A Wild & True Relation: A 'remarkable' (Hilary Mantel) feminist adventure story of smuggling and myth-making

A Wild & True Relation is a historical fiction novel by Kim Sherwood that follows the story of Molly, a young girl who is taken on board a ship disguised as a boy to join her father's crew. The novel explores the lives of the writers who are captivated by Molly's story and seeks to solve the mystery of her life. It is praised for its vivid narrative, feminist spice, and historical significance.

Format: Hardback
Length: 528 pages
Publication date: 02 February 2023
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

Enlivens the standard tale of swashbuckling adventure, adding feminist spice to the mix. Rich and immersive, this historical fiction book of the month has captured the hearts of readers worldwide.

"Remarkable" HILARY MANTEL weaves a vivid, narrative-packed splice of historical fiction that transports readers to the tumultuous era of the Great Storm of 1703.

Set against the backdrop of a world plagued by political intrigue and social unrest, A Wild & True Relation opens with smuggler Tom West confronting his lover, Grace, for betraying him to the Revenue. In a fit of rage, he sets Grace's cottage ablaze and takes her orphaned daughter, Molly, on board ship disguised as a boy to join his crew.

But Molly, or Orlando as she must call herself, is not your typical young lad. She possesses a fierce determination and a thirst for revenge, driven by the injustice she has witnessed. As she grows up among the men of Tom's company, she outshines them all, showcasing her exceptional skills and courage.

Woven into Molly's story are the writers who are captivated by her myth and who, over three centuries, come together to solve the mystery of her life. From Celia Fiennes and George Eliot to Daniel Defoe and Charles Dickens, these writers are transfixed by her story and their contributions to women's writing and women's roles throughout history.

Through the lens of A Wild & True Relation, Sherwood remakes the eighteenth-century novel and illuminates the struggles and triumphs of women throughout history. With extraordinary verve, she brings to life the characters and the era, creating a vivid and compelling narrative that is both a thrilling adventure and a vital witness to women's voices.

The book has received widespread acclaim from critics and readers alike. "Breathlessly swashbuckling," the Daily Telegraph praises it for its vivid imagination and relentless entertainment. "Vividly imagined, relentlessly entertaining, rich and resonant in scope and context, it's both a thrilling adventure and a vital witness to women's voices," EMMA STONEX, author of The Lamplighters, writes.

"A breathtaking feat of historical fiction and utterly astounding," ANDREW MILLER describes it as "wise, urgent, and entirely compelling." "I was bereft when it ended," WYL MENMUIR adds.

"This book is a rarity," HILARY MANTEL states. "A novel as remarkable for the vigor of the storytelling as for its literary ambition." KIM SHERWOOD is a writer of capacity, potency, and sophistication, and A Wild & True Relation showcases her talent in full force.

"A thrilling adventure novel," FIONA MOZLEY concludes, "A Wild & True Relation is a must-read for anyone who loves historical fiction, adventure, and the power of women to overcome adversity."

Weight: 820g
Dimension: 165 x 242 x 45 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780349015361