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The Eights
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Expected 15 Apr 25Win a free kindle copy of this book!
3 days and 23:44:36
50 copies available
U.S. only
They knew they were changing history.
They didn't know they would change each other.
Following the unlikely friendship of four of the first ever women to matriculate at Oxford University in the aftermath of the First World War, a captivating debut novel about sisterhood, self-determination and the many forms courage can take.
Oxford, 1920. For the first time in its 1000-year history, the world's most famous university has admitted female students. Giddy with dreams of equality, education and emancipation, four young women move into neighbouring rooms. Beatrice, Dora, Marianne and Otto (collectively known as The Eights) have come here from all walks of life, and they are thrown into an unlikely, life-affirming friendship.
Dora was never meant to go to university, but, after losing both her brother and her fiancé on the battlefield, has arrived in their place. Politically-minded Beatrice, daughter of a famous suffragette, sees Oxford as a chance to make her own way - and some friends her own age. Otto was a nurse during the war but is excited to return to her socialite lifestyle in Oxford - where she hopes to find distraction from the memories that haunt her. And finally Marianne, the quiet, clever daughter of a village pastor, who has a shocking secret she must hide from everyone, even her new friends, if she is to succeed.
But Oxford's dreaming spires cast a dark shadow: in 1920, misogyny is still rife, influenza is still a threat, and the ghosts of the Great War are still very real indeed. And as the group navigate this tumultuous moment in time, their friendship will become more important than ever.
They didn't know they would change each other.
Following the unlikely friendship of four of the first ever women to matriculate at Oxford University in the aftermath of the First World War, a captivating debut novel about sisterhood, self-determination and the many forms courage can take.
Oxford, 1920. For the first time in its 1000-year history, the world's most famous university has admitted female students. Giddy with dreams of equality, education and emancipation, four young women move into neighbouring rooms. Beatrice, Dora, Marianne and Otto (collectively known as The Eights) have come here from all walks of life, and they are thrown into an unlikely, life-affirming friendship.
Dora was never meant to go to university, but, after losing both her brother and her fiancé on the battlefield, has arrived in their place. Politically-minded Beatrice, daughter of a famous suffragette, sees Oxford as a chance to make her own way - and some friends her own age. Otto was a nurse during the war but is excited to return to her socialite lifestyle in Oxford - where she hopes to find distraction from the memories that haunt her. And finally Marianne, the quiet, clever daughter of a village pastor, who has a shocking secret she must hide from everyone, even her new friends, if she is to succeed.
But Oxford's dreaming spires cast a dark shadow: in 1920, misogyny is still rife, influenza is still a threat, and the ghosts of the Great War are still very real indeed. And as the group navigate this tumultuous moment in time, their friendship will become more important than ever.
384 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication April 15, 2025
87 people are currently reading
42k people want to read
About the author
Joanna Miller
1 book58 followersJoanna was born and raised in Cambridge, UK. She studied English at Oxford and later returned to the University to train as a teacher.
After ten years in education, she set up an award-winning poetry gift business. During this time, she wrote thousands of poems to order and her rhyming verse was filmed by the BBC.
Unable to resist the lure of the classroom, Joanna recently returned to Oxford University to study creative writing. She will be a writer in residence at Gladstone's Library in 2025.
When Joanna isn’t writing she is either walking her dog, providing a taxi service for her teenagers, or working in the local bookshop. She lives with her family near the Grand Union Canal in Hertfordshire, UK.
The Eights is her first novel.
After ten years in education, she set up an award-winning poetry gift business. During this time, she wrote thousands of poems to order and her rhyming verse was filmed by the BBC.
Unable to resist the lure of the classroom, Joanna recently returned to Oxford University to study creative writing. She will be a writer in residence at Gladstone's Library in 2025.
When Joanna isn’t writing she is either walking her dog, providing a taxi service for her teenagers, or working in the local bookshop. She lives with her family near the Grand Union Canal in Hertfordshire, UK.
The Eights is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
September 23, 2024
Joanna Miller’s debut novel is that rare thing an intelligent, literary page-turner. Primarily set at Oxford University in the early 1920s, it follows the fortunes of four undergraduates, part of the first group of women admitted to study for a full degree. Enrolled at St. Hugh’s college for women, the four are placed in adjacent rooms, a happenstance that leads to the gradual formation of strong bonds between them. There’s Beatrice from Bloomsbury, daughter of a prominent suffragette; Marianne a shy vicar’s daughter; Dora who’s still reeling from the loss of both her boyfriend and brother in the trenches of WW1; and irrepressible, glamourous socialite Otto. Although they might sound dangerously close to stock, in Miller’s capable hands her characters come to life, making it hard not to root for them. They’re sympathetic yet convincingly flawed. I liked that she doesn’t try to make them too modern, instead she shows how women like these may have internalised many of the era’s uncomfortable attitudes - from class prejudice to restrictive feminine ideals – but still struggled against them, searching for new ways of thinking and being.
Miller inserts flashbacks to provide insights into her characters’ formative experiences, most of which trace back to the trauma of war, time spent as volunteers with the wounded, fractured relationships, harsh awakenings. But her steadfast women refuse to let the blatant misogyny of large swathes of male students and lecturers get in their way; willing to take chances and embrace radical possibilities. The four eagerly await the publication of a crime novel from rising author Agatha Christie; debate the burning questions of the age; follow rapidly-shifting fashions, cropping their hair and raising their hemlines – for Beatrice Radclyffe Hall’s singular style’s both revelation and inspiration. Miller’s narrative’s well-crafted and well-researched, there’s a real depth to her rendering of her characters’ immediate and wider historical context - and loved the cameo appearances from Vera Brittain and Winifred Holtby. It’s a keenly-observed, absorbing portrait of the time, of a moment in women’s history, and above all of friendship forged in the aftermath of war. Fascinating, sometimes unexpectedly moving, utterly gripping.
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher Fig Tree for an ARC
Miller inserts flashbacks to provide insights into her characters’ formative experiences, most of which trace back to the trauma of war, time spent as volunteers with the wounded, fractured relationships, harsh awakenings. But her steadfast women refuse to let the blatant misogyny of large swathes of male students and lecturers get in their way; willing to take chances and embrace radical possibilities. The four eagerly await the publication of a crime novel from rising author Agatha Christie; debate the burning questions of the age; follow rapidly-shifting fashions, cropping their hair and raising their hemlines – for Beatrice Radclyffe Hall’s singular style’s both revelation and inspiration. Miller’s narrative’s well-crafted and well-researched, there’s a real depth to her rendering of her characters’ immediate and wider historical context - and loved the cameo appearances from Vera Brittain and Winifred Holtby. It’s a keenly-observed, absorbing portrait of the time, of a moment in women’s history, and above all of friendship forged in the aftermath of war. Fascinating, sometimes unexpectedly moving, utterly gripping.
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher Fig Tree for an ARC
April 7, 2025
Joanna Miller’s The Eights is a breathtaking, deeply moving novel that swept me away from the very first page. Set in 1920, at a time when women were just beginning to carve out space for themselves in academic institutions that had long shut them out, this story follows four remarkable young women who find themselves bound together by both circumstance and an unshakable friendship.
Beatrice, Dora, Otto, and Marianne—each carrying their own burdens, secrets, and dreams—become known as "The Eights" when they move into neighboring rooms in Oxford’s Corridor 8. But what begins as a simple coincidence quickly transforms into something far more profound. Through heartbreak, personal loss, academic battles, and the ever-present weight of societal expectations, these women find strength in one another, forming a sisterhood that feels both fragile and indestructible all at once.
Miller’s writing is nothing short of mesmerizing, balancing historical accuracy with raw, emotional depth. She doesn’t just tell us about the struggles these women face—she makes us feel them. We walk alongside Dora as she wrestles with grief, knowing she is only here because war stole the lives of the men in her family. We hold our breath as Marianne desperately hides a truth that could upend everything she has worked for. We ache with Otto as she tries to reclaim pieces of herself after serving as a war nurse, and we cheer for Beatrice as she refuses to let misogynistic professors and sneering male students determine her worth.
