A Net for Small Fishes, Lucy Jago

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction

This book is based on a well known scandal – well known to many but nit to me, so I came in cold, not knowing the characters or events. I loved this read, took me back in time, I felt I was there with the people, and it conveyed the struggled females had so well. When I'm reading a historical novel I want to feel its real, for it to stay true to the time, and this one was perfect. Clearly very well researched, not just in the events but in the ways of how people lived in that time.

I didn't particularly like either of the female leads and yet – they did what they needed to do, according to the times they lived in. Life was hard for many, for those without money there was no support, nothing to stop them and their families starving.
For those with money power reigned, until someone more wealthy or with closer ties to the Throne came along. Those on and close to the Throne, and so many others claiming wealth actually lived in a morass of debt, spending money they had no intention of paying, always knowing that because of their position those they owed either couldn't or wouldn't press for payment. It was almost a way of life, even the King lived life like that.

Anne appeared to want advancement for security for her children. Who can say that's wrong? Even if the way she went about it didn't really feel right. I felt that she was almost in a trap of having taken one step, she was forced into the next, there being no way to go backwards, or even stay static.
Not only did she have to worry about money and position but there was the issue of being female. Thinking of the time was that females were born sinful and have to live perfect lives to redeem that sin. Any excuse to blame them for anything is taken, and here poor Anne gets the full gamut of sin thrown at her, blamed for the most ridiculous of things.
Frances, very beautiful, born to a wealthy and powerful family, but as was the way, females were pawns in life, used by their families for advancement. She was married at a young age to the most horrific of men. Abused horribly yet still determined to have a family she and Anne, who has become a good friend by now, seek some dubious methods to make it work. Of course it doesn't, and it leads them down some paths that cause issues later.
Truth wasn't really a factor when being judged, and Anne was made a scapegoat for the sins of others IMO. She did do things that weren't right, but times were different, and she was probably scared of what would happen t her family.
Frances, when it became clear she wasn't going to have a marriage and children, fell in love with someone who was dangerous for her and Anne, a man reputed to be the kings, lover, but who had many dangerous, powerful enemies. I kept thinking about them both, what would I do in that position. The answer: I don't know, who could, it was a very different time.

Stars: Five, a gem of a novel, perfectly capturing the flavour of the time and the difficulties women faced in a male dominated world.

Arc via Netgalley and publishers

Love and necromancy in early Stuart London. Anne Turner is a doctor's wife and mother of six, three of whom are her lover's children. Frances (Frankie) Howard is Countess of Essex, young and beautiful but unhappily married to an impotent wife-beater. Both are Catholics, important in the reign of Protestant James I, whom Catholic Guy Fawkes tried to blow up. Frankie and Anne become friends when Anne is instructed to make her get dressed and ready for society again. Having some knowledge of homeopathic remedies, she also suggests a concoction to make Frankie's husband more interested in her. It is this knowledge that will eventually be her downfall.

London in the early 17th century is shown as being a city of muddy streets and scandal-mongering, where bear-baiting was as popular as public executions and the wide gulf between rich and poor, meant life expectancy was short in the lower classes. My only quibble is that Frankie would probably not have been used as a diminutive of Frances at this time, more likely Frannie. Slow to start but worth a read.

Based on true events, this novel is not a happy read but it is a gripping one. Life in the early 17th century is laid bare as we are shown the extravagance of the court of James I (and VII) and the degradation of the slums. Frankie lives in high estate, though she's at the mercy of a violent husband; Anne is happier with her spouse, lover and children but falls into poverty. Two women from very different backgrounds, yet with strength of character in common, are caught up in a plot to murder. They aren't convinced by what they are doing but it seems the only way out of a predicament that will cause harm to at least one of them.

This is a sumptuous book, full of rich characterisation and description. The mores of the time, the cruelty and injustice, the vying for position - these are all exposed and shown wanting. But there is love here - of a wife for her elderly husband, of a mother for her children, of women for their undeserving menfolk - and of two stalwart female friends.

