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Miss Lily's Lovely Ladies #1
Miss Lily's Lovely Ladies
Inspired by true events, this is the story of how society's 'lovely ladies' won a war.
Each year at secluded Shillings Hall, in the snow-crisped English countryside, the mysterious Miss Lily draws around her young women selected from Europe's royal and most influential families. Her girls are taught how to captivate a man - and find a potential husband - at a dinner, in a salon, or at a grouse shoot, and in ways that would surprise outsiders. For in 1914, persuading and charming men is the only true power a woman has.
Sophie Higgs is the daughter of Australia's king of corned beef and the only 'colonial' brought to Shillings Hall. Of all Miss Lily's lovely ladies, however, she is also the only one who suspects Miss Lily's true purpose.
As the chaos of war spreads, women across Europe shrug off etiquette. The lovely ladies and their less privileged sisters become the unacknowledged backbone of the war, creating hospitals, canteens and transport systems where bungling officials fail to cope. And when tens of thousands can die in a single day's battle, Sophie must use the skills Miss Lily taught her to prevent war's most devastating weapon yet.
But is Miss Lily heroine or traitor? And who, exactly, is she?
Each year at secluded Shillings Hall, in the snow-crisped English countryside, the mysterious Miss Lily draws around her young women selected from Europe's royal and most influential families. Her girls are taught how to captivate a man - and find a potential husband - at a dinner, in a salon, or at a grouse shoot, and in ways that would surprise outsiders. For in 1914, persuading and charming men is the only true power a woman has.
Sophie Higgs is the daughter of Australia's king of corned beef and the only 'colonial' brought to Shillings Hall. Of all Miss Lily's lovely ladies, however, she is also the only one who suspects Miss Lily's true purpose.
As the chaos of war spreads, women across Europe shrug off etiquette. The lovely ladies and their less privileged sisters become the unacknowledged backbone of the war, creating hospitals, canteens and transport systems where bungling officials fail to cope. And when tens of thousands can die in a single day's battle, Sophie must use the skills Miss Lily taught her to prevent war's most devastating weapon yet.
But is Miss Lily heroine or traitor? And who, exactly, is she?
528 pages, Paperback
First published March 27, 2017
132 people are currently reading
1059 people want to read
About the author
Jackie French
318 books864 followersJackie is an award-winning writer, wombat negotiator and the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2014-2015. She is regarded as one of Australia’s most popular children’s authors, and writes across all genres - from picture books, history, fantasy, ecology and sci-fi to her much loved historical fiction. In her capacity as Australian Children’s Laureate, ‘Share a Story’ will be the primary philosophy behind Jackie’s two-year term.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
July 3, 2017
Miss Lily's Lovely Ladies isn't normally a book that I would pick up, but as one of this month's #OZYAY reads, I expanded my reading horizons and loved it!
The book starts off with Sophie, an Australian heiress who dreams of life outside of her corn beef factory inheritance. Set on marrying one of the local country boys, her father ships her off to London to meet an old friend - also an Earl. There she finds herself in residence of Miss Lily, who trains her in the art of charm, persuasion, and to possess all the weapons a woman needs to be influential in modern day English society. This book covers her coming of age when she's 18 to when she becomes a confident, purposeful force to be reckoned with when she's 24.
As someone who normally avoids World War books due to one too many required readings in Modern History class, I found Miss Lily's to be immediately engaging. I loved Sophie's passionate nature, her thrive for success and fairness and her strong sense of justice. Her days under Miss Lily's guidance were one of my favourite parts of the book, showing that every powerful woman has a beginning, and it's different for everyone.
While the first half of the book covers Sophie's time at Miss Lily's residence, where the pace is much slower than the other half of the book, the inevitable happens, shattering life as she knows it. The war between Germany, England and the rest of the world happens, and the women are there to pick up the pieces and to tend to the injured. I loved how Sophie found her deep sense of purpose here.
This book is as much about the families and friends that one makes over a lifetime, as much as it is about the wartime efforts of women who largely go unrecognised. I loved all the friends that became a part of Sophie's life, and the letters that they wrote to each other over the years. From the other girls who were a part of Miss Lily's tutelage, to the numerous suitors, and even unlikely friends from enemy borders, each and every one of these people would affect Sophie's self-development in the deepest of ways.
I loved the strong sense of feminism that threaded itself through the many layers of the book. Marriage and love are key topics of the book - in any young woman's life especially in the early 1900s it would be - and Sophie's preference often kept me guessing as to who she would choose to love and marry. From unrequited love, to romantic love, whirlwind love, forbidden love and platonic love, I loved reading about these complex relationships. Sophie's also given a purpose beyond just finding a husband and living a life in the kitchen, and I loved how modern day feminism weaved itself into her story.
I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The book starts off with Sophie, an Australian heiress who dreams of life outside of her corn beef factory inheritance. Set on marrying one of the local country boys, her father ships her off to London to meet an old friend - also an Earl. There she finds herself in residence of Miss Lily, who trains her in the art of charm, persuasion, and to possess all the weapons a woman needs to be influential in modern day English society. This book covers her coming of age when she's 18 to when she becomes a confident, purposeful force to be reckoned with when she's 24.
As someone who normally avoids World War books due to one too many required readings in Modern History class, I found Miss Lily's to be immediately engaging. I loved Sophie's passionate nature, her thrive for success and fairness and her strong sense of justice. Her days under Miss Lily's guidance were one of my favourite parts of the book, showing that every powerful woman has a beginning, and it's different for everyone.
While the first half of the book covers Sophie's time at Miss Lily's residence, where the pace is much slower than the other half of the book, the inevitable happens, shattering life as she knows it. The war between Germany, England and the rest of the world happens, and the women are there to pick up the pieces and to tend to the injured. I loved how Sophie found her deep sense of purpose here.
This book is as much about the families and friends that one makes over a lifetime, as much as it is about the wartime efforts of women who largely go unrecognised. I loved all the friends that became a part of Sophie's life, and the letters that they wrote to each other over the years. From the other girls who were a part of Miss Lily's tutelage, to the numerous suitors, and even unlikely friends from enemy borders, each and every one of these people would affect Sophie's self-development in the deepest of ways.
