A good writer knows what to include, and, more importantly, what to omit. This historical novel is certainly well researched, and the theme (of a woman who pursues the intellectual life denied to most women in her time) is solid. However, the book badly needed editing that it did not receive. The writer tells you what happened and then lets the 17th century characters tell you again...and again. There are unnecessary plot devices (a letter sent to someone that the writer of the letter knows has long been dead). There is one lulu of a possible historical coincidence that is completely superfluous and cheapens all that preceded it.

Years ago publishing houses employed editors who guided writers, insisted on necessary cuts, and restructured works. Cost-cutting led to downsizing of editing departments, and overwritten books like this with unbelievable, unnecessary plot fillips are the result.