The Wolf-Girl, The Greeks and the Gods by Tom Holland (Review #39)

The Wolf-Girl, The Greeks and the Gods by Tom Holland

Blurb

“The Persians are coming…” Hearing these words, Gorgo of Sparta is plunged into a dangerous world of vengeful gods and invincible heroes. For a mighty empire threatens Athens, Sparta and all who stand in its path… Calling on the ancient power to transform into a wolf and the blood of Zeus that runs through her veins, Gorgo must lead her nation in one of history’s greatest wars. Multi-award-winning author Tom Holland and acclaimed illustrator Jason Cockcroft boldly weave myth and history in this dramatic tale of Greeks and Gods.

Gripping and powerful, this extraordinary illustrated novel will be treasured by readers young and old. Ideal for fans of Percy Jackson, Neil Gaiman and Kevin Crossley-Holland, and the mythical retellings of Madeline Miller, Pat Barker and Stephen Fry, this is a book to be read again and again.

Review

I love the children’s section at Topping and Company Booksellers in Bath and I always go for an explore when I visit. When I went in the Summer I saw this book and knew I had to have it. I was also over the moon to see it was a signed edition although it was a shame Holland used the pen he chose to use as it bled through on to the next page which marked things quite badly.

This was my first Tom Holland book but Holland’s books have been on my TBR for quite a while. I have always loved the character of Gorgo from Spartan history as she always seems to be a strong woman and most likely another woman from history who had the strength and the brain to be a woman of power and might but sadly restricted due to her sex. At least she made enough impact for Herodotus to mention her and he said she was a wise woman.

Holland does depict Gorgo as a strong child and woman with a fierce heart with a very wise head on her shoulders. Her mother warns her that the Persians are coming and she is the only Spartan to believe it to begin with but she does find a Greek who also believes the same as she does. I like the fact that Holland depicts Gorgo as a trusted young girl and adult who is so trusted that her father the king includes her in the ruling of Sparta. Then her husband who becomes King of Sparta also shows trust in her judgement and counsel.

To be honest the whole wolf thing drove me mad. Yes there is the semi-mythical lawgiver Lycurgus who instituted reforms into Sparta when Sparta was at its weakest but his existence is doubted because his name is strongly associated with Apollo and most people believe Lycurgus is just a personification of Apollo. So I’m not entirely sure why Holland took it as far as he did because I just didn’t think it added to the story. However, I did really like the added element of the Gods taking part in the story.

The most important thing about this book is that Gorgo tells us about the heroics of the 300 Spartans who held the pass against the thousands of Persians for so long. That is the most important tale to be told and it is told well. The illustrations in this book are beautiful and really add to the story. However, I’m afraid the wolf element really let this book down for me so I only give this book 3 out of 5 Dragons.

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About the author

Tom Holland is an award-winning historian, author and broadcaster. He is the author of Rubicon: The Triumph and the Tragedy of the Roman Republic, which won the Hessell-Tiltman Prize for History and was shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize; Persian Fire, his history of the Graeco-Persian wars, won the Anglo-Hellenic League’s Runciman Award in 2006. Tom Holland is the presenter of BBC Radio 4’s “Making History” and acclaimed podcast “The Rest is History”. He has written and presented a number of TV documentaries, for the BBC and Channel 4, on subjects ranging from ISIS to dinosaurs. He served two years as the Chair of the Society of Authors and is Chair of the British Library’s PLR Advisory Committee.

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Fireworks by Angela Carter (Review #38)

Fireworks by Angela Carter

Blurb

In the short fiction of Angela Carter, the landmarks of reality disappear and give way to a landscape of riotous and uncensored sensibility. The city of Tokyo turns into a mirrored chamber reflecting the impossible longings of an exiled Englishwoman abandoned by her Japanese lover. An itinerant puppet show becomes a theatre of murderous lust. A walk through the forest ends in a nightmarish encounter with a gun-toting nymph and her hermaphrodite ‘aunt’. Not simply a book of tales, Fireworks is a headlong plunge into an alternate universe, the unique creation of one of the most fertile, dark, irreverent, and baroquely beautiful imaginations in contemporary fiction.

Review

I love the work of Angela Carter and during my teenage years I read quite a few of her books but nothing recently so when I saw this book of short stories I thought it was high time I read some more books by Carter.

