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The Memoirs of Lady Trent #3.5
From the Editorial Page of the Falchester Weekly Review
A Tor.com original, From the Editorial Page of the Falchester Weekly Review shares the thoughts of the renowned dragon naturalist Lady Trent--whose memoirs continue to be chronciled in Marie Brennan's acclaimed Victorian Age science fantasy series--about the scientific community. After risking the neck of her loved ones and herself during her perilous sea voyage aboard The Basilisk, and the discoveries made at Keonga, Isabella, Lady Trent, returns to Scirland with the aim of publishing her research. And yet, given the level of secret knowledge she now posseses, she is reduced to waiting to reveal her new academic discovery until royal decrees can be lifted and a fraught political situation avoided. In her idle frustration, Isabella vents her spleen upon the shoddy research published by lesser men with swollen heads in local journals. Enjoy the following collection of letters, found in a trunk of mislaid scholarly documents left behind when she removed to Linshire for the season.At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
13 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 5, 2016
About the author
Marie Brennan
166 books3,047 followersMarie Brennan a.k.a. M.A. Carrick
Marie Brennan is a former anthropologist and folklorist who shamelessly pillages her academic fields for material. She recently misapplied her professors' hard work to Turning Darkness Into Light, a sequel to the Hugo Award-nominated series The Memoirs of Lady Trent. As half of M.A. Carrick, she is also the author of The Mask of Mirrors, first in the Rook and Rose trilogy. For more information, visit swantower.com, Twitter @swan_tower, or her Patreon.
Marie Brennan is a former anthropologist and folklorist who shamelessly pillages her academic fields for material. She recently misapplied her professors' hard work to Turning Darkness Into Light, a sequel to the Hugo Award-nominated series The Memoirs of Lady Trent. As half of M.A. Carrick, she is also the author of The Mask of Mirrors, first in the Rook and Rose trilogy. For more information, visit swantower.com, Twitter @swan_tower, or her Patreon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews
June 22, 2017
That was delightful!! And so short haha. I honestly thought it was going to be some of her "published" research, as referenced in the story. Instead it was a clever collection of correspondence in which Mrs. Camherst remains charmingly unapologetic in her quest for dragon knowledge. I'm not sure it was worth .99 for 10 pages (I didn't even glance at the page count before buying), but I'm still glad I read it.
Update: apparently it's free to read online...
http://www.tor.com/2016/04/05/from-th...
:/
Update: apparently it's free to read online...
http://www.tor.com/2016/04/05/from-th...
:/
April 18, 2016
Final review, first posted at www.FantasyLiterature.com:
This very short story with the lengthy title is part of the MEMOIRS OF LADY TRENT fantasy series, which is set in a Victorian era-like world, with dragons. Isabella Camherst, Lady Trent, travels the world to study dragons in their native habitats, despite resistance from some men who look down on headstrong women who refuse to stay in the kitchen.
In this humorous story, related through a series of letters to the editor of the Falchester Weekly Review, Lady Trent tangles with Mr. Benjamin Talbot, a scholar who claims to have found a cockatrice, a beast with a dragon’s body and a rooster-like head. Lady Trent sends in a letter encouraging Mr. Talbot to publicize more information regarding his cockatrice, including the place where it was discovered. Mr. Talbot responds with his own letter, declining to make public the place of origin, and suggesting that her “feminine heart” should understand the concern with the effect of such a disclosure. The correspondence degenerates from there, as they (semi)politely exchange insults and question each other’s credentials and intelligence through their letters.
It’s always amusing when members of polite society exchange insults in well-bred language, and this story also gives the reader a brief glimpse of the challenges facing Lady Trent in her efforts to become a legitimate scientist. While I’m not certain that “From the Editorial Page of the Falchester Weekly Review” is the best place to begin one’s acquaintance with Lady Trent, it does have the advantage of being both short and free online, and it has instilled in me the desire to search out a copy of A Natural History of Dragons, the first novel in the MEMOIRS OF LADY TRENT series.
Free online at Tor.com: http://www.tor.com/2016/04/05/from-th...
