Reviews
Advance Praise for The Lioness of Boston "Franklin's gorgeous, extraordinarily intimate and timely novel about Isabella Stewart Gardner showcases the life of a daring, brilliant woman who refused to be confined by the mores of her day, even as she searched for her truest self. So richly alive, I was running to Google to reacquaint myself with every mentioned painting, so moving, I wept over the tragedies and delighted in her bold success. How could any reader not be inspired by the cast of creatives including Oscar Wilde, Henry James, John Singer Sargent, and more? This book is just shatteringly good, with writing so artful, Isabella herself would surely approve." -- Caroline Leavitt , author of Pictures of You "This beautiful, sensitively written novel explores the fascinating life of Isabella Stewart Gardner--feminist before feminism, celebrity before celebrity. Captivating and evocative, The Lioness of Boston transported me to America's Golden Age. I couldn't put it down." -- Jessica Shattuck , author of The Women in the Castle "The Lioness of Boston shows the deft touch of Edith Wharton and the delightful pomp of The Gilded Age--it's a book both elegant and entertaining, one to savor line by line even as it carries us forward on the spirit and audacity of the narrator. Emily Franklin has rendered Isabella Stewart Gardner a classic literary heroine, one who emerges from heartbreak and defiance to shape her own life and the culture of an entire city." -- Timothy Schaffert , author of The Perfume Thief "A novel of blazing insight, The Lioness of Boston captures the daring life and mind of the unforgettable woman who transformed American art and the city of Boston itself. This masterfully written work of historical fiction will remind some of Lily King's Euphoria and others of Melanie Benjamin's The Swans of Fifth Avenue. Becoming Isabella is the best kind of novel--at once a deft page-turner and a thrilling love story about a woman's passion for an independent life--that will sear your mind, break your heart, and leave you forever changed." -- Dawn Tripp , author of Georgia: A Novel " The Lioness of Boston is a treasure trove of art, sensuality, Boston history, and more. Emily Franklin has captured Isabella Stewart Gardner's blazing life and the light it sheds on the lives of women then and now." -- Rachel Kadish , author of The Weight of Ink, Advance Praise for The Lioness of Boston "Franklin's gorgeous, extraordinarily intimate and timely novel about Isabella Stewart Gardner showcases the life of a daring, brilliant woman who refused to be confined by the mores of her day, even as she searched for her truest self. So richly alive, I was running to Google to reacquaint myself with every mentioned painting, so moving, I wept over the tragedies and delighted in her bold success. How could any reader not be inspired by the cast of creatives including Oscar Wilde, Henry James, John Singer Sargent, and more? This book is just shatteringly good, with writing so artful, Isabella herself would surely approve." -- Caroline Leavitt , author of Pictures of You "[Isabella] changed Boston as much as it changed her....[A] remarkable personal and cultural history." -- Joan Baum, WHSU Public Radio "An engaging portrait of a bold yet vulnerable woman....A perennial tale of a woman fighting for her place in a man's world." -- Kirkus "This beautiful, sensitively written novel explores the fascinating life of Isabella Stewart Gardner--feminist before feminism, celebrity before celebrity. Captivating and evocative, The Lioness of Boston transported me to America's Golden Age. I couldn't put it down." -- Jessica Shattuck , author of The Women in the Castle " The Lioness of Boston shows the deft touch of Edith Wharton and the delightful pomp of The Gilded Age--it's a book both elegant and entertaining, one to savor line by line even as it carries us forward on the spirit and audacity of the narrator. Emily Franklin has rendered Isabella Stewart Gardner a classic literary heroine, one who emerges from heartbreak and defiance to shape her own life and the culture of an entire city." -- Timothy Schaffert , author of The Perfume Thief "A novel of blazing insight, The Lioness of Boston captures the daring life and mind of the unforgettable woman who transformed American art and the city of Boston itself. This masterfully written work of historical fiction will remind some of Lily King's Euphoria and others of Melanie Benjamin's The Swans of Fifth Avenue . The Lioness of Boston is the best kind of novel--at once a deft page-turner and a thrilling love story