Author:Margaret Cavendish,Kate Lilley,Kate Lilley
Flamboyant, theatrical and ambitious, Margaret Cavendish was one of the seventeenth century's most striking figures: a woman who ventured into the male spheres of politics, science, philosophy and literature. The Blazing World is a highly original work: part Utopian fiction, part feminist text, it tells of a lady shipwrecked on the Blazing World where she is made Empress and uses her power to ensure that it is free of war, religious division and unfair sexual discrimination. This volume also includes The Contract, a romance in which love and law work harmoniously together, and Assaulted and Pursued Chastity, which explores the power and freedom a woman can achieve in the disguise of a man.
Complete sunshine in book form... Fun and swoonworthy, a delicious slow burn love story as well as a love letter to books, Beach Rivals is as bright and engaging as its glorious cover'
—— Cressida McLaughlin, author of The StaycationBeach Rivals is the perfect slice of summer escapism! Sizzling chemistry paired with swoony romance, and two characters I completely fell in love with. I read it in one sitting!
—— Catherine Walsh, author of Holiday RomanceAn ideal summer read
—— That's Life! summer book clubA delight. Ideally would have read it on a beach; still bloody good served on the sofa
—— Lauren Bravo, author of PrelovedThe definitive summer novel - one that transports readers to sunny climes and a consoling world of books you won't want to leave
—— CultureflyGeorgie Tilney's Beach Rivals is such a love letter to bookshops and beach reads. I adored the forced proximity roommate set-up, and was rooting for Jack and Clare to realize the other wasn't nearly as defined by their seeming grump/sunshine roles as they might first appear. The side characters were so lovable and fun, and my kingdom for Simone Adair books to be real. As warm as white sand beneath your toes, as refreshing as a cool breeze - this book utterly transported me!
—— Alicia Thompson, author of Love in the Time of Serial Killers'Deliciously funny, wonderfully hopeful, swoony-as-heck and perfect summery escapism. I loved it! For fans of You've Got Mail, for those who've always dreamed of taking the island job, for anyone who has swooned at a handsome man's forearms! I devoured it!'
—— Lizzie Huxley-Jones, author of Make You Mine This ChristmasAn absolute escapist win and tonic of a read! Pure delight: spending time with Georgie's gorgeous characters has left me feeling as refreshed and joyful as if I've had a holiday in Bali
—— Angela Clarke, author of On My LifeAn emotional rollercoaster
—— Elizabeth Brown, author of Blood CrownWhat I've enjoyed so far about this series is how it's a metaphor about real, emotional issues
—— Day Leitao, author of Kingdom of Curses and Shadows SeriesI devoured [the] first book and it ended on such a nice cliff-hanger that I am thirsting for the next one
—— Emmie Hamilton, author of Chosen to FallGlow is every bit as fantastic as it it is heartbreaking. I could not put it down. I have not stopped thinking about it. Raven’s writing and her beloved characters will have you in their clutches from beginning to end, with an insatiable hunger for more. I don’t think I will ever be the same
—— Kaven Hirning, author of A Forbidden FateIn all honesty I didn't want this book to end. What a wild emotional ride. I love Slade, I love Auren, I love Ryatt and so many more. I loved the POV chapters we got I loved seeing such an enriching backstory to Slade. I loved Auren's healing journey and coming into her own power. The two of them together are electrifying and the love they share is my favorite. Raven really makes you love and feel for these characters and now I have to wait for the next one. I highly recommend this book, this series. Auren's journey is spectacular and I cannot wait to see what else our little goldfinch has in store. Own your power babe. Gild the world
—— Amber Nicole, author of The Book of AzraelFunny and tender and life affirming and quite simply GLORIOUS....The way the friendship is depicted in this story is a masterpiece... To say I have been deeply moved by this book would be an understatement. My heart is broken after finishing it this morning but it is also singing.
—— SARAH TURNERA riotously funny and fiercely loyal love letter to female friendship. The story of Edi and Ash proves that a best friend is a gift from the gods.... I laughed while crying, and was left revived. Newman is a comic masterhand and a dazzling philosopher of the day-to-day.
