A Net for Small Fishes
by Lucy Jago
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Pub Date 14 Apr 2022 | Archive Date 14 Apr 2022
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ) | Bloomsbury Publishing
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Description
***Out in paperback on 14 April!***
Based on the true scandal that rocked the court of James I, A Net for Small Fishes is the most gripping novel you'll read this year: an exhilarating dive into the pitch-dark waters of the Jacobean court
.
‘The Thelma and Louise of the seventeenth century’ Lawrence Norfolk
‘Terrific, rich in colour, character, place and time' Sarah Dunant
‘Fabulous ... Frankie and Anne's world is brilliantly evoked and brilliantly sustained’ Andrew Miller
‘Historical fiction at its scintillating best and most filmic’ Susan Elderkin
Frances Howard has beauty and a powerful family – and is the most unhappy creature in the world.
Anne Turner has wit and talent – but no stage on which to display them. Little stands between her and the abyss of destitution.
When these two very different women meet in the strangest of circumstances, a powerful friendship is sparked. Frankie sweeps Anne into a world of splendour that exceeds all she imagined: a Court whose foreign king is a stranger to his own subjects; where ancient families fight for power, and where the sovereign’s favourite may rise and rise – so long as he remains in favour.
With the marriage of their talents, Anne and Frankie enter this extravagant, savage hunting ground, seeking a little happiness for themselves. But as they gain notice, they also gain enemies; what began as a search for love and safety leads to desperate acts that could cost them everything.
Advance Praise
'A terrific first novel, rich in colour, character, place and time. If you like your history spiced with sex, scandal and the sweet sensibilities of female friendship, then this is for you.' - Sarah Dunant
'A fabulous book. Frankie and Anne's world is not just brilliantly evoked but brilliantly sustained. Lucy Jago doesn't make a single false step. And it's exciting!' - Andrew Miller
'The Thelma and Louise of the seventeenth century: two mis-matched heroines, two grittily textured lives, an outrageous plot (true!), sex, politics, and a gut-wrenching ending' - Lawrence Norfolk
'Full of colour, intrigue and historical characters we can relate to ... Jago has a great flair for the sensuous image and evokes the heady mix of gaudy glamour and grime that characterises the era with a distinctive, dense poetry. Historical fiction at its scintillating best and most filmic.' - Susan Elderkin
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781526616654 |
| PRICE | £8.99 (GBP) |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Ann J, Reviewer
What an absolutely sumptuous read this was. Rich with vividly depicted character's set against the backdrop of the jacobean court , encapsulating all the pitfalls that come with gaining notice at the royal court, favour can be lost as easily as it is won in this corrupt place.
The female protagonists that the storyline revolves around were vibrantly portrayed and their situations ,though differing , were relatable and you easily found yourself empathising with each of them.
The amount of research that went into the book was obvious, the attention to detail brought the Stuart Court to life and it burst from the pages and enthralled at the same time. It incorporates real historical figures and a shocking murder that was all the more so as it involved the kings favourite and brought the court into turmoil.
This was such an immersive read, the historical detail was interesting and informative without reading like a textbook . The characters of Frances and Annie were so easy to connect with and you willed a happy outcome for both women .. The friendship and loyalty that developes between them is heartwarming , Frances has everything A young woman could want apart from love and tenderness . Her husband is abusive in every sense and she longs to be free of him. Annie on the other hand is near destitute but has a husband that is respected as a physician, who has sheltered her from the sordid goings on at court. She has talent as a fashionista but no patron to establish herself. Once the two meet they quickly become inseparable and gain the notice of both majesties.
The injustices that faced women during this period was depicted in a realistic and believable way. Frances Howard and Annie Turner were vilified for breaking free of the confines and convention expected of their gender. As the storyline progresses you are willing Frances to listen to the wise council of her friend but you can sense the impending doom on the horizon.
The ending was heart rending and I literally felt gutted. The loyalty of both women to each other was beautiful and heart breaking at the same time. The characters stay with you longer than after the last page has been turned . I thoroughly recommend this book.
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