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#12booksofchristmas @Andrew65
April and A big shout out for one of my best reading experiences in 22 #persephoneclub which introduced me to some wonderful writing from the 1st half of the 20thc. Winifred Holtby is such a fascinating author with such an interesting life story. This was a story about a young woman who is frustrated by her upbringing, a dominating mother, and a small minded community. And the ending was perfect

I'd like to retitle this book "Muriel's Progress". While it is very much about the times in which it was set & the limitations on women's lives then, it is also about what happens when other people's values, expectations & approval are allowed to drive the way you live your life. I was cheering for Muriel as she shook off her upbringing & took control of her own destiny.
#PersephoneClub
I'm off to read everyone else's reviews now.

An excellent novel that vividly portrays the limited and stifling options available to women of a certain class, in the years surrounding the Great War. I was sometimes rather frustrated by Muriel and her passivity, even though it rang very true. It was wonderful to see her come into her own and learn to choose herself, rather than presumed duty and obligation. A terrific #persephonepick to read with the #persephoneclub.

#PersephoneClub Loved this. Muriel‘s story from when she was very young to her becoming a woman. Set in the early 1900s. I was completely engaged and fascinated by her relationships with her controlling mother, her sister Connie , and friends Clare , Godfrey…and the blossoming of her relationship with herself. Muriel is a character to remember. Set in the same time as Winifred Holtby‘s own life… I loved all the details of the lives they lived.

#PersephoneClub
I'm so glad I joined this group read as the story of muriel Hammond from 1900 + her childhood/ adolescence as the perpetual wallflower under the thumb of her self obsessed mother to the dramatic final pages in 1920. As much a social history of the lives of women in this period the introduction allows an insight into an equally fascinating author. There are many highs and lows in this book and I was absorbed in muriels life.⬇️

This is the lovely and heartbreaking Bildungsroman of Muriel, who we watch grow from an awkward child to a struggling adult in the confines of Edwardian era, middle class Yorkshire. There were two options available to a woman of her class and time: snapping up the first remotely acceptable husband or tending to your aging parents for the rest of your life as an unpaid and unappreciated spinster.

What do you think of her choice, #PersephoneClub?

#PersephoneClub
Started the prologue just now and what an uncomfortable opening, poor muriel, never has a sweet turned sour so quickly.
I'm looking forward to enjoying the book particularly after recently listening to the Backlisted episode on South Riding.

#PersephoneClub

From the surprising bow upon her sleek brown hair to the shining buckles on her trim brown shoes from her odd short dress of pleated tartan to the frill of muslin. .she defied all Marshington and Hardrascliffe conventions of the proper attire for young girls of fifteen. Wholesome as an apple , tranquil as a September morning, and unmysterious as a glass of water , she yet held for Muriel all mystery and all enchantment

Enjoying my #PersephoneClub read in the sunshine.

@Leahb @Cathythoughts @quietjenn @rubyslippersreads @elkeOriginal @mklong @Tamra @andrew61 @tenar

It‘s now April so that means it‘s time for one of our #PersephoneClub reads!

@Cathythoughts ‘s pick for us this month is The Crowded Street by Winifred Holtby. This is a casual buddy read; read and comment on each other‘s posts and reviews as you see them. We usually aim to finish by the middle of the month but that‘s not written in stone. 😉 And anyone is welcome to read along with us, of course!