In A Net for Small Fishes, Lucy Jago evokes the claustrophobic atmosphere of the court, its constant intrigue and jostling for position. Even for those apparently near the top of the tree, favour and reputations were fragile, and it seems that everyone was living beyond their means and just one mishap away from penury.
I imagine it’s difficult when writing historical fiction to be realistic about the agency a character might have, especially a woman. I think this is pitched just right – both highborn Frankie and doctor’s wife Anne are able to make decisions about some parts of their lives but are powerless in others.
To start with I found it slightly disappointing, but I think that was only because it had been advertised as ‘Wolf Hall meets The Secret History’; that it ain’t. However, it is good historical fiction: it sticks closely to the facts as they are known but plays fast and loose with the gaps, with the fictional characters. I was interested in the protagonists and cared what happened to them, and really felt the tension in the final chapters. Recommended.

This historical fiction is based on the true story of the scandal that rocks the court of James I. It centres around the marriage of Frances Howard to the abusive Earl of Essex, her affair with the Kings favourite Robert Carr and the poisoning of poet Sir Thomas Overbury and the subsequent trial. It is told via the growing friendship of Frances (referred to in the book as Frankie) and Mistress Anne Turner, Catholic wife of well known physician Dr Turner. Anne has a talent for fashion and she helps Frances use this as a means to stand out at court. Frances, also a Catholic, is from the powerful Howard family who always use calculation as a means to advance their cause and retain preeminence. The storyline demonstrates how both women try to be independent mistresses of their own destiny within a male dominated society determined to use any methods to keep them in their ordained place. The story is told by Anne which I like as you see these dramatic events and famous characters through the eyes someone not based at court.

This is a very well written and carefully researched novel which stays close to the known facts and is set into the context of the times. The characters of the two strong women from very different social backgrounds are well depicted, easy to picture and are portrayed as intelligent, brave and courageous. Their friendship is close and of particular importance to Frances trapped in an unhappy marriage and though Anne warns her of the dangers of breaking out of this, Frances goes her own way. Their thoughts and feelings are well described and your heart breaks for Frances’ horrific treatment and is an insightful analysis of a doomed relationship. The language used is appropriate to the times, is colourfully vivid and you can hear Anne’s voice clearly as she describes the many political machinations, elbow jostling for favouritism and ascendancy at court, the plots and subsequent dangers. Her narrative gives us a broad and rich picture of medicine, magic and superstitions of the period with the lotions, potions and witchcraft being particularly fascinating. You can almost smell the stinking Thames, the filth strewn streets with the noxious rising miasma and rottenness and damp of some of the houses. The women’s powerlessness is clearly seen at the dramatic end as we witness the Kings justice as a ‘net for small fishes’ into which Anne is caught. It demonstrates the strength, loyalty of a true friendship between Anne and Frances as well as their courage as they are vilified.

My reservations lie in the fact that the book is slow initially and it takes a while to immerse yourself but once you connect to the storytelling it’s a compelling and excellent read. There are inevitably a lot of characters and some knowledge of the period is helpful though not essential.

Overall, a well written and entertaining novel revealing a fascinating world of court, scandal and plot through the eyes of a commoner.

With thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing PLC for the arc for an honest review.

Brilliantly researched and amazingly written, this is the novel that should be read by anyone who wished to know more about this era in history. It is not only a great story but a compassionate viewpoint. As a reader who almost never reads historical fiction I am not sure why I decided to try this but I’m very glad I did, but also wish I hadn’t as it left me fuming about the plight of women in history and to some degree now ( even today women need to be financially independent to be truly secure). However, it is a complex read as well as being a very emotionally testing one, but as an academic librarian I am in awe of the in depth research that led to this story. Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

As other readers have indicated, I found it a little difficult to get into this at first, and this wasn't helped by the strange setting out of lines in my kindle edition. But I persevered and was so glad I did. I became totally hooked on this story of two young women and their friendship and intertwined struggles in the court of King James. Beautifully and poetically written and based on a true story, it is a stunning evocation of a period in history. I loved it and will look out for other work by Lucy Jago.
Thanks to the publishers and to Netgalley for an ARC.

