The Birdman's Wife by Melissa Ashley
A woman overshadowed by history steps back into the light . . .
Artist Elizabeth Gould spent her life capturing the sublime beauty of birds the world had never seen before, but her legacy was eclipsed by the fame of her husband, John Gould. Now, The Birdman's Wife at last gives voice to a passionate and adventurous spirit, who was so much more than the woman behind the man.
In England's golden age of discovery, as John Gould and his peers fuelled popular imagination with their scientific findings, Elizabeth deftly navigated a world that few women were permitted to enter. Juggling an artistic life with her roles as wife, lover, helpmate and mother, she breathed wondrous life into hundreds of exotic new species. A woman ahead of her time, she continually defied convention, eventually embarking on a trailblazing expedition to collect and illustrate Australia's 'curious' birdlife.
The Birdman's Wife is a multi-award winning novel, and an indelible portrait of an incredible woman.
About the Author
Melissa Ashley is a writer, poet and academic who tutors in poetry and creative writing at the University of Queensland. She has published a collection of poems, The Hospital for Dolls, articles, essays and short stories. The Birdman's Wife is her first novel. As part of her research to write her PhD dissertation on Elizabeth Gould, Melissa became a taxidermy volunteer at the Queensland Museum. She's also a passionate amateur 'twitcher'.
Format: Hardback | 400 pages
Dimensions (cm): 24.1 x 16 x 3.5 | 682g
Publication Date: 01 Oct 2016
Publisher: Affirm Press
Publication City/Country: South Melbourne, Australia
Language: English
ISBN10: 1925344991
ISBN13: 9781925344998
Condition: Very Good
A book that does not look new and has been read but is in excellent condition. No obvious damage to the cover, with the dust jacket included and in good condition (very minor scuff marks along the edges). No missing or damaged pages, no creases or tears, and no underlining/highlighting of text or writing in the margins. Very minimal wear and tear.