I had never heard of Anne Bradstreet and was attracted to this book by the name of the author, whose books I enjoy reading. I am so glad I read about Anne. A truly remarkable woman living through a time of particular historical interest and giving us a real feel of what it was like to live then, by her poetry. I enjoy poetry that rhymes, and Anne’s is very cleverly constructed to use just the right words to express her emotions, often in prayer to her Saviour. To start with she hid her love of writing as she feared her fellow Puritan refugees in the new country, would think it unseemly for a woman to be writing anything, let alone poetry. After receiving support from a revered Pastor, she was able to write more freely, and her brother-in-law persuaded her to let him take some of her manuscripts to England, where unbeknown to her, he arranged for them to be published as The Tenth Muse in July 1650. This slim book manages to tell the story of Anne and her family, their involvement in the organisation of the new colony on Massachusetts Bay, and also of Anne’s increasing number of children and of her failing health. I learnt so much, and enjoyed the learning.