The Curious Tale of the Lady Caraboo Paperback – International Edition, August 5, 2015

Interesting story! I really enjoyed reading the back matter and learning that it was based on a true story!

It's an interesting story, not what I was expecting.

Interesting story.

Based on a true story, this novel is a fascinating re-imagining of the life of Mary Wilcox of Devon, who for a period, passed herself off as Princess Caraboo. Down on her luck and a woman of colour, Mary was able to convince a wealthy family who took her in that she was an exotic princess from a Pacific island. Her tale speaks of the power of imagination and the gullibility of those with too much time on their hands. Lady Caraboo's curious tale also reminds us that the flip side of racism is love of the 'other'; a love of what is thought to be "authentic', 'real', 'innocent' and 'savage' in other cultures. Johnson's portrait of the landed Worrall family and their academic hangers on is marvelous. This is a clever, hugely entertaining, perceptive novel.

I first read about this true-life happening in a Readers Digest compendium when I was a kid. It's nice to see it brought properly to life by master storyteller Catherine Johnson. Gripping from beginning to end!

Lovely book. nothing much else to say. So fascinating

Loved this story of identity and how we can set our own course in life while navigating the worst that's thrown at us. Intriguing and elegantly told - loved it.

A fantastic tale, beautifully written. Caraboo is an intriguing character and I didn't want to put the book down.