Men offered everything they possessed to possess her -- but there was only one man she wanted. From him she asked only love.

A Woman Called Fancy, published in 1951, is Frank Yerby's first novel with a female protagonist. Set in Augusta, Georgia, the novel covers the period from 1880 to 1894 and traces the rise of the heroine, a beautiful South Carolina woman, from poverty to prominence among Augusta's artistocrats.

Fancy fled an incestuous marriage arranged by a drunken father. She had little education and no money. But with the priceless gifts of courage, honor and high personal integrity, Fancy won out against all odds and wrenched from life a position of respect and security.... a life that was secure against everyone except her husband. Court Brantley, had already killed one man for her and Fancy knew that if he ever found out about Jed Hawkins he would do so again.

Warning: Many derogatory, ethnic slangs and other 'swear' words, used throughout this book. The taboo ''N'' word used to extreme, in line with the angry (now unacceptable), Post-Civil War language spoken, during that period, of more than one 'non-lily-white' race. HOWEVER, please read the entire historical novel, keeping in mind that the author/historian of this book was 1/2 African-American, 1/2 caucasian. _this opinion is not necessarily that of Open Library, but it is the opinion of this volunteer reviewer/editor - EDP.

**LibraryThing Review: Madamxtra (3 of 5 Stars/Apr 21, 2015) Honestly, I read this book for shear diversity, something outside my usual scope. I'm impressed; though I wasn't at first. The repeated used of the "N" word, the whinny women and barbaric men was getting to me, though the story was thoroughly interesting. Frank, the author surprised me be by delving into minds, heart-ships and lifestyles of 19th Century aristocrats, would-be abolitionists and down-trodden African (Negro) Americans.

Franks depictions of Georgia has actually put that state on my list of places to visit. As for Fancy...you go girl...SMILE!!!

**GOODREAD Reviews: Anna (4 of 5 Stars/Jan 31, 2010 really liked it): Kind of a "missing link" between Jane Austin / Bronte sisters and Danielle Steele. A page-turning historical romance novel (written in 1951, set in 1880s) set in the context of post American Civil War Reconstruction class conflicts. The writer had very good insights into the male/female minds.

John (4 of 5 Stars/Dec 29, 2012/really liked it/historical-novel: I never expected to read this book because of the title but when i found here on goodreads that it was Yerby's most popular book, I decided to read it. Was Quite upset when I realized it was going to be just what I had expected. Another love story. But am happy to have read it as it is right up there with the best of them. A love pentagon or hexagon I guess, with everyone being in love with everyone who did not love them. Well written.

Andrea (5 of 5 Stars/Sep 30, 2011/it was ok): An interesting look at life in the south post Civil War. The beginning seemed pretty dumb until I realized that it was supposed to be because the main character was so uneducated. It was not a masterpiece but it was a entertaining story.

Angelina (5 of 5 Stars/Jun 06, 2012/''it was amazing''): I really enjoyed reading A Woman Called Fancy by Frank Yerby. It's not my normal genre but it's about a young girl being forced to grow up in the mid to late 1800s. Good read!

Stephanie Wills (5 of 5 Stars - Mar 30, 2015 ''it was amazing''): I enjoyed this book. It gives a good description of how things were in the south. It tells of the snobbery of the upper class and plight of the poor.