I was really surprised by this book because it felt quite different to the books I have read previously by Carter. All the books I have read before are based on legends and fairytales but this contained scenes from real life as well as the fantasy.

I loved the descriptions of Japan in the stories although the story of the exiled Englishwoman in Japan gradually losing the interest of her young Japanese lover was a bit harrowing.

I will be honest The Loves of Lady Purple and The Executioner’s Daughter were rather disturbing and not to my liking. No matter how beautifully written they are, I still didn’t enjoy these two stories.

This Carter book of short stories definitely contained some of Carter’s favourite themes. There was theme of sex, especially the forbidden kind, puppetry and even a magic mirror. However, there was also fireworks, scenes of beautiful Japan and heartbreak. It was really nice to get back into reading Carter again and I will definitely be reading more of her books soon. I give this book 4 out of 5 Dragons.

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Purchase Links

Bookshop.org | Foyles | Waterstones

About the author

Angela Olive Pearce (formerly Carter, nee Stalker) (1940-1992) published under the name Angela Carter. Carter was an English novelist , short story writer, poet and journalist, known for her feminist, magical realism and picaresque works.

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Tudor Children by Nicholas Orme (Review #37)

Tudor Children by Nicholas Orme

Blurb

The first history of childhood in Tudor England

What was it like to grow up in England under the Tudors? How were children cared for, what did they play with, and what dangers did they face?

In this beautifully illustrated and characteristically lively account, leading historian Nicholas Orme provides a rich survey of childhood in the period. Beginning with birth and infancy, he explores all aspects of children’s experiences, including the games they played, such as Blind Man’s Bluff and Mumble-the-Peg, and the songs they sang, such as “Three Blind Mice” and “Jack Boy, Ho Boy.” He shows how social status determined everything from the food children ate and the clothes they wore to the education they received and the work they undertook.

Although childhood and adolescence could be challenging and even hazardous, it was also, as Nicholas Orme shows, a treasured time of learning and development. By looking at the lives of Tudor children we can gain a richer understanding of the era as a whole.

Review

I am still going through my Tudor phase and I just can’t get enough of books about Tudor history. When I saw this book in the bookshop I knew I had to have it and read it. It did not disappoint.

Children are so often ignored in the history books especially poor children and this is no different in the Tudor period. Sadly, there are a lack of records for the poorer ranks of children but what information there is Orme has found it as well as the surviving information about the children of rich people. It is so refreshing to find a researcher who is concerned with children from history because even today researchers quite often go for the more glamorous subjects.

This book is such a good read and I could not put it down. The book is packed full of information but is not too academic or dry. I loved being able to see Orme’s character through his writing instead of just a list of events and dates. I also really enjoyed how the book is divided up into chapters that are important to the lives of children, such as play, school etc.

The other element of the book that I loved was the illustrations. Orme obviously put a lot of thought into what illustrations to use for his book and they all fitted perfectly and helped demonstrate his point. I also liked how they were in the text rather than in the middle of book. This meant I didn’t have to keep flicking backwards and forwards to see the relevant illustrations.

Overall, I loved this book and I enjoyed how Orme challenged the preconceptions that Tudor adults didn’t care very much for their children. I will definitely be reading more books by Orme in the future and I give this book 5 out of 5 Dragons.

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Purchase Links

Bookshop.org | Foyles | Waterstones

About the author

A specialist in the Middle Ages and Tudor period, Nicholas Orme is an Emeritus Professor of History at Exeter University. He studied at Magdalen College, Oxford, and has worked as a visiting scholar at, among others, Merton College, Oxford, St John’s College, Oxford, and the University of Arizona.

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Anne Boleyn & Elizabeth I: The Mother and Daughter Who Changed History by Tracy Borman (Review #35)

Anne Boleyn & Elizabeth I: The Mother and Daughter Who Changed History by Tracy Borman

Blurb

Anne Boleyn is a subject of enduring fascination. By far the most famous of Henry VIII’s six wives, she has inspired books, documentaries and films, and is the subject of intense debate even today, almost 500 years after her violent death. For the most part, she is considered in the context of her relationship with Tudor England’s much-married monarch. Dramatic though this story is, of even greater interest – and significance – is the relationship between Anne and her daughter, the future Elizabeth I.

