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Seven Women
203 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1947
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July 18, 2026
I had so much fun reading Seven Women and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a humorous novel set in the Victorian Era.
The Plot:
The novel takes place in England and starts in 1833. Selina Hope-Faithfull, a new bride who has married a local clergyman, comes across an old woman on a country lane who predicts that Selina and her husband will have seven daughters and no sons. Selina is convinced the woman is a witch and believes the prophecy. The story then moves forward to 1863. Selina and her husband, who is now the Bishop of Salchester, do indeed have seven daughters and all of them are spinsters. When the handsome Reverend Arthur Brindle arrives in town, all seven daughters fall in love with him. As each of the women vies for Mr. Brindle's attention, she must fend off her sisters' advances while adhering to proper Victorian etiquette.
My Thoughts
This novel is funny, light-hearted, and doesn't take itself seriously. It pokes fun at youthful crushes and the strict codes of conduct during the Victorian Era. Winifred Duke leans into the silliness of this book by giving characters some fantastic names. For example, the seven daughters are named Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea (each named after a church from the Bible, begrudgingly so since their mother thinks their names are absurd).
Much of the plot centers around character relationships rather than action, so there are plenty of drawing room visits, walks around town, and even an afternoon at a Sunday school fair.
For those who haven't read Winifred Duke before, it's worth noting that she doesn't always guarantee a happy romantic ending. I thought the ending of this novel was exactly what was needed, but others may disagree.
I'd recommend this book to people who enjoy Georgette Heyer or Jane Austen.
The Plot:
The novel takes place in England and starts in 1833. Selina Hope-Faithfull, a new bride who has married a local clergyman, comes across an old woman on a country lane who predicts that Selina and her husband will have seven daughters and no sons. Selina is convinced the woman is a witch and believes the prophecy. The story then moves forward to 1863. Selina and her husband, who is now the Bishop of Salchester, do indeed have seven daughters and all of them are spinsters. When the handsome Reverend Arthur Brindle arrives in town, all seven daughters fall in love with him. As each of the women vies for Mr. Brindle's attention, she must fend off her sisters' advances while adhering to proper Victorian etiquette.
My Thoughts
This novel is funny, light-hearted, and doesn't take itself seriously. It pokes fun at youthful crushes and the strict codes of conduct during the Victorian Era. Winifred Duke leans into the silliness of this book by giving characters some fantastic names. For example, the seven daughters are named Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea (each named after a church from the Bible, begrudgingly so since their mother thinks their names are absurd).
Much of the plot centers around character relationships rather than action, so there are plenty of drawing room visits, walks around town, and even an afternoon at a Sunday school fair.
For those who haven't read Winifred Duke before, it's worth noting that she doesn't always guarantee a happy romantic ending. I thought the ending of this novel was exactly what was needed, but others may disagree.
I'd recommend this book to people who enjoy Georgette Heyer or Jane Austen.
Displaying 1 of 1 review