Octavia

by Beryl Kingston

Set against the backdrop of the suffragette movement and the First World War, Beryl Kingston’s Octavia is the first book in the thrilling family saga following Octavia’s journey of self-discovery.

‘Women’s suffrage. She called it the greatest cause of our time and I think it is.’

A much-loved only child, great things are expected of Octavia Smith. Surrounded by family friends like George Bernard Shaw and William Morris, young Octavia is determined to meet more than those expectations. While her cousin Emmeline’s ambition is to get married and have children, Octavia’s dream is to change the world.

She finds her cause in the Suffragette movement, but will the arrival of the dashing and charming Tommy Meriton change her course entirely? With the outbreak of war, Octavia is torn by her love for Tommy and her desperate need to make her mark, forcing her to choose where her destiny lies…

Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2007

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book completely blew away my expectations. I was expecting something dry and heavy-going and was not too enamoured by the cover. Instead, I found this book highly interesting and highly enjoyable.

Although I did not get stuck into this book immediately, it was a narrative that certainly grew as the plot developed. Following Octavia, we quickly understand that she is from a privileged family, used to comfort and money. However, her actions are the antithesis of so many women around her at the time. Octavia is determined to join the fight for women’s rights, even leading to her becoming a political prisoner. The scenes detailing Octavia’s imprisonment were equally harrowing and interesting, reflecting Kingston’s research into this period. Octavia is emotionally scarred by her experience and is frustrated by the lack of change in government. Despite this, she dreads going through this again and decides to take a step back from the more pro-active demonstrating that she began with.

Therefore, the novel then shifts to Octavia becoming a teacher. Amongst this, we have the backdrop of the First World War. The impact in London remained relatively slight, although it was interesting to see how food prices were impacted – even felt by the rich and comfortable like Octavia’s family. Like the suffragette movement, I found this stage of the story vivid and insightful, demonstrating the importance of propaganda and censorship to ensure soldiers did not reveal the truth from the Front Line.

The historical element was interesting throughout this saga. The different stages of suffrage, war and education all appealed to my interests. I found it satisfying to read of Octavia’s successes in education and was rooting for her to establish herself. I had not realised that female teachers were not allowed to marry so really sympathised with Octavia’s conflict of love or career? It was a frustrating time to be a woman with expectations of marrying and raising a family – no voice, no vote and no career. Therefore, I appreciated the contrast that is established between Octavia and her cousin. Emmeline has the fancy engagement party, appears to be in a wonderful relationship and churns out children – much to the satisfaction of her detached husband. However, as the narrative progresses, it is clear that Emmeline is desperately lonely and unhappy. With Octavia’s frustrations and Emmeline’s sadness, Kingston demonstrates the challenges that women faced during such a turbulent time.

A well-crafted, detailed novel that I read quickly. The chapters slipped away effortlessly because I was so keen to see what happened next to Octavia. She really is an interesting character, a heroine almost, and I applauded her kindness and support – especially when so much tragedy begins to strike around her. This is the beginning of a series and I would be really keen to find out what happens next to this apparent “trail-blazer”. My second read from Kingston and this did not disappoint.

With thanks to Agora books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book it was so interesting it was in an era which I’m always interested in as it covered the First World War and the suffragette movement. The descriptions of the force feeding in prison made me shudder and I felt for those poor women and how they were treated. I’m always interested in Beryl Kingston books as she always writes well. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, it was interesting as it dealt with not only the First World War but also the suffragette movement. I enjoyed this so much that I was sorry to finish it. I’ve read Beryl Kingston’s books before and always enjoyed them. I love her writing. I always look forward to reading her new books when they come out. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

[Mary Latela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beryl Kingston is a brave and gifted writer who has woven together the lives of imperfect people living at the turn of the twentieth century, with historical victories and defeats. At the same time, she teaches us to notice the details in a person's tone of voice, the loving way in which a mother frets and a father, more permissive, is also very loving. When I read the childhood encounter of Octavia with cousin Cyrill, he planning to sail the seven seas, and she merely planning to change the world, I heard those words which might have curtailed the creative work of women, namely,"You can't do that beause you are a girl."

Octavia wants to make her own choices. In early adulthood, exposure to the Suffragette movement, including the resolve of brave women against the horrors of prison and torture, leave Octavia sick and exhausted, but unable and unwilling to acquiesce to society's expectation that women remain quiet, docile, doing only what the husband permits. She takes a teaching job, which leads to her realization of the need for improvement in the schools, and deeply involved in education, teaching, guiding other teachers, and learning about the limitations of her own strength and the need for collegiality.

Kingston's prose is so delicate and compelling, filled with visuals as fine as watercolor paintings, passionate emotions handled with delicacy and respect. Octavia falls in love with Tommy, an intriguing young man who follows the party line, and wants Octavia to marry him and treat him as Lord and Master. She is clear from the begnning that she will not, but this inner struggle is framed so well that you can almost feel Octavia's personhood torn and re-formed.

I bought the Octavia trilogy, so I will have the pleasure of reading the other books, but I am so delighted to have gotten to know Beryl Kingston through this beautifully crafted, honest, novel which will ring true to many, many readers. I highly recommend it.

[Lovesreading06 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book.

[Rachel Bridge]

Loved this book, a really enjoyable read about a young woman finding her purpose in life at the beginning of the 20th century.