was awarded the 2016 Harrogate Festival Award for Contribution to Historical Fiction. She is an honorary research fellow at Birkbeck, University of London. She was awarded a CBE title for services to literature and charity in 2022. She welcomes visitors to her website PhilippaGregory.com.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Atria Books; Reprint edition (July 2, 2003)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 688 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0743249291
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0743249294
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.5 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 1.4 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 4,029 ratings

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Philippa Gregory
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DR PHILIPPA GREGORY studied history at the University of Sussex and was awarded a PhD by the University of Edinburgh where she is a Regent and was made Alumna of the Year in 2009. She holds an honorary degree from Teesside University, and is a fellow of the Universities of Sussex and Cardiff. Philippa is a member of the Society of Authors and in 2016, was presented with the Outstanding Contribution to Historical Fiction Award by the Historical Writers’ Association. In 2018, she was awarded an Honorary Platinum Award by Neilsen for achieving significant lifetime sales across her entire book output. In 2021, she was awarded a CBE for services to literature and to her charity Gardens for the Gambia. and was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

Customer reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
4,029 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers praise the writing quality and historical accuracy of the book. They find it readable and enjoyable. However, some readers found the pacing disturbing and depressing, with seedy incest and sexual themes. Opinions vary on the story quality - some found it compelling and enthralling, while others felt it was disgusting and depressing.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

34 customers mention "Writing quality"29 positive5 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality of the book. They praise the author's skill and attention to detail. The book is readable and interesting, with good descriptions of life on an estate in England that keep readers turning pages.

"...It describes with feeling the period in English history when landowners began increasing their profits at the expense of their villagers and laborers..." Read more

"...I think Gregory is a masterful storyteller and an excellent historian...." Read more

"...Good question. I'm searching for the answer. Gregory is a talented, vivid writer; she does pull you in, and I thought surely she would bring the..." Read more

"This book is well written, though a bit odd at times...." Read more

23 customers mention "Historical accuracy"23 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the historical accuracy of the book. They appreciate the author's well-researched and realistic historical setting with vivid descriptions. Readers enjoy reading about the past and find the content historically correct. The book is described as a great tale of the gentry and their position in the past.

"...This is a good subject and I thought she was going to take the story in that direction -- despite the strange and unexplained sociopathy of her main..." Read more

"This book is well written, though a bit odd at times. It offers a very honest and raw glimpse into the inner workings of a mind dedicated to a..." Read more

"...I stumbled on to the White Queen & Tudor series & really enjoyed her historical fiction...." Read more

"...I picked this up because the author is a reasonably good historian and I wanted to find out a bit more about the land issues of the Georgian era...." Read more

17 customers mention "Readability"12 positive5 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it engaging and recommend reading the entire trilogy. The last few chapters are especially enjoyable for them.

"...Wideacre is my favorite of the trilogy, followed by Meridon and finally the favored child. Personally, I loved this book...." Read more

"In fairness I should say that my sister LOVED the whole trilogy, starting with this book...." Read more

"...All three books are unbearable to read for any period of time...." Read more

"...This is one of my all time favorite trilogies or series by one of my favorite authors. Great, thought provoking read that you will not forget." Read more

83 customers mention "Story quality"34 positive49 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the story. Some find it compelling and engaging, while others find it disturbing and depressing. The writing is good, but some readers feel the storyline is too dark and disappointing.

"...The shocking twists in turns in the plot, in Beatrice's mind and heart... if she really has a heart..and the depth of darkness and mental..." Read more

"...I would like to say a lot more about this absorbing novel but I don't want to reveal to much.. I hate spoilers in reviews!..." Read more

"...And, as other reviewers have noted, the story line takes some ridiculous twists. Again, don't expect subtlety...." Read more

"...Wow. What a different reaction. I could hardly put this enthralling story aside. Beatrice is the epitome of selfish...." Read more

66 customers mention "Enjoyment"44 positive22 negative

Customers have different views on the book. Some find it interesting and engaging, while others consider it a disappointing read or disgusting.

