#AD #Gifted
I was absolutely thrilled to be asked to review The Pioneering Life of Mary Wortley Montagu – Scientist and Feminist, by Jo Willett. How very timely, given everything that is going on in the world at the moment. Who would have thought that a book about a historical figure could be so pertinent in the 21st Century?
My review
Really didn’t know what to expect from this book. the premise was interesting, but often history books can be just a bit stale and dry, can’t they? Well, this one smashed that stereotype, and how!
What an amazing woman Mary Wortley Montagu was. I hadn’t even heard of her prior to reading this book, which goes into great detail about her life and adventures – I don’t hesitate to use the word adventures, either. Hers is an incredible story.
Jo Willett has done a brilliant job here. She has really brought Mary Wortley Montagu (neé Pierrepoint) to life – and what a chequered life! Fitting that this book is being published in 2021, the 300th anniversary of the very first inoculation in the West(against Smallpox), which was pioneered by our heroine. Obviously, inoculation is still a very hot topic all these years later, though thankfully, Smallpox has now been eradicated and has been for over 40 years. (Inoculations work, kids, get jabbed!)
That’s before we get on to her championing of women. Mary Wortley Montagu can very definitely be considered an early dopter of feminism and she strived for the position of women in society to be improved.
This is a really warm, well written and amusing book. I actually couldn’t put it down. It really was a case of “Wow, what next?!” for pretty much each and every chapter.
Guess what? It’s already out of stock! Sold out within two weeks and honestly, I am not surprised. But the next batch is on order and you can pre-order at www.pen-and-sword.co.uk who have more stock arriving next month.
5/5 – highly recommended
Follow the author Jo willett on Twitter
Follow Pen & Sword Books on Twitter
Leave a Comment