What makes The Eights so special is the way it captures the resilience of women—how they hold each other up, how they push back against a world that insists on diminishing them, and how, despite everything, they refuse to back down. It’s an ode to the power of education, to the fire that burns in those who dare to demand more, and to the kind of friendships that leave an imprint on your soul.
This novel will stay with me for a long time. If you love historical fiction that is both beautifully written and deeply resonant, if you adore stories of determined women standing together in the face of adversity, then The Eights is a book you absolutely cannot miss.
A huge thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for sharing this remarkable historical fiction's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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Beatrice, Dora, Otto, and Marianne—each carrying their own burdens, secrets, and dreams—become known as "The Eights" when they move into neighboring rooms in Oxford’s Corridor 8. But what begins as a simple coincidence quickly transforms into something far more profound. Through heartbreak, personal loss, academic battles, and the ever-present weight of societal expectations, these women find strength in one another, forming a sisterhood that feels both fragile and indestructible all at once.
Miller’s writing is nothing short of mesmerizing, balancing historical accuracy with raw, emotional depth. She doesn’t just tell us about the struggles these women face—she makes us feel them. We walk alongside Dora as she wrestles with grief, knowing she is only here because war stole the lives of the men in her family. We hold our breath as Marianne desperately hides a truth that could upend everything she has worked for. We ache with Otto as she tries to reclaim pieces of herself after serving as a war nurse, and we cheer for Beatrice as she refuses to let misogynistic professors and sneering male students determine her worth.
What makes The Eights so special is the way it captures the resilience of women—how they hold each other up, how they push back against a world that insists on diminishing them, and how, despite everything, they refuse to back down. It’s an ode to the power of education, to the fire that burns in those who dare to demand more, and to the kind of friendships that leave an imprint on your soul.
This novel will stay with me for a long time. If you love historical fiction that is both beautifully written and deeply resonant, if you adore stories of determined women standing together in the face of adversity, then The Eights is a book you absolutely cannot miss.
A huge thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for sharing this remarkable historical fiction's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
medium.com
March 31, 2025
'You are historic figures, never forget that. The first women to matriculate at Oxford, the greatest university in the world'.
It's 1920, England, the aftermath of the Great War still lingers yet it is time for celebration, Beatrice, Dora, Otto and Marianne are some of the first women to be officially enrolled at Oxford University. Allocated to the corridor 8 rooms, the women are encouraged to mingle with each other but the daily trial of navigating this male-dominated institution quickly forces them to rely on each other, 'This is not how she imagined Oxford; not as a place where women are mocked and derided for wanting to learn'. As the year progresses, it becomes clear that 'The Eights' have each brought more than a thirst for learning with them, they have secrets that might just hold them back from really achieving.
'The Eights' is an enjoyable story that imagines how the first, matriculated, women students got on at Oxford. The book not only focuses on the strength of female friendship, forged in a male-dominated and somewhat unwelcoming environment but it also highlights the ongoing effects of WW1 on both the town, country and its citizens. I enjoyed Miller's use of mixed media to highlight some of the college rules and articles about lady students to give a greater depth of context. I did find it hard, at times, to keep track of who each character was and what their background story was. However, Miller's endnotes are robust, giving a guide on her research process as well as the many ways a reader can dive deeper into this topic.
'We don't have to prove we deserve to be here anymore. We just have to get on with living'.
It's 1920, England, the aftermath of the Great War still lingers yet it is time for celebration, Beatrice, Dora, Otto and Marianne are some of the first women to be officially enrolled at Oxford University. Allocated to the corridor 8 rooms, the women are encouraged to mingle with each other but the daily trial of navigating this male-dominated institution quickly forces them to rely on each other, 'This is not how she imagined Oxford; not as a place where women are mocked and derided for wanting to learn'. As the year progresses, it becomes clear that 'The Eights' have each brought more than a thirst for learning with them, they have secrets that might just hold them back from really achieving.
'The Eights' is an enjoyable story that imagines how the first, matriculated, women students got on at Oxford. The book not only focuses on the strength of female friendship, forged in a male-dominated and somewhat unwelcoming environment but it also highlights the ongoing effects of WW1 on both the town, country and its citizens. I enjoyed Miller's use of mixed media to highlight some of the college rules and articles about lady students to give a greater depth of context. I did find it hard, at times, to keep track of who each character was and what their background story was. However, Miller's endnotes are robust, giving a guide on her research process as well as the many ways a reader can dive deeper into this topic.
'We don't have to prove we deserve to be here anymore. We just have to get on with living'.
September 28, 2024
'Gentlemen,' says the don. 'We should pity these poor women who have been encouraged to believe they are the intellectual equal of men.'
This is an engaging novel about four young women who are part of the first intake of female students allowed to formally matriculate at Oxford in order to take degrees. It's very much in the tradition of female friendship narratives as the four bond instantly and support each other through trials and tribulations but it's heart-warming for all that.
I have to confess that even by the end I couldn't keep Beatrice, Dora and Marianne separate in my head: the only one who was absolutely clear is Otto with her wealthy, flapper background. But as a quartet of different experiences in the 1920s, this works very well. Miller is attentive to the aftermath of WW1 and its impact on young women as well as the more usually studied men, and also carefully places historical and cultural markers: Agatha Christie's The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Thomas Hardy, D.H. Lawrence, the renewal of suffragette and suffragist activism.
I assume the epigraphs of Oxford college rules and regulations are accurate: they're both hilarious in their primness but also indicative of how women had to conform to unnatural standards just to be allowed to learn.
Although the focus is strongly on female experience, this doesn't fall into a 'man-hating' stance: 'good' female allies have a presence here too though they don't swamp the women: 'the most exquisite and unexpected acts of kindness. From strangers. From men.'
At times, the structure gets a little clumsy with the regular flashbacks to the four women's lives before Oxford, but I was willing to forgive craft issues as I was enjoying the storytelling - just the thing for commute and/or holiday reading with a reliable historical backbone.
Thanks to Penguin/Fig Tree for an ARC via NetGalley
March 23, 2025
I absolutely loved this book set in 1920s Oxford when women were allowed to attend University for the first time. It follows Dora, Beatrice, Otto and Marianne who, for various different reasons, have made their way to Oxford to study. Sharing corridor number eight, they quickly become firm friends.
All of these women have their own powerful back stories, some of them keeping secrets they find difficult to share. I loved each of them for very different reasons, but what I loved about all of them was their strength and resilience to fight for their rights in a man's world where many didn't want them.
This is a brilliant debut from Joanna Miller. Thought provoking, emotional and powerful, and told with such great heart. Bravo to Joanna - I'm hoping to read much more from her in the future!
All of these women have their own powerful back stories, some of them keeping secrets they find difficult to share. I loved each of them for very different reasons, but what I loved about all of them was their strength and resilience to fight for their rights in a man's world where many didn't want them.
This is a brilliant debut from Joanna Miller. Thought provoking, emotional and powerful, and told with such great heart. Bravo to Joanna - I'm hoping to read much more from her in the future!
November 15, 2024
An exquisite novel! This is my type of historical fiction: a lesser-known moment in history that is meticulously researched; a cast of characters, each so real, one swears they are based on actual people. Miller's storytelling is so engaging; every corner of Oxford University during post-World War I came alive. I became vested in Berniece, Dora, Marianne, and Otto's success as some of the first women to be admitted to the all-male Oxford University. The women struggle with misogyny, their own PTSD from volunteering during the Great War, and the double-standards for women in higher education at that time, all while struggling with personal secrets and tragedies. The issues then are still relevant today. Not an ounce of fluff in this wonderful novel. I was hooked from the first page and did not want this story to end.
Look for this in Spring 2025.
Look for this in Spring 2025.
April 6, 2025
I received a copy for review purposes. All opinions are honest and mine alone.
Literary fiction that’s bordering on being erudite, THE EIGHTS, is Joanna Miller’s debut foray into long form fiction. Her prior writings have been in poetry, award winning, at that.