Elizabeth was less than three years old when her mother was executed. Given that she could have held precious few memories of Anne, it is often assumed that her mother exerted little influence over her.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Elizabeth knew that she had to be discreet about Anne, but there is compelling evidence that her mother had a profound impact on her character, beliefs and reign. Anne’s radical religious views shaped those of her daughter, and as a woman who wielded power over a male-dominated court, she provided an inspiring role model for Elizabeth’s queenship. Even during Henry’s lifetime, Elizabeth dared to express her sympathy for her late mother by secretly wearing Anne’s famous ‘A’ pendant when she sat for a painting with her father and siblings.

Piecing together evidence from original documents and artefacts, this book tells the fascinating, often surprising story of Anne Boleyn’s relationship with, and influence over her daughter Elizabeth. In so doing, it sheds new light on two of the most famous women in history and how they changed England forever.

Review

I have always loved Tudor history and Elizabeth I is my favourite monarch from history so when I saw this book I was intrigued to read it. It was also my first Tracy Borman book and it definitely won’t be my last.

The thing I loved about this was how Borman had such a fresh and different take on Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth I. Usually history books keep them quite separate but Borman has their two histories running together. Even though Anne Boleyn was executed when Elizabeth I was only 3 years old, Borman shows how Elizabeth I was influenced by her mother through all of her life and reign.

Borman pieces together historical evidence from surviving letters, documents, paintings, books and more showing the link between mother and daughter. Borman takes us right from Anne Boleyn’s birth to her death and the same for Elizabeth I.

The other thing I liked about Borman’s take on the evidence is that it felt so truthful and not sugar coated. So many history books either describe Anne Boleyn as an angel who was severally wronged or as an evil woman who deserved her fate. However, Borman shows Anne from all angles. She shows Anne’s faults, her character flaws, her lack of restraint and all her good points. We know that Anne Boleyn was wrongly accused and executed but Borman paints her as a real person and not a saint, which I liked.

The only reason this book didn’t receive the full 5 out of 5 dragons, but only 4, was because it just felt a bit dry at times. It felt like a big list of events and lost the feeling that other historians put into their books which I missed. However, I still thoroughly enjoyed the book and found it very interesting.

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Purchase Links

Bookshop.org | Foyles | Waterstones

About the author

Tracy Borman, PhD, FRHistS, FSA is a historian and author from Scothern, United Kingdom. She is most widely known as the author of Elizabeth’s Women.

Borman was born and brought up in the village of Scothern, England near Lincoln. She was educated at Scothern Primary School (now Ellison Boulters School), William Farr School, Welton, and Yarborough School, Lincoln. She taught history at the University of Hull, where she was awarded a Ph.D in 1997. Elizabeth’s Women was serialized and became a BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week in September 2009. Tracy Borman appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, also in September 2009

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The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery (Review #34)

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Blurb

A pilot stranded in the desert awakes one morning to see, standing before him, the most extraordinary little fellow. “Please,” asks the stranger, “draw me a sheep.” And the pilot realises that when life’s events are too difficult to understand, there is no choice but to succumb to their mysteries. He pulls out pencil and paper… And thus begins this wise and enchanting fable that, in teaching the secret of what is really important in life, has changed forever the world for its readers.

Review

Over the years I have heard many good things about this book so when I saw a beautiful edition by Chiltern publishing I decided it was time to get myself a copy and get reading.

This is a beautiful story about a stranded pilot who is desperately trying to find a way to survive. One morning he wakes up to find a little fellow standing in front of him. This Little Prince tells the pilot all about his travels around the universe.

For such a small book it packed a massive punch and although it is considered a children’s book I found it contained a great deal of symbolism and is a fantastic learning tool for children and adults. Every encounter the Little Prince had on his travels taught him something new and most importantly he learned something of value in life.

This is a beautiful story with lovely illustrations and one that I think I will read again and again because it will be a reminder about what is important in life and not to let the chaos of life get in the way. I give this book 4 out of 5 Dragons.

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Purchase Links

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About the author

Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900-1944) was a French writer, poet, journalist and pioneering aviator. He received several prestigious literary awards for his novella The Little Prince and for his lyrical aviation writings, including Wind, Sand and Stars and Night Flight.