I loved the strong sense of feminism that threaded itself through the many layers of the book. Marriage and love are key topics of the book - in any young woman's life especially in the early 1900s it would be - and Sophie's preference often kept me guessing as to who she would choose to love and marry. From unrequited love, to romantic love, whirlwind love, forbidden love and platonic love, I loved reading about these complex relationships. Sophie's also given a purpose beyond just finding a husband and living a life in the kitchen, and I loved how modern day feminism weaved itself into her story.
I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
August 10, 2017
Four and a half stars
I have always considered Jackie French one of Australia’s most talented and prolific writers for children. This book for adults is a departure and what great read it is. The story concerns Sophie Higgs daughter of a corned beef empire and takes place in the early nineteen hundreds taking the reader through the years of World War 1. Sophie ends up at Shillings Hall in England to be educated by Miss Lily. Her father expects Sophie will be taught how to be a lady and hold her own in society. Sophie learns much more than that. Sophie is the only Australian among the group of young women and she is a strong, engaging, and down to earth character with a kind heart. Over time she becomes a person not afraid to get involved whatever the cost to herself.
As the story goes through the war times, relationships and friendships are challenged. The harshness and cruelty of war is exposed, so that at times it is hard to read but the book is also hard to put down for long. The historical details and atmosphere makes you feel you are there. I enjoyed the interaction between what is a cast of interesting and distinctive characters.
The ending to me felt it was trying to achieve too much and felt a bit rushed. But all in all I found this to be a fascinating and engaging read. Apparently there are two more books in this series so that is something to look forward to. Recommended reading.
I have always considered Jackie French one of Australia’s most talented and prolific writers for children. This book for adults is a departure and what great read it is. The story concerns Sophie Higgs daughter of a corned beef empire and takes place in the early nineteen hundreds taking the reader through the years of World War 1. Sophie ends up at Shillings Hall in England to be educated by Miss Lily. Her father expects Sophie will be taught how to be a lady and hold her own in society. Sophie learns much more than that. Sophie is the only Australian among the group of young women and she is a strong, engaging, and down to earth character with a kind heart. Over time she becomes a person not afraid to get involved whatever the cost to herself.
As the story goes through the war times, relationships and friendships are challenged. The harshness and cruelty of war is exposed, so that at times it is hard to read but the book is also hard to put down for long. The historical details and atmosphere makes you feel you are there. I enjoyed the interaction between what is a cast of interesting and distinctive characters.
The ending to me felt it was trying to achieve too much and felt a bit rushed. But all in all I found this to be a fascinating and engaging read. Apparently there are two more books in this series so that is something to look forward to. Recommended reading.
June 16, 2017
Reading this story has been rather like following along behind someone, no way of knowing where they (or you) are going...but somehow you do know! I started this book on 27 April this year...put it down, picked it up again...read a couple of books in between the start of it and the end. I have to admit that once I really got into it (past about 80 pages) I just couldn't put it down! Love it and recommend it.
April 2, 2018
I’ve long been a fan of Jackie French’s historical novels for children, and so I was intrigued when I heard she had written a book for adults. The cover was gorgeous and the blurb told me it was set during World War I, one of my favourite historical periods, and so I bought it to read on my summer holidays.
The novel tells the story of Sophie Higgs, whose father made his fortune making tinned corned beef. When Sophie falls in love with the boy-next-door, her father decides to send her to England for the Season, to give her a chance to see the world and meet other men. She is to spend a few months with the mysterious Miss Lily first, however, to be taught how to be charming. The idea is not just to win themselves rich and aristocratic husbands, but also to use feminine wiles to affect change in the world. She and three other young women spent their days learning how to walk, how to sit, how to hold a discussion whilst eating, and how to placate and persuade.
There is a quote from various letters at the beginning of each chapter. The first reads:
“… that was when I realised that war is as natural to a man as chasing a ball on a football field. War is a scuttling cockroach, something that a woman would instinctively stamp on. Women bear the pain of childbirth, and most deeply feel the agony of their children’s deaths. Could one marshal women to fight against the dreams of war? But women have no power, except what they cajole from men.”
Miss Lily, 1908
As Sophie learns and make friends, the world lurches ever closer to war. Sophie and the other ‘lovely ladies’ must dig deep within themselves if they are to survive. And, meanwhile, Sophie falls in love …
It’s a big book but the pace rarely flags. Sophie is a captivating character, being determined, clever and kind. The historical setting is brilliantly rendered, and I just adored Miss Lily and her wry and wise reflections on life and society. I loved the book right up until the very end, when the romantic promise of the story failed to materialise.
This was partly because Miss Lily’s Lovely Ladies is the first in a series, and so some narrative threads were left dangling. It was also, I think, because Jackie French did not want to give her readers too predictable an ending. A lot of writers avoid a happy ending because romantic love in novels has been so often equated with plots that are trite or sentimental or melodramatic. This is such a shame. The longing for love is such a universal human desire, and should be celebrated. I suspect that Sophie will find true love and happiness after many more suspenseful and dangerous adventures in Book 2 & 3. I hope so.
The novel tells the story of Sophie Higgs, whose father made his fortune making tinned corned beef. When Sophie falls in love with the boy-next-door, her father decides to send her to England for the Season, to give her a chance to see the world and meet other men. She is to spend a few months with the mysterious Miss Lily first, however, to be taught how to be charming. The idea is not just to win themselves rich and aristocratic husbands, but also to use feminine wiles to affect change in the world. She and three other young women spent their days learning how to walk, how to sit, how to hold a discussion whilst eating, and how to placate and persuade.
There is a quote from various letters at the beginning of each chapter. The first reads:
“… that was when I realised that war is as natural to a man as chasing a ball on a football field. War is a scuttling cockroach, something that a woman would instinctively stamp on. Women bear the pain of childbirth, and most deeply feel the agony of their children’s deaths. Could one marshal women to fight against the dreams of war? But women have no power, except what they cajole from men.”
Miss Lily, 1908
As Sophie learns and make friends, the world lurches ever closer to war. Sophie and the other ‘lovely ladies’ must dig deep within themselves if they are to survive. And, meanwhile, Sophie falls in love …
It’s a big book but the pace rarely flags. Sophie is a captivating character, being determined, clever and kind. The historical setting is brilliantly rendered, and I just adored Miss Lily and her wry and wise reflections on life and society. I loved the book right up until the very end, when the romantic promise of the story failed to materialise.
