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 --- '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. --- 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
