In this fascinating nineteenth century historical fiction novel, Barbara Wright brings a group of brilliant and eccentric writers, artists, and thinkers from Great Britain to life. Inspired by the personal papers of Anne Thackery (daughter of the author of Vanity Fair), readers explore Anny’s life and struggles as a budding novelist looking for love and an identity outside her family -- and the stigmas associated with both -- across England and on the Isle of Wight. With many literary greats gracing the pages of this fascinating, romantic, and complex historical fiction novel, Wright brings them all to life in complex and deeply enjoyable and immersive detail. The characters, particularly Anny, are the star of the novel, with their complex emotions and social restraints impacting their actions, while the themes remain incredibly relevant throughout the twenty-first century. With a fascinating look into the mind of a forgotten historical woman with a promising literary career ahead of her, readers get the chance to explore Anny Thackery’s life and emotions at a critical and turbulent period of her life. Brilliantly written and populated with fascinating and relatable characters, this is a brilliant new historical fiction book that fans of literary fiction and historical fiction about writers will devour.

A fictionalised account of the life of Anny Thackeray, daughter of William Thackeray, author of Vanity Fair. I didn't know much about the Thackerays when I started this but as I read on and the book introduced figures I do know about, like Lewis Carroll and Julia Margaret Cameron, I was intrigued as to how much of this story was invented and how much was true. I think the author does a good job of staying within the boundaries of the known and making what is fiction realistic. I was so interested in the fact that Anny had a long and distinguished career as a novelist and writer herself. As with so many women of her time, her achievements have been allowed to fall by the wayside and been diminished in comparison by male peers. It made me deeply curious to seek out her writing and read it. I thought this was a well written, fascinating account of a woman who has been wrongly forgotten. I enjoyed it very much.