This was partly because Miss Lily’s Lovely Ladies is the first in a series, and so some narrative threads were left dangling. It was also, I think, because Jackie French did not want to give her readers too predictable an ending. A lot of writers avoid a happy ending because romantic love in novels has been so often equated with plots that are trite or sentimental or melodramatic. This is such a shame. The longing for love is such a universal human desire, and should be celebrated. I suspect that Sophie will find true love and happiness after many more suspenseful and dangerous adventures in Book 2 & 3. I hope so.
May 4, 2017
In spite of the title, this book is the story of Sophie Higgs who grows up in pre war Australia as the only child of a man whose massive fortune is derived from corned beef. Sophie is very aware that she is popular due to the money and scorned for the corned beef. At 18 she falls in love with the young man next door, in spite of his parents, but not only does her father refuse to allow the marriage, he arranges for her to have a Season in London and be Presented.
Arriving in England, Sophie comes under the aegis of Miss Lily. In a time of great change - women's suffrage, universal education, and the pro War/pro Peace parties - Miss Lily tutors selected women in how to use charm to create political change. Quietly, in certain circles, they are known as Miss Lily's Lovely Ladies. After a wobbly start Sophie takes on the lessons with a group of young women with whom she develops a friendship, and starts to see the possibilities for a wider life that is not based on the man she might marry in the future. And she is surprised tofind that there are several men who would be very interested in marrying her and her fortune is not the source of their interest.
Putting all she has learned with Miss Lily into practice, she not only starts a wonderful Season, but does what she can to assist Miss Lily to keep Europe at peace. But War overtakes them all, leading the ladies in different directions. While Sophie learns to not only accept but rejoice in her abilities, she also has to learn her limits.
I found this book to be quite unexpected as it was not what I thought it would be. I expected Miss Lily to have a much larger role. There was a mystery about Miss Lily that I thought was fairly obvious. Still I was riveted.
The rendition of pre War England (and Australia) was really impressive. The difficulty of this is that reading pre War opinions can be quite difficult at times. Sophie's number one virtue is her ability to think her way through varying opinions and culture and come up with intelligent ideas of her own. Her search for identity, independence and love is universal but particularly fascinating in this context. It is beautifully written but there is so much to like in this book that I can only suggest you read it for yourself.
Recommended
Arriving in England, Sophie comes under the aegis of Miss Lily. In a time of great change - women's suffrage, universal education, and the pro War/pro Peace parties - Miss Lily tutors selected women in how to use charm to create political change. Quietly, in certain circles, they are known as Miss Lily's Lovely Ladies. After a wobbly start Sophie takes on the lessons with a group of young women with whom she develops a friendship, and starts to see the possibilities for a wider life that is not based on the man she might marry in the future. And she is surprised tofind that there are several men who would be very interested in marrying her and her fortune is not the source of their interest.
Putting all she has learned with Miss Lily into practice, she not only starts a wonderful Season, but does what she can to assist Miss Lily to keep Europe at peace. But War overtakes them all, leading the ladies in different directions. While Sophie learns to not only accept but rejoice in her abilities, she also has to learn her limits.
I found this book to be quite unexpected as it was not what I thought it would be. I expected Miss Lily to have a much larger role. There was a mystery about Miss Lily that I thought was fairly obvious. Still I was riveted.
The rendition of pre War England (and Australia) was really impressive. The difficulty of this is that reading pre War opinions can be quite difficult at times. Sophie's number one virtue is her ability to think her way through varying opinions and culture and come up with intelligent ideas of her own. Her search for identity, independence and love is universal but particularly fascinating in this context. It is beautifully written but there is so much to like in this book that I can only suggest you read it for yourself.
Recommended
June 11, 2017
Wow, this book sucked me in in such a slow and steady way, that the one chapter I was going to read before bed turned into 138 pages and I forced myself to put it down to sleep. The story starts quite slowly, Sophie a naive young Australian girl who thinks herself in love. Her father sends her to England to learn to become a lady and enable her to become more accepted into polite society. Though the first half of the book is at a slow and steady pace, it kept me engaged and wanting to keep reading. The final third of the book is a much faster pace, where Sophie and women like her get to show what they are made of in war time. The unsung hero's of war. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and as it came to the end, I was thinking oh there needs to be more, hopefully another story. And as luck would have it there will be two more books in the series, I can't wait.
June 5, 2017
I probably don’t have to tell you all how much I loved this book do I?
I love, love, love historical fiction - it's probably one of my favourite genres.
Jackie French has once again created strong and interesting characters with lots of twists that I didn't see coming - which I always love.
So much of this book is about innuendo and inference, not only in Sophie learning about the unwritten rules and mechanisms of society, but also in the way French as an author tempts the reader to read between the lines like this.
One of the unspoken themes of the book seemed to be:
‘Women don’t need to go to war to demonstrate their strength - they have enough authentic battles in life to deal with.’
French uses Miss Lily in such a clever way as a device to make some very strident and thought provoking comments. She is such a delicious character (read her quote at the top of pg. 205). It’s like she’s a carrier for many of French’s thoughts on war, equality, poverty, education.
I really enjoyed the relationship between Sophie and Miss Lily. So often books for YAs focus solely on romantic relationships, and don’t explore how satisfying good friendships, especially across generations
What response has there been to this book in the UK? Jackie takes such wicked swipes at the patronising nature of the English to ‘Colonials’. Does she think the Brits will get it?
Read Jackie from pg 197:”Is this what we have been trained for? …she had hoped for a male’s insight into world affairs. Instead it was the most trivial evening she had spent in England.”
Jackie is one of Australia’s finest writers of historical fiction (for younger readers and adults alike). Pg 207 Miss Lily says to Sophie, “History is a useful subject if you wish to decode the present.” Do you despair that more people don’t take more notice of history?
Read pp. 208-209: Does Jackie think that Australia and the world is still governed by the Mr Portons of this world?
Another theme of the book seems to be about ‘Keeping the balance.’ How do you think clever, engaging, thought provoking writing for young people can help ‘keep the balance’?
War is a theme that runs through many of Jackie’s books - what does she think she can contribute to the ‘war on war’?
Pg 215 - ‘Perhaps little girls like me need to know what the world beyond our drawing rooms can be like’ Does Jackie worry about the ‘apathy’ of many young people in getting involved in really important issues?
pg 221 top of page - Great life advice from Jackie too
Love that there are just little snippets of historical fact thrown in e.g.. pg 226 - Queen Mary was knitting. Jackie always does an inordinate amount of research for her books. That obviously tickled her fancy. pg 230 How to shine a ballroom floor!!!! (just in case you ever need to polish yours - LOL)
Pg 234 “This night was to show that Miss Sophronia Higgs was accepted and acceptable” - does Jackie not being those things helps writers write more truthful and engaging books?
