Well, this... didn't quite live up to my astronomical expectations. I mean, I wrote a parody song expressing my excitement towards its very existence. I never do anything like that. Ever. But damn did I enjoy 'The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy'. After waiting ridiculously for over a year, I get wonderful female characters and relationships as a reward, as well as adventure and intrigue.
Felicity Montague is sure to become an icon, if I have my way. Not just for strong women, or historical fiction heroines - there are enough of those already, whose depictions are highly debatable at best - but for asexual protagonists. Asexual female protagonists. Imagine, a heroine not interested in romance! Because it is made pretty clear in this book that that is Felicity's LBGTQA identity, though she doesn't have a word for it yet. She kissed a man. She kissed a girl and liked it, but not enough to desire more. And that's that.
Felicity was incredibly tough, smart and fearless in 'The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue', but in 'The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy', she is insatiable. The reader will not get enough of this whirlwind of an 18th century girl. Once we are allowed inside her fascinating head, we find that, with all her determination, she still has doubts and flaws; frustrations at the unfairness of a male-dominated world, but wondering whether it would be easier, safer, to simply give up her independence and dreams, which are deliberately rendered impossible by the patriarchy.
Was it right to escape a marriage proposal from a baker? Felicity has worked with him for about a year to make ends meet amid all her rejections from science administrations and universities, and she has a sweet tooth for puff pastries (a nice, powdery touch to her character there). But the baker is a textbook Nice Guy, wanting Felicity all to himself and wanting to suppress her ambitions, which he thinks are a phase she'll eventually outgrow, because silly smallbrained womanly whims amirite?, so she'll stay with him as a reclusive housewife and bearer of his babies.
Never fear, however. Experiencing stress and doubts, especially throughout the ghastly obstacles she has to endure, is human, not weak. To combat low self esteem, Felicity writes down reasons for why she should become a doctor and an equal to men; for why she should be here (be HER); for why she matters; for why women matter, as if that should be up for debate. A lot of marginalized persons can relate to this.
As tough in the face of adversity and blood and guts as she is, Felicity is not a machine. Neither is she some hard, coldblooded action woman. She's a thinker, a strategist, and a healer, not a warrior.
Either way, Felicity doesn't give up. In a world where she is forced to pick and choose which men she can trust in order to receive even a smidgen of recognition, still with no respect, she will come to realise the importance of women supporting other women.
And not just white women.
Here lies the dawn of intersectional feminism.
But more on that in a bit. One final say on Felicity, who I could go on forever about, she is so amazing:
In her own swashbuckling adventure, young Felicity Montague gets to know other girls, and their own individual strengths, challenging her notions of what makes a woman "strong". Felicity grows and develops, from a quiet girl whose aristocratic parents at best tolerate her existence, to a passionate, unstoppable budding scientist and doctor wanting to know everything despite constant rejection and scorn from male higher-ups, to a lass owning her life away from the impossible hurdles of the patriarchal system. As a better person aware of what privileges she has as a white woman in European society. As part of a trio of girl friends, each as determined and unfaltering in their passions as she is.
Each are funny in different ways, as well.
For there are two other women in 'The Lady's Guide' who form the "pirate group" advertised. Not as much as I was expecting, but they are remarkable and unforgettable presences in their own right. I won't spoil much about the rest of the book, but I want to put the spotlight on as many women characters as I can.
There is the Muslim sapphic pirate princess Sim. Representation of this kind doesn't exist even nowadays, so to see it in a historical novel is... not a novelty. It is yet another smack and f&*%^&! you to the patriarchy, white supremacy and colonialism. Unprivileged, and in the shadow of her father and succeeding younger brothers, Sim wears her scars, her knives, her tattoo, and her hijab, with pride.
On the other side of the spectrum is Johanna Hoffman, Felicity's childhood friend whom she had a falling out with years ago. Johanna is what you might expect of a rich aristocratic Georgian lady, and she is the most feminine of the group, but that does not make her the weak link, oh no. She takes crap from no one, and is smarter and more reactive and productive than she lets on. Her mother, Sybille Glass, was a scientist who fought tooth and nail for recognition for all her hard work, and who met a tragic end. Rosy Johanna doesn't find dresses cumbersome (corsets can go to hell, though), and she is not afraid to get her hands dirty. She can be very kind and forgiving, at least compared to the aloofness of Felicity and Sim. She is more forward, open and confident, and less sarcastic and biting, than the other two girls. Johanna's growing relationship with Felicity is lovely, natural and powerful; a mark and grace of female friendships. Trust and respect develop when it comes to Sim. Johanna's close bond with her giant, slobbering dog Max is also adorable and believable.
Additional highlights: One of the first scenes involves Felicity making her case towards an all-male administrative board of directors to allow her admittance for education in medicine. Her mentioning menstruation practically causes pandemonium. Sadly the men's reaction would be unchanged today. A darkly funny yet blood-boiling scene.
And one of the last scenes, at the "action-packed" climax, involves no violence. Matters are resolved peacefully, but not perfectly diplomatically, and it is badass.
Monty and Percy make extended cameos too. They are as lovey and bursting with innuendos as ever. They're funny and sweet. I love that Percy's epilepsy is not forgotten about or reduced to a footnote in a book where he isn't a lead character. He fully supports Felicity in her endeavors, and is very kind to her, in what little page time he appears. Monty gets kicked in the balls (not by who you think) for good measure.
A solid cast of humans, humour as sharp and brilliant as in the first book, addictive, masterful writing in a novel that can be finished in two days, and lessons in how bloody fantastic women are, 'The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy' is a modern treat set in an age of scientific discovery and awakening.
It could have been better, I thought: it's not as exciting as the previous book in the series; I would have liked to have seen more female characters; and Felicity is far too lenient towards the Nice Guy baker, and she does become somewhat of a damsel in distress later on in the third act. But brain beats brawn everytime.
'The Lady's Guide' - destined to become a classic, alongside 'The Gentleman's Guide'.
Thanks, Mackenzie Lee, for making the long, agonizing wait worth it.
Final Score: 4/5
Here is said embarrassing parody song that I wrote over a year ago. Enjoy!:
=cue 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' song=
What's this?
What's this?
An answer to my prayers?
What's this?
A sequel with more layers?
'The Gentleman's Guide' was such a ride
Then I heard 'The Lady's Guide' and I cried
Is this a joke? This isn't funny!
Wait next year to take my money!?
What's this?
It's a companion piece that I would not dare dream
Early news of petticoats I already see a ruffled gleam
Gay Victorians were not to end at 'Vice and Virtue'
Now comes a solo adventure starring Felicity Montague
She of science sails with 'Petticoats and Piracy'
Can one book contain her scrumptiously hard and smart personality???
What's this?
What's this?
Felicity joins a girl gang?
What's this?
Feminism beginning with a bang?
Travelling and sailing as first mate
Such swashbuckling excitement, cannot wait
I feel my anticipation flying much too high
Pirates, science, pre-suffragettes, oh my!
It's full of queens! It's full of queens!
Hope and glory for youthful teens
Felicity cut down the Gentleman
Next she'll outwit Nice Guys with her mighty pen
Patriarchy fear the asexual female protagonist
Darling, this charted sequel shan't be missed
From lead to gold on my paper heart it overflows with bliss!
WHAT. IS. THIS????????????????????????
I couldn't express my feelings any other way, badly or not.
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