I thoroughly enjoyed by reading Bloomsbury Girls as my introduction to author Natalie Jenner. Her descriptive writing and engaging characters created a delightfully immersive experience.
The novel features Evie, Grace, and Vivien, women in different circumstances, brought together through employment at Bloomsbury Books in post-war London. The story is a delightful combination of bookish goodness, women characters claiming their power in the 1950s, and actual historical women, including Daphne Du Maurier and Peggy Guggenheim. The audiobook narration by Juliet Stevenson was spot-on to convey the spirit of this feminist-focused story.
Most of the male characters represent forces that have suppressed Evie, Grace, and Vivien from achieving their potential, beginning with Herbert Dutton, Bloomsbury Books manager. He runs the store with an outdated set of 51 unbreakable rules; one is quoted at the beginning of each chapter. There's also a sweet romantic storyline.
My only regret is that I hadn't read The Jane Austen Society first, an 'error' I hope to correct soon. While Bloomsbury Girls isn't its sequel, I feel I would have had an even richer reading experience if I was already familiar with Evie and the events of the author's first novel.
Many thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the review copy of the audiobook.
The novel features Evie, Grace, and Vivien, women in different circumstances, brought together through employment at Bloomsbury Books in post-war London. The story is a delightful combination of bookish goodness, women characters claiming their power in the 1950s, and actual historical women, including Daphne Du Maurier and Peggy Guggenheim. The audiobook narration by Juliet Stevenson was spot-on to convey the spirit of this feminist-focused story.
Most of the male characters represent forces that have suppressed Evie, Grace, and Vivien from achieving their potential, beginning with Herbert Dutton, Bloomsbury Books manager. He runs the store with an outdated set of 51 unbreakable rules; one is quoted at the beginning of each chapter. There's also a sweet romantic storyline.
My only regret is that I hadn't read The Jane Austen Society first, an 'error' I hope to correct soon. While Bloomsbury Girls isn't its sequel, I feel I would have had an even richer reading experience if I was already familiar with Evie and the events of the author's first novel.
Many thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the review copy of the audiobook.