This very short story with the lengthy title is part of the MEMOIRS OF LADY TRENT fantasy series, which is set in a Victorian era-like world, with dragons. Isabella Camherst, Lady Trent, travels the world to study dragons in their native habitats, despite resistance from some men who look down on headstrong women who refuse to stay in the kitchen.
In this humorous story, related through a series of letters to the editor of the Falchester Weekly Review, Lady Trent tangles with Mr. Benjamin Talbot, a scholar who claims to have found a cockatrice, a beast with a dragon’s body and a rooster-like head. Lady Trent sends in a letter encouraging Mr. Talbot to publicize more information regarding his cockatrice, including the place where it was discovered. Mr. Talbot responds with his own letter, declining to make public the place of origin, and suggesting that her “feminine heart” should understand the concern with the effect of such a disclosure. The correspondence degenerates from there, as they (semi)politely exchange insults and question each other’s credentials and intelligence through their letters.
It’s always amusing when members of polite society exchange insults in well-bred language, and this story also gives the reader a brief glimpse of the challenges facing Lady Trent in her efforts to become a legitimate scientist. While I’m not certain that “From the Editorial Page of the Falchester Weekly Review” is the best place to begin one’s acquaintance with Lady Trent, it does have the advantage of being both short and free online, and it has instilled in me the desire to search out a copy of A Natural History of Dragons, the first novel in the MEMOIRS OF LADY TRENT series.
Free online at Tor.com: http://www.tor.com/2016/04/05/from-th...
January 12, 2020
Oooh, I knew exactly which points of the pompous Mr. Talbot's letters would piss off Isabella (they pissed me off as well), and to no one's surprise, she ripped him a new asshole both in letter form and in the incredibly satisfying conclusion.
September 7, 2018
This is a very short story set in the same world as the Memoirs of Lady Trent series. It’s actually a set of fictional letters started when our main character, Isabella, challenges the author of a scientifically questionable notice in the Falchester Weekly Review. She and the author both send their letters to each other via the Falchester Weekly Review, so they’re published publicly.
I guess this is sort of what a Victorian-era flame war might look like. :) The letters were written shortly after Isabella’s return from her expedition in the third book of the series. Although too short to have any substantial meat, it did make a nice little supplement to the series and the ending made me laugh because it fit Isabella’s character so well.
This is currently available for free on Tor’s website here.
I guess this is sort of what a Victorian-era flame war might look like. :) The letters were written shortly after Isabella’s return from her expedition in the third book of the series. Although too short to have any substantial meat, it did make a nice little supplement to the series and the ending made me laugh because it fit Isabella’s character so well.
This is currently available for free on Tor’s website here.
September 26, 2022
A short, but satisfactory read. It felt so good to see an arrogant idiot being put in his place.
July 5, 2019
Short and sweet.
Amazon won't let me read anything else till I submit this review. I have posted a proper review on good reads, but suffice it to say this is excellent.
Amazon won't let me read anything else till I submit this review. I have posted a proper review on good reads, but suffice it to say this is excellent.
August 7, 2016
So A Natural History of Dragons has been on my radar for a while now, but this short story is what actually moved it up my to-read list by leaps and bounds.
Formatted as a series of letters to the editor, the literary sniping is a fun way to fill in the gaps of a story for yourself.
Definitely read it if you're looking for more Edwardian/Victorian fantasy like Sorcerer to the Crown, Shades of Milk and Honey, or Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. Just possibly sillier. And with extra dragons.
You can read it online here.
Formatted as a series of letters to the editor, the literary sniping is a fun way to fill in the gaps of a story for yourself.
Definitely read it if you're looking for more Edwardian/Victorian fantasy like Sorcerer to the Crown, Shades of Milk and Honey, or Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. Just possibly sillier. And with extra dragons.
You can read it online here.
