Восьмерки

by Joanna Miller

459 pages, Kindle Edition

Reviews

[Sandy Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters are lovely and I enjoyed learning more about the first women in Oxford University and the challenges those women faced. I do love a fiction book based on fact. I know liberties were taken for the sake of the story I am not worried about that and these are explained at the back of the book. It is a sort of coming of age type book but with a totally different slant. The concept and womens friendships were wonderfully written. I enjoyed the detail of the time period, the clothing, hats, the link with Suffragettes, the shadow of the first world war, and just the setting itself. The misogyny and sexism of the times made me furious for those women who studied for their degrees but didn't graduate or get their degrees until years afterwards, although the support from a few lovely men gave me joy. I'm very thankful to those women making education possible for everyone. I think I would have liked a prologue as this us just the first year for the women and would have liked to have known they graduated and what happened in their lives and relationships once they left Oxford. I really enjoyed it and learnt lots. A great example of historical fiction.

[Tosan Okpako · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. This book is about 4 young women who are hallmates at Corridor 8 of St. Hughes College at Oxford University.

I think the author does a great job of weaving together fiction with little tidbits of historical facts. 1920 marked the first year that Oxford allowed women to properly matriculate and earn degrees. It's amazing to see how far women's education has come in the last 100 years and appreciate the hurdles women of the past had to jump through to make a life for themselves. Miller manages to not be overwrought or dogmatic in her depiction of feminism (in its various forms) against sexism in this world.
It's also refreshing to read about friendship and how important and affirming it can be. Her slice of life depiction of university days made me nostalgic for an experience I've already had.

350 pages dedicated to 4 people is ambitious. I don't think Miller is fully successful fleshing out each main character. Throughout the novel, POVs rapidly change within chapters, and at first, it was hard to tell when each switch happened. As the book progressed, each character became more distinguishable. However, at times, they felt more like "types" rather than fully realised people. If you love literature, you can fill in the gaps to complete the characters. Maybe this is intentional? I wouldn't be suprised to find out that Miller is a lover of 19th century literature. The connections are there, waiting to be joined up. When you do that, your enjoyment (of an already good novel) definitely increases.

Marianne is case in point (the most interesof the four). Named after jane austen leading lady, she has the makings of great English heroine. From the very beginning, we were teased with the secret she carries. If you're paying attention, the secret is kind of obvious, but I loved Mariannes happy ending, hers and her friends'.

[Sarah Crabtree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this novel. The time period (1920/21 - just after WW1) was a period I have not explored in great depth before, and the shadow of the Great War hangs over the book. We follow four first year students at Oxford University, the first women to matriculate. All bring their past lives and their future dreams to Oxford, and I was immediately rooting for them all. I didn’t want it to end, and want a follow up to see how they fare in their second and third years!

[Stef Penarth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went to an event where the author talked about writing this book and was really impressed by the detailed research she did. Now I’ve read it, am even more impressed how she used that research to enhance the story without becoming didactic or dull. A five star book - and I don’t give five stars often

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasant and easy read, author takes time to bring the characters to life through detailed chapters on each. This brings a vividness to the events described in the book, but this also means it can be a little slow at points.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the themes and the idea behind the book. Found the pace slow.

[Elspeth Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this initially felt a little formulaic, I felt it picked up once the introductions were completed. An enjoyable easy read.

[Ana-Patricia Pop · Rating 3 out of 5]

“But in this brave new world, she has come to learn, guilt is as prevalent, invasive and necessary as the air.”

[Book Fairies Frankfurt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I caught myself doing some speed reading at the beginning and was confused by the four main characters at first. After a while the novel picked up speed and was more interesting. I really appreciated the historical aspects and loved the descriptions of Oxford. The author's writing style was very unique and recreated the tense and conflict-ridden atmosphere in the 1920s. 3 stars.

[nyanyapushkina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Очень славный университетский роман о четырёх подругах, первых официальных студентках Оксфорда. Над всеми висит тень недавней первой мировой с неизбежными «почему?» и «как жить?» а еще конечно есть личные драмы. Очень уверенные и продуманные линии, местами может быть слишком стройные, но читать было одно удовольствие! И как же грустно когда понимаешь насколько мы ещё только в начале пути за права женщин и насколько недавно появились на самом дела права на образование