A Woman of Opinion – set in London, Turkey and Italy

Submitted: 30th June 2024

A Woman of Opinion – Sean Lusk

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

Shamefully, I admit to never having heard of this woman. Well, I read this book, the afterword and have just ordered a book listed in the novel that Sean used to write it. This is one remarkable woman and a totally remarkable novel.

Map of locations in A Woman of Opinion

A Woman of Opinion - set in London, Turkey and Italy

BOARDING PASS INFORMATION

Destination : Italy, Turkey and London mainly

Author guide: Lady Mary Wortley Montagu
English writer and poet

Genre: fictional but inspired by real life

Food and drink to accompany: Hot and spicy for the ladies and humble pie for the men

POSTCARD-1

#Bookreview

@thebooktrailer

A novel to transport you to the life of Lady Mary Wortley Montagu

Map of locations in A Woman of Opinion

Sean Lusk is fast becoming an author I am utterly excited to find out what he is up to. His first novel blew me away and this, his second, has given me some real food for thought. It’s about a real character from history – Mary Wortley Montagu. She disliked her lot in life and thought it unfair that women were so limited in choice and freedom in comparison to men.

The book was inspired by the letters and papers left behind by the real life Mary. Some of this, infact most of it had been destroyed by her family to avoid scandal and notoriety. But Sean brings them back to life and with it, brings Mary back and gives her a voice.

Mary was ahead of her time. She championed women, hated poverty, wanted to help people who others rejected or ignored. When I read this novel and realised just what she had done for the advancement of smallpox inoculation, I was amazed. I had no idea, a woman had been behind the discovery in Turkey of a possible and eventual treatment for this disease. Of course, she comes back, announces it and immediately has it hijacked by a man.

Mary marries well and this gives her some status in society. But again, she has to follow her husband when he moves abroad for work. Mary however, uses these chances to carve out a life and purpose for herself. She has such a fascinating life.

A Woman of Opinion - set in London, Turkey and Italy

Map of locations in A Woman of Opinion

This book made me cheer, want to smack certain people and want to climb into the book to stand behind Mary to bolster her cause. I cheered when she stood up to the men around her. Men who were seen as above her, ahead of her, and stronger than her. Her best weapon was her sharp wit and clear mind. Ripostes as fast and as accurate as hers I have not seen.

The use of figures from history such as Voltaire and Alexander Pope really brought her story to life. This is history coming to life on the very page. I could see, hear, smell and feel everything Sean evoked and it was magical.

Lots of travel which I enjoyed. Italy is definitely on the map since it meant so much to Mary. I feel I want to honour her by doing this in real life. Taking the book with me of course!