The Lioness of Boston

A Novel

By: Emily Franklin

Narrated by: Nancy Peterson

By the time Isabella Stewart Gardner opened her Italian palazzo-style home as a museum in 1903 to showcase her collection of old masters, antiques, and objects d'art, she was already well-known for scandalizing Boston's polite society. But when Isabella first arrived in Boston in 1861, she was twenty years old, newly married to a wealthy trader, and unsure of herself. Puzzled by the frosty reception she received from stuffy blue bloods, she strove to fit in. After two devastating tragedies and rejection from upper-society, Isabella discovered her spirit and cast off expectations.

Freed by travel, Isabella explores the world of art, ideas, and letters, meeting such kindred spirits as Henry James and Oscar Wilde. From London and Paris, to Egypt and Asia, she develops a keen eye for paintings and objects, and meets feminists ready to transform nineteenth century thinking in the twentieth century. Isabella becomes an eccentric trailblazer, painted by John Singer Sargent in a portrait of daring decolletage, and fond of such stunts as walking a pair of lions in the Boston Public Garden.

The Lioness of Boston is a portrait of what society expected a woman's life to be, shattered by a courageous soul who rebelled and was determined to live on her own terms.

©2023 Emily Franklin (P)2023 Tantor

Nice but too much

Good story but full of assumptions. Would have liked more serious factual info. Reader was good with the story.

What parts are fiction?

The portrayal of Isabella is not very positive. Hard to not what is truth or fiction.

I loved learning about this incredible woman!

As an artist and a woman, I loved listening and learning about this incredible woman and the difference she made in Boston society, as well as, in the art world! I plan to visit Boston next summer to see her collection!

her strong will to do what she wanted!

people in that time criticized her for that strong will. they shunned her for being vocal

Good for art enthusiasts

I didn’t realize this was nonfiction until the end. Prior to that I thought: “this is boring”. But upon reflection..knowing this was true..I am impressed and happy to know her story and how things came to be.