‘Alice had come halfway across the world to find that, yet again, she was considered wanting. Well, she thought, if that was what everyone thought, she might as well live up to it.’
England, late 1930s, and Alice Wright – restless, stifled – makes an impulsive decision to marry wealthy American Bennett van Cleve and leave her home and family behind.
But stuffy, disapproving Baileyville, Kentucky, where her husband favours work over his wife, and is dominated by his overbearing father, is not the adventure – or the escape – that she hoped for.
That is, until she meets Margery O’Hare – daughter of a notorious felon and a troublesome woman the town wishes to forget.
Margery’s on a mission to spread the wonder of books and reading to the poor and lost – and she needs Alice’s help.
Trekking alone under big open skies, through wild mountain forests, Alice, Margery and their fellow sisters of the trail discover freedom, friendship – and a life to call their own.
But when Baileyville turns against them, will their belief in one another – and the power of the written word – be enough to save them?
Firstly i am a huge huge fan and me before you is one of my favourite books . So i jumped at chance to be in the same room as her . I attended Damian Barr’s lit salon and it was a treat! As part of the ticket we each got exclusive copies ,which i got signed and completly fangirled. Readers she is a vision as well as a phenomenal writer.
Anyway on to the review…
When i first read the blurb ill be honest i was sceptical but it exceeded my expectations. This is a book about friendships,women ,hardtimes and the power of books.
Packed with history ,i felt i learnt a lot of that era and area that had i not read this i wouldnt. Even in 2019 books are expanding minds with knowledge.
Life was tough back then and its pretty tough now and this story shows the magic of words and books.
Fantastic charactars who get right under your skin that you can hear their accents. I was transported to Kentucky as jojo has a way of describing the scene perfectly.
I absolutely loved the giver of stars and highly reccomend .
Published 3rd October.
supermum ......... wheres my cape ??? 