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A review by nclcaitlin
A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan
3.5
Unladylike Lady Trent is an elderly dragon naturalist who recounts the start of her interest in dragons as young Isabella days in the form of a witty and scandalous memoir.
One benefit of being an old woman now, and moreover one who has been called a "national treasure," is that there are very few who can tell me what I may and may not write.
I can just picture Professor McGonagall, Maggie Smith, playing this role perfectly in a movie!
This is not a book if you’re looking for something like Fourth Wing or an action-packed adventure story. Rather, it is a wry overview of someone’s life and their interactions, embarrassments, and various entanglements with family members, friends, suitors, smugglers, and dragons alike.
The world feels Victorian-esque with all the conventions and gender limitations and expectations that come along with it.
”It’s—it’s as if there is a dragon inside me. I don’t know how big she is; she may still be growing. But she has wings, and strength, and—and I can’t keep her in a cage. She’ll die. I’ll die. I know it isn’t modest to say these things, but I know I’m capable of more than life in Scirland will allow. It’s all right for women to study theology, or literature, but nothing so rough and ready as this. And yet this is what I want. Even if it’s hard, even if it’s dangerous. I don’t care. I need to see where my wings can carry me.”
This first instalment is more of a character study of a young Elizabeth and how her earlier experiences shaped who she becomes.
One benefit of being an old woman now, and moreover one who has been called a "national treasure," is that there are very few who can tell me what I may and may not write.
I can just picture Professor McGonagall, Maggie Smith, playing this role perfectly in a movie!
This is not a book if you’re looking for something like Fourth Wing or an action-packed adventure story. Rather, it is a wry overview of someone’s life and their interactions, embarrassments, and various entanglements with family members, friends, suitors, smugglers, and dragons alike.
The world feels Victorian-esque with all the conventions and gender limitations and expectations that come along with it.
”It’s—it’s as if there is a dragon inside me. I don’t know how big she is; she may still be growing. But she has wings, and strength, and—and I can’t keep her in a cage. She’ll die. I’ll die. I know it isn’t modest to say these things, but I know I’m capable of more than life in Scirland will allow. It’s all right for women to study theology, or literature, but nothing so rough and ready as this. And yet this is what I want. Even if it’s hard, even if it’s dangerous. I don’t care. I need to see where my wings can carry me.”
This first instalment is more of a character study of a young Elizabeth and how her earlier experiences shaped who she becomes.