Really enjoyed this. It was a bit slow to start off with it but really picked up and I loved ursulas story. I really enjoyed the feminist vibe and the fact she got her hearts desire in the end man free!!

I sadly missed the deadline on this book when I first got the chance to read this book, however now I have and just wanted to write a note, that this book is still as good as what it was hyped to be!

Thank you for the chance to read it, back then!

The story of a woman to overcome a miserable marriage to become the woman she wishes to be enthralls, The author has researched the period well and the descriptions of food, theatre and clothes bring the period to life. Ursula is a character that you will remember after finishing the book.

I think most readers have at some point picked up a book without really knowing much about it – something about the title or the cover or the author just calls out to you and in you go. This was one of those. I’d been drawn to it for a while, for lots of reasons, but there came a moment where I just decided it was time. I ordered the book and started reading almost as soon as it arrived on my doorstep, falling happily into the story.

This is the story of Ursula Flight. Born under a comet shortly before Charles II’s Restoration, as she grows up her love for reading, writing and learning is fostered by her father. After discovering the idea of the theatre, of actresses and plays, she yearns for the stage.

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Characters who push against the norms of their time can be so tricky to get right – so many authors end up with personalities on the page very clearly influenced and informed by the mores of the 21st Century. But Crowhurst is very careful and clever about the context of Ursula’s small rebellions – she is conscious of the pressures and expectations surrounding her, and never exempt from feeling them. Although the expectations laid on Ursula – marriage and childbearing, subservience – are not so familiar today, so many readers will connect with the experience of yearning to live a different kind of life to the one laid out in front of us. I felt her pains and pleasures keenly, and sympathised so intensely with this marvellous character.

This could make Ursula sound like a pitiful figure, but that would be a mistake. By the time I put the book down I was desperate to be friends with this resilient, intelligent, funny woman. While the topics and history the book touches on are fascinating, for me it really was the character of Ursula I fell in love with. The relationships she builds and moves through as her circumstances change are brilliantly drawn and often surprising.

If a character-centred historical story sounds up your street, with a protagonist who will charm you and have you utterly in their corner all the way, then this is definitely one I recommend picking up. It’s intelligently written and manages to wonderfully express the beauty of forging your own path forwards.

I LOVED this book! I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading it, but I instantly fell in love with Ursula and spent the whole time I was reading this rooting for her.

This book just wasn’t for me even though I expected to thoroughly enjoy it. I tried and retried but struggled so put it down as I failed to get into it several times

A beautiful tale, exquisitely told. This book took me a long time to read because I needed to digest it slowly, so full of rich intricacy was the story. It at times lacked tension, but the vivid characters and prose carried the pace easily to the bittersweet, heartwarming climax. I read historical fiction in order to escape to a past I'll never get to be a part of, and through the incredible imagination and knowledge of the author, I was able to contentedly explore my happy place for a while. Such a lovely gift. Ursula Flight is an inspiring, funny, earnest and captivating character - one I won't quickly forget.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am in charge of our Senior School library and am looking for a diverse array of new books to furnish their shelves with and inspire our young people to read a wider and more diverse range of books as they move through the senior school. It is hard sometimes to find books that will grab the attention of young people as their time is short and we are competing against technology and online entertainments.
This was a thought-provoking and well-written read that will appeal to young readers across the board. It had a really strong voice and a compelling narrative that I think would capture their attention and draw them in. It kept me engrossed and I think that it's so important that the books that we purchase for both our young people and our staff are appealing to as broad a range of readers as possible - as well as providing them with something a little 'different' that they might not have come across in school libraries before.
This was a really enjoyable read and I will definitely be purchasing a copy for school so that our young people can enjoy it for themselves. A satisfying and well-crafted read that I keep thinking about long after closing its final page - and that definitely makes it a must-buy for me!

