Now is the time to fight to be heard ... A gripping, uplifting story of love, change and hope at one of the most turbulent times in history - and the battle that that changed the future for women forever, inspired by a true story.
1907, London. As the winds of change sweep across the world in the new century, Hannah Rainforth and her friends take to the streets to fight for the vote for women. Now is not the time for quiet argument - the country will only listen when it's forced to, and the women join the suffragette movement, putting their bodies, reputations and personal safety on the line to achieve lasting change for women.
But dark clouds of war and sinister forces are gathering on the horizon and Hannah is desperate to protect those she loves the most. Faced with the loss of her home, her livelihood and even her family, Hannah risks everything to ensure their survival - and to achieve the vote for women, which is now a matter of national urgency.
As the country is plunged into war and deadly bombs are devastating the city and the north, Hannah and women across the nation join the home war effort to galvanise the nation - their worth cannot be challenged now and their fight for recognition will transform the future forever.
Tania lives in Sydney with her husband and three children. Coming from a family with rich cultural heritage with a German mother and Italian father, stories have always been in her blood. Following a career in physiotherapy, it was only when she had her family that she decided to return to her passion of writing.
Her debut novel is The Girl from Munich, the story she has always wanted to write, inspired by the fascinating stories told by her German grandmother, and she is currently working on the sequel, set in Australia in the 1950s.
Tania is excited to have found her light bulb moment, her love for writing historical fiction. She looks forward to delving further into her interests of history and family stories to enrich and bring to life the many ideas inspired by the amazing tales she has gathered over the years.
The suffrage movement has been trying to bring about change for years, despite it being the start of a new century, for Hannah Rainforth and her colleges are frustrated, the English parliament are still dragging their heels with giving women from all walks of life the right to vote, open a bank account and be financially independent. Men still think they are smarter and superior to women, and a woman’s place is in the home, and looking after their husbands and children.
So Hannah and her acquaintances take to the streets of London and they assume with so many women banding together they wouldn't be ignored and the men would have to take notice of their demands. A nonviolent way to get their message across and they discover it’s not the case at all, scuffles break out, women are heckled and assaulted and the police do nothing about it. The women are not seen as progressive and ground breakers, but trouble makers and some decide to take things further, going on hunger strikes and vandalism.
As we know in the early 1900’s several major historical events happened, the sinking of the titanic, The Great War and the Spanish Flu epidemic hit. Hannah witnesses these things, some affect her more than others and meanwhile she’s trying to juggle financial problems, returning to teaching, motherhood and raising teenagers, and questioning if she’s being a good mother, sister, friend, person and suffragette.
I received a digital copy of An Undeniable Voice from HarperCollins Australia and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Tania Blanchard likes to write historical fiction inspired by true stories, about women who push the boundaries of the time and she’s done this once again in her latest saga.
You feel like you’re walking alongside Hannah and her fellow suffragettes, while they put their own safety and reputations on the line to bring about much needed social change, reform and get the right to vote. A story about women standing up for what’s just and the personal cost, friendships and romantic relationships, family and raising children, power of words and education, how difficult it was for widows and poor families, The Great War and conscription and the attacks on English soil and I had no idea how many happened and there severity.
Five stars from me, I was totally engrossed by the well written narrative and could easily relate to its themes, I highly recommend reading An Undeniable Voice, and Ms. Blanchard’s previous book A Woman of Courage and I can’t wait for the next instalment in the series to be released.
Big thanks to Harper Collins for sending us a copy to read and review. The sweeping saga of Hannah, her family and friends continues in the hypnotic sequel to A Woman Of Courage. An Undeniable Voice is heart stopping, thrilling, fascinating, intriguing and totally entertaining. Following on from the events in the previous book to 1907. Hannah is now married to her sweetheart but the fight for the vote and women’s rights continue. Joining the suffragette movement has its ups and downs. With her husband Roger, she owns and works at the pub. But danger is not far behind. War is about to start and affects the whole town and its community. Again beautifully written, meticulously researched, splendidly crafted and executed and of course generously captivating. I loved all the family dramatics, moments, situations, bravery, elements and relationships. There was many parts that was informative as well. I found the plot gripping, inspiring, enlightening and very enthralling. Whatever Tania brings us readers next, I will be there to grab a copy. This sequel comes highly recommended.
