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kenzszymanek 's review for:
The Eights
by Joanna Miller
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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:
Yes
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for an e-ARC of this book!
The Eights follows four young women as they become part of the first class of women to enroll at Oxford University in 1920. Each of them has their own struggles, but all of them must deal with the after effects of World War I and the prejudices of the men who don't believe women belong in such a prestigious educational institution. As the school year goes on, the four women (nicknamed "the Eights" because of their room assignments) grow closer and closer together, sharing secrets and traumas, and ultimately forming an unbreakable friendship.
Charming is the first word that comes to mind to describe this book. I was charmed by all four of the main characters, each in their own unique way. They were compelling and sympathetic, and I found myself continually wanting to come back to the book just to spend more time with them and dig deeper into each of their stories. I came away from the book really feeling like I had lived in that moment of time with them.
I also loved how the author captured female friendship and especially female friendship in college. It felt so accurate and time period appropriate, but it managed to remind me so much of my own college experiences--the caring for one another, the laughing together until you can't breathe--that it really moved me. Given the current unprecedented times we're all living through, reading this book was comforting and inspiring. Here are four women who, despite all of the obstacles in their way, support each other, love each other, and persist.
Honestly, I would have read a book that was three times as long as this one and followed the Eights all the way through to graduation. Probably because of that, I felt like the ending and wrap up of lose ends was a little rushed. Like I said though, that might just be because I wanted to spend more time with the characters.
If you like historical, feminist fiction this one is for you. I know I'll be thinking about each of these women for a while.
The Eights follows four young women as they become part of the first class of women to enroll at Oxford University in 1920. Each of them has their own struggles, but all of them must deal with the after effects of World War I and the prejudices of the men who don't believe women belong in such a prestigious educational institution. As the school year goes on, the four women (nicknamed "the Eights" because of their room assignments) grow closer and closer together, sharing secrets and traumas, and ultimately forming an unbreakable friendship.
Charming is the first word that comes to mind to describe this book. I was charmed by all four of the main characters, each in their own unique way. They were compelling and sympathetic, and I found myself continually wanting to come back to the book just to spend more time with them and dig deeper into each of their stories. I came away from the book really feeling like I had lived in that moment of time with them.
I also loved how the author captured female friendship and especially female friendship in college. It felt so accurate and time period appropriate, but it managed to remind me so much of my own college experiences--the caring for one another, the laughing together until you can't breathe--that it really moved me. Given the current unprecedented times we're all living through, reading this book was comforting and inspiring. Here are four women who, despite all of the obstacles in their way, support each other, love each other, and persist.
Honestly, I would have read a book that was three times as long as this one and followed the Eights all the way through to graduation. Probably because of that, I felt like the ending and wrap up of lose ends was a little rushed. Like I said though, that might just be because I wanted to spend more time with the characters.
If you like historical, feminist fiction this one is for you. I know I'll be thinking about each of these women for a while.