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111 Places in Bath That You Shouldn’t Miss by Justin Postlethwaite (Review #33)

111 Places in Bath That You Shouldn’t Miss by Justin Postlethwaite

Blurb

The magnificent historic city of Bath – home to sweeping crescents in honeyed stone, restorative thermal waters, and beautiful boutiques – is no stranger to those who seek to explore its manifold charms. Most are only intrigued by the the Roman Baths, the Pulteney Bridge, the Royal Crescent, the Circus. But for the more inquisitive there are countless hidden gems to discover. Pick up this book and explore Bath’s best-kept secrets – stories, locations, and unique personalities from the past and present, who have been neglected by the conventional tourist routes.

In these pages you’ll take a bespoke detour off the well-beaten path to unearth unexpected from secret statues and characterful pubs to artists’ studios and Georgian ballrooms, from memorials paying homage to lesser-known figures who left their indelible mark on the city to treats for foodies and fashionistas.

Make your own gin, weave a scarf, tell the time with a stylish personal sundial, play ‘shove ha’penny’, bind your own book – or head beyond the city fringes, just a short hop by bike, punt, barge, or steam train, for a fresh perspective on this picture-perfect metropolis. The possibilities are endless. Whether you’re a first-timer, a frequent visitor or a native who has ‘seen it all’, here are 111 things you never thought you’d see in Bath.

Review

If you have been following me for a while you will know that I love Bath and that I go most years. Last year I was lucky enough to go twice and I loved every minute. We have a trip planned there this year so I thought it was time I read this book to see if there are any new places we might like to visit.

My sister in law gave me this book for a birthday present a few years ago but like a lot of my books it has sat on one of my many TBR piles. Last week I was going through one of these many piles and found it and thought it was high time I read it.

The first thing I really liked about this book was the set up. Each place is spread across two pages; the description and details on the left hand page and a well chosen picture and brief description on how to get there and a tip on the right page. I also quite liked how a lot of the tips featured a nearby pub that you could enjoy a good pint and spot of lunch in.

I really liked Postlewhaite’s writing style and found the information he gave really interesting. Places that I have visited or walked past or through many times I learned things I didn’t know about from this book. There were extra nuggets of history facts that I had never come across and interesting facts like the acoustics at The Circus.

This book is quite a few years old now and was published pre covid so a few places especially the restaurants and pubs have either changed names or perhaps even closed but the facts given about the history of the premises were still really interesting. I really enjoyed this book and I have made a list of new places I would like to visit and I will be looking at the familiar sites with new eyes now I know new things about them and what to look out for. I give this book 4 out of 5 Dragons.

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Purchase Links

Bookshop.org | Foyles | Waterstones

About the author

A travel writer and editor for the last 16 years, author Justin Postlethwaite usually writes about the food and culture of France. However, having lived in Bath for even longer, he was thrilled to look a little closer to home for this book. The opportunity to delve deeper into the stories, characters and sites in his adopted hometown meant witnessing and exploring this beautiful city with fresh affection.

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The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway (Review #32)

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

Blurb

This short novel, already a modern classic, is the superbly told, tragic story of a Cuban fisherman in the Gulf Stream and the giant Marlin he kills and loses—specifically referred to in the citation accompanying the author’s Nobel Prize for literature in 1954.

Review

This book had been on my TBR for a very long time but I had never actually owned a copy. A few months ago whilst book shopping I saw a copy and bought it and last month I read it.

I read this book in one sitting because once I started I was enthralled with Hemingway’s writing style. Usually I struggle with short books because I always find myself wanting more but this wasn’t the case with this book. It is a simple story set in Cuba about an elderly fisherman called Santiago. Santiago has nobody left in his life but there is a young boy Manolin who takes care of the old man. There is a bond between the young boy and the old man because Santiago taught the boy to fish and the boy used to go fishing with him but not anymore.

Santiago has fallen on hard times and has not caught any fish for many days. Because of this he decides to head further out to sea than he usually does and with this begins the fight for his life. This beautifully written book focuses on the old man’s struggle, his determination to catch and bring in the fish of his dreams. His struggle at times is almost meditative. We know all his thought processes and his emotions.