about a woman's passion for an independent life--that will sear your mind, break your heart, and leave you forever changed." -- Dawn Tripp , author of Georgia: A Novel " The Lioness of Boston is a treasure trove of art, sensuality, Boston history, and more. Emily Franklin has captured Isabella Stewart Gardner's blazing life and the light it sheds on the lives of women then and now." -- Rachel Kadish , author of The Weight of Ink, Advance Praise for The Lioness of Boston "Franklin's gorgeous, extraordinarily intimate and timely novel about Isabella Stewart Gardner showcases the life of a daring, brilliant woman who refused to be confined by the mores of her day, even as she searched for her truest self. So richly alive, I was running to Google to reacquaint myself with every mentioned painting, so moving, I wept over the tragedies and delighted in her bold success. How could any reader not be inspired by the cast of creatives including Oscar Wilde, Henry James, John Singer Sargent, and more? This book is just shatteringly good, with writing so artful, Isabella herself would surely approve." -- Caroline Leavitt , New York Times bestselling author of Pictures of You and With or Without You "This beautiful, sensitively written novel explores the fascinating life of Isabella Stewart Gardner--feminist before feminism, celebrity before celebrity. Captivating and evocative, The Lioness of Boston transported me to America's Golden Age. I couldn't put it down." -- Jessica Shattuck , New York Times bestselling author of The Women in the Castle "A novel of blazing insight, The Lioness of Boston captures the daring life and mind of the unforgettable woman who transformed American art and the city of Boston itself. This masterfully written work of historical fiction will remind some of Lily King's Euphoria and others of Melanie Benjamin's The Swans of Fifth Avenue. Becoming Isabella is the best kind of novel--at once a deft page-turner and a thrilling love story about a woman's passion for an independent life--that will sear your mind, break your heart, and leave you forever changed." -- Dawn Tripp , author of Georgia: A Novel, Advance Praise for The Lioness of Boston "Franklin's gorgeous, extraordinarily intimate and timely novel about Isabella Stewart Gardner showcases the life of a daring, brilliant woman who refused to be confined by the mores of her day, even as she searched for her truest self. So richly alive, I was running to Google to reacquaint myself with every mentioned painting, so moving, I wept over the tragedies and delighted in her bold success. How could any reader not be inspired by the cast of creatives including Oscar Wilde, Henry James, John Singer Sargent, and more? This book is just shatteringly good, with writing so artful, Isabella herself would surely approve." -- Caroline Leavitt, New York Times bestselling author of Pictures of You and With or Without You "This beautiful, sensitively written novel explores the fascinating life of Isabella Stewart Gardner--feminist before feminism, celebrity before celebrity. Captivating and evocative, Becoming Isabella transported me to America's Golden Age. I couldn't put it down." -- Jessica Shattuck, New York Times bestselling author of The Women in the Castle "I can think of no writer as perfect as Emily Franklin to tell the story of this rich, historical era and of this unconventional woman who fought to shape a vibrant and bold life within it. Powerful work from a powerful writer." -- Rachel Kadish, author of The Weight of Ink , winner of the National Jewish Book Award "A novel of blazing insight, Becoming Isabella captures the daring life and mind of the unforgettable woman who transformed American art and the city of Boston itself. This masterfully written work of historical fiction will remind some of Lily King's Euphoria and others of Melanie Benjamin's The Swans of Fifth Avenue. Becoming Isabella is the best kind of novel--at once a deft page-turner and a thrilling love story about a woman's passion for an independent life--that will sear your mind, break your heart, and leave you forever changed." -- Dawn Tripp, author of Georgia: A Novel, Praise for The Lioness of Boston "We never miss a chance to visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum when we're in Boston, so it should come as no surprise that we can't wait to dive into Emily Franklin's new novel, based on the life and times of the aristocratic rebel. The Lioness of Boston looks at how the city's reigning society tried to ice Gardner out, but failed when she found that following her own vision--and aligning