I had no idea the suffragette struggle was so violent, nor so drawn out! Prison sentences and hunger strikes…I must have just watched Mary Poppins too literally? Tania Blanchard has done a wonderful job at putting me in the era, letting me see Hannah and her friends fight to be heard..I am so glad I read this novel! Thanks so much Harper Collins for the arc, it is just out now!
This is the first book by Tania Blanchard that I have read. As I was unsure of what to expect, I was open minded to see what the story entailed. Well I was certainly surprised and very happy to read it.
Hannah was a happy woman. A business, a husband and 3 children. They were enjoying a family picnic with their dogs. What else would make her happy.
When Hannah has terrible news and needs to deal with something she never knew about and has to split the family up to ensure all will be ok, it hurts her more than she can imagine.
She deals with new problems by standing up as a woman’s suffragette to ensure woman and especially her daughter will be acknowledged by men.
As war erupts, Hannah must let her children go to do what they know is best and trust they will return to her.
Wow, this was a powerful read. While this was fiction, there was a lot of exploring of history here. For me that was really interesting because I didn’t know much about this history, and having become attached to the characters in this book, gave it a real human element. I loved, I cried and I was so proud of our women of history.
For Jess: Not as good as her other books … I only persevered with it because I set myself the challenge of reading 10 books before going back to school … and this was #10 and I found it a real slog!
2/3 of the book is incredibly dull, not captivating enough to continue reading. Way too many names… very confusing at times. And a very very slow read overall. Disappointed
I have always felt a certain pride that Australia was one of the first countries (after New Zealand) to allow (white) women to vote. And puzzled by the slowness of Britain to do the same. Was it because of centuries of entrenched attitudes in Old Europe – attitudes towards women and men, and their relative roles in social, economic and political spheres? After all, many of those attitudes were transplanted to the Antipodes, along with convicts, rabbits and a cornucopia of noxious weeds. So why did Britain lag so far behind us before bestowing on half its population the basic democratic right to vote for their representation in government?
An Undeniable Voice traces the long-drawn-out fight for women’s suffrage in Britain. It’s a follow-on from an earlier novel by Tania Blanchard, A Woman of Courage, which I have not read – and I found that it reads perfectly well as a stand-alone.
It is 1907, and we meet Hannah Rainforth, an active member of her small northern colliery community in England. She and her husband run the pub she inherited from her parents, which she has turned into a kind of community hub, a meeting place for people to come together for various groups and projects, and support when times are hard.
But when her husband dies suddenly, Hannah is left with three children to support, and comes face to face with the inequalities experienced by women in all spheres of life: in marital laws, property, finance and employment. She knows that nothing will change unless all citizens are entitled to vote for those who make the laws that affect them.
Hannah has to make some hard decisions when she loses the right to continue as publican: moving to London, she returns to her teaching career but must leave her two sons to do so. Working to regain her old life and reunite her family, she also throws herself into the suffrage movement.
The narrative gives a comprehensive and compelling account of the activities of those working for women’s suffrage: from polite petitions to smashing windows, from peaceful marches and deputations to imprionment and hunger strikes. The brutal treatment of women on the streets and in prisons at the hands of police, government spies and prison guards is hard to read at times. What were these men so afraid of? Obviously the thought of losing their tight grip on the reins of power drove their violent and at times, bizarre responses.
Some readers may be surprised at the historical facts highlighted in this novel: that even for men, ‘suffrage’ was not then universal. There were property qualifications that attended the right to vote. In other words, men had to own a certain value of property before could register to vote. How much harder was it for women, then, when there were barriers for women owning property or taking out a loan in their own right?