Pg 256 - Did Jackie invent the bets book at White’s?
Pg 285 - brilliant quote at the top of the page from Miss Lily
Pg 298 - quotes at the start of each chapter change. Two chapters
, not with quotes from Miss Lily - Why did she decide to do this? To indicate structurally a shift in the balance of power with the characters?
I love, love, love historical fiction - it's probably one of my favourite genres.
Jackie French has once again created strong and interesting characters with lots of twists that I didn't see coming - which I always love.
So much of this book is about innuendo and inference, not only in Sophie learning about the unwritten rules and mechanisms of society, but also in the way French as an author tempts the reader to read between the lines like this.
One of the unspoken themes of the book seemed to be:
‘Women don’t need to go to war to demonstrate their strength - they have enough authentic battles in life to deal with.’
French uses Miss Lily in such a clever way as a device to make some very strident and thought provoking comments. She is such a delicious character (read her quote at the top of pg. 205). It’s like she’s a carrier for many of French’s thoughts on war, equality, poverty, education.
I really enjoyed the relationship between Sophie and Miss Lily. So often books for YAs focus solely on romantic relationships, and don’t explore how satisfying good friendships, especially across generations
What response has there been to this book in the UK? Jackie takes such wicked swipes at the patronising nature of the English to ‘Colonials’. Does she think the Brits will get it?
Read Jackie from pg 197:”Is this what we have been trained for? …she had hoped for a male’s insight into world affairs. Instead it was the most trivial evening she had spent in England.”
Jackie is one of Australia’s finest writers of historical fiction (for younger readers and adults alike). Pg 207 Miss Lily says to Sophie, “History is a useful subject if you wish to decode the present.” Do you despair that more people don’t take more notice of history?
Read pp. 208-209: Does Jackie think that Australia and the world is still governed by the Mr Portons of this world?
Another theme of the book seems to be about ‘Keeping the balance.’ How do you think clever, engaging, thought provoking writing for young people can help ‘keep the balance’?
War is a theme that runs through many of Jackie’s books - what does she think she can contribute to the ‘war on war’?
Pg 215 - ‘Perhaps little girls like me need to know what the world beyond our drawing rooms can be like’ Does Jackie worry about the ‘apathy’ of many young people in getting involved in really important issues?
pg 221 top of page - Great life advice from Jackie too
Love that there are just little snippets of historical fact thrown in e.g.. pg 226 - Queen Mary was knitting. Jackie always does an inordinate amount of research for her books. That obviously tickled her fancy. pg 230 How to shine a ballroom floor!!!! (just in case you ever need to polish yours - LOL)
Pg 234 “This night was to show that Miss Sophronia Higgs was accepted and acceptable” - does Jackie not being those things helps writers write more truthful and engaging books?
Pg 256 - Did Jackie invent the bets book at White’s?
Pg 285 - brilliant quote at the top of the page from Miss Lily
Pg 298 - quotes at the start of each chapter change. Two chapters
, not with quotes from Miss Lily - Why did she decide to do this? To indicate structurally a shift in the balance of power with the characters?
July 14, 2018
3.5* A whopper at 528 pages, this historical novel is charming and engaging. Filled with Jackie French’s beautiful description, it explores life for a young Australian during her first society ‘season’ in England before WW1 as well as the impact of the war on the English upper class. There is a huge, unexpected twist at the end, which lowered my rating due to its ridiculousness.
July 24, 2017
I really enjoyed this book although it was a bit rushed at the end. But I believe it is going to be, or is now, a series. So Sophie's adventures will continue. It gave a fairly good insight into pre WW 1 aristocratic society and a good insight into the conditions suffered by people in WW1.
July 19, 2018
What a great read. I always enjoy historical fiction and this was thoroughly engaging. So much so, that I bought part 2 of the trilogy soon after starting this one. Great characterisation, underpinned by meticulous research, this is a riveting read.
July 9, 2017
An interesting read. A study of what it meant to be a lady pre-WW1, and the massive upheaval to the social structures and gender roles as a result of the war.
Jackie French packs a lot of historical information into the pages of every book.
I'm dissapointed that this doesn't contain the copious 'author's notes' that I have become accustomed to with her books.
There will be another two books in the series and I am looking forward to see where she takes the characters and how they cope in a rapidly changing world.
Jackie French packs a lot of historical information into the pages of every book.
I'm dissapointed that this doesn't contain the copious 'author's notes' that I have become accustomed to with her books.
There will be another two books in the series and I am looking forward to see where she takes the characters and how they cope in a rapidly changing world.
June 18, 2017
Despite its length, this book managed to keep me captivated until the end. I really loved this book and I'm so glad I picked it up from my library on a complete impulse. Sophie is from Australia, an heiress to a corned beef empire, who goes to Miss Lily to learn about how to gain power as a woman in a world of men. I really enjoyed seeing Sophie grow and develop as a person to go from the innocent 18-year-old to the woman who marches into a warzone. I loved seeing the different kinds of women and how they all contributed to the war effort, on both sides, ways that were left out of the history books quite neatly. I was really happy with the ending of the book, although I wish I could have seen Sophie reunited with her friends at the end of it.
The only criticism I would make is that, while the book did a brilliant job of showcasing the different kinds of women out there, it neglected to touch on Aboriginal women, which considering Sophie is an Australian and I just finished 'Home', was on my mind a lot as I read the book. The author mentioned another book after this one, so I hope to see a wider range of women in the sequel.
The only criticism I would make is that, while the book did a brilliant job of showcasing the different kinds of women out there, it neglected to touch on Aboriginal women, which considering Sophie is an Australian and I just finished 'Home', was on my mind a lot as I read the book. The author mentioned another book after this one, so I hope to see a wider range of women in the sequel.
May 30, 2020
"Do you really think those women will be content to be "lovely ladies" after the war?"
This book was a masterpiece and it contains SO much. Honestly every second page I have underlined some wisdom.
It is the journey of a woman who truly discovers herself. She is influenced and shaped by those she meets and discovers her own purpose beyond the confinements of society. We are not given characters. Instead, we see characters created, changed, and sometimes even diminished - just as in life.
