Review: The Talented Mrs Greenway

Title: The Talented Mrs Greenway

Author: Tea Cooper

Publisher: 1st November 2023 by Harlequin Australia, HQ & MIRA

Pages: 350 pages

Genre: historical fiction 

Rating: 4.5 cups

Synopsis:

From a bestselling Australian author, this compellingly realised novel brings to life the story of an enigmatic figure, wife to feted colonial architect Francis Greenway, and asks, whose hand really shaped Sydney? Who is the talented Mrs Greenway?

1814 Sydney When Mary Greenway, freshly arrived from the old country, steps into the maelstrom of Sydney Town with three children at her skirts, she has high hopes of a new beginning, despite having little money and a husband in irons. After all, the sudden death of her sadistic first husband has meant freedom from her gilded cage and Francis Greenway is an architect of some promise, under the protection of Admiral Phillip himself. Mary herself is a woman of great resources and an even greater creative passion, a passion that will surely burn through anything that the filthy, burgeoning, vitality of colonial Sydney can throw at her. Soon ensconced in a tiny cottage in George Street, Mary sets about moulding a life for her family from the unpromising clay of this new colony, with a determination fired in equal parts by guilt for her disastrous past action that nearly brought ruin to them all and desire to see her true calling realised. When she is befriended by Elizabeth Macquarie it seems that fate is smiling on them with the promise of a better life in her grasp. But fate is a difficult mistress and with past secrets to keep, and current betrayals on the brink of discovery, the stakes are higher than ever. With Mary's grip on this new life slipping, will her past lies come back to haunt her?

My Thoughts

Tea Cooper has delivered once again! Just like in her previous works, Tea’s latest offering, The Talented Mrs Greenway,  is yet another engaging and masterfully crafted story. Not only does Tea’s latest tale provide a truly engaging story about the early days of colonial Sydney but also she melds fact and fiction to present yet another strong female character from history. 

‘Is there any way I can help?’ 

‘You? How can you help? I am the government architect.’ 

‘And I am the architect’s wife.’

Tea is to be congratulated for presenting such a rich and comprehensive tale. The settings both in England and Australia are authentic, particularly with the incorporation of real life events such as those occurring during Governor Macquarie’s leadership. It is the everyday cultural feel of everything from the early days of George Street, to unmade roads, to the humid heat of a Sydney summer -  Tea effortlessly includes the reader seamlessly into her riveting tale.

‘… her name may never be recorded but nothing, nothing could take away this moment, the sense of achievement and pride coursing through her.’

What is truly special here is how little Tea had to go on. Yes, this is a thoroughly researched tale of Sydney’s early days, however, of Mary Greenway herself, Tea had little to go on. To so cleverly reimagine how events could have played out was a masterstroke! I knew of Francis Greenway (loved the eccentric take on this man) and his role as architect in many of the early constructed buildings. So, how imaginative and brave to take a few facts and turn it around into a completely believable tale, weaving fiction and fact together, to present the woman behind the man. Well done Tea!

‘We may not be able to publicly admit your role but it should be acknowledged between ourselves. My talented wife - what would I do without you?’

From strong protagonists, to family and social drama , to taking in the early days of colonial Sydney - I can highly recommend the tale that is, The Talented Mrs Greenway.

‘Perhaps in one hundred years’ time she too would be remembered.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.