The struggle for women’s suffrage took much, much longer than it should have in Britain. It was not until the ravages of WWI so thoroughly shook the nation that it was impossible for things to return to the old ways, that true progress began to happen.
In those long years, Hannah and her compatriots risked and suffered a great deal.
We all owe these women, and the men who supported them, a great deal.
An Undeniable Voice is published by HarperCollins in October 2024. My thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for a review copy.
This review will be quite jumbled and different to usual since I’m writing my thoughts and opinions whilst reading.
I can’t not give this book 5 stars…
Within the first three chapters, we could see a large difference between gender rights and the non existent equality between men and women in England. This is displayed through the mentions of the suffragettes and their work to create safe spaces for women and children with attempts to advocate for their rights. Another example is when Hannah the FMC is attempting to get a loan, but cannot since she’s a woman and requires a signature from her husband. Additionally, we can see the inequality through the differences between Hannah and her sisters’ dynamics with their husbands. Hannah and her husband Roger are united as one with the same beliefs of women being able to have the right to vote and believe in gender equality. Hannah’s sisters on the contrary have partners where the wife is to abide by their husband’s wishes, further painting the picture of a misogynistic society.
It’s amazing how the women of the past persevered. Hannah has so much on her plate, it’s astounding how she manages. The disagreement between her sisters regarding their family’s pub had to have been resolved so there was no bad blood between the sisters, post loss of Mary. This came at a great cost to Hannah to which her sisters won’t understand - the principle of women’s inequality and suffrage. The determination of the women after their bill was ignored and not given the time of day is admirable. These women took a step forward towards their rights to only end up taking two steps back, dusting off their clothes and recouping to try again.
There’s so much loss in the book and it’s a reminder of how short the life expectations were in the late 1800s to early 1900s. Unfortunately, everyone is dropping like flies around Hannah, yet she has to keep putting her foot forward. Not only for her family, but for her beliefs.
The struggles of being a single parent - a widow without any rights would have been difficult, we saw this when Hannah had to make a difficult decisions left right and centre. Having to leave the pub behind which was full of memories and her livelihood, a child who refuses to move to London because he wants to live on the farm, the legal battles to get her pub back, all while grieving and trying to figure out what’s best for her kids. To top it all off, the addition of war made things uncertain and scary. Hannah’s eldest daughter working as a nurse and being posted to multiple locations, her first born son living in Australia, and youngest son in the army. It was a shame that it took a war for men to realise women can do the exact same job as them if not better.
When reflecting on women’s rights in the early 1900s and now, we can see that there are still so many misogynistic beliefs you’d think is no longer prevalent but apparently not. An example being many men looking for traditional house wives and splitting 50/50 which means women doing all the house work and men doing jacksh*t, gender pay gaps, women’s health being brushed off compared to men, and so much more.
This book is such an eye opening read which makes you reflect on every little details.
If you like books that contain: 👩 History - WWI, suffragettes, etc 🧍🏻♀️ Gender inequalities 👩 Hardship 🧍🏻♀️ An eye opener in general 👩 And more
This book is for you.
👩 This book has since been released 👩
Thank you to HarperColli Australia for this gifted copy!
An Undeniable Voice is a compelling historical novel that vividly brings to life the trials and triumphs of women in the early 1900s. Through its powerful narrative, the book captures the struggles of women who were denied basic rights, such as the vote, access to financial independence, and recognition in a male-dominated world.
The story intertwines the personal journey of Hannah Rainforth with broader societal movements, such as the suffragette movement and the upheavals caused by war. Hannah's resilience in the face of systemic oppression resonates deeply, shedding light on the countless women who fought for change while navigating societal expectations, personal sacrifices, and the harsh realities of inequality.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its ability to balance historical context with emotional depth. The author skillfully depicts the economic restrictions imposed on women, such as their inability to secure bank loans or own property without male endorsement, creating a vivid portrayal of the era's injustices. These moments are juxtaposed with the unyielding spirit of women who refused to accept these limitations, finding ways to rebel, organise, and demand their place in society.
