FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Publication Date: October 2001

Love, above the reach of time

Two Stories of The Ladies of Llangollen

June 2001 — Love, above the reach of time is a historical novel about the romantic relationship of two Anglo-Irish noblewomen, Lady Eleanor Butler and The Honorable Sarah Ponsonby. Set in Ireland and Wales in the 1700’s, author Anna M. Curren cleverly captures the social climate of the pre-Victorian Age, weaving her story of unforgettable characters through a riveting fictional and historical real story. Curren brings to life the unique story of "The Ladies of Llangollen", as Eleanor and Sarah were internationally known. Following an unprecedented and dramatic elopement in 1778, The Ladies lived together in an undisguised 50-year love relationship, both shocking and intriguing to European society.

The book spans half a century, taking the reader through the young formative years of the heroines and into adulthood. Curren’s in-depth research into the societal influences and martial conduct of men and women in 18^th century Anglo-Irish society provides the background and environment that creates and shapes her characters, their feelings and actions. Lady Eleanor and Sarah choose a "quiet revolution" considered scandalous for the times, yet understandable given the state of marital affairs in 1778. Motivated not primarily by love but as a medium for property acquisition and breeding, women of the 18^th century, particularly those of noble heritage, found themselves in loveless marriages to men with no interest in shared respect and romance. In this emotionally sterile environment it was perfectly acceptable and necessary for women to turn to each other for solace and intimacy. The Ladies exemplified the strong female bonding so common in this era of Romantic Feminism, yet their bold decision to refuse traditional marriage expectations with men and elope together to the Welsh countryside was unprecedented for the times and served to usher in the future direction of same sex relationships of today.

Love, above the reach of time brings real and famous characters to life through a medium of creative fiction that transports the choices of the past into the reality of the present.

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