I confess that the ending did throw me for a while (I will not spoil it) but I recommend really taking your time with it to appreciate it fully. I am very excited to read the second book.
I also LOVE that the protagonist was Australian and her father a New Zealander *cheers*.
(Only four stars because there were a few pacing issues. The ending felt a little rushed).
(Please read A Rose for the Anzac Boys if you love this book).
WARNING SPOILER (well kind of):
A special shout out to Dolphie... my number one pick for Sophie (not that she needs a man but hehe).
This book was a masterpiece and it contains SO much. Honestly every second page I have underlined some wisdom.
It is the journey of a woman who truly discovers herself. She is influenced and shaped by those she meets and discovers her own purpose beyond the confinements of society. We are not given characters. Instead, we see characters created, changed, and sometimes even diminished - just as in life.
I confess that the ending did throw me for a while (I will not spoil it) but I recommend really taking your time with it to appreciate it fully. I am very excited to read the second book.
I also LOVE that the protagonist was Australian and her father a New Zealander *cheers*.
(Only four stars because there were a few pacing issues. The ending felt a little rushed).
(Please read A Rose for the Anzac Boys if you love this book).
WARNING SPOILER (well kind of):
A special shout out to Dolphie... my number one pick for Sophie (not that she needs a man but hehe).
September 24, 2024
Sophie Higgs a colonial, ignorant of London society, has an 'understanding' with a neighbour's son Malcolm. She believes she's in love but her father the 'corn beef' king is not so sure that at eighteen, Sophie knows her feelings are real. The mother of her intended manipulates, the liaison. Their family lost a fortune on the stock market while Jeremiah Higgs's fortunes have grown. He sends his daughter to a finishing school in England to give her time to consider her future.
There Sophie meets Miss Lily who gathers a small group of girls to train and be presented during 'the Season' so they might meet bachelors. The lessons given are enchanting as is Miss Lily. It's such a change this young colonial must adapt to not just the climate. Who is Miss Lily? Why are her four friends so different? A German girl. An impoverished niece of Dowager Aunt. Her, father has agreed to pay for this timid girl, nicknamed Mouse, to be presented during the season. A socialite girl who believes she is better than Sophie. What lessons are they learning? How to charm any man? How to be social, and host a party? What is Miss Lily's real objective?
When war changes the world for them all, Sophie decides to stay in England. She helps the Dowager and her niece, set up a hospital in their manor home. and not to return to Australia. She no longer wants a small farm marriage and becomes a capable woman who sees many women take on men's roles as the army takes the men away.
Sophie is still confused about her mother's disappearance when she was a child. Would she ever find out if she was still alive? Miss Lily seems to know more about her.
This book is based on many real events the complexities of war and espionage are interwoven with the lives of these characters. I found myself, cheering for Sophie, and her courage to take on extreme obstacles. To see Miss Lily as a generous soul, and influence on the lives of those around her. This is the first of a series that I will now complete reading. Jackie French lives up to her talent as a writer of history within fiction.
There Sophie meets Miss Lily who gathers a small group of girls to train and be presented during 'the Season' so they might meet bachelors. The lessons given are enchanting as is Miss Lily. It's such a change this young colonial must adapt to not just the climate. Who is Miss Lily? Why are her four friends so different? A German girl. An impoverished niece of Dowager Aunt. Her, father has agreed to pay for this timid girl, nicknamed Mouse, to be presented during the season. A socialite girl who believes she is better than Sophie. What lessons are they learning? How to charm any man? How to be social, and host a party? What is Miss Lily's real objective?
When war changes the world for them all, Sophie decides to stay in England. She helps the Dowager and her niece, set up a hospital in their manor home. and not to return to Australia. She no longer wants a small farm marriage and becomes a capable woman who sees many women take on men's roles as the army takes the men away.
Sophie is still confused about her mother's disappearance when she was a child. Would she ever find out if she was still alive? Miss Lily seems to know more about her.
This book is based on many real events the complexities of war and espionage are interwoven with the lives of these characters. I found myself, cheering for Sophie, and her courage to take on extreme obstacles. To see Miss Lily as a generous soul, and influence on the lives of those around her. This is the first of a series that I will now complete reading. Jackie French lives up to her talent as a writer of history within fiction.
March 17, 2022
Sophie Higgs is an Australian corned beef heiress who is sent to have a season in England by her father after she falls in love with the son of the neighbouring estate. Sophie's father feels strongly that they only want to marry her for her money and that she wound never have a truly happy life with them, so despite Sophie and Malcolm having an "understanding" that they shall marry when she returns to Australia he sends her off in the hopes that opening her eyes to the wider world will allow her to think clearer and make better decisions for her future.
In England it has been arranged for Sophie to stay at an estate named Shillings where she will be instructed by Miss Lily in the run up to her London season where she will be presented to society and most young women of wealth or status look to make a suitable marriage. Unknown to Sophie or her father before her arrival there Miss Lily will actually instruct Sophie in a great deal more, allowing her to grow to her full potential and influence the world in ways she had never expected.
This is the first book I have read by Jackie French and I really enjoyed her writing style. The way she described the landscapes was truly captivating and I loved being able to see Sophie grow and develop as the story progressed.
The story line itself was brilliant and went in a direction I never truly expected which allowed us to see more range from our characters as well as the author flexing some of her creative muscles.
I did really become attached to Sophie as a character and despite her story not turning out how I expected I still enjoyed seeing her progress throughout the novel and have a satisfying ending which may even be a lead up to a second novel in the series?
In England it has been arranged for Sophie to stay at an estate named Shillings where she will be instructed by Miss Lily in the run up to her London season where she will be presented to society and most young women of wealth or status look to make a suitable marriage. Unknown to Sophie or her father before her arrival there Miss Lily will actually instruct Sophie in a great deal more, allowing her to grow to her full potential and influence the world in ways she had never expected.
This is the first book I have read by Jackie French and I really enjoyed her writing style. The way she described the landscapes was truly captivating and I loved being able to see Sophie grow and develop as the story progressed.
The story line itself was brilliant and went in a direction I never truly expected which allowed us to see more range from our characters as well as the author flexing some of her creative muscles.
I did really become attached to Sophie as a character and despite her story not turning out how I expected I still enjoyed seeing her progress throughout the novel and have a satisfying ending which may even be a lead up to a second novel in the series?