Readers are invited into the ivy draped halls adjacent to Oxford University, shortly after the end of WWI. Four young women, from disparate backgrounds, come together in the same housing hall. They are the 8’s for a variety of reasons. Supposedly part of Oxford University’s first class to include women in 1000 years, Dora , Marianne, Beatrice and Otto need more than a passport to actually enter the esteemed university. The rules and requirements are “cringe”, (as contemporary students would say ), but the coping mechanisms are not so far removed from my own collegiate experiences some 50 years ago, well, minus all the imbibing…
Getting to know each character is overwhelming at the start of the novel; precariously close to info dumping. Taking time to read the author’s notes will help to alleviate some potential confusion. Also, take the time to familiarize yourself with the list of terms, especially if you’re not British or very familiar with their academic lingo from 100 years ago.
In perusing a few other reviews, I saw the words “misogynistic” and “archaic” but for me, these are contemporary accusations. In the 1920’s, post war, men and women had roles that were defined differently and in some cases, there were laws governing them. That didn’t necessarily make it right BUT it doesn’t make for misogyny; again, IMO, too bad it’s in the publishing blurb.
Author, Joanna Miller, does a very good job showing the burgeoning spirit of women into the world of academia at its most elite level. It’s an extremely complicated time in history: young men have been decimated by war, many that did return are wounded and/or traumatized without the benefit of proper psychological treatment and now are expected to resume their lives as if nothing happened - go back to school, work, girlfriends, families. Women had stepped up to fill the jobs men were forced to evacuate, or the very few unsung heroes who served in the service now were unceremoniously ignored or fired, and expected to return to their lives of tea and frippery. War had changed them all and its ongoing intrusion into the lives of each character in unique and sometimes insidious ways, is masterfully done.
Many of the events and secondary characters included in the storyline are actual historic figures or events. Weaving these into the narrative provides veracity readers will notice. The text is very classic in its construction employing complex sentences, proper grammar and punctuation, albeit with contemporary guidelines; sigh. Miller has chosen to take the high road in every avenue: no gratuitous descriptions of violence, sexual content and no foul language; kudos.
There are characters who experience rape, war trauma, social abuse, parental abuse/neglect, difficulty with relationships, and peer pressure.
THE EIGHTS is not a book you’ll flip thru quickly. I enjoyed it greatly because I like books that make me think, pay attention and invest in the characters. These four women are well drawn and I will remember two of them for a good long time. In fact, they would be worthy of a book of their own. Maybe this is Friendship Fiction with a side of Coming Of Age, just a tad older than usual. It’s WWI and it’s Historical Fiction but it’s also Women’s Fiction. Men are portrayed fairly,
I think, and this is a book that will have wide appeal for those who appreciate meat, not just fluff📚
Read and Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC, with thanks
Literary fiction that’s bordering on being erudite, THE EIGHTS, is Joanna Miller’s debut foray into long form fiction. Her prior writings have been in poetry, award winning, at that.
Readers are invited into the ivy draped halls adjacent to Oxford University, shortly after the end of WWI. Four young women, from disparate backgrounds, come together in the same housing hall. They are the 8’s for a variety of reasons. Supposedly part of Oxford University’s first class to include women in 1000 years, Dora , Marianne, Beatrice and Otto need more than a passport to actually enter the esteemed university. The rules and requirements are “cringe”, (as contemporary students would say ), but the coping mechanisms are not so far removed from my own collegiate experiences some 50 years ago, well, minus all the imbibing…
Getting to know each character is overwhelming at the start of the novel; precariously close to info dumping. Taking time to read the author’s notes will help to alleviate some potential confusion. Also, take the time to familiarize yourself with the list of terms, especially if you’re not British or very familiar with their academic lingo from 100 years ago.
In perusing a few other reviews, I saw the words “misogynistic” and “archaic” but for me, these are contemporary accusations. In the 1920’s, post war, men and women had roles that were defined differently and in some cases, there were laws governing them. That didn’t necessarily make it right BUT it doesn’t make for misogyny; again, IMO, too bad it’s in the publishing blurb.
Author, Joanna Miller, does a very good job showing the burgeoning spirit of women into the world of academia at its most elite level. It’s an extremely complicated time in history: young men have been decimated by war, many that did return are wounded and/or traumatized without the benefit of proper psychological treatment and now are expected to resume their lives as if nothing happened - go back to school, work, girlfriends, families. Women had stepped up to fill the jobs men were forced to evacuate, or the very few unsung heroes who served in the service now were unceremoniously ignored or fired, and expected to return to their lives of tea and frippery. War had changed them all and its ongoing intrusion into the lives of each character in unique and sometimes insidious ways, is masterfully done.
Many of the events and secondary characters included in the storyline are actual historic figures or events. Weaving these into the narrative provides veracity readers will notice. The text is very classic in its construction employing complex sentences, proper grammar and punctuation, albeit with contemporary guidelines; sigh. Miller has chosen to take the high road in every avenue: no gratuitous descriptions of violence, sexual content and no foul language; kudos.
There are characters who experience rape, war trauma, social abuse, parental abuse/neglect, difficulty with relationships, and peer pressure.
THE EIGHTS is not a book you’ll flip thru quickly. I enjoyed it greatly because I like books that make me think, pay attention and invest in the characters. These four women are well drawn and I will remember two of them for a good long time. In fact, they would be worthy of a book of their own. Maybe this is Friendship Fiction with a side of Coming Of Age, just a tad older than usual. It’s WWI and it’s Historical Fiction but it’s also Women’s Fiction. Men are portrayed fairly,
I think, and this is a book that will have wide appeal for those who appreciate meat, not just fluff📚
Read and Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC, with thanks
April 6, 2025
I really enjoyed this one. It is set in 1920, the first time that women are allowed to study for a degree at Oxford University, previously they have been allowed to study, but wouldn't be able to get a degree.
The story follows four women all living on corridor eight, so they become known as The Eights. The Great War has not long ended, and all are affected by it to varying degrees, it is always there in the background, and often in the foreground.
The Eights consist of Otto - a socialite with a head for figures, Dora, who lost both her brother and fiance in quick succession, Beatrice - the daughter of a prominent suffragette and Marianne - the daughter of a vicar, who returns home once a fortnight for the weekend. Their characters are well drawn, and I found myself drawn into their dramas, and rooting for them. They encounter plenty of kickback from men at the Uni, but also a lot of support. With so many surplus women, they feel the need to be able to support themselves if the need should arise. I loved the cameos from Vera Brittain and Winifred Holtby. While the are some romantic subplots, the main thrust of the novel is the strong ties of female friendship forged between these women, something that is often lacking in novels today. Would recommend, especially for anyone with an interest in this era.
*Many thanks to Netgally and the publishers for a copy in exchange for an honest opinion.*
The story follows four women all living on corridor eight, so they become known as The Eights. The Great War has not long ended, and all are affected by it to varying degrees, it is always there in the background, and often in the foreground.
The Eights consist of Otto - a socialite with a head for figures, Dora, who lost both her brother and fiance in quick succession, Beatrice - the daughter of a prominent suffragette and Marianne - the daughter of a vicar, who returns home once a fortnight for the weekend. Their characters are well drawn, and I found myself drawn into their dramas, and rooting for them. They encounter plenty of kickback from men at the Uni, but also a lot of support. With so many surplus women, they feel the need to be able to support themselves if the need should arise. I loved the cameos from Vera Brittain and Winifred Holtby. While the are some romantic subplots, the main thrust of the novel is the strong ties of female friendship forged between these women, something that is often lacking in novels today. Would recommend, especially for anyone with an interest in this era.
*Many thanks to Netgally and the publishers for a copy in exchange for an honest opinion.*
January 22, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin UK for an early kindle copy of this delightful book.
The Eights by Joanna Miller is an excellent debut novel that follows four very different young women in 1920, the first year women could receive degrees at Oxford. Set in St. Hugh’s College, it explores their struggles with misogyny, activism, and the lingering shadows of World War I and the influenza pandemic. The characters are vividly drawn, their flaws and strengths making them very relatable, and the story balances their experiences almost equally. I was particularly impressed by the depth and realism of this novel and will follow Joanna Miller’s future work.
The Eights by Joanna Miller is an excellent debut novel that follows four very different young women in 1920, the first year women could receive degrees at Oxford. Set in St. Hugh’s College, it explores their struggles with misogyny, activism, and the lingering shadows of World War I and the influenza pandemic. The characters are vividly drawn, their flaws and strengths making them very relatable, and the story balances their experiences almost equally. I was particularly impressed by the depth and realism of this novel and will follow Joanna Miller’s future work.