This book is a very good historical fiction novel based on a true story. I love the way the author writes in modern English but uses wonderful old English words wherever possible giving the writing a rich texture of language adding to the feel for the time period. This story more than brings to life the time period, and is a fascinating view of a true historical drama

My thanks to Lucy Jago, Bloomsbury and Net Galley for ARC of A NET FOR SMALL FISHES. How apt a title for this amazing 17thC historical fiction. I was hooked from the beginning at how Francis Somerset beguiled doctor's wife Anne Turner, who was inveigled into the twists and turns of her rich life, whilst Anne and her children suffered in near poverty. What a frightening period in history for women. This novel is beautifully written, and so well-observed I truly feared for Anne at the end. Did she deserve it? Desperate times call for desperate measures, but in law, she sought Overbury's demise, even if it was with the best of intentions. A fabulous read 5 super stars.

A Net for Small Fishes
Lucy Jago
Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for this review copy. This is my unbiased review of the author's work and style.
Lucy Jago can write, plot, and pull you along as she yet again takes an historical occurrence. Brings it to life whilst embordering it along the way with a good dose of Stuart social history and fact. Don't be mislead into believing what she plots and what her characters say and do is 100% true this is after all fiction, but what she does achieve is a sense of living in these olde times, and you can occasionally smell the people and their lives.
Usually, I am not so enthusiastic about historical novels and before Hilary Mantel I was quite snobbish. No more I am persuaded that in the hands of a good writer and researcher this genre can help us as a society to reflect on what living in the post medieval period could have been like.
I am happy to offer five stars for this entertaining and profitable novel.

Based on the true Overbury scandal, A Net For Small Fishes examines the lives of two women living in seventeenth century England. Frances Howard is married to the Earl of Essex, a cruel and misogynistic man, incapable of performing his husbandly duties. Frances remains a virgin. But when he violently violates her, she turns to her friend Anne Turner to help free her from her desperate situation.

Anne is living in poverty following the death of her husband, and the betrayal of her lover. Together these formidable women form an alliance that is to remain unbreakable no matter what.

Filled with courtly intrigue, betrayals and conspiracy, this is a wonderfully rich and evocative historical novel that has been described as the Thelma and Louise of the seventeenth century. Thoroughly researched and beautifully written, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Finally read and loved my 1st adult book of the year! Pure escapism to the courts of King James, the contrast of power & those in it's pursuit. Themes of friendship & feminism spark our interest from the very first chapter and sustain us through the Overbury Scandal, leaving me questioning the price of loyalty & forgiveness. Beautiful legacy left at the very end too.

This book is a brilliant historical fiction novel although it is based on a true story. I love the way the author writes in modern English but uses fabulous old English words wherever possible giving the writing a rich texture of language adding to the feel for the time period. It is set at the start of the Stuart period not long after the death of Elizabeth 1st, this story more than brings to life the time period, and particularly illustrates that there is more than one way to be poor. A lot of historical novels either focus on the sumptuousness of court life or the life of the very poor but this story brings to life the life of those living in the shadows of the upper classes struggling to make a living and having to put on heirs and graces at their own expense to fit in with the upper classes living off the favours of the very rich so scared to fall as low as those considered truly poor but in reality they are only a fine line away from real poverty should they fall out of favour. This was clearly particularly true for women who were never really safe their lives truly in the hands of the men in their family be that a father, husband or son. That having been said it certainly didn’t mean that strong, powerful and influential women didn’t exist, they just had to be even more clever about how they went about things. The characters of Anne Turner and Frances Howard are two such characters both strong and clever individuals and their story is totally compelling. This historical story is so important as it has given two women their voices back even if it is centuries later. This book is definitely thought provoking in many ways. A must read for all historical fiction fans.

