Monday, May 14, 2012

Act of faith

Set in 1640 this book by Kelly Gardiner recounts the story of  sixteen year old Isabella Hawkins who is forced to flee England as her father's radical views about freedom  and related topics have come to the notice of Oliver Cromwell and his followers. She finds safety in Amsterdam where a friend of her father allows her to assist him with his printing business. However it soon becomes obvious that Europe is also not safe when Master de Aquila vanishes, taken by agents of the Spanish Inquisition.

This story of the quest for true freedom, not one imposed on people by others provides an insight into life in Europe in the seventeenth century, particularly in London, Amsterdam and Venice and also introduces us to a feisty heroine in Isabella Hawkins..

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