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A review by sandytfrench
Restless Dolly Maunder by Kate Grenville
3.25
Restless Dolly Maunder by Kate Grenville
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.25 stars
Shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction
Dolly Maunder is born at the end of the nineteenth century, when society's long-locked doors are just starting to creak ajar for determined women. Growing up in a poor farming family in rural New South Wales, Dolly spends her life doggedly pushing at those doors. A husband and two children do not deter her from searching for love and independence.
I find myself struggling with this review because, although this book didn't objectively do anything wrong, I don't think it did anything great either.
It is a fictional account of the life of the author's grandmother, Dolly Maunder. Born towards the end of the 19th century, Dolly finds herself battling throughout her life against the societal restrictions imposed on her by her gender.
But beyond that, the story was quite mundane and repetitive. After Dolly gets married and has children, she gets restless (we're not going for subtle here,) rages about how limited her options are as a woman, takes the family to a new place to build a new business and a new life. Then she gets restless, rages about how limited her options are as a woman, takes the family to a new place to build a new business and a new life. Then she gets restless, rages about... Rinse and repeat until the end of the book.
The story was fine, serviceable but forgettable. I may be judging it harshly but this book's presence on the Women's Prize for Fiction shortlist means I had certain expectations and I was left thoroughly underwhelmed.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.25 stars
Shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction
Dolly Maunder is born at the end of the nineteenth century, when society's long-locked doors are just starting to creak ajar for determined women. Growing up in a poor farming family in rural New South Wales, Dolly spends her life doggedly pushing at those doors. A husband and two children do not deter her from searching for love and independence.
I find myself struggling with this review because, although this book didn't objectively do anything wrong, I don't think it did anything great either.
It is a fictional account of the life of the author's grandmother, Dolly Maunder. Born towards the end of the 19th century, Dolly finds herself battling throughout her life against the societal restrictions imposed on her by her gender.
But beyond that, the story was quite mundane and repetitive. After Dolly gets married and has children, she gets restless (we're not going for subtle here,) rages about how limited her options are as a woman, takes the family to a new place to build a new business and a new life. Then she gets restless, rages about how limited her options are as a woman, takes the family to a new place to build a new business and a new life. Then she gets restless, rages about... Rinse and repeat until the end of the book.
The story was fine, serviceable but forgettable. I may be judging it harshly but this book's presence on the Women's Prize for Fiction shortlist means I had certain expectations and I was left thoroughly underwhelmed.