"An intimate, beautifully told, occasionally rambunctious tale set in 17th century England."
An intimate, beautifully told, occasionally rambunctious tale set in 17th century England. Ursula Flight was born at an inauspicious time, she tells her own highly entertaining, yet poignant tale from birth. Ursula bounded from the page into wondrous life, I could feel her emotions, her wild, kind, impetuous nature spoke to me. Anna-Marie Crowhurst has created a vibrant, stunning setting for Ursula, the countryside of her childhood is so beautifully imagined, I found myself looking around, smelling, touching, feeling. Ursula’s own writing is scattered through the novel, her thoughts, letters and plays allow direct contact with her, as when she writes she is free, and unencumbered by the morals of the time. I have to admit to feeling a certain amount of disquiet as I read, one part of me was in the present, living life with Ursula, the other part was wondering what would become of this spirited young woman. A blistering darkness slices through ‘The Illumination of Ursula Flight’ taking its turn in the orbiting dance of life alongside the colour and passion, which creates a truly wonderful captivating read, and I loved it.
| Primary Genre | Historical Fiction |
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The Illumination of Ursula Flight is a lively and, at times, mischievous journey through the whims and fancies of Restoration England.
Ursula Flight’s journey into the world began on the night of the great comet of 1664. With this auspicious beginning, Ursula was never going to be an ordinary girl. Taught reading, writing and astronomy by her father, Ursula had a thirst for knowledge and desire for adventure which eventually sees her taking to the London stage. However, Restoration England was a brash and vulgar place and to survive in this world Ursula had to use her considerable wits to survive and thrive.
Ursula isn’t your usual delicate romantic heroine, she is bold and brave and so beautifully depicted that her character literally leaps of the page and grabs you by the hand as she explores the thespian world she so craves. A passionate writer and playwright from an early age, Ursula uses her considerable skill to tell her story with great gusto.... Read Full Review
A brilliant debut novel by Anna- Marie Crowhurst, a coming of age story with a difference. A Seventeenth century romp through the age of bawdy behaviour and male dominance.
The Illumination of Ursula Flight is an unusual novel in that some of the story is portrayed as acts in a play. The book tells the story of Ursula from a small girl throughout her life as an educated woman living in a world where women were not meant to be intelligent and her coming of age. The novel is based in the seventeenth century and is bawdy in parts, adventurous and funny with some poignant moments thrown in. Ursula has to deal with the world of theatre throwing herself into her roles as actor and playwright, whilst trying to survive on a limited income and dealing with unwanted admirers.... Read Full Review
I think that the title page is very good, it would attract me to pick the book up, once seeing the inside, I would have been intrigued enough to buy it. I belong to Reading Groups, I will recommend it
What a fascinating look into the lives of people in the 17th Century.
How the family lived in a small hamlet, how Ursula's life changed from a teenage girl to married woman with a husband and household to care for.
There was no option, once the parents gave her away from the safety of all she knew, where she was happy being taught by her father to read and write. To play games in the woods and fields with friends.Then, the youthful romance, all these gradually faded in favour of the necessary jobs in the house whilst her mother produced another yearly baby to be fed and looked after.
Finding little opportunity in her married life, to read and write her poems and plays, she dreamed of having one of her plays on a London stage.... Read Full Review
'ON THE 15TH DAY OF DECEMBER IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1664, A GREAT LIGHT BLOOMED IN THE DARK SKY...' Born on the night of a bad-luck comet, Ursula Flight has a difficult destiny written in the stars. Growing up with her family in the country, she is educated by a forward-thinking father who enables her to discover a love of reading, writing and astrology. Ursula dreams of becoming a famous playwright, but is devastated to learn she must instead fulfil her family's expectations and marry. Trapped and lost, Ursula plots her escape - but her freedom will come at a price. As Ursula's dangerous desires play out, both on and off the stage, she's flung into a giddy world of actors, aristocrats and artistic endeavours which will change her life irrevocably. A gutsy coming-of-age story about a spirited young woman struggling to lead a creative life, this uplifting tale vividly evokes the glittering world of Restoration-era theatre. For anyone who has ever tried to succeed against the odds, The Illumination of Ursula Flight is an inspiring journey of love and loss, heartbreak and all-consuming passion. This is a debut pulsating with life for readers of Jessie Burton, Sarah Waters and Sarah Perry.
The Illumination of Ursula Flight features in the following genres: Historical Fiction, Books of the Month, Books with reviews by our Reader Review Panel, Debuts, eBooks of the Month, Debut Books of the Month, Fiction, Recommendations, Romance / Relationship Stories
The Illumination of Ursula Flight is available in Paperback, Hardback
The Illumination of Ursula Flight was written by Anna-Marie Crowhurst and published by Allen & Unwin
The Illumination of Ursula Flight has 410 pages
£8.09
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