About this book:
Blurb from Goodreads
The internationally bestselling author of The Jane Austen Society returns with a compelling and heart-warming story of post-war London, a century-old bookstore, and three women determined to find their way in a fast-changing world.
Bloomsbury Books is an old-fashioned new and rare bookstore that has persisted and resisted change for a hundred years, run by men and guided by the general manager’s unbreakable fifty-one rules. But in 1950, the world is changing, especially the world of books and publishing, and at Bloomsbury Books, the girls in the shop have plans:
Vivien Lowry: Single since her aristocratic fiancé was killed in action during World War II, the brilliant and stylish Vivien has a long list of grievances – most of them well justified and the biggest of which is Alec McDonough, the Head of Fiction.
Grace Perkins: Married with two sons, she’s been working to support the family following her husband’s breakdown in the aftermath of the war. Torn between duty to her family and dreams of her own.
Evie Stone: In the first class of female students from Cambridge permitted to earn a degree, Evie was denied an academic position in favour of her less accomplished male rival. Now she’s working at Bloomsbury Books while she plans to remake her own future.
As they interact with various literary figures of the time – Daphne Du Maurier, Ellen Doubleday, Sonia Blair (widow of George Orwell), Samuel Beckett, Peggy Guggenheim, and others – these three women with their complex web of relationships, goals and dreams are all working to plot out a future that is richer and more rewarding than anything society will allow.
My thoughts:
Let me just note that I have not read “The Jane Austen Society”. I didn’t realise that this book, “Bloomsbury Girls”, is the second in the series, but I found that it read quite easily as a stand-alone. Of course, there are hints and references that may have been a bit more logical if you read the first book, but I did not find this to be a deal-breaker at all!
It can also be because I enjoyed this book so much! Having recently discovered my love for historical fiction, I was easily transported to 1950’s London – and more specifically, in a delightful and notable bookstore, and found the scene-setting and periodic reference effortless and easy to get into.
The story revolves around three strong female protagonists – Evie, Grace and Vivien. Each with her own quirks, as well as passion and ambition in abundance. Being overlooked when it comes to job opportunities, simply because they are female is something that still resonates. It was thoroughly entertaining to see them taking on the patriarchy of the literary world of that time. You will also meet an entire troupe of female supporting stars as well, and I found it absolutely thrilling the way the author introduced the “who’s who” of that time into the storyline.
If you enjoy a cast of fierce females, determined to change the status quo – and doing it with a bit of cheekiness but oh so gracefully, this is for you! And yes, it even includes a dash of mystery and romance.
The chapters each start with the “Shop Rules” as title and it was such an efficient way of introducing various themes and notions into the story. Rules are made to be broken; don’t you think ladies?
The book also includes a map of the bookstore (I love maps in books) and a list of characters/role players, just to get you even more engrossed in the story, if at all possible.
• A book about books
• character driven
• female friendships
• delightful and refreshing – a ‘feel good’ read
• beautifully nostalgic
A five-star read for me!
Natalie Jenner is a wonderfully talented and engaging storyteller and I’m now keen to read “The Jane Austen Society” as well – who cares if it is the wrong order to read it in!
About the author: Natalie Jenner
Thank you to Exclusive Books SA for the review copy. Do check out their website for all the newest and greatest book recommendations! Home – Exclusive Books
Published locally by Jonathan Ball Publishers