January 9, 2022
Jak powiedziałam, trudno mi rozstać się z Lady Trent. A to było przezabawne i przypomniało mi czytanie XVIII i XIX wiecznej prasy z przepychankami w recenzjach odnośnie tego, czy kobiety potrafią pisać. Flashbacki do pisania doktoratu tak bardzo :D
April 8, 2022
A funny short story about correspondences Isabella had when questioning the validity of a 'draconic discovery'
March 1, 2017
This feels like a bit of an "extra" for fans of the "Memoirs of Lady Trent" series - or maybe, a bit of a teaser to drag new fans in!
Clever and fun, these 'letters to the Editor' reveal the controversy that arises when the exhibition of a specimen of the legendary "cockatrice" is challenged by the well-known naturalist and dragon expert, Lady Trent.
Clever and fun, these 'letters to the Editor' reveal the controversy that arises when the exhibition of a specimen of the legendary "cockatrice" is challenged by the well-known naturalist and dragon expert, Lady Trent.
June 22, 2024
Tbh I forgot who Mr Talbot was so this went a bit over my head. The name rings a bell, yet I'm not sure what this story is about (besides Talbot being a misogynistic pig, spreading rumours about Isabella being an adultress and doubting her scientific interests)
Series overview:
1. A Natural History of Dragons: 3.5/5 stars
2. The Tropic of Serpents: 4/5 stars
3. The Voyage of the Basilisk: 4/5 stars
4. In the Labyrinth of Drakes: 5/5 stars
5. Within the Sanctuary of Wings : 4.5/5 stars
Series Total: 21/25 stars
Spinoffs:
6. Turning Darkness Into Light: 3.5/5 stars
3.5 From the Editorial Page of the Falchester Weekly Review: 3/5 stars
6.5 The Long Fall: 4/5 stars
Series overview:
1. A Natural History of Dragons: 3.5/5 stars
2. The Tropic of Serpents: 4/5 stars
3. The Voyage of the Basilisk: 4/5 stars
4. In the Labyrinth of Drakes: 5/5 stars
5. Within the Sanctuary of Wings : 4.5/5 stars
Series Total: 21/25 stars
Spinoffs:
6. Turning Darkness Into Light: 3.5/5 stars
3.5 From the Editorial Page of the Falchester Weekly Review: 3/5 stars
6.5 The Long Fall: 4/5 stars
March 1, 2020
I'm dying. I'm cackling. I'm screaming! All of the lols. A high brow back and forth between Isabella and a Mr. Talbot (who actually added credentials after his name after his second reply) that hilariously highlights what a genteel academic argument in the scientific community would look like if taken to a public forum. It kills me that their fight in a newspaper is today's equivalent of an argument on Twitter or Instagram. I'm so tickled.
The last letter was perfect, I actually laughed out loud. I heart Isabella Camherst, and would definitely donate.
Dear Sirs—this is when my Grinch smile sprung up because I knew it was just going to get good. He felt aggressed.
It was with some dismay that I opened the 29 Floris issue of your magazine to find another letter from Mrs. Camherst gracing its pages. Although her enthusiasm is remarkable, I begin to feel that she is using your publication as a forum for some kind of campaign against me, which might better have been carried out in private correspondence.
The last letter was perfect, I actually laughed out loud. I heart Isabella Camherst, and would definitely donate.
December 29, 2017
Super short, but demonstrated Isabella's inquisitorial nature so brilliantly. Benjamin Talbot can suck it. Since her memoirs are published, I wish more in-universe stuff can be considered as well, such as some suggested by fellow reviewers, her researches... Or even sketchbooks, or if Tom and herself ever worked on compiling the likes of an encyclopedia of their joint discoveries.
Free Online Read version (same content)
www.tor.com/2016/04/05/from-the-edito...
Free Online Read version (same content)
www.tor.com/2016/04/05/from-the-edito...
April 23, 2021
BLOG | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | FACEBOOK
Thank you Tor.com for providing a free copy of this short story via your official webpage!
It is surprising how much I loved this novella. Despite short, it really encapsulated the personality of each characters present in the story. The mentions of the islands and places of the fictional world is nothing but curious. Moreover, it gave room for interest with regards to the desire to read the series in which this novella is based.