We learn so much in this book, we learn that age teaches us a great deal but with each day we lose more and gain less. We see the old man raging against his age, fighting against nature, time and of course a fish. I give this book 5 out of 5 Dragons and can’t wait to read more of Hemingway’s books.

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Purchase Links

Bookshop.org | Foyles | Waterstones

About the author

Ernest Miller Hemingway (1899-1961) was an American novelist, short story writer and journalist. His economical and understated style – which included his iceberg theory – had a strong influence on 20th century fiction, while his adventurous lifestyle and public image brought him admiration from later generations.

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The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (Review #31)

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

Blurb

Thrown in prison for a crime he has not committed, Edmond Dantès is confined to the grim fortress of If. There he learns of a great hoard of treasure hidden on the Isle of Monte Cristo and he becomes determined not only to escape, but also to unearth the treasure and use it to plot the destruction of the three men responsible for his incarceration. Dumas’ epic tale of suffering and retribution, inspired by a real-life case of wrongful imprisonment, was a huge popular success when it was first serialised in the 1840s.

Review

People who have followed my blog for any length of time know that Dumas is one of my all time favourite authors and I have read The Three Musketeers more times than I care to admit to. I had never got round to reading The Count of Monte Cristo though so this year I decided I would read it.

I had a few short breaks with this book otherwise it would have taken me less time to read but I did find when work was particularly stressful that I needed a less complicated read and so took a little break. This is a mammoth book and one that I can see the appeal of reading as a serial rather than one big book but I still absolutely loved it and always looked forward to reading it.

Edmond is a hard working 19 year old who has spent his short life so far trying to be the best man he can. His aim is to move up and become a ship’s captain and to marry his young sweetheart whilst making enough money to support her and his elderly father. However, by a cruel turn of events and through no fault of his own he gets thrown into the darkest blackest prison with no trial and not knowing why this is happening to him. After a long time of solitude and living in darkness he manages to make a friend and this friend tells him of the greatest treasure he could ever imagine.

This story is of Dantes’ revenge which he plans over many many years. The three men who destroyed Dantes’ hopes and future and don’t even realise that the traps have been laid many years in advance before they met the mysterious character of the Count of Monte Cristo.

Reading other people’s reviews I see there are quite a few people who find this book way too long but I did not find it too long. I found this book fascinating and enjoyable. It was jam packed with different storylines, different characters and as the plot spans many years you can expect the book to be rather weighty in length. Dumas’ excellent writing made this book a joy and a pleasure to read and I am so happy to have decided to read it. I really hope I get to read it again one day. I give this book 5 out of 5 Dragons.

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Purchase Links

Bookshop.org | Foyles | Waterstones

About the author

Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870) was a French novelist and playwright. His works have been translated into many languages and he is one of the most widely read French authors.

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The Young by Nicholas John Powter (Review #30)

The Young by Nicholas John Powter

Blurb

A father and his son home has been attacked by a mysterious man, an omen a sinister presence has come about the lands of “The Deluge”, the great sun gods know as the Phrazon mur guide and protect the inhabitants who are awake during the day while the evil creatures and man alike come to fruition during the night. For that where the great evil moon gods come up out of hiding. A Religious cult known as the “Spawn” and their most prestigious leader Roland seek to extract the power of the moon gods and destroy the sun gods and plummet the world into but darkness and sorrow. Out two unlikely protagonist must go on a journey to stop them and free their lands from both the gods and the cults grasp. As somewhat reluctant they may be, they will set out on a task of many dangers and one most foreign to them. A journey of family, love loss violence and devastation, divinity and faith.

Review

Firstly, I would like to say a massive thank you to Nicholas John Powter for sending me a copy of his book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is an ambitious work of fantasy especially as it is all squeezed into just under 130 pages and could have the makings of an epic fantasy. However, for me the book just felt lacking and in places rather off.

Sven, a former warrior of Telfmare, drags his young son Fren from their home in The Deluge to embark on a quest to save a friend’s wife who’s been abducted and taken deep into the forests. However, the story soon moves along and Sven finds himself taking Fren to try and find Sven’s estranged elder son, Dason. This all leads to Sven having to defeat enemies on all fronts. Sven spends a lot of time talking about peace but he finds no qualms in grabbing his sword and killing everything in sight.

