A review by foggy_rosamund
An Experiment in Love by Hilary Mantel

3.0

A relatively thin novel saved from mediocrity by Mantel's precise and moving prose. Carmel is the first of her family to attend university: it is 1970, and she is desperate to prove herself among more wealthy and cultured girls at her halls of residence. But Julianne and Karina, who both attended her convent school in the north of England, are there too, and remain central presences in her life. The novel follows Carmel's first year at university, while also evoking her childhood. Mostly enjoyable to read, this swings along easily, but is weighed down by a melodramatic end. I don't particularly recommend this, but it passes the time.