February 28, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for an e-ARC of this book!
The Eights follows four young women as they become part of the first class of women to enroll at Oxford University in 1920. Each of them has their own struggles, but all of them must deal with the after effects of World War I and the prejudices of the men who don't believe women belong in such a prestigious educational institution. As the school year goes on, the four women (nicknamed "the Eights" because of their room assignments) grow closer and closer together, sharing secrets and traumas, and ultimately forming an unbreakable friendship.
Charming is the first word that comes to mind to describe this book. I was charmed by all four of the main characters, each in their own unique way. They were compelling and sympathetic, and I found myself continually wanting to come back to the book just to spend more time with them and dig deeper into each of their stories. I came away from the book really feeling like I had lived in that moment of time with them.
I also loved how the author captured female friendship and especially female friendship in college. It felt so accurate and time period appropriate, but it managed to remind me so much of my own college experiences--the caring for one another, the laughing together until you can't breathe--that it really moved me. Given the current unprecedented times we're all living through, reading this book was comforting and inspiring. Here are four women who, despite all of the obstacles in their way, support each other, love each other, and persist.
Honestly, I would have read a book that was three times as long as this one and followed the Eights all the way through to graduation. Probably because of that, I felt like the ending and wrap up of lose ends was a little rushed. Like I said though, that might just be because I wanted to spend more time with the characters.
If you like historical, feminist fiction this one is for you. I know I'll be thinking about each of these women for a while.
The Eights follows four young women as they become part of the first class of women to enroll at Oxford University in 1920. Each of them has their own struggles, but all of them must deal with the after effects of World War I and the prejudices of the men who don't believe women belong in such a prestigious educational institution. As the school year goes on, the four women (nicknamed "the Eights" because of their room assignments) grow closer and closer together, sharing secrets and traumas, and ultimately forming an unbreakable friendship.
Charming is the first word that comes to mind to describe this book. I was charmed by all four of the main characters, each in their own unique way. They were compelling and sympathetic, and I found myself continually wanting to come back to the book just to spend more time with them and dig deeper into each of their stories. I came away from the book really feeling like I had lived in that moment of time with them.
I also loved how the author captured female friendship and especially female friendship in college. It felt so accurate and time period appropriate, but it managed to remind me so much of my own college experiences--the caring for one another, the laughing together until you can't breathe--that it really moved me. Given the current unprecedented times we're all living through, reading this book was comforting and inspiring. Here are four women who, despite all of the obstacles in their way, support each other, love each other, and persist.
Honestly, I would have read a book that was three times as long as this one and followed the Eights all the way through to graduation. Probably because of that, I felt like the ending and wrap up of lose ends was a little rushed. Like I said though, that might just be because I wanted to spend more time with the characters.
If you like historical, feminist fiction this one is for you. I know I'll be thinking about each of these women for a while.
April 6, 2025
Loved this!
What a marvellous story, four intelligent women from completely different backgrounds united by their desire to gain a higher education. The year is 1920 and although women have been permitted to attend university, sit and pass the same exams as the men, up until now they were not awarded a degree for their efforts.
Not only did these women face prejudice from the male students and staff, but in many cases from their own mothers and families.
The rules imposed on female students were stifling and degrading, they weren’t able to socialise with any men (apart from a brother) under any circumstances without a chaperone, strict curfews were enforced, no alcohol was allowed. These women were held to impossibly high standards which they had to maintain so as not to give any ammunition to those opposing female education.
We follow these four women as they navigate their first full year at university, the rules they were subject to, the unfair way they were treated. Additionally the major events of the time are covered, women’s suffrage, the issue of the ‘surplus women’ following WW1, the devastation caused by the loss of husbands, brothers, sons; the trauma of survivors both the men returning from the frontline and those treating them. The book also subtly looks at the subject of both male and female homosexuality at a time when society barely tolerated heterosexual relations let alone homosexual ones….
Honestly this book deals with so much without labouring or preaching, a well deserved 5⭐️
What a marvellous story, four intelligent women from completely different backgrounds united by their desire to gain a higher education. The year is 1920 and although women have been permitted to attend university, sit and pass the same exams as the men, up until now they were not awarded a degree for their efforts.
Not only did these women face prejudice from the male students and staff, but in many cases from their own mothers and families.
The rules imposed on female students were stifling and degrading, they weren’t able to socialise with any men (apart from a brother) under any circumstances without a chaperone, strict curfews were enforced, no alcohol was allowed. These women were held to impossibly high standards which they had to maintain so as not to give any ammunition to those opposing female education.
We follow these four women as they navigate their first full year at university, the rules they were subject to, the unfair way they were treated. Additionally the major events of the time are covered, women’s suffrage, the issue of the ‘surplus women’ following WW1, the devastation caused by the loss of husbands, brothers, sons; the trauma of survivors both the men returning from the frontline and those treating them. The book also subtly looks at the subject of both male and female homosexuality at a time when society barely tolerated heterosexual relations let alone homosexual ones….
Honestly this book deals with so much without labouring or preaching, a well deserved 5⭐️
April 9, 2025
What a great debut novel from Joanna Miller, having spent time studying at Oxford University she certainly picked topic she could write about from experience. Although of course her protagonists are from a different era. The town and university certainly comes to life with her wonderful descriptions.
It is the early nineteen twenties and Theodora, Marianne, Beatrice and Ottoline are four of the first intake of women allowed to study for a full degree at Oxford University. These four young women find themselves all with rooms on Corridor Eight of St Hughs College and they soon become friends with the nickname 'The Eights.' As the novel progresses the reader learns about the backgrounds and the secrets they each have. With the many social expectations of the time the women find strength in one another, as they struggle with not only academia but also heartbreak. Despite so much against them they refuse to be beaten.
Having throughly enjoyed 'The Eights' I am hoping to be able to read more in the future from this author. This debut was such an emotive and compelling read, which I highly recommend.
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It is the early nineteen twenties and Theodora, Marianne, Beatrice and Ottoline are four of the first intake of women allowed to study for a full degree at Oxford University. These four young women find themselves all with rooms on Corridor Eight of St Hughs College and they soon become friends with the nickname 'The Eights.' As the novel progresses the reader learns about the backgrounds and the secrets they each have. With the many social expectations of the time the women find strength in one another, as they struggle with not only academia but also heartbreak. Despite so much against them they refuse to be beaten.
Having throughly enjoyed 'The Eights' I am hoping to be able to read more in the future from this author. This debut was such an emotive and compelling read, which I highly recommend.
https://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogsp...
February 27, 2025
A fantastic debut novel!
"The Eights" follows four dormmates turned friends who are set to become some of the first women to receive degrees from Oxford College. This novel explores the challenges they face as they fight for their right to earn a college education at a predominantly male institution as well as the overarching struggle of returning to a post-WW1 world.
At first, keeping track of the alternating POVs of the four women was a challenge, but the author did a lovely job of giving each character such a distinct personality that soon it becomes easy! I absolutely loved the friendship that blossomed between 'the eights', named for the dorm hall they were staying in. I also loved how well-developed the characters were -we learn of their backstories through flashbacks that were effortless weaved into the story.
I've never read another historical fiction book with this specific focus - I enjoyed learning about the history of women scholars at Oxford through the lenses of these fictional women (I also recommend reading the author's note at the end - I learned a lot there too!). Overall, definitely recommend this for lovers of historical fiction.
Thank you so much to NetGalley/Penguin Group Putnam for gifting this ARC to me in exchange for an honest review.
"The Eights" follows four dormmates turned friends who are set to become some of the first women to receive degrees from Oxford College. This novel explores the challenges they face as they fight for their right to earn a college education at a predominantly male institution as well as the overarching struggle of returning to a post-WW1 world.
At first, keeping track of the alternating POVs of the four women was a challenge, but the author did a lovely job of giving each character such a distinct personality that soon it becomes easy! I absolutely loved the friendship that blossomed between 'the eights', named for the dorm hall they were staying in. I also loved how well-developed the characters were -we learn of their backstories through flashbacks that were effortless weaved into the story.
