A Woman of Intelligence

Reviews

‘This is an intelligent, elegant piece of writing … Whip smart.’ ‘A layered and engrossing Cold War historical … This would be perfect for a film or TV series.’ ‘Taut and thoughtful, A Woman of Intelligence vividly portrays a particular moment in American history while capturing a woman's timeless struggle to create her own life.’ ‘The kind of historical fiction you can get lost in.’ ‘Tanabe crafts the historical setting convincingly [and] the novel moves at a brisk pace ... Perhaps the most subversive thing about the twinned stories is this: how well the masks and performances Rina puts on as wife and mother prepare her for the world of espionage.’ 'What sets A Woman of Intelligence apart from other novels in this genre is Tanabe’s protagonist, Katharina ... Through her poignant portrayal of Katharina’s struggles with motherhood, postpartum depression, and a loss of identity, Tanabe sheds light on the issues women faced during this period and, to a certain extent, still face today.' ‘What a delicious skein of secrets Karin Tanabe has spooled in A Woman of Intelligence, somehow entwining the lies it takes to sustain the fiction of happy motherhood with the lies it takes to work as a covert operative for the FBI in 1954 at the height of the McCarthy hearings. Katharina Edgeworth’s awakening into the gray area of patriotic action is prescient, relevant and, above all, deeply satisfying. I loved diving into this world.’ ‘Tanabe has long delighted readers of historical fiction with her beautiful writing, compelling plots and sumptuous historic details. In A Woman of Intelligence, she gives fans a heroine to root for in the strong, complex and spirited Katharina Edgeworth. This is the story of a woman who dares to dream beyond the gilded cage and stifling social mores into which life has boxed her, and who proves the indelible power of women to change the world in the process.’ ‘Karin Tanabe delivers her most complex heroine yet in A Woman of Intelligence. Katharina Edgeworth, a former UN translator, unfulfilled in her role as wife and mother, finds herself leading a double life as an FBI informant during the McCarthy era. Filled with intrigue and wit, Tanabe takes readers on a meticulously researched journey through post WWII New York. This is a novel for fans of thrillers and historical fiction alike.’ ‘A smart thriller with heart ... and some simmering sexual tension, too.’ Expand reviews