The Will to Succeed - Christine Raafat

Delighted today to be a part of the Blog Tour for this book. Thanks to @Bookcollective for a copy of the book to review.

Description

When the 15-year-old Lady Anne Clifford’s father died in 1605, she was his sole surviving child and expecting to inherit the Cliffords’ great northern estates. But the Earl of Cumberland leaves a will which ignores an ancient law and bequeaths the lands to his brother, in the belief that a prophecy by his great-grandfather will eventually come true and return the estates to Anne. She and her mother vow to contest the will.

Anne spends the next three decades battling for what she believes is rightfully hers. She risks everything by opposing her beloved husband, her family and friends, the nobility, the law courts, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the King. She steadfastly (and treasonably) refuses to accept the King’s decision, whatever the consequences, but is defeated and left with the prophecy as her only hope.

Widowed at thirty-four, she survives an anxious period alone with her two young daughters before surprising everyone with an ill-judged second marriage which gives her access to the highest in the land. But the Civil War destroys that power and confines the 52-year-old Anne to a grand palace in London for six years. Still convinced of her rights, will she ever attain “ye landes of mine inheritance”?

Review

I'm not one for historical fiction as a rule, but this book depicting a strong female character appealed to me and it is also based on the true life story of Lady Anne. The author having used her diaries to write the story.

I was surprised how immediately I became immersed in this book. The writing is so beautiful and elegant and perfectly attuned to a modern reader's eye, without losing the feeling of being transported back to the 17th century. 

What a story this is too. Lady Anne had a good role model in her Mother and was standing fast on her principles. When her Mother died I worried Lady Anne would become brow beaten as all around her seemed to doubt her decisions, especially when she defies the King. I loved all the insights to the workings of the Royal Court. 

Despite it being the 17th century much of what happens to Anne can happen today, with her suffering verbal and physical abuse from her two husbands. The author really brought this period of history alive for me and eagerly read to discover what would become of Lady Anne and her children. I also looked up the painting she had commissioned which added to my enjoyment of the book.

If you want a really good read with historical and social history then I recommend this book to you. I'm giving it 5 out of 5 stars.