This a highly passionate period drama starting in 1664 when Ursula Flight is born. Ursula is our narrator and she guides us through her experiences uncommon to women during the 17th century – learning to read and write, and learning about science, mathematics and languages through her diary entries. Ursula becomes a strong willed, intelligent woman and uses these strengths to have an adventurous life.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publishers for my free ARC.

To celebrate the paperback release of The Illumination of Ursula Flight, I was asked to review as part of the blog tour, and I jumped at the chance as I had heard such good things about it. This book reads like an autobiography as it is narrated by Ursula in the first person and chronicles her life from childhood to adulthood during the reign of Charles II, and all that happens in-between. This book is a coming of age story, as we are part of Ursula’s journey growing up, and her party to her dreams and fears, ambition and disappointments. This book was every thing I expected and more, and even though it is only the second week of the year, I think this will be one of my best reads of the year.

Ursula Flight is a wonderful heroine whose life and ambitions transcends time. Unlike most young ladies she has been educated by her father so can read, write, has studied latin, history, science and geography and thrives on reading books and learning more. In the seventeenth century this was learning was not seen as an admiral quality in a lady, let alone Ursula’s ambition to be a playwright and becoming an actress. Ursula is tenacious, confident, and has an air of independence that not even marriage to the dullard and puritanical Lord Tyringham can dull in her. There is a wonderful supporting cast, including her childhood friends Mary, Samuel, Grisella, Jasper and Nicholas who are the first people to act out her plays, Lord Tyringham’s sister Sibeliah whose teeth are so rotten she disguises the smell with clove oil and sugared almonds. There are aristocrats, actors, servants and cads that all enhance Ursula’s story.

The Illumination of Ursula Flight is a beautifully written, atmospheric and original read. Anna-Marie Crowhurst use of the language of the period is just one example of her attention to detail that makes this book stand out from other historical novels. Anna-Marie also uses Ursula’s plays to add humour to some of the difficult situations Ursula finds herself in; meeting her older and dull husband, her wedding and her first attendance at the King’s court. Ursula’s story is rich in period detail, culturally, socially and domestically that add to the atmosphere and verisimilitude of the book as a fictional autobiographical tale.

The Illumination of Ursula Flight is an absolute joy to read. The authenticity of the prose and historical detail bring are outstanding and take us on Ursula’s journey through seventeenth century England, and the popularity of Restoration theatre. I adored Ursula as a character, she was strong, stood up for what she believed in and took every opportunity to improve her life and follow her heart. I laughed, cried and empathised with her during the highs and lows of her unconventional and at times heartbreaking story. This is a glorious, engaging and witty read and a must read for fans of historical fiction; a memorable and magnificent novel with a heroine you will love.

I have to admit it was the cover of this one that grabbed my attention but I'm pleased to say this was a wonderfully well-written historical fiction story that kept me engaged from start to finish. Ursula was a sheer delight and one of the best characters I've read. I can already tell this light-hearted coming of age story will be one I reread in the future. I would highly recommend.

An authentic period read about a lovely protagonist- Ursula in the time of the Restoration. I’m really impressed by this; quality writing and fun and pacey. Not often I can’t find the words to describe a book but nevertheless I find it ethereal and almost timeless.

Really worth a read and I’ll look for more by this author.

Just a few thoughts on The Illumination of Ursula Flight by Anna-Marie Crowhurst:

• The format of this book is very engaging—play form, letters, diary entries—it kept things fun!
• Ursula is HILARIOUS. I love her.
• I also love that Ursula takes the aspects of her life that could be potentially scary or depressing and uses humour to describe them. It’s very endearing and shows her strong will.
• Girl power! Ursula didn’t let the rules of society stand in the way of her dreams.
• Ursula’s relationship with her father and was pure and sweet. I love that he took her out and showed her the stars. She knew what to aim for!
• Everyone loves a happy ending but this was particularly sweet. I’m so glad that Ursula persevered when her life was at its lowest point. She kept going despite all that was against her and she came out of it strong and triumphant.
• The message to girls in this book is so very powerful. Ursula was trapped in a bad marriage in a time when women were possessions of their husbands and divorce was practically unheard of. Despite her own family and friends urging her to stay, she left the marriage. When the man she loved betrayed her she refused to have him back. I found this so refreshing to read and loved Ursula even more.

