Scan barcode
helen_moore_reads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Medical content, Racism, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, and Homophobia
serendipitysbooks's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Bloomsbury Girls was a pleasant, undemanding read. It’s set in an old-fashioned London bookstore in 1950 and centres on the three women staff members - Vivien, Grace and Evie. We see the impact of mostly low grade sexism and misogyny (being expected to make the tea, having their ideas rejected or stolen, and not being considered for promotion,rather than sexual assaults - although domestic abuse does feature) on their lives. In the end though the women triumph through a combination of their own skills and the poor judgement of some of the men. Readers of The Jane Austen Society will recognise Evie and a couple of other characters from that book reappear here in minor roles. Another fun aspect was the interaction between the characters and real world literary figures like Daphne du Maurier and Samuel Beckett. There is a minor LGBTQ+ storyline and several low key romances, one of which is interracial and another of which crosses class lines. These all help give the story a more modern forward-looking feel.
If you are after a feel-good story about female cooperation and strength, one that has a satisfying ending but isn’t overly demanding or heavy Bloomsbury Girls might be a good fit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Homophobia
More...