February 19, 2022
4.5 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed this. Sophie was a fantastic main character - quick witted, spunky, forward for her time but also quick to acknowledge her own faults.
It was a little slow to start but things soon sped up, as she meets miss lily and then begins to employ her learning. I enjoyed that Sophies courage never wained.
There were moments that made me genuinely smile, and some that made me cry. French doesn't shy away from the horrors or brutality of The Great War.
The only thing I wasn't sure of was the reveal of who Miss Lily was. In a way it started to make sense, but in another it baffled me.
Either way, I'm now eager to read the rest of the series to find out what Sophie does next!
I thoroughly enjoyed this. Sophie was a fantastic main character - quick witted, spunky, forward for her time but also quick to acknowledge her own faults.
It was a little slow to start but things soon sped up, as she meets miss lily and then begins to employ her learning. I enjoyed that Sophies courage never wained.
There were moments that made me genuinely smile, and some that made me cry. French doesn't shy away from the horrors or brutality of The Great War.
The only thing I wasn't sure of was the reveal of who Miss Lily was. In a way it started to make sense, but in another it baffled me.
Either way, I'm now eager to read the rest of the series to find out what Sophie does next!
August 5, 2018
3.5 - 4 stars (the finale tipped it towards the 4 star range)
So... I may have changed my mind about this book, if only due to the last portion. This novel has been an adventure from the beginning. I found I did not like the main character, Sophie, from the onset, but as the novel progressed I found myself liking her more and more. She is a strong character, but I felt within a cast of slightly weak characters - other than Miss Lily, of course. The characterisation of secondary characters was lacking, I believe, and so I did not feel attached to many of them. Apart from the overly and slightly boring descriptions, this novel was a great read, and I recommend it if you're in for a harder read.
So... I may have changed my mind about this book, if only due to the last portion. This novel has been an adventure from the beginning. I found I did not like the main character, Sophie, from the onset, but as the novel progressed I found myself liking her more and more. She is a strong character, but I felt within a cast of slightly weak characters - other than Miss Lily, of course. The characterisation of secondary characters was lacking, I believe, and so I did not feel attached to many of them. Apart from the overly and slightly boring descriptions, this novel was a great read, and I recommend it if you're in for a harder read.
August 10, 2017
A highly enjoyable read and an interesting take on WW1 from a woman's perspective. As others have mentioned, it does have a long set-up before we get to the action so settle yourself into the dreamy world of the pre-war debutante for a while. This is the first Jackie French I have read, and her experience shows through on the page. Very beautifully crafted and so well researched and written.
March 19, 2018
I really loved this book as I read it. I feel like there was a point where this turned from a stand alone book to the first in a series (which it is) and I liked it more before that turning point that after (if that makes sense?) That said, I'm looking forward to reading the next one!
December 23, 2021
Our book club had such fun with this book at our last meeting of the year . We sat up straight, practiced what we had learnt about how to be a lovely lady and ended our year on a merry note. Jackie French is such a prolific and talented writer. In so many genres.
January 16, 2023
A friend has been recommending this series to me for YEARS and I've finally started reading it. True to Jackie French, the writing is wonderful, illustrative, and makes me feel like I'm RIGHT there. The ending was a HUGE surprise and I'm looking forward to the remaining books in the series.
April 5, 2017
A good read although a little long as it dragged in places.
June 24, 2023
Loved this book. Interesting and hard to put down.
April 2, 2021
I read this after reading the second book in the series, and so had the knowledge of what was hidden within the book.
I did enjoy the book. I really enjoyed the tale, it was fascinating to consider that there were those from Australia who had to go to be presented in the UK. I think it was a reminder of close the links were in someways before the First World War.
I did enjoy the book. I really enjoyed the tale, it was fascinating to consider that there were those from Australia who had to go to be presented in the UK. I think it was a reminder of close the links were in someways before the First World War.
August 8, 2024
I absolutely loved this book. A real Saga of a strong woman character. Can't wait to read the next one.
January 28, 2021
Hm. This is an odd situation for me. I think Jackie French is a terrific writer, highly engaging and always captures the spirit of Australia.
But I can't quite put my finger on it but there was something really off about this story from the beginning (even though I loved the premise of Sophie being the "corned beef princess" who gets caught up in WW1).
I think once the story moved to England, it became less "true" and just "off". The first part that's set in Australia has a much more grounded feel to it.
It may have to do with the dialogues, which didn't really ring true for me as they seemed too construed and implausible. Too much of the story also felt like a Downton Abbey Season 2 replay (which came out before the book). I couldn't quite decide if I liked Sophie or not, and while Jackie French is usually great at character development, the ones in this story just felt a bit flat, especially the males ones.
And didn't sit well with me and seemed out of place in this story. It seemed a too easy way out of explaining Miss Lily.
But I can't quite put my finger on it but there was something really off about this story from the beginning (even though I loved the premise of Sophie being the "corned beef princess" who gets caught up in WW1).
I think once the story moved to England, it became less "true" and just "off". The first part that's set in Australia has a much more grounded feel to it.
It may have to do with the dialogues, which didn't really ring true for me as they seemed too construed and implausible. Too much of the story also felt like a Downton Abbey Season 2 replay (which came out before the book). I couldn't quite decide if I liked Sophie or not, and while Jackie French is usually great at character development, the ones in this story just felt a bit flat, especially the males ones.
And didn't sit well with me and seemed out of place in this story. It seemed a too easy way out of explaining Miss Lily.
July 13, 2023
3.75 ⭐️ I found this book along with the four other ones in the series while lining up at the post office. I got all 5 of them for $15. Bargain! This first instalment was an ok read. I think it was very long with over 500 pages but I guess it is all setting up for all the other books in the series. I didn't mind Sophie, the main character and as for Miss Lily "she" was a delight with all her quotes which I enjoyed many of. I loved how each chapter started with a different quote which in itself created such a picture of Miss Lily.
There were a lot of political/war negotiations references which I didn't enjoy too much as they always seem to be so confusing, but mixed in with the characters and their stories and there experiences, it didn't detract too much.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book and seeing how I go with that one:
Here are some quotes/excerpts from the book:
The ship creaked below them, reminding Sophie it was a ship, despite its size. Mr Jeremiah Higgs was a tiny man, even in his black top hat, but his energy made the stateroom feel small. He was prowling now, despite his limp. Making sure the water closet flushed, the bed was soft, counting gold edged chairs in her sitting room, checking that the basket of fruit on her table had a pineapple among its colourful contents, hefting the five pound tin of chocolates in case it was short in weight.
