From the bestselling author of The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley, discover the illuminating historical novel about the extraordinary life of pioneering writer, poet and feminist, Mary Wortley Montagu.

‘Witty, insightful and moving’ Sunday Times

'This book is a triumph - vivid, exquisite, enthralling and revealing' Kate Griffin, author of Fyneshade

'Lusk conjures prose of a spell-binding elegance and charm - as charismatic as the woman who he brings so vividly into life upon the page' Essie Fox, author of The Fascination

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'I shall be a thousand different Marys and, in such manner, shall find the one I wish to be...'

Mary longs for adventure, freedom and love. When her powerful father schemes to marry her off to a foolish aristocrat, she has to find a man who will offer her the independence she craves Never one to fear a scandal, she elopes with Edward Wortley Montagu.

Mary uses her charm and connections to live a life less ordinary – befriending poets, playwrights, and politicians. Securing a position for her husband as ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, she travels east, where she discovers a medical miracle.

But this new adventure will come at a cost, for Mary’s inability to abide by the rules and her outspoken opinions have gained her powerful enemies…

‘Skilfully weaves together themes of identity, ambition, and the pursuit of happiness…you won’t forget Mary after reading this’ Glamour

‘Exploring not only a fascinating period in world history but also the life of a strong-minded woman who refused to be silenced by society’s expectations’ Culturefly

‘Sean Lusk has made the voice of Mary Wortley Montagu ring clear and defiant through the centuries’ Shona MacLean

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Praise for The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley:

'One of the best books I've read this year . . . completely unforgettable' Bonnie Garmus, bestselling author of Lessons in Chemistry

'Inventive, fantastical . . . memorable' The Times

'So powerful . . . like the love child of Charles Dickens and Isabel Allende' Ruth Jones, Sunday Times bestselling author of Love Untold

‘Beautifully written, ingeniously crafted . . . absolutely enthralling’ Sunday Express

"Lusk’s retelling of Mary’s story is by turns witty, insightful and moving" - Sunday Times

"Lusk's narrative skilfully weaves together themes of identity, ambition, and the pursuit of happiness, offering readers a compelling story filled with emotional depth. You won’t forget Mary after reading this." - Glamour

"Exploring not only a fascinating period in world history but also the life of a strong-minded woman who refused to be silenced by society’s expectations, A Woman of Opinion is not only brilliantly written but enlightening too." - Culturefly

"Sean Lusk's A Woman of Opinion centres on the real-life story of the Georgian aristocrat Mary Wortley Montagu – the most remarkable free spirit and brave adventuress whose beauty, passions and achievements led to fame ... and also scandal. With this, his second novel, Lusk proves himself a magician who conjures prose of a spell-binding elegance and charm - as charismatic as the woman who he brings so vividly into life upon the page." - Essie Fox, author of The Fascination

"Superb. Not only a very fine work of historical fiction, but also sure-footed and compassionate in terms of the world in which Lady Mary moved - not an easy place for a spirited, intelligent and questing woman. This book is a triumph - vivid, exquisite, enthralling and revealing." - Kate Griffin, author of Fyneshade

"With A Woman of Opinion, Sean Lusk has made the voice of Mary Wortley Montagu ring clear and defiant through the centuries. I feel she could seamlessly step from her own world into ours, being absolutely real in both. What an achievement. What a woman." - Shona MacLean, author of The Redemption of Alexander Seaton