All for Love by Jen Geigle Johnson

 

Who is your favorite actor/actress?  I have many, but I will go old school with Cary Grant.

Sarah Siddons is distraught when her theater burns to the ground. As sad patrons surround her for support, she sits down and tells them the story of her life.  Her family was a traveling theater troop.  When she was a teen, her star started to shine and attract male suitors with unsavory designs upon her.  Her parents do not approve her love for her fellow actor Sid, so they send her away to be a lady’s companion.  How did she become a star?

My thoughts on this problem:

·       Based on the true story of Sarah Siddon; the famous Shakespearean actress of the Georgian era (17^th century).  She was especially known for playing Lady Macbeth.

·       She did not have an easy life and gave everything to keep her family alive.

·       I love this book cover, it is beautiful!

·       I had never heard of Sarah Siddon, and I enjoyed learning about her.

·       Sarah loved performing, but she is devoted to her family and must sacrifice and do everything she can to keep her family together.  She was the sole provider for the family.

·       Sarah was a strong multi-layered character, and her story was fascinating.

·       It creeped me out how men began objectifying her as a teen and thinking she had loose morals because she was an actress.

·       I have never realized there were family theater groups that traveled the countryside together.  It was a way to make a living doing what you love and to keep women safe. 

·       It was a clean read and inspirational.

·       The story was very engaging and well researched.

·       I loved that it was a unique historical fiction story that gave a new life to a famous actress from the 18^th century.

·       This book had a love story, but it is also a life story filled with many tragedies.  Have your tissues handy as you read it.

Overall, All for Love by Jen Geigle Johnson was a captivating and immersive story of an intriguing actress in history, Sarah Siddons.  I enjoyed this book!

Book Source:  Thank-you to @author.jen.geigle.johnson @sarah.siddons.story @cedarfort @greatreadsbookpromo for the review copy as part of the Great Reads Book Promotion Tour.