Author: Tania Blanchard
Publisher: 1st November 2023 by HarperCollins Publishers Australia
Pages: 448 pages
Genre: General Fiction (Adult) | Historical Fiction | Romance
My Rating: 4 cups
Synopsis:
A gripping, moving story of love, tenacity and the right to be heard by bestseller Tania Blanchard, inspired by a true story
1890, Northern England. Hannah Todd dreams of a future where women have the right to vote. Fresh from her teaching studies in Durham, the university city, she joins her parents in a rural village, brimming with newly found passion and the groundswell towards women's suffrage unfolding in London. Working tirelessly to help women and children in the county, Hannah is determined to make the fight for the vote her life's work, adding her voice to the rising chorus across the nation and hopes of a new world and a new way of thinking.
But soon she must fight a new, unexpected battle - that of the yearning of her own heart - and discovers that when power is threatened, darkness, brutality and dangerous, closely guarded secrets are never too far from the surface. How far can she go to fight for what's right?
From the exciting, progressive hive of London to the traditional villages of the rural north, A Woman of Courage rings with the strength and struggles of women at time of momentous change ... and the choices one woman must make to help forge a new future.
My Thoughts
‘The world was changing fast as we crept toward the new century and we were immersed in new modern ideas and opportunities. I for one was determined to evolve to live the life I wanted.’
A Woman of Courage is the fifth novel by Aussie author Tania Blanchard and I was excited to read it as I have very much enjoyed her previous offerings. This is such a well researched tale of the fight for the right to vote. Set in such a different era from her previous works, Tania makes it so personable that the reader cannot help but become immersed in what life must have been like for women during this period.
‘Is this suffrage talk?’ ‘Don’t, Mama!’ I said sharply. She just didn’t understand that I wanted a different life, a life where I could choose how I lived it.’
Set in northern England in the 1890s, the reader follows Hannah’s struggles between her dreams and her family’s wishes. The 1890s is a period of social change in England with women asking questions and wanting more from their life - more freedom to choose its direction. Whether that be to marry or not, or whether to have children or not, or how to remove oneself from dangerous situations. Tania also touches on social changes in light of vaccinations, mental illness and things as basic to us as education for both the young and older generations.
‘I was part of a new generation who wanted to be at the forefront of change.’
The story moves in a different direction from Tania’s previous novels, on this occasion she is said to be inspired by her husband’s family stories. Once more she does another sensational job of melding fact and fiction. As in her previous works, Tania blends the events of the rights of women beautifully with a story bringing real heart and soul to a momentous period in history for women. With themes of family and ambition, dreams and heartbreak, I recommend lovers of historical fiction to take this journey with all the drama that this period brings with it. Looks like Hannah will get another opportunity to pursue the rights of women with Tania alluding to a follow up book in 2024 where Hannah’s passionate journey to achieve the vote for women will continue.
“… remember why you’re doing this. Not just for your own sanity and sense of self but for Annie. We’re doing this for the future of our daughters. One day they’ll understand and be proud of what we’ve done, no matter how difficult it might have been for us.”
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.
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