'The fearless nineteenth century English Lady who lived on top of an Egyptian temple' TOBY WILKINSON, TELEGRAPH

'A lyrical, sharply observed, often humorous' KATHERINE FRANK

In 1862, Lucie Duff Gordon, cousin of Harriet Martineau and friend of Caroline Norton, Meredith and Thackeray, embarked on a solo trip to Egypt in an effort to rid herself of consumption. The next seven years were spent in a ruined house above a temple in Luxor on the Nile. Feeling at home in this most foreign of lands, Lucie Duff Gordon integrated herself quickly in the locale, setting up a hospital from her home and welcoming the people of Luxor, be they officials or slaves into her house.

The absorbing story told through her letters offers a wonderfully penetrating and sympathetic view of mid-nineteenth century Egypt as well as the personal story of this brave and generous woman.

Her cultural tolerance and curiosity made her one of her era's most interesting Western commentators -- Toby Wilkinson * Telegraph *
A lyrical, sharply observed, often humorous, politically aware account of nineteenth-century Egypt -- Katherine Frank
Her depictions show that even during this early period certain basic values existed that in a general way still guide behavior today in Egypt -- Andrea Rugh * Shepherd *
A lyrical, sharply observed, often humorous, politically aware account of nineteenth-century Egypt * KATHERINE FRANK *

Lucie, Lady Duff Gordon (1842-1927) was an English writer. She is best known for her Letters from Egypt and Letters from the Cape. She suffered from tuberculosis and in 1851 went to South Africa for the climate which she hoped would help her health, living near the Cape of Good Hope for several years before travelling to Egypt in 1862.

In Egypt, she settled in Luxor where she learned Arabic and wrote many letters to her husband and her mother about her observation of Egyptian culture, religion and customs. Many critics regard her as being 'progressive' and tolerant, although she also held problematic views of various racial groups.

Her letters home are celebrated for their humor, her outrage at the ruling Ottomans, and many personal stories gleaned from the people around her. In many ways they are also typical of orientalist traveller tales of this time. Most of her letters are to her husband, Alexander Duff-Gordon and her mother, Sarah Austin.