herself with likeminded rulebreakers--was more important than meeting the standards of brittle Brahmins. And whose name do we all remember now?" -- Town & Country , "Must-Reads Books of Spring 2023" "A vivid narrative...brims with pitch-perfect period details...cannily captures Isabella Stewart Gardner's ambition, independence, and quirks. Fans of strong female protagonists and Gilded Age historicals will enjoy this." -- Publishers Weekly "Franklin's gorgeous, extraordinarily intimate and timely novel about Isabella Stewart Gardner showcases the life of a daring, brilliant woman who refused to be confined by the mores of her day, even as she searched for her truest self. So richly alive, I was running to Google to reacquaint myself with every mentioned painting, so moving, I wept over the tragedies and delighted in her bold success. How could any reader not be inspired by the cast of creatives including Oscar Wilde, Henry James, John Singer Sargent, and more? This book is just shatteringly good, with writing so artful, Isabella herself would surely approve." -- Caroline Leavitt , author of Pictures of You "[Isabella] changed Boston as much as it changed her....[A] remarkable personal and cultural history." -- Joan Baum, WHSU Public Radio "An engaging portrait of a bold yet vulnerable woman....A perennial tale of a woman fighting for her place in a man's world." -- Kirkus "This beautiful, sensitively written novel explores the fascinating life of Isabella Stewart Gardner--feminist before feminism, celebrity before celebrity. Captivating and evocative, The Lioness of Boston transported me to America's Golden Age. I couldn't put it down." -- Jessica Shattuck , author of The Women in the Castle " The Lioness of Boston shows the deft touch of Edith Wharton and the delightful pomp of The Gilded Age--it's a book both elegant and entertaining, one to savor line by line even as it carries us forward on the spirit and audacity of the narrator. Emily Franklin has rendered Isabella Stewart Gardner a classic literary heroine, one who emerges from heartbreak and defiance to shape her own life and the culture of an entire city." -- Timothy Schaffert , author of The Perfume Thief "A novel of blazing insight, The Lioness of Boston captures the daring life and mind of the unforgettable woman who transformed American art and the city of Boston itself. This masterfully written work of historical fiction will remind some of Lily King's Euphoria and others of Melanie Benjamin's The Swans of Fifth Avenue . The Lioness of Boston is the best kind of novel--at once a deft page-turner and a thrilling love story about a woman's passion for an independent life--that will sear your mind, break your heart, and leave you forever changed." -- Dawn Tripp , author of Georgia: A Novel " The Lioness of Boston is a treasure trove of art, sensuality, Boston history, and more. Emily Franklin has captured Isabella Stewart Gardner's blazing life and the light it sheds on the lives of women then and now." -- Rachel Kadish , author of The Weight of Ink, Advance Praise for The Lioness of Boston "Franklin's gorgeous, extraordinarily intimate and timely novel about Isabella Stewart Gardner showcases the life of a daring, brilliant woman who refused to be confined by the mores of her day, even as she searched for her truest self. So richly alive, I was running to Google to reacquaint myself with every mentioned painting, so moving, I wept over the tragedies and delighted in her bold success. How could any reader not be inspired by the cast of creatives including Oscar Wilde, Henry James, John Singer Sargent, and more? This book is just shatteringly good, with writing so artful, Isabella herself would surely approve." -- Caroline Leavitt , author of Pictures of You "This beautiful, sensitively written novel explores the fascinating life of Isabella Stewart Gardner--feminist before feminism, celebrity before celebrity. Captivating and evocative, The Lioness of Boston transported me to America's Golden Age. I couldn't put it down." -- Jessica Shattuck , author of The Women in the Castle "The Lioness of Boston shows the deft touch of Edith Wharton and the delightful pomp of The Gilded Age--it's a book both elegant and entertaining, one to savor line by line even as it carries us forward on the spirit and audacity of the narrator. Emily Franklin has rendered Isabella Stewart Gardner a classic literary heroine, one who emerges from heartbreak and defiance to shape her own life and the culture of an entire city." -- Timothy Schaffert , author of The Perfume Thief "A novel of blazing insight, The