The suffragette movement is particularly well-drawn, illustrating the bravery of women who endured imprisonment, hunger strikes and society's scorn to achieve a better future. The book also explores the toll of war, showing how women stepped into roles traditionally reserved for men, only to be sidelined again when the conflict ended.
An Undeniable Voice is a tribute to the women who paved the way for future generations. This is a read for anyone interested in the history of women’s rights, the suffragette movement, and the complex intersections of gender, politics, and social change.
The reality is that financial independence for women remained restricted even into the 1970s for which highlights how pervasive these inequalities were and how recent some of these changes are. It adds another layer of poignancy to books like An Undeniable Voice, reminding us how vital it is to honour the resilience of women throughout history while continuing to challenge the systems that perpetuate inequality. This connection between past and near-present struggles makes stories like these even more impactful.
The sequel to A Woman of Courage continues the story of the amazing work of Hannah Todd and her fight for the right for women to vote. Whilst you could read this is a stand alone I’d definitely recommend reading the first to meet the family and see how they came to where they are in this story.
Another thoroughly researched historical fiction novel. Tania really paints a picture of what it was like for women at the time. I’m glad I live in today’s time. As well as covering the suffragette movement, events such as the Spanish flu, a mining disaster and World War I were covered. I always appreciate little details such as managing rationing and bullying girl’s football league.
Set again in Ebberfield and then Notting Hill, Hannah’s children grow up and end up in Australia and posted in WWI to places like Egypt, Malta and Salonika. I enjoyed seeing the family grow and change and all their drama. I was really quite invested in them all. It was wonderful to see the laws passed for women to vote. I didn’t realize there was so much politics between different suffragette groups and was surprised how much violence there was in the protests. If all that wasn’t enough there was also a subplot with threatening letters. All the different elements were easy to follow, came together nicely and made for an engaging read. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being in Hannah’s world and learning about the suffragette movement.
I enjoyed listening to this book. As it had been a few months since I had read the first novel in the series A Woman’sCourage, there were some moments where I couldn’t quite remember what it happened in the previous story. This meant I had to think a little bit as the story unfolded.
The main character Hannah certainly had some challenges to face throughout the story. I sometimes did not agree with some of her decisions, but I am not the author of this story so I can’t make them.
Insight into the suffrage movement were very enlightening, I was grateful for the authors story line helping me to build my knowledge. It made me feel that since it has taken so much of women’s efforts to get the right to vote, that’s really important to make good decisions in voting.
While I haven’t read A Woman Of Courage, An Undeniable Voice by Tania Blanchard seems to sit perfectly as a stand alone story. Having said that, as I really enjoyed reading An Undeniable Voice I do intend to read A Woman Of Courage.
Hannah Rainforth is a strong and likeable main character in a story about the suffragettes and their fight for the future of women. It is a well researched historical novel that gives depths to the early 1900’s.
Written in a very readable style this was an enjoyable read.
Highly recommended historical fiction.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from HarperCollins Publishers Australia via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Although An Undeniable voice is a sequel to A Woman Of Courage, it can be read qs a stand-alone book. Starting in 1906 and set mostly in the small northern English tiwh of Ebberfield, this story shows the growth of the women’s suffrage movement through the war years. The life of Hannah Todd Rainforth, who owns and operates The Ox and Plough Inn with her husband Roger is central to this story. Women’s rights, particularly the right to vote, are strong themes throughout, though we also get to see the heartache of loss and hardship caused both by challenging economic times and the first world war. Despite those challenging themes, the story is also filled with family moments and friendship. It is a compelling read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
This is the second book that I’ve read by Tania Blanchard and it was great to continue following along Hannah’s journey as she carried her work with the Suffragettes to gain the vote for women.
