Name: Elizabeth Hargrove's review of Bloomsbury Girls by Natalie Jenner
Item: Bloomsbury Girls
Rating: 4
Author: Elizabeth Hargrove

Natalie Jenner

Natalie Jenner, the internationally bestselling author of The Jane Austen Society, returns with a compelling and heartwarming story of post-war London, a century-old bookstore, and three women determined to find their way in a fast-changing world in Bloomsbury Girls. Bloomsbury Books is an old-fashioned new and rare book store that has persisted and resisted change for a hundred years, run by men and guided by the general manager's unbreakable fifty-one rules. But in 1950, the world is changing, especially the world of books and publishing, and at Bloomsbury Books, the girls in the shop have plans: Vivien Lowry: Single since her aristocratic fiance was killed in action during World War II, the brilliant and stylish Vivien has a long list of grievances--most of them well justified and the biggest of which is Alec McDonough, the Head of Fiction. Grace Perkins: Married with two sons, she's been working to support the family following her husband's breakdown in the aftermath of the war. Torn between duty to her family and dreams of her own. Evie Stone: In the first class of female students from Cambridge permitted to earn a degree, Evie was denied an academic position in favor of her less accomplished male rival. Now she's working at Bloomsbury Books while she plans to remake her own future. As they interact with various literary figures of the time--Daphne Du Maurier, Ellen Doubleday, Sonia Blair (widow of George Orwell), Samuel Beckett, Peggy Guggenheim, and others--these three women with their complex web of relationships, goals and dreams are all working to plot out a future that is richer and more rewarding than anything society will allow.

A Novel

Bloomsbury Girls

Genesis (@whisperingchapters)

The internationally bestselling author of The Jane Austen Society returns with a compelling and heartwarming story of post-war London, a century-old bookstore, and three women determined to find their way in a fast-changing world. Bloomsbury Books is an old-fashioned new and rare book store that has persisted and resisted change for a hundred years, run by men and guided by the general manager's unbreakable fifty-one rules. But in 1950, the world is changing, especially the world of books and publishing, and at Bloomsbury Books, the girls in the shop have plans: Vivien Lowry: Single since her aristocratic fiance was killed in action during World War II, the brilliant and stylish Vivien has a long list of grievances - most of them well justified and the biggest of which is Alec McDonough, the Head of Fiction. Grace Perkins: Married with two sons, she's been working to support the family following her husband's breakdown in the aftermath of the war. Torn between duty to her family and dreams of her own. Evie Stone: In the first class of female students from Cambridge permitted to earn a degree, Evie was denied an academic position in favor of her less accomplished male rival. Now she's working at Bloomsbury Books while she plans to remake her own future. As they interact with various literary figures of the time - Daphne Du Maurier, Ellen Doubleday, Sonia Blair (widow of George Orwell), Samuel Beckett, Peggy Guggenheim, and others - these three women with their complex web of relationships, goals and dreams are all working to plot out a future that is richer and more rewarding than anything society will allow.

Elizabeth Hargrove

Delightful novel with a full cast of various characters that all wove together. Inclusive and engaging, keeping to the historical moment in a thoughtful and dignified way.

Vilandra

This is what 84 Charing Cross Road should have been. It was wonderful to see the characters from The Jane Austen Society again - and I hope this is not the last time! Jenner’s books are so relaxing and transport you to post-war England. Loved it!

Anna

This book started slowly but got more and more interesting as we got to know more about characters, and I couldn't put it down at the end.
I was slightly disappointed with ending, as all plotlines just got wrapped up very fast, but it didn't really dampen my enjoyment of the book.

Helen Borham

Bloomsbury Girls follows Grace, Vivien and Evie who are all working in a London bookshop in the 1950’s. These women are pushing barriers and there to prove they can be just as successful as their male counterparts if they are just given the chance to shine

I really enjoyed this book and following our 3 protagonists. Each showed such strength and determination to build towards the life that they wanted and deserved. I also loved the historical setting. The way the author described 1950’s London and wove real life historical figures into the story was so clever and really brought the novel to life. There was also such an appreciation of books and novels which pleased the book lover in me


Ashley Pennington

Natalie Jenner is quickly becoming a must buy author. 

Historical fiction is a new genre I have been exploring. What I liked about this story is the depiction of life after the war. The women working at Bloomsbury Books are trying to find their place in the new world. Just a few years earlier they were needed to work while men were off to war, but now they are back to where they started. Only marginally better off than before. 

All of the characters in the story are well developed and I enjoyed watching their growth over the story. These women are learning more about themselves and going against what society expects of them. One is figuring out her life after losing her fiancé in the war. 

This is a wonderful read and I can't wait to add it to my collection right next to The Jane Austin Society. 

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Genesis (@whisperingchapters) &
Bloomsbury Girls by Natalie Jenner

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Genesis (@whisperingchapters) &Bloomsbury Girls by Natalie Jenner

Reviews

Join the club

Genesis (@whisperingchapters) &
Bloomsbury Girls by Natalie Jenner