Sean Lusk: A Woman of Opinion

We are delighted to be welcoming bestselling author, Sean Lusk, to the shop on the evening of Thursday 24th October, as he talks about his witty, insightful and moving historical novel about the extraordinary life of pioneering writer, poet and feminist, Mary Wortley Montagu, .

'I shall be a thousand different Marys and, in such manner, shall find the one I wish to be...'

Lady Mary Wortley Montagu longs for adventure, freedom and love, believing that only by truly living can she ever escape the stalking crow of Death...

An aristocratic woman in 18th century England is expected to act in certain ways. But Mary has never let society's expectations stifle her: she writes celebrated poetry and articles advocating for equality, as well as endless, often scandalous, letters to her many powerful friends.

However, Mary wants more from the world. Using her charm and connections, she engineers a job offer for her husband as ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. Travelling to Constantinople, Mary finally discovers the autonomous life she dreams of. And when she observes Turkish women 'engrafting' children against smallpox, she resolves to bring the miracle cure back to England.

Despite this, Mary's reputation becomes increasingly tainted. Her inability to abide by the rules, her outspoken opinions on women's rights, and her search for love and desire at all costs gains her powerful enemies. While Mary tries to ensure her name will live on by arranging the publication of her diaries after her death, her own daughter works against her, afraid of what they might contain...

An illuminating and beautiful novel, A Woman of Opinion gives a voice to the tragically unremembered Mary Wortley Montagu.

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Doors: 6.30pm, event starts: 7pm, please arrive early to secure a good seat.

Tickets are £3 and there is a Ticket & Book option which includes a signed copy of Woman of Opinion.

The bookshop has level access, events are seated and speakers use microphones. If you have any accessibility concerns, please contact us and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

Refunds are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, we are unable to offer a refund after the event.

For more information or if you would like a signed copy because you can't make it to the event, please contact the Blackwell's events team on 0131 622 8222 or [email protected]

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Blackwell's Bookshop, 53-62 South Bridge, Edinburgh, United Kingdom