Belle Ami's Reviews > The Mistress of Nothing

The Mistress of Nothing is a Victorian Age historical novel based on the letters of Lady Duff Gordon. This book is very well researched and fascinating in its descriptions of 19th century Egypt, and if for no other reason than that it is worth your read. Lady Duff Gordon, a well-respected translator, writer, and hostess to many of the most iconic authors of her day is dying of tuberculosis. On the advice of her physician, she with her lady’s maid daringly leaves family and friends for the hot, dry climate of Egypt where she hopes to find a cure. Pullinger’s descriptions of the colliding of two distinct cultures are vivid and memorable as the two sail the Nile River on their way to Luxor. The author chose, I suppose, to relate the story from the viewpoint of her maid, Sally Naldrett, to paint a more interesting perspective and build a love story that sets up an antagonism between the two heroines. However, for me, it was a little heavy-handed in its portrayal of good versus bad. Lacking were the subtleties of the psychological relationship between mistress and servant, and the effects of betrayal. And lacking was the empathy for a woman in constant pain who bravely abandoned her world for the chance to live. If betrayed by the one person you depend on, how complete would be your vindictiveness? In this case, the effects are devastating, which makes for a fun read.