I've never read another historical fiction book with this specific focus - I enjoyed learning about the history of women scholars at Oxford through the lenses of these fictional women (I also recommend reading the author's note at the end - I learned a lot there too!). Overall, definitely recommend this for lovers of historical fiction.
Thank you so much to NetGalley/Penguin Group Putnam for gifting this ARC to me in exchange for an honest review.
March 23, 2025
The Eights definitely isnt my usual type of read, but my gosh, I loved spending time with Dora, Otto, Marianne and Beatrice during their first year at Oxford in 1920.
The books follows the four as they embark on their first term and beyond, mixing facts about the inclusion of women into the University as well as the fiction of the characters we follow.
The friendships between the characters were brilliant with ups and downs, and the multiple POV certainly helped me fall in love with each of them.
The throwback chapters interspersed throught really helped to understand each of the women too.
I would call this a quiet book, but I was hooked and I read it with a smile on my face.
The books follows the four as they embark on their first term and beyond, mixing facts about the inclusion of women into the University as well as the fiction of the characters we follow.
The friendships between the characters were brilliant with ups and downs, and the multiple POV certainly helped me fall in love with each of them.
The throwback chapters interspersed throught really helped to understand each of the women too.
I would call this a quiet book, but I was hooked and I read it with a smile on my face.
April 3, 2025
Although women had been able to study at Oxford University since the 19th century, October 1920 marked the first time they were able to matriculate (or be formally admitted). In her new novel, The Eights, Joanna Miller imagines the stories of four fictional women who were part of this historic moment.
Beatrice Sparks, Theodora Greenwood, Marianne Grey and Ottoline Wallace-Kerr refer to themselves as the Eights because they occupy the four rooms on corridor eight of St Hugh’s, one of the Oxford colleges that is admitting female students. They also each have a name with eight letters, something which pleases Otto, who is a mathematician and loves the number eight. Otto’s family and friends, who are wealthy socialites, are surprised by her decision to study for a degree rather than concentrate on making a good marriage, but Otto is desperate to prove herself after feeling that she failed as a VAD nurse during the war.
Beatrice is the daughter of a suffragette and has grown up in the shadow of her formidable, overbearing mother. For her, university means independence, freedom and a chance to lead her own life at last. Theodora – known as Dora – is also grateful for the opportunity she has been given, but at the same time she feels a sense of guilt knowing that her brother, who was killed in the war, was supposed to be the one to go to Oxford. Dora also lost her fiancé in the war and she’s still struggling to come to terms with both tragedies. The final member of the Eights is Marianne, the quiet, clever daughter of a widowed vicar. Marianne seems to have led a sheltered life compared to some of the other girls at St Hugh’s, but she has a secret that she’s determined to keep hidden.
The Eights describes the experiences of these four young women during their first year at Oxford. There’s not really an overarching plot – more a series of episodes – but I didn’t have a problem with that as I was so absorbed in the lives of the four main characters. My favourite was probably Marianne, but I liked and admired all of them and enjoyed watching their friendships develop over the course of the year. The women all face a different set of challenges and struggle with self-doubt – about fitting in, coping with the work or living up to expectations – and it was good to see them grow in confidence and overcome some of the obstacles in their way. I liked the use of flashbacks to provide background information about each woman and the very different paths they followed that led them to Oxford.
Obviously I wasn’t at Oxford in 1920, so I have no idea how accurate the book is – all I can say is that the setting feels very authentic and it’s clear that Joanna Miller has done her research. She weaves historical detail throughout the novel, often beginning chapters with a real newspaper excerpt or a set of university rules and regulations (which illustrate the double standards in the way male and female students were treated). There’s a glossary at the end, as some readers may be unfamiliar with the academic terms used in the book, many of which are unique to Oxford. There are also some cameo appearances from real-life authors Vera Brittain and Winifred Holtby, who are attending Somerville College, one of Oxford’s other women’s colleges.
My only real criticism is that I found Marianne’s secret far too easy to guess and would have preferred to have been surprised by it, like the other students were. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this book and loved getting to know the Eights. It would be good to meet them again when they return for their second year at Oxford!
Beatrice Sparks, Theodora Greenwood, Marianne Grey and Ottoline Wallace-Kerr refer to themselves as the Eights because they occupy the four rooms on corridor eight of St Hugh’s, one of the Oxford colleges that is admitting female students. They also each have a name with eight letters, something which pleases Otto, who is a mathematician and loves the number eight. Otto’s family and friends, who are wealthy socialites, are surprised by her decision to study for a degree rather than concentrate on making a good marriage, but Otto is desperate to prove herself after feeling that she failed as a VAD nurse during the war.
Beatrice is the daughter of a suffragette and has grown up in the shadow of her formidable, overbearing mother. For her, university means independence, freedom and a chance to lead her own life at last. Theodora – known as Dora – is also grateful for the opportunity she has been given, but at the same time she feels a sense of guilt knowing that her brother, who was killed in the war, was supposed to be the one to go to Oxford. Dora also lost her fiancé in the war and she’s still struggling to come to terms with both tragedies. The final member of the Eights is Marianne, the quiet, clever daughter of a widowed vicar. Marianne seems to have led a sheltered life compared to some of the other girls at St Hugh’s, but she has a secret that she’s determined to keep hidden.
The Eights describes the experiences of these four young women during their first year at Oxford. There’s not really an overarching plot – more a series of episodes – but I didn’t have a problem with that as I was so absorbed in the lives of the four main characters. My favourite was probably Marianne, but I liked and admired all of them and enjoyed watching their friendships develop over the course of the year. The women all face a different set of challenges and struggle with self-doubt – about fitting in, coping with the work or living up to expectations – and it was good to see them grow in confidence and overcome some of the obstacles in their way. I liked the use of flashbacks to provide background information about each woman and the very different paths they followed that led them to Oxford.
Obviously I wasn’t at Oxford in 1920, so I have no idea how accurate the book is – all I can say is that the setting feels very authentic and it’s clear that Joanna Miller has done her research. She weaves historical detail throughout the novel, often beginning chapters with a real newspaper excerpt or a set of university rules and regulations (which illustrate the double standards in the way male and female students were treated). There’s a glossary at the end, as some readers may be unfamiliar with the academic terms used in the book, many of which are unique to Oxford. There are also some cameo appearances from real-life authors Vera Brittain and Winifred Holtby, who are attending Somerville College, one of Oxford’s other women’s colleges.
My only real criticism is that I found Marianne’s secret far too easy to guess and would have preferred to have been surprised by it, like the other students were. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this book and loved getting to know the Eights. It would be good to meet them again when they return for their second year at Oxford!
April 10, 2025
If I could give this book 10 stars, I would
December 6, 2024
The Eights is a story of female struggles, friendship and loss centered around the lives of a group of women studying at Oxford Uni in the 1920s
While based in fact the story is a fiction and follows the lives of Otto, Dora, Beatrice and Marianne as they negotiate being among the first women to study at Oxford and a new post war world. All have their own interesting backstory which feeds into their university experience and their friendship.
I really enjoyed this. The four main characters, while each very different, were all engaging and personable and I found the history of Oxford Uni and female education there so interesting.
The narrative is threaded through with genuine excerpts from newspapers and University rules and I felt that really added to the story.
Well written and researched so you not only get a real feel for Oxford at the time but also the attitudes towards women and the emotions of a country as it struggles to free itself from the nightmare of war
While based in fact the story is a fiction and follows the lives of Otto, Dora, Beatrice and Marianne as they negotiate being among the first women to study at Oxford and a new post war world. All have their own interesting backstory which feeds into their university experience and their friendship.
I really enjoyed this. The four main characters, while each very different, were all engaging and personable and I found the history of Oxford Uni and female education there so interesting.
The narrative is threaded through with genuine excerpts from newspapers and University rules and I felt that really added to the story.
Well written and researched so you not only get a real feel for Oxford at the time but also the attitudes towards women and the emotions of a country as it struggles to free itself from the nightmare of war
April 11, 2025
I received a copy of The Eights from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review, my first review book that I've requested in almost 2 years. Wow, did I choose well.
Beatrice, Dora, Otto, and Marianne are among the first women allowed to attend Oxford University to obtain a degree, in 1920. Other women have attended but not been allowed to receive degrees and there is still plenty of prejudice against their presence at the university. Their rooms are in the eighth corridor of their building and as they get to know each other, they're quickly labeled "The Eights" because of their lodgings.
