UPDATE, AUTUMN 2025!
TWO COURSES WITH SEAN COMING UP SOON – ONE ON LINE, ONE RESIDENTIAL:
WEDNESDAY 5TH NOVEMBER - ONE DAY ONLINE SHORT STORY WORKSHOP. DETAILS HERE:
8TH-13TH DECEMBER - ARVON, BEGINNING (AND CONTINUING!) TO WRITE IN POETRY AND PROSE WITH ROSIE GARLAND AND INUA ELLAMS, LUMB BANK, YORKSHIRE, UK. DETAILS HERE:
Sunday Times Historical Fiction Book of the Month - July, 2024
REVIEWS
“Lusk’s retelling of Mary’s story is by turns witty, insightful and moving…”
The 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 Magazine
“Loosen your stays, settle back and enjoy!”
Saga Magazine
An aristocratic woman in 18th century England is expected to act in certain ways. But Mary has never let society's expectations stifle her: she writes celebrated poetry and articles advocating equality. Her correspondence with her mant powerful friends is dazzling, and often leads her into trouble.
Mary wants more from the world. Using her charm and connections, she helps her husband be apponted as ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. Travelling to Constantinople, Mary finally discovers the autonomous life she dreams of. And when she observes Turkish women 'engrafting' children against smallpox, she resolves to bring the miracle of inoculation back to England.
Despite this, Mary's reputation becomes increasingly tainted. Her inability to abide by the rules, her outspoken opinions on women's rights, and her search for love and desire at all costs gains her powerful enemies. While Mary tries to ensure her name will live on by arranging the publication of her diaries after her death, her own daughter works against her, afraid of what they might contain...
Sean Lusk’s debut, The Second Sight of Zachary Cloudesley was a BBC2 Between the Covers pick, a Sunday Times Historical Fiction Book of the Month, and longlisted for the Walter Scott Prize and the Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award. He is also an award-winning short story writer, winner of the Manchester Fiction Prize and the Fish Short Story Prize. He has lived in Greece, Pakistan and Egypt and now lives in the Scottish Highlands.