This book was a slow starter and I nearly gave up, but, it interested me so I plodded on and halfway through it started to get very good and in the end I enjoyed it. Reading a historical novel is something I like to do from time to time and I’m glad I read this one. My on,y criticism is that there was a lot of characters in this story which sometimes confused me but on the whole the book was a good read. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

I love a well-written “based on a true story” novel, and this one did not disappoint. Lucy Jago includes well-researched detail about the era of James VI & I, while keeping the story exciting and the relationships real. It was fascinating to witness the lavish lifestyles through Anne Turner’s eyes, often just before she goes home to poverty and hunger. Although it was an dog-eat-dog world, there were still times I felt empathy for Anne Turner’s ambitions and how she risked everything for a better existence for herself and her children. A really great read, I enjoyed every page.
Oh, and great book title, once I realised!
Thanks to Netgalley and Bloomsbury for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

It took me a while to get into this novel but once I had all the characters straight, I was hooked. Based on a true story, this book pulls you into the twists and turns of the court of James 1st & 6th and the lives of the courtiers and servants. Masterful!

This is a great read, set in the court of King James.

The two main characters are women from very different social standings: Frances Howard, Countess of Essex, trapped in a loveless marriage with a husband who cannot do his marital duty; and Anne Turner, a goodwife of the city, married to a respectable doctor, and a dresser for the ladies of the court. Both characters are powerfully written, they stand out from the page in their opinions, looks and struggles.

Together they have a remarkable friendship, that takes them through life, love, and to a tragic end.

A really interesting historical novel, I love that the concentration is on the women in a world of male dominion.

I was intrigued by this story. Based on fact it must have been the source of a lot of gossip at the time. 2 strong women trying to carve their own destiny using potions and poisons. I am fascinated by good historical reads like this. It is so interesting to read about society and beliefs and events in the past.

Thank you to NetGalley for my copy.

A brilliant book. It took me a little while to get into the book and then couldn't put it down. Set in the time of James I, it portrays the decadence of the court and the treatment of women both titled and poor. Status and survival brings out the worst in nearly all the characters. Spoiler alert - I was slightly disappointed by the end until I discovered that that the book is a fleshing out of real events. Don't look up the history prior to reading the book.

Lucy Jago highlights a real life 17th century historical scandal set in the reign of James I of England, a blend of fact and fiction that addresses the misogyny of the time in this feminist retelling of the surprisingly strong friendship that sprang between the beautiful Countess of Essex, Frances 'Frankie' Howard and the physician's wife, Mistress Anne Turner, a gifted fashion stylist struggling to find a platform to market her talents in London society. Frankie is a member of the powerful and influential Catholic family in the Jacobean court of fierce aristocratic and religious rivalries, enemies everywhere and where favourites rise and fall at the whim of a insecure King. At the age of 15, Frankie's family arranged a political marriage for her with the Earl of Essex, a man who loathed the Howards.

The marriage is a nightmare for Frankie, she is dreadfully abused physically and emotionally by a husband who regards her with suspicion, holding her in the utmost contempt. Anne and Frankie begin to form a strong bond as Anne dresses Frankie in a manner that brings her increasing public attention in the Royal court to the great displeasure of her husband. Despite the terrors of her marriage, Frankie goes to great lengths to make her marriage work, helped by Anne, to produce an heir that will increase her power, but is doomed to fail with a husband unable to perform sexually. As Frankie's eyes turn to another man, she becomes impetuous and careless in her efforts to gain a annulment of her marriage. Anne's circumstances become substantially more precarious as she becomes a widow and faces betrayal, but Frankie proves to be a constant friend.

As the enemies of the Howards grow stronger, Frankie and Anne face the gravest of dangers in a society determined to crush women daring to challenge the limitations placed upon them. Jago writes an riveting, well researched, historical novel, with oodles of suspense and tension. She makes the period come alive with rich descriptions of London and the intensely competitive nature of the royal court and the rampant political intrigue that marked it. For me, it is the characters of Frankie and Anne that captivated, the differences in their status made little impact on the strength of their feelings for each other. Anne is bright, witty, and sees nothing wrong in wanting to tweak the circumstances in her life to gain happiness for herself and her family, and Frankie has the nerve to want an annulment, a groundbreaking act for a woman. This is a terrific and entertaining piece of historical fiction that will appeal to many readers. Thanks to Bloomsbury for an ARC.