Customer Reviews

Lady Franklins Revenge

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Edmonton Journal:
". . . belongs on the shelf next to such Arctic classics as Pierre Berton's The Arctic Grail . . . this is an unforgettable book."

Quill & Quire:
". . . a vivid recreation of an extraordinary life . . . a fascinating and entertaining contribution to the literature of both the Arctic and early Victorian society . . ."

Winnipeg Free Press:
". . . fast-paced, well-written and eminently accessible. . ."

Globe and Mail:
". . . delivers more of what readers recognize as McGoogan hallmarks: intelligence, curiosity, strong research and highly readable prose . . . a compelling account of cutthroat politics and manipulation "

The Vancouver Sun:
". . . a feminist fable . . . McGoogan shines here . . . subtle and satisfying . . . "

The Victoria Times-Colonist:
"McGoogan hasn't left room for another biography of Jane Franklin; if it's not here, it's not worth knowing"

The Bookseller, U.K.
"an awe-inspiring tale of courage and determination"

I found this book fascinating. Jane Franklin is an amazing, almost mythical woman. How refreshing to read about a commanding historical female! Her story is like a decadent cheesecake - best savoured in small slices. I found myself reading the short chapters one and two at a time to let them fully digest and swim around in my mind. I especially enjoyed the book spine. I would glance up at the bookshelf and see Lady Franklin gazing at me, daring me to read more. Delicious!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I read it after "To Rule the Waves" and before "How I Found Livingstone." While Lady Franklin did things that were not nice, it was remarkable to learn about an adventurous Victorian lady, and especially how her campaign to find her husband contributed so greatly to the exploration of the Canadian Arctic. It's very readable and I recommend it to amateur historians who are interested in any or all of the following: lives of Victorian women, the British Navy, the Canadian Arctic, and the fate of John Franklin and his ship, The Terror.