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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
1920, Oxford, and the university is admitting its first female students.
The male academics are not exactly united in their eagerness to welcome women. From tutors and students alike there is eye-rolling, smirking, and a list of objections as long as it is self-contradictory.
The staff of the women’s colleges are well aware of the scrutiny under which they and their charges will fall. Regardless of individual achievement they will be seen as women before anything else, and must work twice as hard as men to earn half the respect.
The weight of the recent war hangs heavy over the university. The sense of national mourning is such that any celebration of women’s admittance can only, as when the vote was won by women two years earlier, be muted in a solemn sobriety.
Four young women of the new intake, Dora, Beatrice, Marianne, and Ottoline, move into rooms on Corridior Eight of St Hugh’s college fizzing with excitement and apprehension. From very different walks of life, they each have their reasons for coming to Oxford, and must consider their troubled pasts and uncertain futures. Unlikely to have mixed in their lives outside of college, their proximity breeds an unexpected and rich friendship.
This is such an enjoyable and inspiring book. Oxford of the early 1920s is brought vividly to life, convincingly unsettled and uncertain, clinging to its history in a time of change. The young men and women of this time have been through all shades of hell, and Miller doesn’t shy away from any of the horrors, though she finds enough light and air in her story to fill with hope, joy, and the promise of change for the better. I loved how she wove real people and events into her story*, and I learned a lot while being swept along by her wonderful, compelling, characters.
Moving, witty, and written with an eloquent zest, this is a book of potent charm.
*mansplaining quibble: the phrase Stone Tape Theory was coined some 50 years after the events of this book.
The male academics are not exactly united in their eagerness to welcome women. From tutors and students alike there is eye-rolling, smirking, and a list of objections as long as it is self-contradictory.
The staff of the women’s colleges are well aware of the scrutiny under which they and their charges will fall. Regardless of individual achievement they will be seen as women before anything else, and must work twice as hard as men to earn half the respect.
The weight of the recent war hangs heavy over the university. The sense of national mourning is such that any celebration of women’s admittance can only, as when the vote was won by women two years earlier, be muted in a solemn sobriety.
Four young women of the new intake, Dora, Beatrice, Marianne, and Ottoline, move into rooms on Corridior Eight of St Hugh’s college fizzing with excitement and apprehension. From very different walks of life, they each have their reasons for coming to Oxford, and must consider their troubled pasts and uncertain futures. Unlikely to have mixed in their lives outside of college, their proximity breeds an unexpected and rich friendship.
This is such an enjoyable and inspiring book. Oxford of the early 1920s is brought vividly to life, convincingly unsettled and uncertain, clinging to its history in a time of change. The young men and women of this time have been through all shades of hell, and Miller doesn’t shy away from any of the horrors, though she finds enough light and air in her story to fill with hope, joy, and the promise of change for the better. I loved how she wove real people and events into her story*, and I learned a lot while being swept along by her wonderful, compelling, characters.
Moving, witty, and written with an eloquent zest, this is a book of potent charm.
*mansplaining quibble: the phrase Stone Tape Theory was coined some 50 years after the events of this book.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-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
I echo many other readers sentiments:
In *The Eights*, Miller skillfully navigates the intricate journeys of her characters as they confront the challenges of studying in a male-dominated environment. As the narrative unfolds, readers gradually uncover the secrets each character harbors. The four protagonists—Beatrice, Otto, Marianne, and Dora—are richly developed, both individually and as a cohesive unit. Despite their diverse backgrounds, the characters form a bond as friends, allies, and protectors within the confines of "The Eights," making their journey all the more compelling.
Miller effectively weaves historical context into the story, providing insight into the societal impacts of war and class, evoking empathy for the men who returned home broken and for the women whose lives were irrevocably altered. I was captivated by her ability to immerse readers in the academic atmosphere, which is vividly rendered throughout the narrative. Miller’s portrayal of Oxford’s historic grounds takes us back to a different era. This well-researched examination of a crucial moment in Oxford's academic history resonates profoundly, making the city feel both recognizable and enchanting.
Overall, this is a moving and inspirational read that left a lasting impression.
Thank you to Penguin UK and NetGalley for the advance review copy; all opinions expressed are my own.
In *The Eights*, Miller skillfully navigates the intricate journeys of her characters as they confront the challenges of studying in a male-dominated environment. As the narrative unfolds, readers gradually uncover the secrets each character harbors. The four protagonists—Beatrice, Otto, Marianne, and Dora—are richly developed, both individually and as a cohesive unit. Despite their diverse backgrounds, the characters form a bond as friends, allies, and protectors within the confines of "The Eights," making their journey all the more compelling.
Miller effectively weaves historical context into the story, providing insight into the societal impacts of war and class, evoking empathy for the men who returned home broken and for the women whose lives were irrevocably altered. I was captivated by her ability to immerse readers in the academic atmosphere, which is vividly rendered throughout the narrative. Miller’s portrayal of Oxford’s historic grounds takes us back to a different era. This well-researched examination of a crucial moment in Oxford's academic history resonates profoundly, making the city feel both recognizable and enchanting.
Overall, this is a moving and inspirational read that left a lasting impression.
Thank you to Penguin UK and NetGalley for the advance review copy; all opinions expressed are my own.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
It is hard to believe that this enigmatic book is a debut. The Eights follows four young women as they enter their first year at Oxford University in 1920, the year that women are first allowed to matriculate. The story is steeped in beautiful imagery that makes you feel all the characters could come and tap you on the shoulder as you are reading it. It is a powerful reminder of how far feminism has come and how far there is still to go. It is a shrine to female friendship, a meditation on the intricacies of grief and how young people find their place in the world. An absolute must read that will have you laughing and crying at the same time!
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
slow-paced