—— AMITY GAIGE, author of SEA WIFEWe All Want Impossible Things is one of those books I will be buying for everyone I know. A funny, moving, beautifully written book, I laughed and cried in equal measure. It is both a unique and wise take on friendship, love and loss that will stay with me for a very long time.
—— JENNIE GODFREY, author of THE LIST OF SUSPICIOUS THINGSThe funniest, most joyful book about dying - and living - that I have ever read.
—— K J DELL'ANTONIA, author of the New York Times bestselling THE CHICKEN SISTERSFor the last two days I have done nothing but read this book or think longingly about when I can return to reading this book. It's sad, and confronting, and comforting, and life-affirming all at the same time. Congrats, Catherine Newman, on an astonishing debut.
—— KATIE BISHOP, author of THE GIRLS OF SUMMERCatherine Newman sees the heartbreak and comedy of life with wisdom and unflinching compassion. The way she finds the extraordinary in the everyday is nothing short of poetry. She's a writer's writer-and a human's human.
—— KATHERINE CENTER , New York Times bestselling authorAn absolute heartbreaker of a novel. Catherine Newman's book... is a celebration of life. For anyone who has prepared a hole in their heart for loss, We All Want Impossible Things is a reminder that, in time, that hollowed hallowed space is also there for when the light and love pour back in.
—— LAURA ZIGMAN, author of SEPARATION ANXIETYHow did Catherine Neman write a book about dying that is so luminously alive? Earthy, funny, and terrifyingly honest - this is a book with heart and guts and all the other goopy gravt we need to stay among the living. A radical delight.
—— RUFI THORPENewman perfectly captures the beauty and burden of caring for someone in their final moments while showing the gift of Edi and Ash's once-in-a-lifetime friendship. A warm and remarkably funny book that will make readers laugh through their tears.
—— KIRKUSThis is a proper laugh-out-loud tale of friendship that will utterly win your heart ... A truly special book - prepare to read this, fall in love and then hector everyone you know into reading it.
—— STYLISTDevastatingly funny ... handled with compassion and courage in elegant prose lightened by honest humour.
—— MAIL ON SUNDAYWe All Want Impossible Things is a thing of rare beauty: sweet and sharp, to be devoured, then remembered and loved life-long.
—— iA celebration of friendship and family
—— FABULOUSBook of the month
—— GOOD HOUSEKEEPINGUtterly life-affirming and joyful
—— REDFull of humour, warmth and eye-popping honesty ... a beautiful, candid and uplifting testament to female friendship that will make you laugh and cry
—— WOMAN & HOMEBeautiful and emotional ... heartbreakingly sad, but also full of humour and ultimately about living and love. I will recommend this to everyone.
—— PRIMAFunny, bitter and life-affirming
—— GRAZIAThis is a story about holding on, the power of creating memories and, ultimately, letting go. Tissues at the ready.
—— THE HANDBOOKSmart dialogue and cutting wit ... an accomplished writer
—— IRISH TIMESA profound study of grief, love and friendship that will resonate with anyone who has lost someone special ... there are plenty of funny and touching moments in this beautiful novel that will make your heart soar.
—— HEATIn Newman's hands... this tale of love and friendship is tender, funny, life-affirming joy.
—— MARIE CLAIRE, 'Best Books of 2023'The most wonderful book in the way it celebrates friendship. I highly recommend it.
—— MARIELLA FROSTRUP, TIMES RADIOImpossible not to weep. Yet, we also find ourselves laughing out loud through the tears ... For all the sense of tragedy and loss, we see Ash develop renewed gratitude for the beauty and humour in even the most mundane moments of life.
—— DAILY EXPRESSFull of humour, warmth, and raw honesty ... a beautiful, uplifting testament to female friendship that will make you laugh and cry
—— WOMAN5 stars
—— SUNDAY EXPRESSUnique, touching and immersive
—— NB MagazineSupremely tense, intellectually sharp, and honed as hell
—— William Leith , ScotsmanBeyond virtuoso twists and turns, McEwan lays out the foreign landscape of 40 years ago – from smoky pubs to fuming punditry – with wry, affectionate panache
—— Boyd Tonkin , iTricksy, but satisfying
—— Justin Cartwright , ObserverThe sense of narrative purpose exerts its pull from the first
—— John Mullan , Guardian