"In luscious prose, Thorp explores the nameless queen's untold story, one that -- in keeping with the spirit of Shakespeare's original -- is rife with cruelty, betrayal and passion. Learwife is gorgeously written, its language ornate and heady. The novel's crest and denouement are artful and moving... a beautiful triumph."--Angela Lashbrook "The New York Times"
"Intriguing, illuminating. Thorp places her bet on psychological complexity that evolves into more psychological complexity as the story unfolds. I believe it is worth it."--Jane Smiley "The Washington Post"
"Thorp's poetic prose contrasts with the steely character of a queen at once sympathetic and fearsome. This literary novel offers an intriguing new take on an old story--the play itself and the power dynamics between men and women, mothers and daughters."-- "Booklist (starred)"
"Learwife is a novel that joins the likes of Pat Barker, Natalie Haynes and Margaret Atwood in seeking to unearth hidden female stories left unexplored by literary history. Its tale of pestilence and seclusion also has a powerful contemporary relevance. Written in luminous, lyrical prose, it's a book that defies easy description, being neither historical novel nor fantasy, but mining the best bits from each genre."-- "The Observer, Top 10 Debut Novelists of 2021"