The Illumination of Ursula Flight

Thank you to Netgalley, Anna Marie Crowhurst and Atlantic Books for my ARC of The Illumination of Ursula Flight.

Title: The Illumination of Ursula Flight

Author: Anna-Marie Crowhurst

Publication Date: 3rd May 2018

Rating: 5*

Quote: 'One thing I do know, is that there is no pleasure on this earth better than reading. I have been transported to realms beyond my wildest imagining, to places I shall never see, for they are at the other side of the world, or do not exist at all. And I have been made to cry and laugh and to think and be peaceful, and all of this I have got from books.'

Summary

Ursula Flight is an unusual young woman. At least for the 17th Century she is. Her father has brought her up with book learning, she can read, write and do mathematics as well as speak various languages. This is the story of Ursula's coming of age, through heartbreak, scoundrels and the terrors that befell a 'wench' of the day, Ursula is determined to live her dream of becoming a playwright against all odds.

Review

The Illumination of Ursula Flight is one of those unusual novels which not only endears you to the heroine throughout but leaves you feeling like you've been touched by a ray of sunshine by the time it comes to a close.

I loved the character of Ursula she was so strong willed, and passionate but feminine and girly as well one minute worrying about fashion and the next covering herself in ink blotches and terrorising the neighbourhood. I felt her joy and her happiness but I also felt her sorrow and pain.

Not only were the characters great however and I could wax lyrical about them all, it was a great story with beautiful writing and a great amount of comedy to boot. Ursula does not only illuminate herself but the readers as well.

Set in 17th - Century Britain, this is a lush, vivid story of the life of Ursula Flight. Written as a story but also in diary and script form, it is wonderful.
I loved watching Ursula grow with every chapter and would highly recommend it to everyone.

This is the debut novel from Anne-Marie Crowhurst and tells the story ( written in an unusual diary format) of Ursula Flight, born into a moderately wealthy family, on the night of a comet believed to bring ill fortune, in the year 1664.
As Ursula grows up, her father who she adores, decides to give her a proper education in maths, reading and astronomy, which is highly unusual in the 17th century when girls are expected to get married, look pretty, raise children and not much else.
Instead Ursula has dreams of becoming a playwright and living a life in the theatre. Her dreams are soon shattered when her parents decide that she is to become betrothed to the boorish and much older Lord Tyringham. After marriage she goes to live at his country seat ,Turvey Hall in Wiltshire. Will she escape and follow her dreams or stay and live a life of comfortable decline and readers will find out what happens to our heroine as the story progresses.
I love the eye catching title and cover illustration which drew me to this book and each chapter kept me wanting to read more and find out Ursula's fate. The author Anne-Marie Crowhurst gives a descriptive, vibrant feel to the 17th century period and has put great research into the fashion, foods and particularly life for women in that day.
I would have liked to have seen the character of Samuel, Ursula's childhood sweetheart given a bit more depth and description at the beginning of the story when we first meet him and thought his character was slightly rushed and put aside, but Ursula herself is a lovable character who has many hardships to overcome throughout the story.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves historical novels with a sense of history and detail of that era.
Thanks to the publishers Atlantic Books, the author and NetGalley for allowing me to preview and rate this novel. #UrsulaTakesFlight #NetGalley

I loved this book.The main character is wonderful-brave and funny with a wonderful turn of phrase.It reads like a Restoration novel with playscripts added in.The story moves along at a fast pace and holds the reader's attention throughout.
The period detail is meticulously researched,with great descriptions of location and characters,especially the theatres and clothes.
It would make a wonderful film or TV series, and I just hope we hear more of Ursula Flight!

Ursula Flight is a sheer delight! Set in the time of King Charles and Nell Gwynn, Ursula is irrepressible. Her voice is captured so well by the author and the story as a whole is wittily written. The plays she writes from an early age are the highlights of the book. Such a great heroine, she finds her place, calling in life and learns to be an independent and resourceful young woman, beholden to no one. An inspiring and original story, rich in historical detail. Recommended.

Original & imaginative. Ursula is an engaging, often contrary character and it's easy to identify with her. The historical background is well researched and the story line is highly appropriate to the period. A few unexpected turns along the way make for a delightful read. .

What a delight. I wasn’t sure what to expect of a book set in the 17th Century, but The Illumination of Ursula Flight transported me there. I loved the naive but feisty Ursula, and her cast of supporting characters. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to escape reality, who wants to cheer on a young champion (a feminist before her time), who appreciates a well researched book, and something a bit different,. Quirky, funny and touching, I loved it. A sequel???