This is a wonderfully vivid work of historical fiction, with a captivating heroine.
Ursula's world is revealed through her thoughts and experiences, sometimes in the form of her writings, including lists, letters and scenes from plays. We get a wealth of detail, drawing on all the senses, that pulls us right in, as exemplified by her exploration of the forbidden territory of the parlour at 3 years old.
I was surprised at how much of the book was devoted to Ursula's childhood, yet looking back at the unhurried unfolding of the story I cannot think of anything that feels superfluous.
Ursula is a witty, brave, intelligent and exuberant character who cannot be suppressed for long, despite the efforts of her mother and later her husband and his family and the hard realities she encounters.
Ursula's world is revealed through her thoughts and experiences, sometimes in the form of her writings, including lists, letters and scenes from plays. We get a wealth of detail, drawing on all the senses, that pulls us right in, as exemplified by her exploration of the forbidden territory of the parlour at 3 years old.
I was surprised at how much of the book was devoted to Ursula's childhood, yet looking back at the unhurried unfolding of the story I cannot think of anything that feels superfluous.
Ursula is a witty, brave, intelligent and exuberant character who cannot be suppressed for long, despite the efforts of her mother and later her husband and his family and the hard realities she encounters.