Divanee – South Asian news and entertainment

There is something so enchanting about Cinderella stories that turn out to be true, isn’t there? Perhaps for those of us raised in the Disney generation — who subsequently found out that rags-to-riches really is just a fairy tale — such narratives seem far-fetched, not believable, childish, even impossible. But then, maybe we are cynics. True, regardless of how egalitarian we consider contemporary society to have become, it is difficult for the “Pretty Woman” storyline to actually play out. It is precisely that improbability, though, that makes it that much more special when those relationships actually work out.

In “Exit the Actress”, Priya Parmar takes us back to 17th Century London, when buildings were still made of wood and the theatre was the great escape for people from all walks of life. We follow Ellen “Nell” Gwyn, a girl who goes from selling oysters to oranges, and then charms her way onto the stage. Once there, she captures the heart of London audiences. Alongside her career, Ellen must deal with the stress of having an alcoholic mother and prostitute sister. She works her way through a serious relationship with an older actor, Charles Hart, which she eventually ends, knowing she cannot continue living with him if she does not love him. Time goes on, and Ellen winds up a mistress of King Charles II. Despite being some 20 years her senior, their relationship blossoms and they fall deeply in love, eventually having a son together. Did I mention that this is a true story?

Told through a series of diary entries, news clippings, personal letters and excerpts from the “Lady’s Household Companion”, this novel has a flair that many first person journal-style books lack. Reading it, you almost feel like you could be a 17th Century Londoner who happened to find another person’s diary. The context provided by the outsider elements is invaluable in giving this story a sense of realness. It’s a fun read that appeals to one’s sense of voyeurism — she was the king’s mistress, after all — and desire for romance. Although the details are fiction, their grounding in the real Ellen Gwyn’s life makes this story all the more lovable.

I do have one small critique, however. Considering that Parmar admits in her author’s note that she refused to accept the widespread belief that an accomplished actress like Ellen could not have possibly been illiterate, her diary was too well-written. Even if Ellen did know enough to keep a journal, it is unlikely that her entries would include so much detail, so many conversations, such narrative arcs. They wouldn’t be so perfect. I was sucked in to the drama of this story, due in no small part to Parmar’s talented pen, but I felt the slick presentation knocked the authenticity down a notch.

But maybe that doesn’t even matter. It’s a real-life Cinderella story. Isn’t that enough?

Finding yourself intrigued after reading our review? Well we’re here to make it easy for you to get your hands on a copy of “Exit the Actress” — just comment below and RT this post to enter! [Contest is open to U.S. residents only.]

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