The Birdman’s Wife
Melissa Ashley
Affirm Press | 2016
A novel inspired by the letters and life of Elizabeth Gould (1804–1841) whose papers were found, symbolically, between the notes of her husband John Gould revealing her under-acknowledged work for the ornithologist and author of the popular book The Birds of Australia. PhD dissertation research and a keen interest in taxidermy lead the self described “birder” Melissa Ashley to pen this historical novel which paints a portrait of a woman driven by a passion for “curious” birdlife.
Ashley’s own affection for birds is reflected in this work of fiction that honours the real-life achievement of Elizabeth who created 650 hand-coloured lithographs of bird species in her short lifetime, including Charles Darwin’s Galapagos Finches.
Melissa Ashley, The Birdman’s Wife
