I am so happy to share with you my review of Annie Garthwaite’s Cecily!
As a medieval historian for my primary university degree, I was totally enthralled by this book. Set amidst the unrest and political powerplay of 15th century England, it reimagines the life of Cecily, Duchess of York, a mother, wife, and extraordinary political player in the Wars of the Roses. This book is not only impeccably researched, but also contains a beautiful feminist retelling of the life of a female tour de force and a striking female perspective on the Wars of the Roses.
I had an amazing conversation with Annie about her book! After a 30-year international business career, she turned to her passion for writing and fulfilled her lifelong ambition to write this historical account from a female perspective. As she explained, we must recover the voices of powerful, self-determined women who have exercised authority but have been swept under the carpet by men. This book gives life to the voice of a woman who fought for what she believed was right for her family and her country.
