Classic collection of Dorothy Whipple. Illustrated: High Wages, They Were Sisters, Someone at a Distance

by Dorothy Whipple

The Classic Collection of Dorothy Whipple brings together three of her most beloved High Wages, They Were Sisters, and Someone at a Distance. Known for her keen insight into human relationships and her ability to weave compelling narratives, Whipple's novels offer a timeless exploration of love, ambition, family, and betrayal.

In High Wages, Whipple tells the story of a determined young woman navigating the challenges of the retail world while pursuing her dreams of independence. A tale of ambition and resilience, it captures the societal norms and constraints of the early 20th century with vivid detail.

They Were Sisters is a poignant and emotionally charged exploration of the lives of three sisters, each facing unique challenges in their marriages and personal lives. Whipple examines the bonds of family, the impact of choices, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

In Someone at a Distance, a seemingly perfect marriage is thrown into turmoil by the arrival of a manipulative outsider. This masterful study of love, jealousy, and deception underscores Whipple's talent for portraying the complexities of human emotions.

Enhanced with beautiful illustrations, this collection celebrates Dorothy Whipple's enduring legacy as one of the most perceptive and captivating storytellers of her time. A treasure for both longtime fans and new readers alike, it offers an intimate glimpse into the intricacies of human relationships and the societal norms that shape them.

1015 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 21, 2025

About the author

Born in 1893, DOROTHY WHIPPLE (nee Stirrup) had an intensely happy childhood in Blackburn as part of the large family of a local architect. Her close friend George Owen having been killed in the first week of the war, for three years she worked as secretary to Henry Whipple, an educational administrator who was a widower twenty-four years her senior and whom she married in 1917. Their life was mostly spent in Nottingham; here she wrote Young Anne (1927), the first of nine extremely successful novels which included Greenbanks (1932) and The Priory (1939). Almost all her books were Book Society Choices or Recommendations and two of them, They Knew Mr Knight (1934) and They were Sisters (1943), were made into films. She also wrote short stories and two volumes of memoirs. Someone at a Distance (1953) was her last novel. Returning in her last years to Blackburn, Dorothy Whipple died there in 1966.

Reviews

[Onisor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found a new favorite author, who writes nuanced characters and is interested in psychology and social settings and women’s roles, feelings and relationships.