I can’t wait for more from this author!

Sometimes what you need is a bawdy, picaresque set in the 17th century. Anna-Marie Crowhurst's The Illumination of Ursula Flight (review copy from Corvus) gives just that.

This is the story of the titular Ursula Flight. An intelligent young woman, she grows up with a father who indulges her interest in history, literature and astronomy. She yearns to be a playwright, but finds herself married off to a much older man in the expectation she will bear his children. Shut away in his country house with a domineering mother and a dull sister in law, Ursula sinks into depression. Eventually her husband takes her to court, where she embarks on a tempestuous affair and leaves her husband.

There is a wonderful light humour to this novel that makes it a very easy read. It is populated with wonderful caricatures of Ursula's friends, family and the people she encounters. Ursula herself is a quixotic mix. On the surface she has a superficial obsession with with dresses and hairstyles, and a naivety that comes from her rural upbringing. But that conceals a bright and deep intelligence, and a love of literature. In telling her story to the reader, Ursula distances herself from the most difficult and shocking parts of her life by presenting them as the scripts for little vignettes. This adds real poignancy to the story, while showcasing Ursula's wit and resilience in the face of adversity.

The focus on Ursula as a writer is also welcome. The happy ending for her is not love and marriage or wealth, but success as a writer and recognition for her talents. That makes this a remarkably uplifting, feminist work.

Goodreads rating: 3*

Joyful, fun and absorbing - quite like anything I've read in a long time. The word "romp" is hard to avoid ... Heroine Ursula is a one-off. Hard to believe this is a debut, it's so assured.

Bawdy, laugh out loud funny and highly entertaining, I loved this book from beginning to end.

The daughter of a gentleman Ursula Flight should be learning to be a lady and thinking of marriage by Restoration period standards. But this is a girl born in the wrong age and instead dreams of true love, adventure and especially the theatre. Her parents plans for her are a little different.

Ursula is an immensely likeable character. She's sometimes hopeful, quite often naive but always a little mischievous. She's easily my favourite new character of the year.

enjoyed this book. The historical period is one I’ve only read a few books about so I found it quite educational but it was also a good story. Ursula was an engaging character and I cared about what happened to her – I really loved the way that she turned key events in her life into short plays. And her plays were really rather funny too… This is a good read if you enjoy strong female leads and a historical setting.

Ursula is a wonderful protagonist, her humour and curiosity make even the most routine events entertaining. As a woman in the seventeeth century, she is forced to quash her natural self to fit her role in society, whilst still trying to express herself through writing. The author did a great job of bringing the seventeenth century to life, especially with the language, which transported you back, but wasn't difficult to understand.

The Illumination of Ursula Flight is a restoration romp. Our heroine is married off against her will and ends up in London attending the court of Charles II with her husband. So far so conventional. Then everything changes. Ursula grabs her chances.

To tell you more would be to ruin the plot. Suffice to say that Ursula is a clever and engaging heroine. You swoop up and down with her fortunes. She is not doormat. If you like smart feisty women and history, then this is the book for you.

I defy you not to fall in love with Ursula Flight. She's adorable!

I was initially a bit doubtful about the presentation of this book. I like to suspend my disbelief, and I was worried the author wouldn't be able to keep up the language and the appearance, but actually I was wrong. Each chapter starts with a little "playlet" in the manner of Restoration Comedy, and I really enjoyed the playfulness and wit of those sections.

The whole book is a Restoration Comedy, in a way. It could have been written as a tragedy, but Ursula's personality doesn't allow that, and she keeps her sense of humour throughout events, and keeps her sense of self intact despite the disappointments and disasters of her life.

It's great fun, and a bit of historical fiction from an era that is surprisingly neglected.