I just got my copy of a long awaited anthology: "Dangerous Women" More about this book may follow depending on how much I like it. I am starting with the novella "Virgins" by the incomparable Diana Gabaldon and plan to continue with a story set in the Game of Thrones World.
In the meantime I live you with a paragraph of the book description:
“Here you’ll find no hapless victims who stand by whimpering in dread while the male hero fights the monster or clashes swords with the villain, and if you want to tie these women to the railroad tracks, you’ll find you have a real fight on your hands."
Isn't it fantastic how our heroine's have evolved? from helpless TSTL (too stupid to live) girls to this strong ladies that reflect how we want to see women these days.
Woman have been always strong...even when they had to disguise it as nothing more than maternal pride. As masterfully shown in this 1814 portrait of Maréchale Lannes, Duchesse de Montebello with Her Children.
From the Web Gallery of art (all rights belong to them)
"... After her beloved husband's death on May 31st 1809, Maréchale Lannes was chosen, for her irreproachable morality and virtue, to become Dame d'honneurs (lady-in-waiting) to the new Empress Marie-Louise (wife to Napoleon I). From about 1814, the year this painting was commissioned, the Duchess of Montebello began to withdraw from public and lead a retired life, devoted to her five children". An still the strength is impossible to disguise...isn't it? One has to wonder about the real woman behind this description.
What I think is that life at court was a dangerous business no one faint of heart could survive. To "retire" from it must have been even more difficult, specially while still carrying your lovely head over your shoulders. Now about the "retiring" part: she went to take care of 5 children (4 of them boys! so even with a ton of servants no walk in the park) and to be the CEO of a huge ducal estate. No chaise lounge for her...or maybe at the end of a tiring but fulfilling day. Good for her!.
Miranda
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