As any fantasy reader knows the key to a good fantasy novel is excellent world building, Tolkien taught us that. The world should have developed setting, social customs, history, lore and religion. The Young has some wild woods and a windy mountain and some weird and wonderful animals and an olde worlde feeling but there are also references to elements that just don’t feel right to me. References to mail boxes, mansions and silk tablecloths just stuck out from the story. Powter also uses some odd language within the book which sticks out from the rest, to suddenly have “dad” used and “Hey” just felt very out of place for the storyline and setting.

The dialogue between Sven and Fren leaves much to be desired as well. The dialogue is stilted, with the characters appearing to talk at one another rather than to one another. It was like they needed to get a huge amount of detail out for the reader but didn’t feel natural. The book had abrupt shifts in points of view mid-paragraph, sentences containing grammatical and typographical errors and awkward sentence structuring which made the text at times hard to read.

I thought this book had great potential and was really excited to read it but sadly there were just too many points I did not get along with. Overall, I give this book 2 out of 5 Dragons.

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The Taxidermist’s Daughter by Kate Mosse (Review #29) #20BooksofSummer23 4/20

The Taxidermist’s Daughter by Kate Mosse

Blurb

In a remote village near the English coast, residents gather in a misty churchyard. More than a decade into the twentieth century, superstition still holds sway: It is St. Mark’s Eve, the night when the shimmering ghosts of those fated to die in the coming year are said to materialise and amble through the church doors.

Alone in the crowd is Constantia Gifford, the taxidermist’s daughter. Twenty-two and unmarried, she lives with her father on the fringes of town, in a decaying mansion cluttered with the remains of his once world-famous museum of taxidermy. No one speaks of why the museum was shuttered or how the Giffords fell so low. Connie herself has no recollection—a childhood accident has erased all memory of her earlier days. Even those who might have answers remain silent. The locals shun Blackthorn House, and the strange spinster who practices her father’s macabre art.

As the last peal of the midnight bell fades to silence, a woman is found dead—a stranger Connie noticed near the church. In the coming days, snippets of long lost memories will begin to tease through Connie’s mind, offering her glimpses of her vanished years. Who is the victim, and why has her death affected Connie so deeply? Why is she watched by a mysterious figure who has suddenly appeared on the marsh nearby? Is her father trying to protect her with his silence—or someone else? The answers are tied to a dark secret that lies at the heart of Blackthorn House, hidden among the bell jars of her father’s workshop—a mystery that draws Connie closer to danger . . . closer to madness . . . closer to the startling truth.

Review

Another Mosse book that I simply could not put down! I am slowly working my way through all of Kate Mosse’s books and as soon as she releases another one I immediately buy it.

I found this book a real classic gothic novel which was rather disturbing in places. I have never been a massive fan of taxidermy because why do we have to kill and stuff things when they are much more beautiful alive and happily living their lives? The description of the bird being prepped for stuffing was not a pleasant part to read and I will be honest I skipped past that part.

I really enjoyed how this story built up. Constantia known as Connie had an accident when she was 12 years old and lost her memory but now ten years later things start coming back. As well as all this Connie also has the feeling she is being watched by a mysterious woman.

As well as Connie trying to work out what is going on and how it is connected with her past there is also Harry. Harry is trying to find his father and this leads to him meeting Connie. Connie and Harry work together to try and work out what is going on and who the murderer is. I really liked Harry as he was a true gentleman who would go out of his way to help people even strangers.

About half way through the book I did work out what was going on but that didn’t put me off from reading the rest of the book.

There are some fabulous characters within this book and I loved how Mosse gives us such character details. I couldn’t put this book down and I give it a full 5 out of 5 Dragons.

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Purchase Links

Bookshop.org | Foyles | Waterstones

About the author

Kate Mosse is an international bestselling author with sales of more than five million copies in 42 languages. Her fiction includes the novels Labyrinth (2005), Sepulchre (2007), The Winter Ghosts (2009), and Citadel (2012), as well as an acclaimed collection of short stories, The Mistletoe Bride & Other Haunting Tales (2013). Kate’s new novel, The Taxidermist’s Daughter is out now.

Kate is the Co-Founder and Chair of the Board of the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction (previously the Orange Prize) and in June 2013, was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to literature. She lives in Sussex.