My book review of Gwen Wilson‘s new novel Louisa. You might know Gwen as The Reluctant Retiree blogger. Her new novel is a great read!
After reading Australian writer Gwen Wilson’s memoir I Belong to No One, I was eager to read her new historical novel, Louisa, based upon the life of her great-grandmother. I certainly can see how Gwen inherited traits of a desire for independence, strength, and a fierce spirit from her ancestor.
Louisa was born in England in 1855 to a successful Anatomical Bootmaker and his wife. When her father passed away, Louisa was 17 years old. She was inspired by her mother’s insistence on running the family business herself, even though it was frowned upon for a gentlewoman to do so. Louisa herself had dreams of independence and turned down two marriage proposals before shocking her family by emigrating. The new land of Australia beckoned her.
All Louisa’s idealistic plans for herself to become a teacher with no need to marry come crashing down around her as circumstances and cultural norms constantly dictate her woman’s place in society. Her life is very difficult, and at times it seems that Louisa will never be happy because as a woman she has no legal rights.
This theme is brought home at the first job she takes. She signs on as a so-called governess in a remote outpost where she witnesses how powerless a married woman could be, living under the thumb of her husband. The tragedy that occurs foreshadows later events in Louisa’s life.
The book addresses marriage, love, romance, domestic abuse, hypocrisy, single mothers, “illegitimate” children, and the role of women—all under the umbrella of Victorian Australia and England. I found the book to be well-written and very engaging. I didn’t want to put the book down and eagerly looked forward to “what comes next.” I find myself still going back to the book, thinking about feisty Louisa and the other women in her life. You will not want to miss this book.
I understand we are going to get a sequel to Louisa, Florence & Lucy, based upon the lives of Louisa’s daughters and focusing on what it was like to be of illegitimate birth. Gwen Wilson is also promising a companion nonfiction work where we will learn where Wilson’s research of her family history intersects with the novels. I can’t wait to read them!
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After I read Gwen’s memoir years ago I knew we had stories that intersected. What I didn’t realize was that “illegitimate” births were a pattern in her family. My memoir Scrap: Salvaging a Family and Louisa might be different genres, different settings, and different stories, but they both center on the generational trauma of “illegitimate” birth.
CLICK THE BOOK COVER IMAGE ABOVE TO PURCHASE LOUISA!
What a great review, Luanne. The book sounds fascinating!
Thanks, Merril. It engaged me so thoroughly, and all the while I was learning about a slice of Australian history.
You’re welcome, Luanne! Wonderful!
Very powerful.
Such a good book!
Sounds very interesting.
Definitely. And hard to put down!
Great review, Luanne! Wishing Gwen every success with her series.
Fascinating story! Thanks for making us aware of it.
You’re welcome! I hope my review will showcase Gwen’s book a bit to get new readers. The book really deserves it!
That’s a compelling review, Luanne! I like historical fiction and when it’s about the author’s family, that is special.
This is a super good read, and the thought that a real woman inspired it, a woman related to Gwen, is very special, as you say!
A suitably positive review
And so well deserved!!!
Exactly
I need to check this out also! It sounds like she and I write in the same genre of family history novels.
Amy, that’s what I was thinking. BOTH your newest book and Louisa are about the culture insisting that a woman be married. You, Gwen, and Jane Austen (in Pride and Prejudice) all writing about the same topic!
Thank you so much for this wonderful, in-depth review Luanne. As you say, we have much in common. You’ve inspired me to post my review of SCRAP onto my blog also.
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