While I knew parts of the Suffragette story, having taught it in schools, I think it’s quite hard to gain an understanding of how violent some of the protests were or how much the women suffered in the jails.
This book, while at sometimes graphic, brings us into the early 1900’s and gives an emotional story of what it was like for women at the time.
Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins Publishers and the author for my copy of the book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this sequel, and to share more of Hannah's story. The headwinds the Suffragettes faced were immense and the cruelty they were subjected to was disgusting. Hannah's plight , after Roger dies is also sad. The fraudulent loan that Roger signed ends up being sorted out in the end. In the meantime, Hannah and her family thrive and learn what is important to them. The depiction of the times was well done, with the details of things like the Spanish flu, the treatment of Germans who had lived in England for years and food shortages. Above all, the friendships and love in this book were beautifully written.
Overall, I loved the theme of fighting for the right to vote. I also love a story based on truth. I didn't love the novel though. I felt it dragged on a bit. For the author, writing about your family history must be so rewarding. I left the book in New Zealand, where I'm currently travelling (I'm Australian too) so I'm hoping the next reader is inspired by the story of freedom.
A well-researched account of a mother trying to keep her children safe during the first world war, and the horrifying and struggle of women to attain the vote in Britain. The rights women enjoy today have been achieved by our forebears at great cost. The story is both educational and informative, but at times verges on didactic.
Although not a gripping read, this was overall an enjoyable book. Only upon finishing this book have I realised that this is the sequel to A Woman of Courage, which had I known this I would have read that first, although now having read this I don’t think I’ll bother going back to read the first book.
A wonderful sequel from Tania Blanchard it was wonderful to follow the story of Hannah and Roger as they grow their family and their business. Hannah’s strength and passion for the rights of women is commendable and what she endured and gave up to achieve equality. Highly recommend
4.5 stars. An insightful story into the journey of women’s suffrage in the early 1900s. It’s crazy to me that this all occurred barely 100 years ago, and while so many things have changed, it also highlights how far we still have to go.
I think this is my favourite Tania Blanchard book. I loved learning about the suffragette movement, the wonderful relationships and friendships, the hardships of WW1, and the Spanish flu. Knowing that the people Tania is writing about are her family makes her books even more enjoyable!
Book 7. The sequel to A Woman of Courage. The continuation of the fight for equality and woman’s suffrage. It covers a long period of time covering one woman’s life. Slow but a great read. 📚🤓 #tsreadinglist2025 #tsrecommendations
Most impactful read of the year. Absolutely loved the conclusion to this story that spanded 30 years. I really enjoyed all of the character contributions throughout. Very thought provoking and will stay on my mind for a while.
Hannah continues the fight for women’s suffrage from her home in the North of England, but can’t help but feel like people are behind the times. After a death in the family forces Hannah to move to London, and WW1 starts, Hannah is more determined than ever to fight for women’s rights.
My boyfriends grandmother wanted me to read this. She wrote me the cutest little note saying how important it is to understand the history of women’s suffrage.
She inspires me every day.
We’ve come a very long way but still have quite a ways to go.
Very rarely do I give up on a book but life is too short to read this predictable poorly written tome. It might be that I was listening not reading and the narrator did not appeal to me. But it's been shelved not the be picked up again!
First I want to say I give this 3 1/2 stars but I wish I could give it more. I read the first book 'A Woman of Courage' and I loved it but I felt this one just dragged on and seemed like a long read with a lot of repetitiveness.
I liked the story and in parts it was rather interesting but it was a little bit predictable as well. I think if it had been a bit shorter and less repetitive it would have been a great read but I do think there is only so many books and pages you can write about Suffragettes.
I do love the back story of the family, the war and the community as this made it all the more real and interesting. Great characters and overall a good read but just to long-winded.