Description
The Far Side of a Kiss by Anne Haverty reimagines one of the most scandalous literary affairs of the nineteenth century with rare empathy and wit. Inspired by the real-life story behind William Hazlitt’s infamous Liber Amoris, this richly layered work of historical fiction gives voice to Sarah Walker—the serving maid who became the unwilling muse and victim of Hazlitt’s obsessive passion.
Through Sarah’s eyes, Haverty paints a vivid portrait of life in a London boarding house, where class divides and romantic delusions collide. As Sarah struggles to navigate the unwanted advances of a volatile genius, her sharp observations and quiet resilience reveal a world of both cruelty and humour, folly and survival. Haverty’s prose captures the textures of everyday life with a balance of tenderness and irony, turning history’s footnote into a compelling heroine.
Elegant, intelligent, and emotionally charged, The Far Side of a Kiss will captivate readers who enjoy stories of hidden voices, historical scandal, and the complex power of love.
