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bexyo's review
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Learned a lot about the suffragette movement, but also about the reality that we still have a long way to go!
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderful exploration of 'what suffragettes did next' combined with a comedic and touching glimpse at developing feminism and women's rights.
I've read several of Evans novels for children and adults, and love her breezy, flowing style. All are very easy to fall into, with excellent comic touches and well-defined characters. Here, in a similar vein to 'Their Finest Hour and a Half' we have a bittersweet and funny look at a particular point in modern history, from the female perspective.
The 'Old Baggage' of the title could refer to the former Suffragette, now an older ladie providing educational talks about her experiences for interested audiences, Mattie. Living with The Flea (Florrie Lea), the two intellectuals reminisce, while The Flea keeps Mattie on track, and Mattie searches for something to get her teeth into, with her glory days far behind her. A chance meeting with a young, bright girl with few prospects gives her the idea of starting a club for girls to improve their minds, bodies and outlooks.
A most enjoyable concept, and executed with great detail - from the names, clothes and speech, descriptions of everyday lives, it really felt like the inter-war years.
There is a whole array of characters to root for, from the gentle Flea to some rowdy girls in the club, to the 'bull in a china shop' Mattie herself. I have read Crooked Heart, in which Mattie appears briefly, but she didn't make much of an impression on me, it's only through reading reviews that I recalled I'd read her name before. I won't be forgetting her again after this! A superb creation, I loved her ability to educate her girls about any subject that happened to come up.
We even have a bit of an anti-hero, a rivalry, and moral dilemmas for Mattie to contend with, with echoes of future Fascist ideologies.
My favourite scenes were those with the girls club, some very 'Bunty' activities, but it all seemed so much fun I wished I was joining them.
The last chapter I felt tried a little too hard to wrap things up neatly, but also left a sad scent of longing. I wonder if we'll hear more from Mattie in the future...
As with 'Their Finest Hour...', this could make a wonderful 'Great British' film, the elements - script, characters and highly relevant setting (with anniversaries currently being commemorated) are all high quality.
If you enjoy social history, stories of feminism or gentle comedy/drama, this will be your cup of English tea.
With thanks to Netgalley for the advance e-copy.
I've read several of Evans novels for children and adults, and love her breezy, flowing style. All are very easy to fall into, with excellent comic touches and well-defined characters. Here, in a similar vein to 'Their Finest Hour and a Half' we have a bittersweet and funny look at a particular point in modern history, from the female perspective.
The 'Old Baggage' of the title could refer to the former Suffragette, now an older ladie providing educational talks about her experiences for interested audiences, Mattie. Living with The Flea (Florrie Lea), the two intellectuals reminisce, while The Flea keeps Mattie on track, and Mattie searches for something to get her teeth into, with her glory days far behind her. A chance meeting with a young, bright girl with few prospects gives her the idea of starting a club for girls to improve their minds, bodies and outlooks.
A most enjoyable concept, and executed with great detail - from the names, clothes and speech, descriptions of everyday lives, it really felt like the inter-war years.
There is a whole array of characters to root for, from the gentle Flea to some rowdy girls in the club, to the 'bull in a china shop' Mattie herself. I have read Crooked Heart, in which Mattie appears briefly, but she didn't make much of an impression on me, it's only through reading reviews that I recalled I'd read her name before. I won't be forgetting her again after this! A superb creation, I loved her ability to educate her girls about any subject that happened to come up.
We even have a bit of an anti-hero, a rivalry, and moral dilemmas for Mattie to contend with, with echoes of future Fascist ideologies.
My favourite scenes were those with the girls club, some very 'Bunty' activities, but it all seemed so much fun I wished I was joining them.
The last chapter I felt tried a little too hard to wrap things up neatly, but also left a sad scent of longing. I wonder if we'll hear more from Mattie in the future...
As with 'Their Finest Hour...', this could make a wonderful 'Great British' film, the elements - script, characters and highly relevant setting (with anniversaries currently being commemorated) are all high quality.
If you enjoy social history, stories of feminism or gentle comedy/drama, this will be your cup of English tea.
With thanks to Netgalley for the advance e-copy.
lib_and_lynx's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
irishgypsie's review against another edition
I was really enjoying this book actually, but I was flipping through pages to see when the next section break was and noticed that due to a bizarre misprint, the book ends on page 282 and the next page is 271, in a completely different font. It appears that the last 20 pages are from some book by Charles Bukowski! I have never seen anything like this before, but obviously since Old Baggage got misprinted I quite literally can't finish it. I do want to try finding another copy because I really did enjoy the characters and setting. It's not exactly plot-heavy, but it's atmospheric. I'd like to see how it ends.
sslovesbooks_1's review against another edition
4.0
A lovely story with great characters - Mattie and Florence. Both work tirelessly for women’s rights starting group in present day for young girls. An old friend brings in ideas of facism which leads to tension.
It brings to life the brave women who fought for the right to vote and what they gave to allow us to live our lives today.
It brings to life the brave women who fought for the right to vote and what they gave to allow us to live our lives today.
katebull's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
dhall58's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
drianturner's review against another edition
5.0
This book creaps up on you. Not a lot seems to happen, with an emphasis on a rivalry between two youth groups seeming to be the only event of note described in real time. But by the end the characters are well loved and I immediately want to continue their story in the sequel, Crooked Heart. (In fact Crooked Heart was written first so Old Baggage is its prequel.)
ali_w15's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting read from a social history perspective. The story of older women is not often told. Worthwhile read.