Julie Owen Moylan’s debut novel, “That Green Eyed Girl”, was one of my most-loved reads of 2022. I was thrilled to see that this author recently released her second book, “73 Dove Street”.
“She had always been a dreamer, but dreams were dangerous things. They could make you forget the harsh realities of life, or worse, they could make you hope for something better.”
“73 Dove Street” is a captivating and poignant novel that explores the lives and secrets of three women in post-war London. The author, Julie Owen Moylan, skillfully weaves together the stories of Edie, Tommie, and Phyllis, who share a boarding house at 73 Dove Street, but have very different backgrounds and aspirations.
Edie is a young woman who arrives at the boarding house with a suitcase and a stash of cash, fleeing from a dark and dangerous past. The memories of her abusive husband and the tragedy that befell her family haunt her.
“Sometimes the truth was too hard to bear, and lies were easier to swallow.”
She tries to keep a low profile, but soon attracts the attention of Tommie, a waitress who works for the eccentric Mrs Vee and has a penchant for Soho nightlife and a married man. Tommie is curious about Edie’s secrets and wants to befriend her, but she also has her own troubles and temptations to deal with. Phyllis is the landlady of 73 Dove Street, a formidable and proud woman who has recently discovered her husband’s infidelity and burned his belongings in a fit of rage. She puts on a tough facade, but underneath she is hiding a painful past and a longing for love and acceptance.
“There’s no shame in being who you are, Phyllis. You have nothing to hide. You have a story to tell, and it’s a story worth telling.”
The novel is set in 1950s London, a city that is recovering from the war and undergoing social and cultural changes. The author vividly portrays the atmosphere and details of the era, from the smog and the rationing to the music and the fashion. She also explores the challenges and prejudices that women faced at the time – and are still facing, such as domestic violence, sexism and abortion. The novel is not only historical fiction, but also a psychological and emotional drama, as the characters struggle with their inner conflicts and external pressures.
“You can’t run away from yourself, Edie. Wherever you go, there you are.”
The plot of this well-written, captivating book moves quickly, keeping the reader interested all the way until the very end. Each of the genuine and nuanced characters has strengths and weaknesses of their own, and their interactions are convincing and captivating. Along with some unanticipated twists and turns, the book also features romantic and humorous moments. Fans of historical fiction and women’s fiction will find the book to be a compelling and poignant read.
Thank you to Penguin Random House SA for this review copy.
About the book
Penguin Random House South Africa – 73 Dove Street