"...If you can get around the incest, I suppose it is an interesting read. With Phillipa Gregory writing it, it must be!..." Read more

"...Personally, I loved this book. Beatrice is wicked to the core and I couldn't love to hate her more...." Read more

"...There are graphic scenes which can be seen as terrible, disgusting, horrifying- but they are crafted with brilliance...." Read more

"...I guess I found this book riveting & describes how desperate people do desparate things...." Read more

31 customers mention "Character development"12 positive19 negative

Customers have different views on the character development. Some find the characters well-developed and interesting, with a nice change from the usual heroines. Others feel the main character is cruel and lacks love, making it hard to like him.

"What a story. The heroine is a person of true evil. She manipulates and bullies those weaker than her to her own gain...." Read more

"...my fingers in fear, I give it all stars for creativity, brilliant development of characters, heart stopping suspense...." Read more

"...The sense of time and place were missing. The main character’s behavior is horrific...." Read more

"...She definately is a nice change from the normal heroines and quite opposite...." Read more

23 customers mention "Pacing"5 positive18 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book disturbing and depressing. They mention it's not for the faint of heart and that the characters' incest leaves them very depressed.

"...mind and heart... if she really has a heart..and the depth of darkness and mental derangement was at one point almost enough to turn me away from..." Read more

"...There are graphic scenes which can be seen as terrible, disgusting, horrifying- but they are crafted with brilliance...." Read more

"...There's no explanation in Beatrice's past to explain her weird sociopathic behavior. She loves people and then she betrays and murders them...." Read more

"...Wonderfully written, fantastic descriptions of land, people and emotions. First in a series you must read all three to get to the end." Read more

17 customers mention "Incest"0 positive17 negative

Customers dislike the incestuous themes in the book. They find the sibling sexual themes revolting, dirty, and tiresome. Readers appreciate Philippa Gregory's writing style, but they are not impressed by her books about incest.

"...and will not be something for everyone since it does have an incestuous relationship, but that is not the core nor the heart of the novel...." Read more

"...There is sex, dirty sex in the book and many other naughty things that will shock you." Read more

"...It is a disturbing tale of incest and obsession as Beatrice schemes to keep Wideacre at any cost...." Read more

"...No stars for the dreadful RWA dialogue and tired out sexual exploits." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2015
    When I first dove in to Wideacre I had no idea what I was in for. The shocking twists in turns in the plot, in Beatrice's mind and heart... if she really has a heart..and the depth of darkness and mental derangement was at one point almost enough to turn me away from the book forever. But somehow with all the twisted perversion, I was trapped/caught by a deep need to learn what would happen to the land and inhabitants of Wideacre. Even though I was disgusted and mortified by her actions, I couldn't help but be drawn in by the land, so much so towards the end I felt that she did deserve it. Only someone who wanted it that much that they would destroy their soul, destroy others, manipulate so many and so hard... only someone tied into the land and its needs.. only Beatrice would be the true owner of Wideacre. Many times I wished she could give it up. There were so many bridges I wish she had never crossed... but it was done.
    Ralph is the complete package of a first love. But its his sickness that first infects Beatrice's mind. His need to rise above his status that pushes him to try forcing his way through to the top by murder, manipulation, and madness. Harry's stupidity..his twisted time at school that made him love pain and pleasure in a sickening way... his mamas boy attitude... total lack of self control and complete blindness to everything! Its so mind-blowingly frustrating. Celia... sweet loving naïve but with a strong backbone...I always picture her like Melanie from Gone with the Wind. Poor Doctor John... his love and her love wasn't enough to overcome the pull of Wiseacre. I wish things had been so different! If only he wasn't so fast. If only.
    So despite my disgust and abhorrence of the majority of this book which I read peaking through my fingers in fear, I give it all stars for creativity, brilliant development of characters, heart stopping suspense. I have now been through the mind of a deranged and complex character... and somehow I survived to the end. For those like me, beware...I am one who melds into the characters feelings, and to feel what Beatrice feels is terrifying. I think it ended just right. Bravo... and then I sat with my heart on the floor and decided to continue with the rest of the trilogy.
    15 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2009
    Upon first picking up this book, I expected to melt into a world lush with the green and beautiful Wideacre that Gregory crafts, from the eyes of a four year old daughter of the squire in the 18th century. You feel for this little girl as she grows and breaks her ladylike bounds by denying her mother's indoor parlor ways to learn to ride horses with her father and oversee the land. I expected this novel to be a historical romance, a novel to fall in love with a heroine fighting for her rights.

