Having been introduced to this story by the extraordinary film by Amma Asante, I was interested to learn more about Dido's story, aware that the film had taken artistic licence and dramatic liberties. Paula Byrne paints a detailed picture here of the events in Dido's life and the connection between her and Lord Mansfield's story to the eventual abolition of slavery.
There is a lot that we do not and may never know, but the recounting of major events and sensitive use of better documented stories from unrelated yet relevant contemporaries to reveal what the mood and context of the events may have been.
This could have been a interesting and relevant historical account, even with gaps in our knowledge, however it is more than that. It is a gripping and compelling account of an almost forgotten story. I can thoroughly recommend it to anybody who has seen the film and would like more detail. And if you haven't seen the film... Go watch the film. ( )

The title seems to indicate that this book will be about Dido Elizabeth Belle, but it there is not much about her. We don't know much about her, so I guess that is not surprising. Thus the book is about the slave trade at the time, and the law cases decided by her uncle. The book is fine if that is what you want to read about, but if you want to know more about Dido other than that she existed, was raised by her aunt and uncle to a lady of means (at the request of her father), and that she got married, you won't find it here. ( )

So, a good reason to pick up this book is that you have seen the exquisitely crafted 2014 movie "Belle." If you haven't, do. Anyway, the movie is based on the true story of a mixed race girl being acknowledged and brought up by the aristocratic white half of her family. In 18TH CENTURY BRITAIN. Kind of a big deal.

Unfortunately, all we factually know of her today comes from a lovely and intriguing painting, a few legal documents, the household account books, and the diary of one acquaintance. The story is there, but the gaps are tantalizing.

That's why this book has to focus more on her uncle/guardian, Lord Mansfield, the Lord Chief Justice of England. He was called on several times in his professional career to rule on slaves' rights...a touchy subject, given that the economy of the British empire was growing ever more dependent on its slaves. While he couldn't legislate new laws, he could interpret what already existed as humanely as possible. His rulings paved the way for the abolition of the slave trade. This stand becomes more meaningful knowing that he had a mixed race niece at home.

There are enough source documents to confirm that Dido Belle did have a privileged standing in her white family. She wasn't just a glorified servant. She was a daughter of the house. She was accustomed to spend time with them. She was educated enough to have beautiful and clear handwriting (a couple samples actually exist!). Lord Mansfield kept adding codicils to his will, leaving her money, then worrying that it wasn't enough and leaving her more money. An older cousin also left her a legacy, as a "mark of regard."

What I like about this story, both as a movie and real-life history, is what it illustrates about people. In that time and place, no white person was obligated to care for an illegitimate "mulatto." There were no repercussions: the rules gave you every right to close your eyes. But the Mansfields made their own decision to be decent.

I think that's awesome. ( )

There's not a lot of "history" here - that is, not a lot of actual documentation in the story of "Dido Elizabeth Belle." But Paula Byrne has done a good job with what little there is.

Really though, there's a lot more here about William, Lord Mansfield, the Chief Justice. But, to be honest, it is a lot easier these days to market films and books which foreground attractive young women. ( )

This is an interesting and well written book but it is definitely not "the true story of Dido Belle" because hardly anything is actually known about her. The admirable 2013 film about her is a work of almost total fiction. ( )