At the Sign of the Star

The tale of a booksellers daughter. Meg Moore is the motherless and only child of a bookseller with a thriving business in Restoration London-and that makes her an heiress. She knows that someday she will have her pick of suitors and that with the right husband she can continue in the book trade and be friends with wits and authors as her father is. But Mr. Moores unexpected marriage throws all Megs dreams into confusion. Meg resists the overtures and edicts of her stepmother with a cleverness equaled only by her fierceness but in spite of it all her rivals belly soon swells with what Meg fears will be her fathers new heir. Meg seeks wisdom from almanacs and astrologers plays and books of jests guides for ladies and guides for midwives. Yet it is through her own experience that she finds a new matrimony with which to face her unknown future. This vibrant novel recreates a lively and fascinating historical period when women claimed a new and more active role in Londons literary scene.