Description

From the bestselling author of The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley, discover the illuminating historical novel about the extraordinary life of pioneering writer, poet and feminist, Mary Wortley Montagu.

‘Witty, insightful and moving’ Sunday Times

‘This book is a triumph – vivid, exquisite, enthralling and revealing’ Kate Griffin, author of Fyneshade

‘Lusk conjures prose of a spell-binding elegance and charm – as charismatic as the woman who he brings so vividly into life upon the page’ Essie Fox, author of The Fascination

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‘I shall be a thousand different Marys and, in such manner, shall find the one I wish to be…’

Lady Mary Wortley Montagu longs for adventure, freedom and love, believing that only by truly living can she ever escape the stalking crow of Death…

An aristocratic woman in 18th century England is expected to act in certain ways. But Mary has never let society’s expectations stifle her: she writes celebrated poetry and articles advocating for equality, as well as endless, often scandalous, letters to her many powerful friends.

However, Mary wants more from the world. Using her charm and connections, she engineers a job offer for her husband as ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. Travelling to Constantinople, Mary finally discovers the autonomous life she dreams of. And when she observes Turkish women ‘engrafting’ children against smallpox, she resolves to bring the miracle cure back to England.

Despite this, Mary’s reputation becomes increasingly tainted. Her inability to abide by the rules, her outspoken opinions on women’s rights, and her search for love and desire at all costs gains her powerful enemies. While Mary tries to ensure her name will live on by arranging the publication of her diaries after her death, her own daughter works against her, afraid of what they might contain…

An illuminating and beautiful novel, A Woman of Opinion gives a voice to the tragically unremembered yet extraordinary life of pioneering poet and feminist, Mary Wortley Montagu.

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Praise for The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley:

‘One of the best books I’ve read this year . . . completely unforgettable’ Bonnie Garmus, bestselling author of Lessons in Chemistry

‘Inventive, fantastical . . . memorable’ The Times

‘So powerful . . . like the love child of Charles Dickens and Isabel Allende’ Ruth Jones, Sunday Times bestselling author of Love Untold

‘Beautifully written, ingeniously crafted . . . absolutely enthralling’ Sunday Express

Publisher Review

Sean Lusk's A Woman of Opinion centres on the real-life story of the Georgian aristocrat Mary Wortley Montagu - the most remarkable free spirit and brave adventuress whose beauty, passions and achievements led to fame ... and also scandal. With this, his second novel, Lusk proves himself a magician who conjures prose of a spell-binding elegance and charm - as charismatic as the woman who he brings so vividly into life upon the page. * Essie Fox, author of The Fascination * Superb. Not only a very fine work of historical fiction, but also sure-footed and compassionate in terms of the world in which Lady Mary moved - not an easy place for a spirited, intelligent and questing woman. This book is a triumph - vivid, exquisite, enthralling and revealing. * Kate Griffin, author of Fyneshade * With A Woman of Opinion, Sean Lusk has made the voice of Mary Wortley Montagu ring clear and defiant through the centuries. I feel she could seamlessly step from her own world into ours, being absolutely real in both. What an achievement. What a woman. * Shona MacLean, author of The Redemption of Alexander Seaton * As elegantly brave as its heroine, A Woman of Opinion combines precise and elegant writing with a subtle understanding of the female mind and heart. Lady Mary Montagu defied the conventions of her age, not because she was a natural rebel, but because she could imagine no other way to live her life than on her own bold terms. Sean Lusk is to be admired for understanding this - and for presenting it so beautifully on the page. * Annie Garthwaite, author of Cecily * A dazzling portrait of an unforgettable woman. Sean Lusk is a writer of rare insight, beauty and power. * Louisa Treger, author of Madwoman *