Hardback: 455 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance
Publisher: November 10th 2022, Head of Zeus 2022 - Bloomsbury
Source: Tywyn Public Library
First Sentences: On the 25th of November last year a frost set in which lasted seven weeks. It was recorded that the thermometer stood at 11 degrees below freezing point in the very midst of the city.
Setting: London 1789 - 1814
Review Quote: 'Magical storytelling... A fresh take on the Regency novel' Good Housekeeping
My Opinion: I was recommended this title when I was last in the library, by a friend. Initially I was apprehensive as the blurb gave me the impression there might be a large element of fantasy involved, a genre that rarely appeals to me.
Within the first dozen or so pages I realised that the somewhat whimsical aspects of the storyline were just going to add to my enjoyment.
The protagonist is Neva Friezland, born into the fairground world of trickery and illusion is The Weather Woman of the title. Weather forecasting was not something that Regency England was ready for, especially as predicted by a woman. Turning her gift, or skill for making these predictions into a form of entertainment seems to be the way forward. Especially if she is not to be ridiculed.
Historical fiction threaded through with fantasy, mystery and romance with vivid descriptions of life in London during this period. An unusual mixture of themes this story will appeal to many and is definitely worth reading.
Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:
Neva Friezland is born into a world of trickery and illusion, where fortunes can be won and lost on the turn of a card.
She is also born with an extraordinary gift. She can predict the weather. In Regency England, where the proper goal for a gentlewoman is marriage and only God knows the weather, this is dangerous. It is also potentially very lucrative.
In order to debate with the men of science and move about freely, Neva adopts a sophisticated male disguise. She foretells the weather from inside an automaton created by her brilliant clockmaker father.
But what will happen when the disguised Neva falls in love with a charismatic young man?
It can be very dangerous to be ahead of your time. Especially as a woman.
Author Profile:
Courtesy of Goodreads
Sally Gardner grew up and still lives in London. Being dyslexic, she did not learn to read or write until she was fourteen and had been thrown out of several schools, labeled unteachable, and sent to a school for maladjusted children. Despite this, she gained a degree with highest honors at a leading London art college, followed by a scholarship to a theater school, and then went on to become a very successful costume designer, working on some notable productions.
After the births of twin daughters and a son, she started first to illustrate and then to write picture books and chapter books, usually with fairytale- or otherwise magical subject matter. She has been called 'an idiosyncratic genius' by London’s Sunday Times.
Her full and interesting biography can be read here on her website.
Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:
Sally Gardner - Official Website. Twitter Profile Amazon Author Page. Goodreads Profile
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