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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.
sophtanda's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Mental illness, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Death, Suicide, Terminal illness, War, Antisemitism, Ableism, and Pregnancy
finding_novel_land's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.5
Surprised how much I enjoyed this. But between the children’s group and the child adoption I couldn’t help but think it was surprisingly lacking in child protection and health and safety forms 😅
Very fast ending, suddenly sped through everything after such a long build up.
Very fast ending, suddenly sped through everything after such a long build up.
greybeard49's review against another edition
5.0
Third book in the trilogy, although not in chronological order. The writing is so good you are captured by the storyline from the off. Prose is elegant, yet so clever and the characters just right - a wonderful mix, different backgrounds and their dialogue so accurately depicted. Everything just crackles along taking the reader in tow. Great stuff!!
nicjohnston's review against another edition
4.0
The prequel to the amazing Crooked Heart (which you must read first), this is Mattie’s tale...a now middle aged Suffragette who is searching to forge a meaningful path. The book picks up the story when Mattie’s potential best days are behind her but she should never be underestimated. I would thoroughly recommend this book.
charlib12's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
festivefun's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
travelsalongmybookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
‘What on earth do you expect? She left school at fourteen….I doubt they ever sit around the kitchen table discussing the Times editorial.’
1928: Mattie Simpkin is a woman with a thrilling past and an uneventful present. She was a militant suffragette, was imprisoned, marched, sang and fought for the vote. Nothing since has given her the same excitement.
Now nearing sixty, she needs a new purpose, she still carries a wooden club in her handbag, twirling it about vigorously in the garden. A new plan that starts brilliantly, an outdoor healthy girls club is derailed by a connection with her past and threatens every principle she stands for.
Mattie is great, full of gumption, a bit cantankerous, but well meaning and full of fight. Although she is getting older, she is frustrated by the lack of equality, still, for women. She is brave and inspiring and full of warmth and wit.
I also adored ‘the Flea’, Florrie Lee, more measured than her friend Mattie, she is an excellent foil for her and I think has some of the best lines!
Bless Mattie, I could see where this might go when her vision of an outdoor healthy girls club is mooted, especially having met Jacko again who wants to recruit her to her fascist group. I could see an all female version of the Hitler youth developing and I worried for her.
‘To take airy freedom and turn it into military drill…to prohibit spontaneity and sneer at the notion of ‘fun’; these seemed as good a definition of fascism as any she had come across.’
This is a delight to read, atmospheric, full of details of the period, it feels very golden age from between the wars but a bit darker round the edges. I zoomed through this one and felt a little sad to leave Mattie behind at the end.
bookswithboo's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.5