The Illumination of Ursula Flight

Anna-Marie Crowhurst has worked as a freelance journalist and columnist for more than 15 years contributing to <i>The Times The Guardian Time Out Newsweek Emerald Street and Stylist</i>. In 2016 she studied for an MA in Creative Writing at Bath Spa University where her debut novel <i>The Illumination of Ursula Flight </i>was born<i>.</i> She lives in London. <b>One of <i>Stylist</i>'s must-read books of 2018</b><br><br><b>'Original and charming joyous and funny.' Tessa Hadley</b><br><b> </b><br><b> '...[this] debut novel sweeps us away to the world of Ursula Flight wannabe actress and playwright in 17th-century Britain. Ursula is a spirited and funny protagonist.' Sarah Shaffi <i>Stylist</i></b><br><br>'ON THE 15TH DAY OF DECEMBER IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1664 A GREAT LIGHT BLOOMED IN THE DARK SKY...'<br><br>Born on the night of a bad-luck comet Ursula Flight has a difficult destiny written in the stars. Growing up with her family in the country she is educated by a forward-thinking father who enables her to discover a love of reading writing and astrology. Ursula dreams of becoming a famous playwright but is devastated to learn she must instead fulfil her family's expectations and marry. Trapped and lost Ursula plots her escape - but her freedom will come at a price. <br><br>As Ursula's dangerous desires play out both on and off the stage she's flung into a giddy world of actors aristocrats and artistic endeavours which will change her life irrevocably.<br><br>A gutsy coming-of-age story about a spirited young woman struggling to lead a creative life this uplifting tale vividly evokes the glittering world of Restoration-era theatre. For anyone who has ever tried to succeed against the odds <i>The Illumination of Ursula Flight</i> is an inspiring journey of love and loss heartbreak and all-consuming passion. This is a debut pulsating with life for readers of Jessie Burton Sarah Waters and Sarah Perry. <b>The charming droll (and just a little bit bawdy) picaresque tale of one woman's coming of age both on and off the stage in seventeenth-century England</b> ...abounds with ribald wit. Crowhurst has an affinity for table-turning Restoration theatre and a talent for deliciously pert dialogue. A thoroughly original work of imagination. ...offers a joyous romp through Restoration England with a heroine who lingers long in the imagination after the final page. Told in Ursula's voice interspersed with extracts from the unstaged plays into which she turns her everyday<br>life Crowhurst's novel is good tongue-in-cheek fun. [a] riotous coming-of-age debut The period of Charles II's Restoration really comes alive in this wonderfully drawn story and Ursula...is a heroine it's impossible not to love. [A] hugely enjoyable riotous coming-of-age debut I find this funny eccentric touching novel fairly irresistible. Ursula's story is told in an inventive mix of modes through fragments and lists and plays and letters; it's a spirited funny romp and yet it feels much more than that too - touching and urgent and vivid. It's fluent accomplished polished funny and charming. This 17th century coming-of-age tale is at once subversive moving and utterly fresh and original. This is without doubt a rollicking summer read - and Ursula Flight a 17th-century feminist hero for our post-#MeToo times. This sprightly romping novel revels in its period: the Restoration world of Ursula Flight is presented with irresistible relish. Crowhurst's enthusiasm for her subject is contagious and her playful handling of form shows great control and confidence. Bravo!<b></b> Witty engaging and very clever <i>The Illumination of Ursula Flight</i> is absolutely my kind of novel. A glorious book cleverly done and lushly written with a witty vivid heroine. ...[this] debut novel sweeps us away to the world of Ursula Flight wannabe actress and playwright in 17th-century Britain. Ursula is a spirited and funny protagonist. ...abounds with ribald wit. Crowhurst has an affinity for table-turning Restoration theatre and a talent for deliciously pert dialogue. A thoroughly original work of imagination. ...offers a joyous romp through Restoration England with a heroine who lingers long in the imagination after the final page. Told in Ursula's voice interspersed with extracts from the unstaged plays into which she turns her everyday<br>life Crowhurst's novel is good tongue-in-cheek fun. [a] riotous coming-of-age debut The period of Charles II's Restoration really comes alive in this wonderfully drawn story and Ursula...is a heroine it's impossible not to love. [A] hugely enjoyable riotous coming-of-age debut I find this funny eccentric touching novel fairly irresistible. Ursula's story is told in an inventive mix of modes through fragments and lists and plays and letters; it's a spirited funny romp and yet it feels much more than that too - touching and urgent and vivid. It's fluent accomplished polished funny and charming. This 17th century coming-of-age tale is at once subversive moving and utterly fresh and original. This is without doubt a rollicking summer read - and Ursula Flight a 17th-century feminist hero for our post-#MeToo times. This sprightly romping novel revels in its period: the Restoration world of Ursula Flight is presented with irresistible relish. Crowhurst's enthusiasm for her subject is contagious and her playful handling of form shows great control and confidence. Bravo!<b></b> Witty engaging and very clever <i>The Illumination of Ursula Flight</i> is absolutely my kind of novel. A glorious book cleverly done and lushly written with a witty vivid heroine. ...[this] debut novel sweeps us away to the world of Ursula Flight wannabe actress and playwright in 17th-century Britain. Ursula is a spirited and funny protagonist.