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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-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
Cute book, a nice break from the world. Something simple to sip tea to.
I have said it before and I’ll say it every time I read a book about books or bookstores. I love them! They are my favorite and this was no exception. Living in the times we do it is hard to imagine a time where women had to work so hard to be seen and heard. To make a fair wage and be understood. A bookshop full of stories not just between the pages but in lives of each person who works there. A bookshop where men learn to appreciate all that women truly bring to the table.
I listened to this in audiobook form, in 15-20 minute segments, so I often had to retrace the storyline, but enjoyed the relationships among the characters. Great reflection of the era in which it’s set.
hopeful
inspiring
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
Bloomsbury Girls is the second in the series The Jane Austen Society and often references the events and characters of that book. While reading The Jane Austen Society first isn’t necessary, I would recommend starting with that one.
There were a lot of characters to keep track of, and while some of the male supporting characters were a little hazy for me at first, the three women central to the story: Evie, Vivien and Grace were strong and defined. The period directly following the end of WWII was a time of transition for women, who had stepped up during the war and filled jobs the men vacated while they were off fighting, only to be expected to move aside once the war was over to let the men fill those power positions once again.
While I loved the concept of this book, enjoyed the setting of the bookstore and find this time period after the Second World War quite interesting, the characters and storyline failed to really grab me until about the last third of the book. I’m glad I stuck with it, as I really loved the ending! The women in the story rise up and take what they want, and I enjoyed how the group of women came together to become a powerful force.
Though I found this book slow-moving, if you’re a fan of historical fiction, post-war London, books about books and bookstores, this story might be for you.
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.
There were a lot of characters to keep track of, and while some of the male supporting characters were a little hazy for me at first, the three women central to the story: Evie, Vivien and Grace were strong and defined. The period directly following the end of WWII was a time of transition for women, who had stepped up during the war and filled jobs the men vacated while they were off fighting, only to be expected to move aside once the war was over to let the men fill those power positions once again.
While I loved the concept of this book, enjoyed the setting of the bookstore and find this time period after the Second World War quite interesting, the characters and storyline failed to really grab me until about the last third of the book. I’m glad I stuck with it, as I really loved the ending! The women in the story rise up and take what they want, and I enjoyed how the group of women came together to become a powerful force.
Though I found this book slow-moving, if you’re a fan of historical fiction, post-war London, books about books and bookstores, this story might be for you.
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars
I received a complimentary Kindle book from NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Natalie Jenner, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
This book is the second in a series - the first was THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY. The first book was based on a society fueled by their love of Jane Austen. To be completely honest, I have read nothing by Jane Austen! However, it didn't stop me from loving the first book and now this book.
I would recommend reading the first book first, but it isn't ABSOLUTELY necessary. It would be a more enjoyable experience to read the second book after the first.
Additionally, there is a LARGE cast of characters in this book! Do not let this be off-putting. It is not hard to follow and they are needed to create this beautiful book.
This is exactly the type of book that I so have needed during "the times of COVID". It is a lovely, well-written, and obviously well-researched book. Read it!
HIGHLY RECOMMEND - read THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY first!!
I received a complimentary Kindle book from NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Natalie Jenner, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
This book is the second in a series - the first was THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY. The first book was based on a society fueled by their love of Jane Austen. To be completely honest, I have read nothing by Jane Austen! However, it didn't stop me from loving the first book and now this book.
I would recommend reading the first book first, but it isn't ABSOLUTELY necessary. It would be a more enjoyable experience to read the second book after the first.
Additionally, there is a LARGE cast of characters in this book! Do not let this be off-putting. It is not hard to follow and they are needed to create this beautiful book.
This is exactly the type of book that I so have needed during "the times of COVID". It is a lovely, well-written, and obviously well-researched book. Read it!
HIGHLY RECOMMEND - read THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY first!!
3.5/5 rounded up. While the overall story was pretty good, I did not care for the perspective. I would have liked the book more, presumably, if they were from the different character's points of view rather than from an "above" or outside observer. I just didn't feel a connection with any of the characters.
I really enjoyed reading Bloomsbury Girls, which was recommended to me by a friend. I generally like books set in a book store (rare books a plus!), books with strong women characters, and historical fiction and Bloomsbury Girls hits all three. Apparently the book is somewhat of a sequel to Jenner's The Jane Austen Society, which I have not read yet, but will.
This book follows Evie Stone in London as she loses out on a dream job and goes to work in Bloomsbury Books. The story also includes the other book store employees, the owner, and various "real" authors; a list of characters is provided in the front of the book and I referred to it often. There is a lot going on in the years following World War 2 and the story touches on ambition, loss, soldiers re-entering society, feminism, female friendship, domestic abuse, immigrants, romance, class, homosexuality and more. Even with all the characters and all those topics, I found the story engaging, readable, and thoroughly enjoyable.
"One by one, different parts of his body had simply started to fail him and fall apart. It had been a difficult lesson for his family, that bad luck could be followed by even more." (31)
"Similarly, Ash seemed bemused by Evie's preoccupation with what he called 'stories,' as if the contents of books were merely tales to pass the time, rather than the most direct and lasting evidence of what the human species had felt and thought across the ages." (184)
"You think your apology - your word - is enough. Not your actions. That's pride." (251)
This book follows Evie Stone in London as she loses out on a dream job and goes to work in Bloomsbury Books. The story also includes the other book store employees, the owner, and various "real" authors; a list of characters is provided in the front of the book and I referred to it often. There is a lot going on in the years following World War 2 and the story touches on ambition, loss, soldiers re-entering society, feminism, female friendship, domestic abuse, immigrants, romance, class, homosexuality and more. Even with all the characters and all those topics, I found the story engaging, readable, and thoroughly enjoyable.
"One by one, different parts of his body had simply started to fail him and fall apart. It had been a difficult lesson for his family, that bad luck could be followed by even more." (31)
"Similarly, Ash seemed bemused by Evie's preoccupation with what he called 'stories,' as if the contents of books were merely tales to pass the time, rather than the most direct and lasting evidence of what the human species had felt and thought across the ages." (184)
"You think your apology - your word - is enough. Not your actions. That's pride." (251)
As World War II ends, women are more aware of their place in the world. At a bookshop in London, Grace and Vivian work hard but are not happy that they make less than the men. Evie Stone, after a disappointment at Girton College , Cambridge’s college for women, joins the staff in the rare books section. Evie has an ulterior motive that will impact both Vivian, and Grace. There is much to this piece of historical fiction, including appearances by Peggy Guggenheim, Daphne du Maurier , Ellen Doubleday and more. Recommended for lovers of literature. Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC.
Really enjoyed this sequel to the Jane Austen Society. Listened to it on audiobook and was engrossed.