The illumination of Ursula Flight

One of Stylist's must-read books of 2018'Original and charming, joyous and funny.' Tessa Hadley '...[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, Stylist'ON THE 15TH DAY OF DECEMBER IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1664, A GREAT LIGHT BLOOMED IN THE DARK SKY...'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.

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. 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, The Illumination of Ursula Flight 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.