The Mistress of Nothing, By Kate Pullinger

Lesley McDowell
Saturday 01 August 2009 19:00 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

It took 10 years for Kate Pullinger to research and write this book about Sally Naldrett, the real-life maidservant to Lady Lucie Duff Gordon – one of many aristocrats who travelled to warmer climes for health reasons in the 19th century. Duff Gordon suffered from tuberculosis, published a volume of letters about her seven-year stay in Luxor, Egypt, and was close to her maidservant – until the latter had the temerity to have an affair with another servant, Omar Abu Halaweh, and get pregnant. Sally was cast off by her employer, though Omar was excused his "indiscretion".

It's a fascinating story, and Pullinger's portrayal of Duff Gordon is convincing. But I'm not sure the author gets to the bottom of her heroine's psychological make-up: she gives Naldrett a life-long fascination with Egypt and a natural attraction to Omar, but something is missing and there is a reticence in the prose. That said, there is much to admire in this unusual love story, from the sights and smells of Alexandria to the horribly real description of "cupping".

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in