Francesca PeacockCritiques

A fascinating exploration of a rare, early, female philosopher and her work, Margaret Cavendish. Peacock is not shy to include the complex and contradictory personality of the Duchess of Newcastle. Shy, flamboyant (no, not a typo), prolific as a writer in many forms. A 17th Century one off, who was driven to write, in hope that her words would be what would outlive her.

Ahead of her time, with beliefs and behaviours that could see her described as a feminist, philosopher, explorer of science, acknowledger of a sexual spectrum, but rarely without contradiction not far from her skirts.

There is the occasional flatter section, and repetition, but certainly I suspect most readers will, like me, want to read some of the subject's work (despite Virginia Woolf not being a fan!).

Thanks to Beth (BLBera) for bringing it to my attention, from reading a volume of essays by Siri Hustvedt who has long been interested in her.