A Mosaic of Wings

May 1, 2020

DEBUT Nora dreams of becoming an entomologist and publishing the journal originally owned by her father once she graduates from Cornell University in 1885. However, her stepfather, who believes that the only suitable roles for a woman are wife and mother, is in financial trouble and is pressuring her to marry a man she does not love in order to pay his debts. After her stepfather burns her insect collection, she decides to spend the summer in India with a research team in the hope that she can win a scholarship to Cornell's master's program. Her chief competitor, Owen, is also on the team. When she rescues an Indian girl from a life of prostitution, she finds herself in conflict with societal and cultural norms. Simultaneously she finds her career and scholarship chances in jeopardy. VERDICT Duffy is an author to watch. She presents a unique look at society's expectations for women in two different cultures in the late 19th century. Only by losing all she has held dear can Nora gain a love and passion she cannot live without. This historical romance is recommended for readers of Tracie Peterson and Jody Hedlund.--Margaret Bentley, Shiawassee Dist. Lib., Owosso, MI

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Starred review from May 15, 2020
With her entomology degree in hand, Nora Shipley faces only one obstacle to a postgraduate scholarship at Ithaca College: her academic rival, Owen Epps. Owen's complacency toward his talent grates at Nora, whose passion for studying insects is a bond to her late father. When Owen and Nora are invited to India on a field research expedition, a world full of professional and personal discovery opens for both. But the journey is not without setbacks. Faiths and cultures clash, endangering the entire expedition, and Nora must choose to cocoon herself within what's familiar or allow her dreams to take flight. In this exceptional novel, Duffy tells a powerful story about personal transformation and legacy. From the picturesque falls of Upstate New York to stunning sites in India, Duffy shines in elegant, flowing prose and delicate precision that underscores the nineteenth-century setting. A Mosaic of Wings examines the rhythm of change, the sense of loss that accompanies a passing season, and the fear and excitement of journeying into the unknown. Science, culture, and romance intersect enjoyably in Duffy's tale of academia, while the tensions of gender and social norms circa 1885 add complexity to her memorable characters.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)