Lioness of Boston captures the daring life and mind of the unforgettable woman who transformed American art and the city of Boston itself. This masterfully written work of historical fiction will remind some of Lily King's Euphoria and others of Melanie Benjamin's The Swans of Fifth Avenue . Becoming Isabella is the best kind of novel--at once a deft page-turner and a thrilling love story about a woman's passion for an independent life--that will sear your mind, break your heart, and leave you forever changed." -- Dawn Tripp , author of Georgia: A Novel " The Lioness of Boston is a treasure trove of art, sensuality, Boston history, and more. Emily Franklin has captured Isabella Stewart Gardner's blazing life and the light it sheds on the lives of women then and now." -- Rachel Kadish , author of The Weight of Ink, Advance Praise for Becoming Isabella "Franklin's gorgeous, extraordinarily intimate and timely novel about Isabella Stewart Gardner showcases the life of a daring, brilliant woman who refused to be confined by the mores of her day, even as she searched for her truest self. So richly alive, I was running to Google to reacquaint myself with every mentioned painting, so moving, I wept over the tragedies and delighted in her bold success. How could any reader not be inspired by the cast of creatives including Oscar Wilde, Henry James, John Singer Sargent, and more? This book is just shatteringly good, with writing so artful, Isabella herself would surely approve." -- Caroline Leavitt, New York Times bestselling author of Pictures of You and With or Without You "This beautiful, sensitively written novel explores the fascinating life of Isabella Stewart Gardner--feminist before feminism, celebrity before celebrity. Captivating and evocative, Becoming Isabella transported me to America's Golden Age. I couldn't put it down." -- Jessica Shattuck, New York Times bestselling author of The Women in the Castle "I can think of no writer as perfect as Emily Franklin to tell the story of this rich, historical era and of this unconventional woman who fought to shape a vibrant and bold life within it. Powerful work from a powerful writer." -- Rachel Kadish, author of The Weight of Ink , winner of the National Jewish Book Award "A novel of blazing insight, Becoming Isabella captures the daring life and mind of the unforgettable woman who transformed American art and the city of Boston itself. This masterfully written work of historical fiction will remind some of Lily King's Euphoria and others of Melanie Benjamin's The Swans of Fifth Avenue. Becoming Isabella is the best kind of novel--at once a deft page-turner and a thrilling love story about a woman's passion for an independent life--that will sear your mind, break your heart, and leave you forever changed." -- Dawn Tripp, author of Georgia: A Novel, Advance Praise for The Lioness of Boston "Franklin's gorgeous, extraordinarily intimate and timely novel about Isabella Stewart Gardner showcases the life of a daring, brilliant woman who refused to be confined by the mores of her day, even as she searched for her truest self. So richly alive, I was running to Google to reacquaint myself with every mentioned painting, so moving, I wept over the tragedies and delighted in her bold success. How could any reader not be inspired by the cast of creatives including Oscar Wilde, Henry James, John Singer Sargent, and more? This book is just shatteringly good, with writing so artful, Isabella herself would surely approve." -- Caroline Leavitt , author of Pictures of You "[Isabella] changed Boston as much as it changed her....[A] remarkable personal and cultural history." -- Joan Baum, WHSU Public Radio "This beautiful, sensitively written novel explores the fascinating life of Isabella Stewart Gardner--feminist before feminism, celebrity before celebrity. Captivating and evocative, The Lioness of Boston transported me to America's Golden Age. I couldn't put it down." -- Jessica Shattuck , author of The Women in the Castle " The Lioness of Boston shows the deft touch of Edith Wharton and the delightful pomp of The Gilded Age--it's a book both elegant and entertaining, one to savor line by line even as it carries us forward on the spirit and audacity of the narrator. Emily Franklin has rendered Isabella Stewart Gardner a classic literary heroine, one who emerges from heartbreak and defiance to shape her own life and the culture of an entire city." -- Timothy Schaffert , author of The Perfume Thief "A novel of blazing insight, The Lioness of Boston captures the daring life and mind of the unforgettable woman