A Woman of Opinion

Lusk’s retelling of Mary’s story is by turns witty, insightful and moving * Sunday Times * Lusk's narrative skilfully weaves together themes of identity, ambition, and the pursuit of happiness, offering readers a compelling story filled with emotional depth. You won’t forget Mary after reading this. * Glamour * Exploring not only a fascinating period in world history but also the life of a strong-minded woman who refused to be silenced by society’s expectations, A Woman of Opinion is not only brilliantly written but enlightening too. * Culturefly * 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 * A fascinating tale of an under-sung pioneer, I can understand why Sean felt so passionately that Mary's story needed to be shared! Told with vim and vigour, this is historical storytelling at its finest. * Victoria MacKenzie, author of For Thy Great Pain Have Mercy On My Little Pain * 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 * What a book! A Woman of Opinion casts an absolute spell, with Sean Lusk’s magical prose dazzling and delighting ... With acerbic humour and heartfelt pathos, Lusk shows how Lady Montagu’s story – her championing of inoculation, support of women’s voices and uncompromising self-belief in the face of establishment opposition – place this figure of the past firmly in the present. Lady Mary Wortley Montagu was a woman of opinion and one we would all benefit from listening to. * Rupert Dastur, author of Cloudless *