Mary Powell & Deborah's Diary   By: Anne Manning (1807-1879)

Mary Powell & Deborah's Diary by Anne Manning is a remarkable story set in the 17th century, following the intertwining lives of two young women. Manning takes readers on a journey through a pivotal time in history, capturing the essence of societal norms, religious fervor, and the hardships faced by women during that era.

The book is presented as two separate diaries, the titular Mary Powell and her maid, Deborah. Through these perspectives, Manning skillfully explores the complexities of their lives. Mary, a shy and innocent country girl, is married off to an older man, John Milton, who later becomes one of the most famous poets of his time. Deborah, on the other hand, is a witty and observant servant who becomes Mary's confident and support throughout her marital journey.

What makes this novel stand out is Manning's ability to transport the reader back to the 17th century, making the historical setting come alive. Her meticulous attention to detail brings forth vivid descriptions of the period's fashion, social customs, and political climate. It is captivating to witness the stark contrasts between the mundane routines of daily life and the grandeur of courtly events.

Moreover, Manning beautifully portrays the struggles faced by married women during this era. Mary's transformation from a sheltered girl to a woman with newfound independence is captivating to witness. The author highlights the limited options available to women, illuminating the societal pressures and expectations that governed their lives. Through Mary's story, Manning subtly explores issues of gender roles within marriage, motherhood, and the pursuit of personal fulfillment.

The writing style of Mary Powell & Deborah's Diary is elegant and evocative, capturing the essence of the time period. Manning does an exceptional job of infusing authenticity into the characters' voices, bringing them to life through their personal anecdotes and reflections. The painstakingly researched details provide a rich backdrop against which the emotions and dilemmas of the protagonists are played out.

One minor criticism of the book is that the pacing can be slow at times, as the story relies heavily on diary entries and internal musings. While this may not be to everyone's taste, it is nevertheless an integral part of the narrative structure, allowing readers to intimately connect with the characters' thoughts and emotions.

Overall, Mary Powell & Deborah's Diary is an engrossing historical novel that transports readers to a bygone era. Anne Manning's masterful storytelling effortlessly weaves together historical accuracy and compelling characters, immersing readers in the lives and struggles of two women whose stories deserve to be heard. Fans of historical fiction, particularly those interested in women's history, will find this book to be a fascinating and insightful read.

First Page:

In the Valhalla of English literature Anne Manning is sure of a little and safe place. Her studies of great men, in which her imagination fills in the hiatus which history has left, are not only literature in themselves, but they are a service to literature: it is quite conceivable that the ordinary reader with no very keen flair for poetry will realise John Milton and appraise him more highly, having read Mary Powell and its sequel, Deborah's Diary , than having read Paradise Lost . In The Household of Sir Thomas More she had for hero one of the most charming, whimsical, lovable, heroical men God ever created, by the creation of whose like He puts to shame all that men may accomplish in their literature. In John Milton, whose first wife Mary Powell was, Miss Manning has a hero who, though a supreme poet, was "gey ill to live with," and it is a triumph of her art that she makes us compunctious for the great poet even while we appreciate the difficulties that fell to the lot of his women kind. John Milton, a Parliament man and a Puritan, married at the age of thirty four, Mary Powell, a seventeen year old girl, the daughter of an Oxfordshire squire, who, with his family, was devoted to the King... Continue reading book >>