who transformed American art and the city of Boston itself. This masterfully written work of historical fiction will remind some of Lily King's Euphoria and others of Melanie Benjamin's The Swans of Fifth Avenue . Becoming Isabella is the best kind of novel--at once a deft page-turner and a thrilling love story about a woman's passion for an independent life--that will sear your mind, break your heart, and leave you forever changed." -- Dawn Tripp , author of Georgia: A Novel " The Lioness of Boston is a treasure trove of art, sensuality, Boston history, and more. Emily Franklin has captured Isabella Stewart Gardner's blazing life and the light it sheds on the lives of women then and now." -- Rachel Kadish , author of The Weight of Ink, Praise for The Lioness of Boston "We never miss a chance to visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum when we''re in Boston, so it should come as no surprise that we can''t wait to dive into Emily Franklin''s new novel, based on the life and times of the aristocratic rebel. The Lioness of Boston looks at how the city''s reigning society tried to ice Gardner out, but failed when she found that following her own vision--and aligning herself with likeminded rulebreakers--was more important than meeting the standards of brittle Brahmins. And whose name do we all remember now?" -- Town & Country , "Must-Reads Books of Spring 2023" "A vivid narrative...brims with pitch-perfect period details...cannily captures Isabella Stewart Gardner''s ambition, independence, and quirks. Fans of strong female protagonists and Gilded Age historicals will enjoy this." -- Publishers Weekly " The Lioness of Boston is a captivating story of a significant woman in Boston''s history who left that city a cultural legacy to last the ages. This beautiful novel will appeal to those who love masterful historical fiction, literary fiction, and stories of triumphant women who leave an indelible mark." -- New York Journal of Books "Franklin''s gorgeous, extraordinarily intimate and timely novel about Isabella Stewart Gardner showcases the life of a daring, brilliant woman who refused to be confined by the mores of her day, even as she searched for her truest self. So richly alive, I was running to Google to reacquaint myself with every mentioned painting, so moving, I wept over the tragedies and delighted in her bold success. How could any reader not be inspired by the cast of creatives including Oscar Wilde, Henry James, John Singer Sargent, and more? This book is just shatteringly good, with writing so artful, Isabella herself would surely approve." -- Caroline Leavitt , author of Pictures of You "[Isabella] changed Boston as much as it changed her....[A] remarkable personal and cultural history." -- Joan Baum, WHSU Public Radio "An engaging portrait of a bold yet vulnerable woman....A perennial tale of a woman fighting for her place in a man''s world." -- Kirkus "This beautiful, sensitively written novel explores the fascinating life of Isabella Stewart Gardner--feminist before feminism, celebrity before celebrity. Captivating and evocative, The Lioness of Boston transported me to America''s Golden Age. I couldn''t put it down." -- Jessica Shattuck , author of The Women in the Castle " The Lioness of Boston shows the deft touch of Edith Wharton and the delightful pomp of The Gilded Age--it''s a book both elegant and entertaining, one to savor line by line even as it carries us forward on the spirit and audacity of the narrator. Emily Franklin has rendered Isabella Stewart Gardner a classic literary heroine, one who emerges from heartbreak and defiance to shape her own life and the culture of an entire city." -- Timothy Schaffert , author of The Perfume Thief "A novel of blazing insight, The Lioness of Boston captures the daring life and mind of the unforgettable woman who transformed American art and the city of Boston itself. This masterfully written work of historical fiction will remind some of Lily King''s Euphoria and others of Melanie Benjamin''s The Swans of Fifth Avenue . The Lioness of Boston is the best kind of novel--at once a deft page-turner and a thrilling love story about a woman''s passion for an independent life--that will sear your mind, break your heart, and leave you forever changed." -- Dawn Tripp , author of Georgia: A Novel " The Lioness of Boston is a treasure trove of art, sensuality, Boston history, and more. Emily Franklin has captured Isabella Stewart Gardner''s blazing life and the light it sheds on the lives of women then and now." -- Rachel Kadish , author of The Weight of Ink, Advance Praise