A review by tien
Cranky Ladies of History by Tansy Rayner Roberts, Tehani Croft Wessely
3.0
Doesn't that title just draw you in?! And that cover is also adds fire to the interest. But what about Cranky Ladies of History?
The introduction to this anthology notes that "throughout history, women have struggled to express their anger at mistreatment and injustice-..." and this anthology, with its numerous supporters, are about "lost and misquoted and reclaimed women from history who were fierce, uncompromising and yes, angry."
This anthology ranged far and wide throughout history, over all the world, and across all walks of life: the infamous Countess Bathory, the fearsome Cheng Shih (Chinese pirate), the devoted Hildegard of Bingen and the hardworking Sacagawea. My favourites were stories of Hatshephut (because I have a thing for Egyptology) and Dr Lilian Cooper (the most light-hearted story in this collection; even if she was angry, she was funny when she was angry).
There were just over a dozen stories and while it was impossible to cover everything, editors have done well to encapsulate diversity and that these Cranky Ladies had, in their own ways, changed the world. But I must agree with other reviewers in that I would have loved a short paragraph or two introducing each historical figure because I'm really not familiar with about half of them. For example, the last story... well, I'm sure she's well known enough but I'm pretty sure there will still be people scratching their head to wonder who it could be, if they are not aware of her family situation as this story refers to her childhood and ends year or two prior to her gaining the throne. Oh & her name was mentioned but once in it being one of the longest stories in this book and closer to the end!
Overall, I found most stories to be entertaining if not a little dark -well, you'd expect that when you face Cranky Ladies, don't you?! Plus, there are quite a few well-known authors in this anthology even if their stories weren't my faves here, I did look forward to read their contributions. And... was actually surprised by [a:Juliet Marillier|8649|Juliet Marillier|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1373081365p2/8649.jpg]'s story as I expected some Celtic tale but got Hildegard's (German nun) instead.
The introduction to this anthology notes that "throughout history, women have struggled to express their anger at mistreatment and injustice-..." and this anthology, with its numerous supporters, are about "lost and misquoted and reclaimed women from history who were fierce, uncompromising and yes, angry."
This anthology ranged far and wide throughout history, over all the world, and across all walks of life: the infamous Countess Bathory, the fearsome Cheng Shih (Chinese pirate), the devoted Hildegard of Bingen and the hardworking Sacagawea. My favourites were stories of Hatshephut (because I have a thing for Egyptology) and Dr Lilian Cooper (the most light-hearted story in this collection; even if she was angry, she was funny when she was angry).
There were just over a dozen stories and while it was impossible to cover everything, editors have done well to encapsulate diversity and that these Cranky Ladies had, in their own ways, changed the world. But I must agree with other reviewers in that I would have loved a short paragraph or two introducing each historical figure because I'm really not familiar with about half of them. For example, the last story... well, I'm sure she's well known enough but I'm pretty sure there will still be people scratching their head to wonder who it could be, if they are not aware of her family situation as this story refers to her childhood and ends year or two prior to her gaining the throne. Oh & her name was mentioned but once in it being one of the longest stories in this book and closer to the end!
Overall, I found most stories to be entertaining if not a little dark -well, you'd expect that when you face Cranky Ladies, don't you?! Plus, there are quite a few well-known authors in this anthology even if their stories weren't my faves here, I did look forward to read their contributions. And... was actually surprised by [a:Juliet Marillier|8649|Juliet Marillier|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1373081365p2/8649.jpg]'s story as I expected some Celtic tale but got Hildegard's (German nun) instead.