Beatrice loves learning detailed information and sharing it; her mother thinks her love of knowledge is annoying. As the daughter of a suffragette who grew up in Bloomsbury and was schooled by tutors, she is new to female friendship.
Otto is brilliant at math, wealthy, and a bit traumatized by her experience in the Voluntary Aid Detachment during WWI.
Marianne is the daughter of a rector who is uncertain that she'll stay at Oxford till she is swept up in her new friendships. Still, she returns home on the weekends to help her father.
Dora is beautiful, sporty, and still grieves the brother and fiancé who perished during the war.
As they get to know each other, dive into their studies, and learn the strict rules that are meant to keep them from interacting too much with the men of Oxford, secrets are revealed, challenges faced, and yes, there is a little bit of romance and heartbreak.
When I started reading The Eights, I had a little difficulty keeping the characters straight because it takes a little time to get to know them. I set it aside for a few days and then got a notebook and wrote mini-bios of each of the women, which helped me separate them in my mind until their personalities became clear. And, then I enjoyed the reading so much that I took my time and just immersed myself in their world.
I absolutely loved the friendships, the atmosphere, the challenges each faced as individuals and as women dealing with misogyny, and the historical context (what's genuine and not is described in the author's afterword). Included are a glossary, a map, and a bibliography. All of which add up to an excellent piece of historical fiction based on real-life events.
Definitely one of my favorite reads, so far in 2025. The release date (as I write) is just a few days away. April 15. Great for fans of historical fiction that's immersive, a great learning experience, and features strong friendships, excellent writing (sometimes I'd stop to reread sentences; I loved the author's unique turn of phrase) with a satisfying ending. I did a lot of googling of buildings to get a good look at the scenery and feel like I've just returned from Oxford. I can't wait to see what Joanna Miller writes, next.
Beatrice, Dora, Otto, and Marianne are among the first women allowed to attend Oxford University to obtain a degree, in 1920. Other women have attended but not been allowed to receive degrees and there is still plenty of prejudice against their presence at the university. Their rooms are in the eighth corridor of their building and as they get to know each other, they're quickly labeled "The Eights" because of their lodgings.
Beatrice loves learning detailed information and sharing it; her mother thinks her love of knowledge is annoying. As the daughter of a suffragette who grew up in Bloomsbury and was schooled by tutors, she is new to female friendship.
Otto is brilliant at math, wealthy, and a bit traumatized by her experience in the Voluntary Aid Detachment during WWI.
Marianne is the daughter of a rector who is uncertain that she'll stay at Oxford till she is swept up in her new friendships. Still, she returns home on the weekends to help her father.
Dora is beautiful, sporty, and still grieves the brother and fiancé who perished during the war.
As they get to know each other, dive into their studies, and learn the strict rules that are meant to keep them from interacting too much with the men of Oxford, secrets are revealed, challenges faced, and yes, there is a little bit of romance and heartbreak.
When I started reading The Eights, I had a little difficulty keeping the characters straight because it takes a little time to get to know them. I set it aside for a few days and then got a notebook and wrote mini-bios of each of the women, which helped me separate them in my mind until their personalities became clear. And, then I enjoyed the reading so much that I took my time and just immersed myself in their world.
I absolutely loved the friendships, the atmosphere, the challenges each faced as individuals and as women dealing with misogyny, and the historical context (what's genuine and not is described in the author's afterword). Included are a glossary, a map, and a bibliography. All of which add up to an excellent piece of historical fiction based on real-life events.
Definitely one of my favorite reads, so far in 2025. The release date (as I write) is just a few days away. April 15. Great for fans of historical fiction that's immersive, a great learning experience, and features strong friendships, excellent writing (sometimes I'd stop to reread sentences; I loved the author's unique turn of phrase) with a satisfying ending. I did a lot of googling of buildings to get a good look at the scenery and feel like I've just returned from Oxford. I can't wait to see what Joanna Miller writes, next.
February 2, 2025
In "The Eights", Joanna Miller takes us back to a post-WWI Britain where Oxford University has just accepted its first class of women. Amongst the small group are a few women whose lives will be changed forever by this event: Beatrice, daughter of famed suffragette who's grown up in her mother's and sisters' shadows for her entire life; Theodora, a young woman still reeling from the loss of her brother and fiance in the war, who feels she's undeserving of this opportunity; Marianne, a quiet daughter of a pastor in the countryside who needs to make recurring visits home, despite the impact on her studies; and Otto, the larger-than-life socialite from a wealthy family whose confidence and boldness appears to be never-ending.
These four women are assigned rooms in to Corridor Eight, a happenstance that naturally brings them closer together and the reason they become known as The Eights. As their first year progresses, we come to learn more about each of these women and their backstories leading up to Oxford - for Otto, her brief time as a nurse at the VAD continues to haunt her in the present. Beatrice is forced to acknowledge the weight of her mother's legacy and her words, but must forge her own identity and path. Dora is forced to come to terms with the truth of her past, and struggles to make peace with the reality of her present. And for Marianne, her attempt to lead a dual life slowly fails as time goes on, and she must come to terms with sharing the truth of her past with her new friends and loved ones.
It took a little time for me to get used to the prose of this novel; Miller writes predominantly in second-person, which isn't a frequently used perspective, but gives each character to voice their inner thoughts and emotions in alternating chapters. I also thoroughly appreciated the historical context of "The Eights" and how well-researched it was; Miller highlights some of the inane rules and procedures put in place for these women at the time (including curfews, having supervised visits when interacting with men, etc.) as well as the lingering impact of war on everyone's lives. Each of the protagonists in this novel are well-developed, although I felt Dora and Marianne had the most focus on them, given their complex backstories.
Very much a recommended read when "The Eights" is published in April 2025!
Thank you G.P. Putnam's Sons for the advance copy of this novel!
These four women are assigned rooms in to Corridor Eight, a happenstance that naturally brings them closer together and the reason they become known as The Eights. As their first year progresses, we come to learn more about each of these women and their backstories leading up to Oxford - for Otto, her brief time as a nurse at the VAD continues to haunt her in the present. Beatrice is forced to acknowledge the weight of her mother's legacy and her words, but must forge her own identity and path. Dora is forced to come to terms with the truth of her past, and struggles to make peace with the reality of her present. And for Marianne, her attempt to lead a dual life slowly fails as time goes on, and she must come to terms with sharing the truth of her past with her new friends and loved ones.
It took a little time for me to get used to the prose of this novel; Miller writes predominantly in second-person, which isn't a frequently used perspective, but gives each character to voice their inner thoughts and emotions in alternating chapters. I also thoroughly appreciated the historical context of "The Eights" and how well-researched it was; Miller highlights some of the inane rules and procedures put in place for these women at the time (including curfews, having supervised visits when interacting with men, etc.) as well as the lingering impact of war on everyone's lives. Each of the protagonists in this novel are well-developed, although I felt Dora and Marianne had the most focus on them, given their complex backstories.
Very much a recommended read when "The Eights" is published in April 2025!
Thank you G.P. Putnam's Sons for the advance copy of this novel!
March 2, 2025
Thank you to G. P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The book will be published on April 15th, 2025.
Historical fiction at its best! Four women are part of the historic 1920 matriculation of women to Oxford — the first in over 1,000 years. Roomed together in “corridor eight,” this is the story of their first year, with several flashbacks to flesh out their personal context. Beatrice Sparks — almost 6 feet tall, daughter of a famous (and vigorous!) suffragette, with an appetite for politics; Marianne Gray — the motherless daughter of an English vicar; Dora Greenwood — beautiful and still grieving for the brother and fiancee who died in the war; and Ottoline Wallace-Kerr — wealthy and at odds with her family’s expectations, who keeps herself calm with mathematics. There are some secrets and some surprises — all quite realistic and perfectly embedded in the well-drawn context of the time. And for the girls, a discovery of unexpected, but deeply felt, friendship.