for The Lioness of Boston "Franklin's gorgeous, extraordinarily intimate and timely novel about Isabella Stewart Gardner showcases the life of a daring, brilliant woman who refused to be confined by the mores of her day, even as she searched for her truest self. So richly alive, I was running to Google to reacquaint myself with every mentioned painting, so moving, I wept over the tragedies and delighted in her bold success. How could any reader not be inspired by the cast of creatives including Oscar Wilde, Henry James, John Singer Sargent, and more? This book is just shatteringly good, with writing so artful, Isabella herself would surely approve." -- Caroline Leavitt , New York Times bestselling author of Pictures of You and With or Without You "This beautiful, sensitively written novel explores the fascinating life of Isabella Stewart Gardner--feminist before feminism, celebrity before celebrity. Captivating and evocative, The Lioness of Boston transported me to America's Golden Age. I couldn't put it down." -- Jessica Shattuck , New York Times bestselling author of The Women in the Castle "A novel of blazing insight, The Lioness of Boston captures the daring life and mind of the unforgettable woman who transformed American art and the city of Boston itself. This masterfully written work of historical fiction will remind some of Lily King's Euphoria and others of Melanie Benjamin's The Swans of Fifth Avenue. Becoming Isabella is the best kind of novel--at once a deft page-turner and a thrilling love story about a woman's passion for an independent life--that will sear your mind, break your heart, and leave you forever changed." -- Dawn Tripp , author of Georgia: A Novel " The Lioness of Boston is a treasure trove of art, sensuality, Boston history, and more. Emily Franklin has captured Isabella Stewart Gardner's blazing life and the light it sheds on the lives of women then and now." -- Rachel Kadish, author of The Weight of Ink, Advance Praise for The Lioness of Boston "Franklin's gorgeous, extraordinarily intimate and timely novel about Isabella Stewart Gardner showcases the life of a daring, brilliant woman who refused to be confined by the mores of her day, even as she searched for her truest self. So richly alive, I was running to Google to reacquaint myself with every mentioned painting, so moving, I wept over the tragedies and delighted in her bold success. How could any reader not be inspired by the cast of creatives including Oscar Wilde, Henry James, John Singer Sargent, and more? This book is just shatteringly good, with writing so artful, Isabella herself would surely approve." -- Caroline Leavitt , author of Pictures of You "[Isabella] changed Boston as much as it changed her....[A] remarkable personal and cultural history." -- Joan Baum, WHSU Public Radio "An engaging portrait of a bold yet vulnerable woman....A perennial tale of a woman fighting for her place in a man's world." -- Kirkus "This beautiful, sensitively written novel explores the fascinating life of Isabella Stewart Gardner--feminist before feminism, celebrity before celebrity. Captivating and evocative, The Lioness of Boston transported me to America's Golden Age. I couldn't put it down." -- Jessica Shattuck , author of The Women in the Castle " The Lioness of Boston shows the deft touch of Edith Wharton and the delightful pomp of The Gilded Age--it's a book both elegant and entertaining, one to savor line by line even as it carries us forward on the spirit and audacity of the narrator. Emily Franklin has rendered Isabella Stewart Gardner a classic literary heroine, one who emerges from heartbreak and defiance to shape her own life and the culture of an entire city." -- Timothy Schaffert , author of The Perfume Thief "A novel of blazing insight, The Lioness of Boston captures the daring life and mind of the unforgettable woman who transformed American art and the city of Boston itself. This masterfully written work of historical fiction will remind some of Lily King's Euphoria and others of Melanie Benjamin's The Swans of Fifth Avenue . Becoming Isabella is the best kind of novel--at once a deft page-turner and a thrilling love story about a woman's passion for an independent life--that will sear your mind, break your heart, and leave you forever changed." -- Dawn Tripp , author of Georgia: A Novel " The Lioness of Boston is a treasure trove of art, sensuality, Boston history, and more. Emily Franklin has captured Isabella Stewart Gardner's blazing life and the light it sheds on the lives of women then and now." -- Rachel Kadish , author of The Weight of Ink
