This book is nominated for the Folio Prize The most celebrated beauty in seventeenth-century London, Venetia Stanley inspires Ben Jonson to poetry, paintings by Van Dyck to paint, and adoration from the masses. Stampedes follow her arrival in town. But as she approaches middle age, the attention turns to scrutiny. Herr adoring husband Sir Kenelm Digby - philosopher, alchemist and time-traveller - wishes she would age naturally, but Venetia discovers a potent and addictive elixir of youth, Viper Wine. Set on the eve of the English Civil War, and based on a true story, this brilliant novel asks...