Gripping and Uplifting: Read Our Review of A Woman of Courage by Tania Blanchard

A gripping, moving story of love, tenacity and the right to be heard by bestseller Tania Blanchard, inspired by a true story

1890, Northern England. 

Hannah Todd dreams of a future where women have the right to vote. 

Fresh from her teaching studies in Durham, the university city, she joins her parents in a rural village, brimming with newly found passion and the groundswell towards women’s suffrage unfolding in London. 

Working tirelessly to help women and children in the county, Hannah is determined to make the fight for the vote her life’s work, adding her voice to the rising chorus across the nation and hopes of a new world and a new way of thinking. 

But soon she must fight a new, unexpected battle – that of the yearning of her own heart. Grappling with her conflicting feelings, Hannah discovers that when power is threatened, darkness, brutality, danger, and closely guarded secrets are never too far from the surface. How far can she go to fight for what’s right? 

From the exciting, progressive hive of London to the traditional villages of the rural north, A Woman of Courage rings with the strength and struggles of women at a time of momentous change… and the choices one woman must make to help forge a new future.

Tania Blanchard is the bestselling author of several historical fiction novels, inspired by her own family. In her latest novel, she takes inspiration from her husband’s great, great Grandmother Eleanor for protagonist Hannah Todd. Blanchard’s language is emotive and evocative, and has a seemingly effortless ability to transport you to another place and time. For history-lovers, 

Blanchard is renowned for her painstaking research, and this book provides remarkable insight into the social attitudes of the time, particularly around domestic abuse, education and birth control. 

Blanchard’s writing style is unpretentious and embracing. Her ability to relay detail in a way that’s riveting is commendable. This is a novel that brings true and relatable life to the brave women who made their voices heard at a time when they had none. 

A Woman of Courage highlights the hardships that seem almost incomprehensible to us now, At the heart of this novel sits a strong, intelligent heroine, a love story and a true tale of courage that’s inspiring. It offers itself beautifully to a sequel.

Buy a copy of A Woman of Courage here.