I say this is historical fiction at its best because it finds the right balance between the extremes of dull, historic, facts and overly sensationalized (and manipulatively emotional) story telling with a minimum of historic accuracy. There are no modern sensibilities sneaking in — but plenty of individual reactions and experiences nestled in the very real context of the day. The country had just emerged from WWI, (some) women had just gotten the vote, and now — Oxford was open to women who wanted to pursue a more intellectual path through life. I loved the many small details that peppered the prose: a new mystery author — Agatha Christie — who was set the challenge to write a novel where it was impossible to guess who did it — and succeeded; the introduction of ouija boards; stories of the Bodlein library and how the rare books were protected during the war; the second wave of influenza; the origin of Chequers (home to Britain’s prime ministers); practice trenches in the countryside; suffragette pennies, etc. A pretty interesting Oxford-style debate on whether or not women should be at Oxford at all. I loved the bits of discussions on various studied subjects. The secondary impact of the war on various people after the war was over was equally interesting — more personal, individualized, and detailed. Philosophical and ethical issues pervaded the experiences because how could they not?
I like historical fiction because, when done well, you learn about what history might have meant to the people who lived through it. The author’s note delineates fact from fiction as well as describes inspirations — with a nice bibliography on relevant sources. Also — there is a glossary at the end that I really wish I had known about before I finished! Plenty of period specific slang was used that I had to constantly look up or guess at. Now you know!
Historical fiction at its best! Four women are part of the historic 1920 matriculation of women to Oxford — the first in over 1,000 years. Roomed together in “corridor eight,” this is the story of their first year, with several flashbacks to flesh out their personal context. Beatrice Sparks — almost 6 feet tall, daughter of a famous (and vigorous!) suffragette, with an appetite for politics; Marianne Gray — the motherless daughter of an English vicar; Dora Greenwood — beautiful and still grieving for the brother and fiancee who died in the war; and Ottoline Wallace-Kerr — wealthy and at odds with her family’s expectations, who keeps herself calm with mathematics. There are some secrets and some surprises — all quite realistic and perfectly embedded in the well-drawn context of the time. And for the girls, a discovery of unexpected, but deeply felt, friendship.
I say this is historical fiction at its best because it finds the right balance between the extremes of dull, historic, facts and overly sensationalized (and manipulatively emotional) story telling with a minimum of historic accuracy. There are no modern sensibilities sneaking in — but plenty of individual reactions and experiences nestled in the very real context of the day. The country had just emerged from WWI, (some) women had just gotten the vote, and now — Oxford was open to women who wanted to pursue a more intellectual path through life. I loved the many small details that peppered the prose: a new mystery author — Agatha Christie — who was set the challenge to write a novel where it was impossible to guess who did it — and succeeded; the introduction of ouija boards; stories of the Bodlein library and how the rare books were protected during the war; the second wave of influenza; the origin of Chequers (home to Britain’s prime ministers); practice trenches in the countryside; suffragette pennies, etc. A pretty interesting Oxford-style debate on whether or not women should be at Oxford at all. I loved the bits of discussions on various studied subjects. The secondary impact of the war on various people after the war was over was equally interesting — more personal, individualized, and detailed. Philosophical and ethical issues pervaded the experiences because how could they not?
I like historical fiction because, when done well, you learn about what history might have meant to the people who lived through it. The author’s note delineates fact from fiction as well as describes inspirations — with a nice bibliography on relevant sources. Also — there is a glossary at the end that I really wish I had known about before I finished! Plenty of period specific slang was used that I had to constantly look up or guess at. Now you know!
January 6, 2025
Joanna Miller's debut novel, set in 1920s Oxford, takes us on a journey through a time when the university first welcomed women.
We meet four young ladies - Dora, Beatrice, Otto, and Marianne - who become close friends as they tackle this new world together. Each has her own past, dreams, and worries.
Dora, mourning her brother and fiancé lost in the war, finds herself at Oxford almost accidentally. Beatrice, the daughter of a suffragette, wants to make a name for herself. Otto, good with numbers, wrestles with her memories of being a war nurse. And Marianne hides a secret that could ruin her future.
The story's setting is beautifully painted. Miller's vivid descriptions of Oxford's grand buildings stand tall against the characters' heavy emotions. The air buzzes with both thrill and stress. These women are trailblazers in education and equality, but they also face society's judgments and personal battles.
Themes of friendship, courage, and self-discovery run through the book, showing how their bond helps them face their fears and what society expects of them.
Miller writes in a way that's easy to read and pulls you in, mixing historical facts with stories about the characters. She deeply explores each character's feelings, helping readers connect with their lives. Sometimes, the story might feel slow because Miller spends a lot of time building the world, but this helps us understand the characters and their complicated lives better.
Some might say that a few characters seem similar at first, but as we learn more about them, we see how different they are. Their stories touch on important issues like gender equality and making your own choices that we still deal with today.
This book shows an important time in women's history and celebrates friendship during hard times. It's a great read for anyone who likes stories about strong women making their way in the world.
We meet four young ladies - Dora, Beatrice, Otto, and Marianne - who become close friends as they tackle this new world together. Each has her own past, dreams, and worries.
Dora, mourning her brother and fiancé lost in the war, finds herself at Oxford almost accidentally. Beatrice, the daughter of a suffragette, wants to make a name for herself. Otto, good with numbers, wrestles with her memories of being a war nurse. And Marianne hides a secret that could ruin her future.
The story's setting is beautifully painted. Miller's vivid descriptions of Oxford's grand buildings stand tall against the characters' heavy emotions. The air buzzes with both thrill and stress. These women are trailblazers in education and equality, but they also face society's judgments and personal battles.
Themes of friendship, courage, and self-discovery run through the book, showing how their bond helps them face their fears and what society expects of them.
Miller writes in a way that's easy to read and pulls you in, mixing historical facts with stories about the characters. She deeply explores each character's feelings, helping readers connect with their lives. Sometimes, the story might feel slow because Miller spends a lot of time building the world, but this helps us understand the characters and their complicated lives better.
Some might say that a few characters seem similar at first, but as we learn more about them, we see how different they are. Their stories touch on important issues like gender equality and making your own choices that we still deal with today.
This book shows an important time in women's history and celebrates friendship during hard times. It's a great read for anyone who likes stories about strong women making their way in the world.
March 16, 2025
This is a beautiful story that is fictional but based on the true figures of change after WW1 when women were finally allowed to study for degrees at Oxford university.
Set in the days both during and after the first world war, the suffrage movement and a period of real change for the whole country (& the world), The Eights are the four women who reside on the eighth corridor; Dora, Marianne, Otto & Beatrice.
This book is amazing, covering both the horrors and deep scars of the war, and the beautiful female friendships forged between four very different but equally brave and admirable characters. It portrays a unique tipping point in time for so many reasons, capturing the attitudes and struggles of this era beautifully.
Set in the days both during and after the first world war, the suffrage movement and a period of real change for the whole country (& the world), The Eights are the four women who reside on the eighth corridor; Dora, Marianne, Otto & Beatrice.
This book is amazing, covering both the horrors and deep scars of the war, and the beautiful female friendships forged between four very different but equally brave and admirable characters. It portrays a unique tipping point in time for so many reasons, capturing the attitudes and struggles of this era beautifully.
February 28, 2025
I couldn’t put this down once I’d started. Miller has produced a well-researched, informative, entertaining and touching novel inhabited by well-drawn rounded characters that the reader roots for in their struggles, challenges and triumphs. I love an Oxford based novel and this vividly conjures the locale and era with an ease in the text that draws you in. It’s a 4++ ⭐️ from me! Thank you to Mostly Books for sharing this proof copy.
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March 29, 2025Four friends - part of the first class of women allowed at Oxford. Loved this story of women’s struggles at the time 1920s
January 9, 2025
3.5 Normally I love books and movies set in the 20's with British university students, which is why I requested it. This one not so much. The atmosphere and time period were well portrayed by the author. The post-war era was both an oppressively sad decade, while at the same time an exhilarating time for students. It was about the first class of women, all from very different backgrounds, admitted to Oxford. The four main characters were slow to be developed, and it took some time to get them straight, which caused me to lose interest a bit. They all had traumatic events in their background which shaped them. I found Marianne's "story" to be drawn out and overly "hinted" throughout the book, presumably to build suspense, to the point where I could guess what it is was and didn't care anymore by the time it was revealed.
