Mrs. Gulliver

In Valerie Martin's engaging novel set in 1954 on the tropical Verona Island, the story revolves around Lila Gulliver, the owner of a high-end brothel, and Carità Bercy, a beautiful and blind woman who seeks employment. As Carità quickly becomes an invaluable asset, Lila grapples with her feelings of protectiveness, particularly when Ian Drohan, a wealthy young man, becomes infatuated with Carità. This rich narrative explores themes of female subversion and agency against a backdrop of love and ambition, echoing the legacies of Romeo and Juliet and The Tempest.