"The way to a man's heart is not through his stomach, unless of course it is with a bayonet. But good food helps most situations"
Miss Lily nodded, "At least with a jigsaw you know the pieces will eventually fit. With politics and world affairs, you may never know the importance of one speech, one bullet"
Sophie considered. "yes, There must be hundreds of wars happening. It would be impossible to be aware of them all"
"Not impossible. Just perhaps not useful. One's heart can perhaps expand indefinitely with compassion, but the mind is finite"
A woman of sufficient charm can attract the husband she prefers. A woman of sufficient sense can attract a husband who will give her the life she wants.
Two people joined together for life, forced to smile together in public, can inflict extraordinary cruelty on each other in private.
"Nothing is ever ' just a....' Whenever you are starting to use the phrase, 'just a....', think again"
"Tea" said Miss Lily, lifting the silver pot, 'is a meal that requires care. A man requires an excellent dinner, a perfect breakfast. Tea is a woman's meal - not that men don't enjoy it. But while you can make dinner or breakfast as elaborate as you like, too much display at tea, especially of sweet things, makes a man uneasy. It is as though the woman is laying claim to her own world, instead of fitting into his"
"One does not dine to eat. Dinner on a tray in one's room is eating. One dines to talk, and to listen. When you dine with others you are, for a short time at least part of their world. Good food encourages both conversation and a certain lessening of reserve"
"All boils down to"....Miss Lily waved the distressing phrase away. "My dear, if you must use cliches, please not the ones from the abattoir...."
"Enjoy yourselves my dears. I wish I could give each of you the promise of a life of happiness to come. But I can remind you that even when things are harshest, there are good things too. There are friends, there is the opening of a flower, and somewhere there is laughter, for others if not for you. Think of that and be happy for those who can laugh. Take pleasure in doing your duty, because you are going to have to do it anyway, so you may as well make the most of what you can" She hesitated. "Be there for each other, if you can. If I have given each of you anything at all, I hope it is a taste for friendship"
"When you are young, life is like a dance. It is fun to change partners, to see what the music will bring. But slowly one longs for the familiar"
Men evaporated, not just men she knew, but footmen, chauffeurs, even the milkman's horse and cart were driven by an older man, hunched and grey.
Forgive me for writing like this. I am tired, and I confess I am weary too, which is not, I find the same as being tired.
Lily took on the challenge of making me beautiful. I was a carthorse then, just as I am the size of a battleship now, and middle aged to boot. But Lily insisted. She had known an elderly Japanese woman, bent and grey-haired, who still held the attention of every man when she walked into a room. Lily said beauty was as much grace and belief as body.
"Age might wither, but never love"
"The past is never simple, and the future never clear. I learned years ago to live each second as it happens. Even the bad ones can have fragments of beauty at the edges"
"After the boy's death, I couldn't give orders - not to send men to their deaths, not to send them to kill other men. Did you know that about one man in three can't shoot the enemy? They fire over their heads, or shut their eyes when they pull the trigger. Did you know that after every advance, about half the men have messed their pants, or wet themselves? That's who our British heroes are. And they are heroes, because they try to stick it"
It was the worst of deaths: a man who needed to die, a body that refused to let him do so.
One year of war aged more than ten of peace. My hands are old, thought Sophie. My soul is old too. And then, it has been more than one year since I thought of how I looked. Despite the plague of influenza, peace, true peace, was coming at last.
There were a lot of political/war negotiations references which I didn't enjoy too much as they always seem to be so confusing, but mixed in with the characters and their stories and there experiences, it didn't detract too much.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book and seeing how I go with that one:
Here are some quotes/excerpts from the book:
The ship creaked below them, reminding Sophie it was a ship, despite its size. Mr Jeremiah Higgs was a tiny man, even in his black top hat, but his energy made the stateroom feel small. He was prowling now, despite his limp. Making sure the water closet flushed, the bed was soft, counting gold edged chairs in her sitting room, checking that the basket of fruit on her table had a pineapple among its colourful contents, hefting the five pound tin of chocolates in case it was short in weight.
"The way to a man's heart is not through his stomach, unless of course it is with a bayonet. But good food helps most situations"
Miss Lily nodded, "At least with a jigsaw you know the pieces will eventually fit. With politics and world affairs, you may never know the importance of one speech, one bullet"
Sophie considered. "yes, There must be hundreds of wars happening. It would be impossible to be aware of them all"
"Not impossible. Just perhaps not useful. One's heart can perhaps expand indefinitely with compassion, but the mind is finite"
A woman of sufficient charm can attract the husband she prefers. A woman of sufficient sense can attract a husband who will give her the life she wants.
Two people joined together for life, forced to smile together in public, can inflict extraordinary cruelty on each other in private.
"Nothing is ever ' just a....' Whenever you are starting to use the phrase, 'just a....', think again"
"Tea" said Miss Lily, lifting the silver pot, 'is a meal that requires care. A man requires an excellent dinner, a perfect breakfast. Tea is a woman's meal - not that men don't enjoy it. But while you can make dinner or breakfast as elaborate as you like, too much display at tea, especially of sweet things, makes a man uneasy. It is as though the woman is laying claim to her own world, instead of fitting into his"
"One does not dine to eat. Dinner on a tray in one's room is eating. One dines to talk, and to listen. When you dine with others you are, for a short time at least part of their world. Good food encourages both conversation and a certain lessening of reserve"
"All boils down to"....Miss Lily waved the distressing phrase away. "My dear, if you must use cliches, please not the ones from the abattoir...."
"Enjoy yourselves my dears. I wish I could give each of you the promise of a life of happiness to come. But I can remind you that even when things are harshest, there are good things too. There are friends, there is the opening of a flower, and somewhere there is laughter, for others if not for you. Think of that and be happy for those who can laugh. Take pleasure in doing your duty, because you are going to have to do it anyway, so you may as well make the most of what you can" She hesitated. "Be there for each other, if you can. If I have given each of you anything at all, I hope it is a taste for friendship"
"When you are young, life is like a dance. It is fun to change partners, to see what the music will bring. But slowly one longs for the familiar"
Men evaporated, not just men she knew, but footmen, chauffeurs, even the milkman's horse and cart were driven by an older man, hunched and grey.
