This book, following the emerging friendship between physicians wife Anne Turner and the wife of the Earl of Essex. The characters were well introduced and likable, but the pacing of the narration was off. The progression of the story was painfully slow and I really struggled to get in to it. I dnf'd this book at 25% as I just wasn't enjoying it at all.

It was an interesting experience listening to this audio book because although I requested it at the same time as the book, when I received it I'd already 1-starred the book for the horribly over-wrought writing ('Awe possessed me like a devil, jumping on my organs, pulling the strings of my eyes', 'I twisted my head about like a pigeon', 'Her feet, young enough that the bones did not show, were pretty as ducklings') - but turns out that listening to this was completely different and my ears slipped over what had tortured my reading eyes.

So as a listening experience, I enjoyed this hugely. It's a historical novel that recreates the early seventeenth century as a version of our time so is anachronistic in its thought-world: women are self-conscious of their rebellion against the patriarchy, cross-class friendships are normalised - actually, friendship between Frankie (Frankie!) and Anne is more like insta-love: they meet once and are devoted forever. Adulterous love is passionate while (or because?) arranged marriage is loveless, even abusive and sexually violent. Men don't make a good showing in this story which really belongs to the two women.

So infinitely more Philippa Gregory than Hilary Mantel - but beautifully read and a hugely enjoyable.

An absolutely stunning exploration of what it meant to.be a woman in 17th century England, I was captured by the evocative language from the get go; the characters are well fleshed out and I was completely gripped by their story, particularly the way in which they had to constantly navigate a misogynistic society - thank goodness for feminism, I can’t wait to see what Jago does next!

A net for small fishes by Lucy Ago highlights a real life 17th century historical scandal, which took place in the reign of James I of England, a mix of facts and fictions which pictures the society of the time through the story of the friendship of two strong women: Countess Frances Howard and Mistress Anne Turner.
Frankie is a member of influential catholic family in the Jacobean court and when she was 15 her parents arranged her marriage with the Earl of Essex.
The marriage turns out to be a nightmare for Frankie, she is abused physically and emotionally. Anne and Frankie begin to form a strong bond as Anne starts dressing Frankie in a way which start bringing her an increase of public attention at royal court, causing displeasure to her husband.
Despite the suffering of her marriage, Frankie puts a great effort into making it work, helped by Anne, to produced an heir that will increase her power, but she is met by an husband which is unable to perform sexually.
In the meanwhile Anne situation becomes precarious as she is left widows and experiences betrayal.
But the two friends have to face a great danger into a society ready to crush women who don’t conform with the limitations placed upon them.

It was pleasant to listen to this well researched historical novel. Lucy Ago has been able to make us relive that historical period vividly through rich description of London and the competitive life at court.
The characters of the two strong women from very different social backgrounds well depicted, and are portrayed as intelligent, brave and courageous.
The language used is appropriate to the time, is colourfully vivid and you can hear Anne’s voice clearly as she the many political machinations, elbow jostling for favouritism and ascendancy at court.

Overall, a well written and entertaining read, only fault a bit slow but aced in the first half.

Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for the free audiobook.

My thanks to Bloomsbury Audio U.K. for a review copy via NetGalley of the unabridged audiobook of ‘A Net for Small Fishes’ by Lucy Jago. It is narrated by Sarah Durham.

This is an outstanding work of historical fiction based on the Overbury Scandal that in 1615 rocked the Court of James I. Within its pages Jago has given voice to two women portrayed by history in a villainous light: Anne Turner and Francis (Frankie) Howard. Anne Turner serves as the novel’s narrator, so we experience people and events through her awareness.

Lucy Jago researched and wrote ‘A Net for Small Fishes’ over a ten year period, drawing on a wealth of primary and secondary sources. Her writing is gloriously rich and totally immersive. The language used in the novel feels authentic, which may seem archaic to some readers, but I found that it deepened my engagement.

She also recreates the powerful sense of religious conviction felt by those living during the period, alongside a tangible belief in magic, witchcraft, and various superstitions.

This is historical fiction at its finest and one of the best that I have ever read. It is a astonishingly good debut novel that I recommend highly.

With respect to its audiobook, I found Sarah Durham’s narration excellent. She did well in giving voice to its various characters from those inhabiting the Royal Court, whose language is formal, to the rougher speech of commoners and denizens of the streets of Jacobean London. I was riveted by her performance and it brought an extra dimension to this excellent novel.

A highly recommended combination.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury UK Audio for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited to read this book that I actually purchased and listened in full to the audiobook before I was accepted for this arc, and I wasn't disappointed in the slightest. I absolutely adored both this book and the listening experience, the characters were incredibly well developed and a joy to hear the stories of, I haven't read anything else from Lucy Jago but I'll definitely be on the lookout for her backlist, as well as anything they release in the future.