You can read the novella for free here.
Thank you Tor.com for providing a free copy of this short story via your official webpage!
It is surprising how much I loved this novella. Despite short, it really encapsulated the personality of each characters present in the story. The mentions of the islands and places of the fictional world is nothing but curious. Moreover, it gave room for interest with regards to the desire to read the series in which this novella is based.
You can read the novella for free here.
January 3, 2018
Though this was only a short story in The Memoirs of Lady Trent series it was just as brilliant as the novels! The story is told in letters between Lady Trent and Mr Talbot that are published in a public magazine, the back and forth between the two is brilliant, humorous and is essentially the Victorian equivalent of argumentative facebook comments.
June 29, 2018
Very short story, shouldn't count towards my book total.
Academics snarking and throwing shade at each other is delightful. The 'punchline' had me literally laughing out loud in bed. Lady Trent is an excellent role model for women and academics alike.
Academics snarking and throwing shade at each other is delightful. The 'punchline' had me literally laughing out loud in bed. Lady Trent is an excellent role model for women and academics alike.
September 8, 2021
ha, this is a short story published in a series of editorial letters about the presence of a cockatrice and if it exists once again Marie Brennan injects humor into a story I really like her writing. Quick read interesting subject matter well done Ms. Brennan
October 19, 2019
Scathing scientific letters about dragons, what more could you want?
April 25, 2022
Hilarious to read! Very short of course but nevertheless delightful.
January 22, 2024
entertaining and delightful little insight into the life of a favourite character between novels
April 22, 2021
Such sick burns :)
December 12, 2022
The shade thrown in a total of 3 letters is astronomical xD
December 12, 2022
Isabella Camherst shit posting and calling out dickheads in the letter to the editor section of a periodical. Good fun.
December 7, 2023
Its been a long time since I've read anything set in Lady Trent's world, but this was an absolute treasure to read. I'd forgotten how amusing it is to read something from Lady Trent's perspective, especially when she knows she's right and is trying to get to the bottom of something. It mirrors much of what we see in articles (or, more commonly, social media posts) in the real world, which for some reason made me enjoy this more because it meant there was something relatable about the world Marie Brennan crafted for these books. It was also just very satisfying seeing Lady Trent triumph. Makes me miss these books. I think I'll have to reread them.
April 5, 2023
A (very) short story told in editorial letters to a scientific magazine. Quite amusing.
June 26, 2017
Read this to finish off my series review. It's very short and provided by a link on the page for the book. It's a small collection of letters, all of which are very amusing.
I do think that it might have been better to have actually read it after the 3rd book, but there you go.
I do think that it might have been better to have actually read it after the 3rd book, but there you go.
April 17, 2016
This is a nice little short story set in Brennan's Lady Trent universe. It's set sometime after The Voyage of the Basilisk and takes the form of a number of letters for publication by Isabella Camherst and others, where she takes shoddy research (and researchers) to task.
This is a fun little story with a delicious payoff that might help entertain you while waiting for the next book. Although it makes mention of events in other books, they're minimal and you can still get a lot out of the story even without having read the novels. It also gives the virgin reader a short and clear taste of Isabella's character which I hope will entice them to the series as a whole.
This is a fun little story with a delicious payoff that might help entertain you while waiting for the next book. Although it makes mention of events in other books, they're minimal and you can still get a lot out of the story even without having read the novels. It also gives the virgin reader a short and clear taste of Isabella's character which I hope will entice them to the series as a whole.
December 30, 2016
Academics throwing shade is some of the best entertainment, honestly. It was a short quick read and I couldn't help but snort and gasp a few times at the shade thrown. Even though I haven't yet finished the first two books, it was still easy enough to grasp the story and what was going on, but I'll probably reread it again after I've finished The Voyage of the Basilisk. Definitely worth a read if you like the series!
April 17, 2016
This was fun and entertaining until the end, where it became DELIGHTFUL.
July 20, 2016
A very short but still very entertaining read. Loved the snark between her and the other writer and the final letter was the best.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews