Hello from Byron Addict

ashleyjbarnard · **Posted:** Thu Jul 07, 2011 1:12 am

Hi! I'm excited to be part of such a lovely group with such a singular interest in common! I'm a novelist and just pushed my historical-fiction novel "In Byron's Shadow." I hope you'll pop over to my blog where you can view the lovely cover, on loan as it were, from the Government Art Collection, and read about the origins of the novel: http://wckdwriter.blogspot.com/2011/06/tale-of-potrait.html

Regardless, I'm very glad to be here and I'm looking forward to meeting some of you! I hope you will forgive the shameless self-publicity. : )

Ashley J. Barnard
http://www.ashleyjbarnard.com

Andreas · **Posted:** Mon Jul 18, 2011 8:16 pm

A woman "unhealthly obsessed with Lord Byron"?

How come? I can't believe it! :shock:

Welcome to our forum Ashley and hope that you'll be able to wake us up!

Let's start with a question: Do you really believe that the Phillips' portrait can be a good background for an image of a dancing (and ready to kiss!) couple, as you have chosen for your book cover?

A.

P.S.: Where can we trace samples of Ada's poetic ability and talent, other than the sonnet inscribed on her tombstone?

ashleyjbarnard · **Posted:** Mon Jul 18, 2011 11:01 pm

I like the way the portrait is in the background with a romance blossoming in the foreground, as the book is rather structured in this vein. While it begins with Byron and Ada, it quickly develops into a love story that has nothing to do with them -- the Byron obsession, however, does threaten to sabotage it. But I can understand concern over a possible desecration of a beautiful work of art. It feels right to me, however.

And I do not know if such samples of Ada's poetic ability exist.

Thank you very much for the kind welcome! And I know I'm in good company with my obsession. ; )

Ashley

Andreas · **Posted:** Thu Jul 21, 2011 9:06 am

Ashley

It is obvious that you love that portrait so much, cause you misunderstood my petty comment. I wouldn't be concerned about "a possible desecration of a beautiful work of art", but for a tender image in front of a rougher one. For Byron in Albanian dress, may have wished to share the same qualities he acknowledged in the original:

"Fierce are Albania's children, yet they lack
Not virtues, were those virtues more mature.
Where is the foe that ever saw their back?
Who can so well the toil of war endure?..."

But again, the key may lie within your story! ;)

ashleyjbarnard · **Posted:** Thu Jul 21, 2011 3:28 pm

Ha, ha...wasn't sure actually if you were offended or curious, so I thought I'd tackle it head-on! : ) The fellow who helped me secure the rights to use the portrait was kind of appalled, so I guess it made me a little sensitive. And thank you for sharing the poem.

Debora · **Posted:** Tue Jul 26, 2011 7:20 pm

Welcome Ashley,
you're not alone with your obsession, lol
Debora

ashleyjbarnard · **Posted:** Tue Aug 09, 2011 4:23 pm

Thanks, Debora! ; )

International Byron Society

Hello from Byron Addict

Who is online