    But man, I was deceived. And what I found gripped me, bound me, and left me nearly dropping the book in shock.

    Beatrice, with her obsession for her father's land, becomes a complete incestuous witch that I never imagined her becoming. There are graphic scenes which can be seen as terrible, disgusting, horrifying- but they are crafted with brilliance. If you are the type of reader to shy away from these things, settling for a traditional romantic tale, you will not enjoy this book. But if not, you may enjoy this book as much I have. It is rich in themes of the lack of rights of women in the 18th century, incest, and how power can corrupt. I recommend this highly, and would read it again.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2010
    I enjoyed this book -- Gregory's first -- but don't expect subtlety. It describes with feeling the period in English history when landowners began increasing their profits at the expense of their villagers and laborers. They enclosed the lands that the peasants and tenant farmers traditionally used for their own gardens and livestock and planted them in wheat. In some cases they sold the wheat prior to harvest at a market far from home, denying their reapers the ability to purchase the fruits of their labors at low cost. Of course, that alone doesn't make a sexy story, so Gregory mixes it up with murder and incest. And, as other reviewers have noted, the story line takes some ridiculous twists. Again, don't expect subtlety.

    A word to Kindle readers: the e-book version is terribly edited. It is missing about 20% of its punctuation and contains memorable typos such as "Mrs. Alien" for "Mrs. Allen." If this kind of thing drives you nuts, please purchase the paper version!
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Iwona
    5.0 out of 5 stars Superbly written
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 8, 2024
    I think this trilogy is my favourite Philipa Gregory collection so far and I have been reading her books for a number of years. Incredible attention to detail, a must read.
  • jaqueline fonseca de sa freire
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gosto de tudo o que ela escreve
    Reviewed in Brazil on September 18, 2015
    É impressionante como a autora consegue manter o brilhantismo, livro após livro. É uma época e situações totalmente diferentes das descritas nos livros sobre a guerra das Rosas e os Tudors. Gostei muito do livro e recomendo.
  • JGilby
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wideacre
    Reviewed in Canada on April 10, 2014
    This was part of a trilogy and I really enjoyed the first two books, when I got to Meridon I was a little bored and left the book. Some months later I picked it up and got right back into it even though the end was a little predictable.
  • M. Saunders
    5.0 out of 5 stars I couldn't put it down!
    Reviewed in France on June 11, 2013
    What a tale of obsession, passion and corruption. The slow spiral down into the inevitable pit of depravity and ruthlessness, fuelled by one woman's battle to achieve land and power in the male-dominated period of English history, left me shocked yet compelled to go on reading.
  • Althene
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!
    Reviewed in Germany on May 21, 2013
    Wideacre hat mich echt umgehauen.

    Spannend bis zur letzten Minute. Es geht um einen großen Familienbesitz, der über die Jahre Glück und Pech für alle, die darauf leben und arbeiten bringt.

    Eine Familie mit Tochter und Sohn. Der Sohn muss auf's Internat, während der Vater unkonventioneller Weise, die Tochter mit auf seine Ausflüge nimmt und ihr beibringt, wie das Gut verwaltet wird.
    Sie liebt das Gut und weiß doch, dass sie als Frau niemals das Sagen haben wird. Doch ihr fallen da so einige Dinge ein, wie sie ihren Platz auf dem Gut sichert. Das ist jedoch nicht zu jedermanns Freude, denn Beatrice fürchtet weder Tot noch Teufel wenn es um Wideacre geht.