The women were quite brave in their quest for a college degree. It was quite unpleasant what these young women were subjected to by not only their male classmates, but also the faculty and administration. Their accommodations and provisions were subpar compared to the males, as well as having a boatload more rules males had to follow. Equivalent work was not given commensurate grades. Given the day and age, one shouldn't be surprised. It was an accurate commentary on English class, society, misogyny , stereotypes, etc, of the time, which probably hasn't changed much 100 years later.
This book is not based on real people, but young women did have to fight for the right to be educated at the college level, and a group of young women somewhere were the first to forge a path for women today, despite the obstacles and challenges they faced.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC opportunity.
The women were quite brave in their quest for a college degree. It was quite unpleasant what these young women were subjected to by not only their male classmates, but also the faculty and administration. Their accommodations and provisions were subpar compared to the males, as well as having a boatload more rules males had to follow. Equivalent work was not given commensurate grades. Given the day and age, one shouldn't be surprised. It was an accurate commentary on English class, society, misogyny , stereotypes, etc, of the time, which probably hasn't changed much 100 years later.
This book is not based on real people, but young women did have to fight for the right to be educated at the college level, and a group of young women somewhere were the first to forge a path for women today, despite the obstacles and challenges they faced.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC opportunity.
February 12, 2025
Four women are among the few first female class admitted to Oxford University just after WWl . The country is healing from the great war and women are fighting to regain the independence they had briefly during the war while also finding their role in this new world. These women hail from a variety of homes and backgrounds yet all are searching for independence. They will get pushback from the professors and the male students which just cements their support and friendship of one another. A touching study of female friendship, courage and the changing roles of women after WWI.
This will appeal to historical fiction readers of MISS MORGAN'S BOOK BRIGADE, THE ALICE NETWORK and books by Jennifer Chiaverini. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
This will appeal to historical fiction readers of MISS MORGAN'S BOOK BRIGADE, THE ALICE NETWORK and books by Jennifer Chiaverini. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
February 15, 2025
I found this book on a Goodreads debut novel list. I’m drawn to stories about female friendship and feminism, so this one stood out to me—and I ended up liking it a lot. The historical setting was a nice touch, and I appreciated how it gave a sense of what being a woman at a university back then was really like, especially with all the strict rules. The author shares her research and inspiration at the end, which added a nice layer to the story. The writing style, with its shifts between the past and present, wasn’t always my favorite, though, as it felt a bit disjointed at times. Still, I enjoyed the book overall and would recommend it to fans of historical fiction. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
December 10, 2024
Joanna Miller’s debut novel evokes profound emotions, particularly in the context of current societal issues. It deserves a strong five-star rating! Set in 1920s Oxford, the story unfolds as the first four women are allowed to attend the university. I was deeply moved by the friendships and bonds these women formed while confronting the prevalent misogyny of their time. The lessons they learned resonate powerfully today. From the very first page, I found myself completely captivated. This is an impressively crafted debut, making it an excellent choice for book club discussions!
March 4, 2025
4.5 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and Fig Tree for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I haven't been able to move on Twitter (I still refuse to call it X) for talk of this book so I was thrilled to get an early copy!
This book follows two students: Beatrice Sparks, Marianne Grey, Theodora Greenwood, and Ottoline Wallace-Kerr.
As bizarre as it sounds, I kept getting Little Women vibes. Let me say now, it has no link to Little Women, it's not the same story, it's not the same time period, or even the same location. But having these four women grow close, learn how to live in this new world...every so often my brain sparked this connection which was surprising.
Obviously, I was not around in Oxford in 1920 - although sometimes my joints tell me I was - but I know some of Oxford, and Joanna has created such a clear sense of time and place that you can practically insert yourself into the story.
Women going to University and getting an education is something we take for granted now - Lord knows I didn't appreciate my time at Uni - and so it does us good to be reminded of our struggles in a time that, relatively speaking, wasn't that long ago.
I love the focus on women, how strong they are, smart and powerful. This isn't feminism just to tick a box, these women are front and centre. I read another review of this and something stood out to me. Someone said that whilst Joanna has written these characters to be strong, determined to overcome the prejudices and restrictions, she hasn't made them too modern, and I completely agree. These are clearly women in the early 1900s, and unfortunately there are restrictions in place, and she hasn't sugar-coated that.
There's the occasional flashback of war, snippets of scenes, letters, thoughts. It's not overly so, because it's not a war book, but you can't exist in 1920 without having some sort of link to it, and I think it helps bring some wider historical context to the story.
It was surprisingly humerous at times. It's an historical novel, a character study, there's war, it's serious, but there is humour, especially thanks to Otto, and I felt that was a nice relief frrom the importance of women breaking that glass ceiling of the time. I also wasn't expecting so many surprises. You expect twists or surprises in crime books, thrillers, sci-fi, fantasy etc. but historical books...not so much. And I'm not saying Joanna has made it a twist per second, but there were little surprises which I liked.
I don't know very much about this time period and the whole women vs. education argument, and so I cannot say how accurate this is, but it sounded so correct, so full of depth. It's clear that not only has Joanna done an enormous amount of research, you can tell she's got a passion for the topic and the time period and that clearly comes through.
I do have one thing to say though. I won't call it a negative because that suggests there's something not right with the book, and that would be untrue because it's fabulous. But personally I'd have liked to have read just a bit more about the women's' courses themselves, what they're studying, their classes etc. alongside their general lives in Oxford. But that's just because I'm a big nerd.
Going on the little author bio in the book, Joanne lives in my home county and whilst we're in different towns, I'm declaring her practically my next door neighbour and best friend.
Thanks to NetGalley and Fig Tree for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I haven't been able to move on Twitter (I still refuse to call it X) for talk of this book so I was thrilled to get an early copy!
This book follows two students: Beatrice Sparks, Marianne Grey, Theodora Greenwood, and Ottoline Wallace-Kerr.
As bizarre as it sounds, I kept getting Little Women vibes. Let me say now, it has no link to Little Women, it's not the same story, it's not the same time period, or even the same location. But having these four women grow close, learn how to live in this new world...every so often my brain sparked this connection which was surprising.
Obviously, I was not around in Oxford in 1920 - although sometimes my joints tell me I was - but I know some of Oxford, and Joanna has created such a clear sense of time and place that you can practically insert yourself into the story.
Women going to University and getting an education is something we take for granted now - Lord knows I didn't appreciate my time at Uni - and so it does us good to be reminded of our struggles in a time that, relatively speaking, wasn't that long ago.
I love the focus on women, how strong they are, smart and powerful. This isn't feminism just to tick a box, these women are front and centre. I read another review of this and something stood out to me. Someone said that whilst Joanna has written these characters to be strong, determined to overcome the prejudices and restrictions, she hasn't made them too modern, and I completely agree. These are clearly women in the early 1900s, and unfortunately there are restrictions in place, and she hasn't sugar-coated that.
There's the occasional flashback of war, snippets of scenes, letters, thoughts. It's not overly so, because it's not a war book, but you can't exist in 1920 without having some sort of link to it, and I think it helps bring some wider historical context to the story.
It was surprisingly humerous at times. It's an historical novel, a character study, there's war, it's serious, but there is humour, especially thanks to Otto, and I felt that was a nice relief frrom the importance of women breaking that glass ceiling of the time. I also wasn't expecting so many surprises. You expect twists or surprises in crime books, thrillers, sci-fi, fantasy etc. but historical books...not so much. And I'm not saying Joanna has made it a twist per second, but there were little surprises which I liked.
I don't know very much about this time period and the whole women vs. education argument, and so I cannot say how accurate this is, but it sounded so correct, so full of depth. It's clear that not only has Joanna done an enormous amount of research, you can tell she's got a passion for the topic and the time period and that clearly comes through.
I do have one thing to say though. I won't call it a negative because that suggests there's something not right with the book, and that would be untrue because it's fabulous. But personally I'd have liked to have read just a bit more about the women's' courses themselves, what they're studying, their classes etc. alongside their general lives in Oxford. But that's just because I'm a big nerd.
Going on the little author bio in the book, Joanne lives in my home county and whilst we're in different towns, I'm declaring her practically my next door neighbour and best friend.
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