Forgive me for writing like this. I am tired, and I confess I am weary too, which is not, I find the same as being tired.
Lily took on the challenge of making me beautiful. I was a carthorse then, just as I am the size of a battleship now, and middle aged to boot. But Lily insisted. She had known an elderly Japanese woman, bent and grey-haired, who still held the attention of every man when she walked into a room. Lily said beauty was as much grace and belief as body.
"Age might wither, but never love"
"The past is never simple, and the future never clear. I learned years ago to live each second as it happens. Even the bad ones can have fragments of beauty at the edges"
"After the boy's death, I couldn't give orders - not to send men to their deaths, not to send them to kill other men. Did you know that about one man in three can't shoot the enemy? They fire over their heads, or shut their eyes when they pull the trigger. Did you know that after every advance, about half the men have messed their pants, or wet themselves? That's who our British heroes are. And they are heroes, because they try to stick it"
It was the worst of deaths: a man who needed to die, a body that refused to let him do so.
One year of war aged more than ten of peace. My hands are old, thought Sophie. My soul is old too. And then, it has been more than one year since I thought of how I looked. Despite the plague of influenza, peace, true peace, was coming at last.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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January 28, 2025Given the high ratings I was very excited to read this book but was almost immediately disappointed. The story lacked originality and all of the characters fell flat for me, I found they didn’t have much personality. I found the lessons Miss Lily was teaching confusing and wasn’t sure if Jackie believes in modern feminism, but ultimately it just did not interest me, and this is a subject that I love normally love reading about.
March 8, 2022
Jackie French is such an imaginative author. I really enjoyed this book, especially the ending which I wasn't expecting at all. The book was all the better for it.
March 23, 2022
A brilliant historical novel, this book has real depth, fascinating themes, and excellent characters. The story of Sophie Higgs begins in Australia in 1902, and visits some fascinating places. There are many surprises in this well constructed novel, which looks at huge events through the eyes of Sophie and those she comes to know and love. In a way it is a book of discovery, of the social world of the early years of the twentieth century, of the political world of pre -First World War England and Europe, of the harsh realities of unprecedented warfare. Seen through the eyes of a young woman for whom much is new and confusing, yet uniquely skilled in managing people after her training by the elusive Miss Lily. Miss Lily becomes the standard by which Sophie judges everything, even though in terms of time they were together for a matter of months. The mysteries at the centre of this book will take some time to resolve, but en route there will be superb descriptions of the settings, whether that be the wide spaces of an Australian home to the formal beauty of a sitting room in the grand Shilling Hall, a battleground in France to the rural hideaways of England, this a magnificent novel of places, but also of people. It is a big, ambitious book which features memories and current difficulties, and one which I was so very pleased to have the opportunity to read and review.
The book opens in July 1917, in Flanders, on the eve of yet another huge battle. Sophie, formerly a picture perfect young woman of London society, albeit sometimes known as the “Corned - beef Princess”, appears now as dishevelled and desperate. The driver of a car presently pinned down in no man’s land suggests that they may well not survive the night, as either side would feel compelled to shoot them where they rested. A large dog which Sophie calls Charlie joins them, and in order to while away the time of darkness Sophie reveals the story of her life. The second chapter begins with the young Sophie out in public in Australia, with her companion Miss Thwaites. She is known to be wealthy if not from the right class, her father having made a considerable fortune from farms and factories producing tinned corned beef. Sophie is strong willed and intelligent and as she grows she is well aware of the power that her father’s money gives her, set against the limitations of being a woman for whom marriage will define her prospects. She is attracted to a suitable young man, but her father and Miss Thwaites decide that instead of an early marriage that will tie her firmly into Australian society, she should travel to England and stay with a Miss Lily, cousin of an earl, and be brought out, presented at court and enjoy a “Season”. Being a resourceful woman she travels to Shilling Hall, and her education truly begins. She has grown up without her mother, and is in some ways eager to discover the secrets of being a successful woman in society, even if her relatively considerable wealth is tainted by her father being in trade. What she learns from the mysterious Miss Lily and the company in the house will change her life, and make her reassess everything. She also learns a certain resilience and poise that will support her in the vastly changing world that everyone will face.
I really loved following Sophie’s progress as she discovers that very few people are truly as they first seem, and the strengths and weaknesses of established society and the people who have been led to expect a certain life. It gives a powerful picture of war in both expected and unexpected ways. This is a truly memorable book which I really recommend to everyone who enjoys solid historical fiction and consistent, fascinating characters.
The book opens in July 1917, in Flanders, on the eve of yet another huge battle. Sophie, formerly a picture perfect young woman of London society, albeit sometimes known as the “Corned - beef Princess”, appears now as dishevelled and desperate. The driver of a car presently pinned down in no man’s land suggests that they may well not survive the night, as either side would feel compelled to shoot them where they rested. A large dog which Sophie calls Charlie joins them, and in order to while away the time of darkness Sophie reveals the story of her life. The second chapter begins with the young Sophie out in public in Australia, with her companion Miss Thwaites. She is known to be wealthy if not from the right class, her father having made a considerable fortune from farms and factories producing tinned corned beef. Sophie is strong willed and intelligent and as she grows she is well aware of the power that her father’s money gives her, set against the limitations of being a woman for whom marriage will define her prospects. She is attracted to a suitable young man, but her father and Miss Thwaites decide that instead of an early marriage that will tie her firmly into Australian society, she should travel to England and stay with a Miss Lily, cousin of an earl, and be brought out, presented at court and enjoy a “Season”. Being a resourceful woman she travels to Shilling Hall, and her education truly begins. She has grown up without her mother, and is in some ways eager to discover the secrets of being a successful woman in society, even if her relatively considerable wealth is tainted by her father being in trade. What she learns from the mysterious Miss Lily and the company in the house will change her life, and make her reassess everything. She also learns a certain resilience and poise that will support her in the vastly changing world that everyone will face.
I really loved following Sophie’s progress as she discovers that very few people are truly as they first seem, and the strengths and weaknesses of established society and the people who have been led to expect a certain life. It gives a powerful picture of war in both expected and unexpected ways. This is a truly memorable book which I really recommend to everyone who enjoys solid historical fiction and consistent, fascinating characters.
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