Vulcana by Rebecca F. John

 Vulcana by Rebecca F . John

Vulcana by Rebecca F . John was published on 4th May 2023 by Honno.

 My thanks to the author and the publisher for sending me a copy to review and to

 Random Book Tours for inviting me to take part on the tour.

Synopsis

Vulcana is a fictional telling of the real story of Victorian ‘strongwoman’ Kate Williams (born 1874), starting when she runs away from home at 16 to travel with the love her life, William Roberts.

They perform in music halls as Atlas and Vulcana - the climax of their act is that Kate can lift William over her head.

She and William present themselves to the public as brother and sister as they travel the world because William is already married, and William’s wife brings up Kate’s children with her own.

Kate is driven by love: for William, for her children, for performing, and for life, and Rebecca’s gorgeous, immersive writing fits perfectly this brave, unconventional woman and her amazing story.

 

• Rebecca is a Costa shortlisted novelist of growing acclaim and she views this as ‘the book of her heart’. 
• Based on an extraordinary true story and written with the support of Kate Williams’ great granddaughter, who will help promote.

Kate Williams is an important Welsh figure in challenging conventions of female beauty and the right of women to be healthy and strong, free to exercise their bodies for the joy of it.

My Review

This is a story about Kate Williams, Wales' strong woman from the early 20th century, who went against all the expectations of how a woman should live her life and against the principles of the time . kate was a strong woman, both physically and mentally, and had the strength and determination to follow what she wanted and what she believed in , no matter what society dictated.

Did I agree with all that she did - no - at times within the story she comes across as incredibly self centered, initially putting her career before her children . For me , William's wife was the quiet star of the book. however, at a time when society was ruled by the belief that women stayed at home, got married and had children and brought those children up, Kate rebels against all that and leaves home at sixteen with her steely determination that she will do what she wants.

Kate is one of those strong women in history that should never be forgotten and it is good that Rebecca has chosen to create her life story for future generations to read and acknowledge what Kate did for putting forward, and strengthening, women's rights.

About the Author

Rebecca F. John was born in Llanelli.

Her first novel, The Haunting of Henry Twist (Serpent’s Tail, 2017) was shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award.

She won the PEN International New Voices Award 2015. In 2017 she was on the Hay Festival’s ‘The Hay 30’ list.

Her stories have been broadcast on Radio 4.

She lives in Swansea with her dogs.

Her previous book for Honno, Fannie, was published in January 2022 and was Waterstones Book of the Month for Wales and the BCW Book of the Month.