Review: Strait Lace by Rosemary Hayward
I'm delighted to welcome author Rosemary Hayward to Ruins & Reading. Her fabulous new novel, Strait Lace, is about the years of the suffragette movement. I'm sharing my review below, so make sure to read on!
Strait Lace is currently on blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club. Find other fascinating tour stops, including excerpts, guest posts, and more, HERE!
Strait Lace
A Loxley Hall Book
Rosemary Hayward
We're thrown into the deep end right from the beginning, when young Harriet Loxley, daughter of a Nottinghamshire vicar, receives an invitation to attend a reading at Parliament of a proposed change to the voting system. In her early 20s, she's already determined to do her bit to see women allowed to vote, this reading would be a first step.
When she arrives, accompanied by her brother, Will, she is introduced to Alice Slack, wife of MP, Bamford Slack, who takes her under her wing in the areas women were allowed to gather in the Houses of Parliament. On that first attendance, she is also introduced to Emmeline Pankhurst, and her daughter, Sylvia.
But as some MPs, who supposedly support their cause, flee Westminster, citing important appointments, a sense of dread begins to spread through Harriet. And as MPs extensively discuss the matter scheduled before the women's – about lighting of vehicles at night – her suspicions are confirmed. Very few men support a change in the status quo, perfectly happy for men to vote for their wives. Their hearing is postponed.
But what about unmarried women, widows, or wives with unwell husbands? Are women's rights, their working conditions, and their voices not worth discussing? Harriet's is not the only voice showing disgust at the snub.
Having returned home, she stays in contact with Sylvia Pankhurst, who keeps her informed about the actions of their organisation, the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU). Through the letters, Harriet realises the steep road ahead for women and their rights.
When she and her sisters receive a grant, her younger sister, Emma, gains a scholarship at a prestigious arts school, but Harriet has other plans: she wants to study biology and become a botanist. Again, she comes up against barriers that may no longer bar women from studies completely, but they don't make it easy. After all, all women would marry and have children, and no need for higher education. Don't they?
Uncertain of her own plans, and despite her growing feelings for her childhood friend, Tom Bardhill, a young doctor, she continues to pursue her plans. But unlike her bullish, cheating brother-in-law, Wesley, Tom's socialist views – looking after the poorest in society – are more aligned with hers. They'd never be rich, but they'd live according to their convictions.
But as the women's movements grow more aggressive, and with war looming in Europe, Harriet's must choose her path. Will she join the women on the fences? And how will her pacifist husband's views affect their decisions? You should read the novel to find out!
Strait Lace proved to be an incredible story. It contains so much historical detail, and I must admit that it reminded me of the reason why I love historical fiction – we can learn about history through the eyes of fictional characters involved in real events.
Harriet is a brave character, opinionated, and outspoken. But through a series of events, she becomes more aware of the protection her social status provided her with, something that had not crossed her mind before.
Her younger sister, Gwen, has similar views, and both make for formidable siblings. On the other side of the spectrum, we have their elder sister, Eleanor, married to Wesley, a cheat, misogynist, and a bully. Whilst Eleanor parrots his views, the younger sisters try their best to counter them. As to their parents, they have some modern views, which allow Harriet greater freedom, but they are at the same time protective of their family.
Tom is a caring doctor, concerned for those less well off. This adds another layer of social awareness that was growing fast in those turbulent early decades of the 20th century.
I also found the reactions from politicians of the day revealing. The author has looked deep into the records to find their machinations and views, depending on where the wind was blowing. Ostensibly pro-vote, they often prevaricated, finding excuse after excuse. Not much has changed in 120 years, it seems. Especially given the recent shift in some countries to control women's lives again, after decades of trying to break down all barriers. Perhaps it's time to hit those barricades again...
Ultimately, the plot revolves around the fight for women's rights – Votes for Women! – and Harriet connects with the highest circles of the women's movements. But with that come danger and ambition.
The research undertaken is staggering, and it adds a realistic sense to the rather direct narrative. We don't see events through rose-tinted glasses, with the benefit of time passed since.
Harriet does find her path, but it may come as a surprise to some readers. I thought it made much sense, in the context of political events. Will we hear more about Harriet's journey? I really hope so.
If you love learning about history relating to the fight for women's rights, then don't miss this insightful, revealing novel. It's a real treat!
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Blurb:
It is 1905. Edwardian England.
Harriet Loxley, the daughter of a vicar and niece to a prominent Nottingham lace manufacturer, spends her days playing cricket with her brother, scouring the countryside for botanical specimens, and never missing an opportunity to argue the case for political power for women. Given the chance to visit the House of Commons, Harriet witnesses the failure of a historic bill for women’s voting rights. She also meets the formidable Pankhurst women.
When Harriet gets the chance to study biology at Bedford College, London, she finds her opportunity to be at the heart of the fight. From marching in the street, to speaking to hostile crowds, to hurling stones through windows, just how far will Harriet go?
Buy Link: Universal Buy Link
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About the Author:
Rosemary Hayward is the author of Margaret Leaving, a historical mystery uncovering little known events that occurred in the immediate aftermath to World War II. She is also the creator of Your Next Book, a deeply nerdy monthly newsletter describing a book picked from her bookshelf, or Kindle.
She is British by birth but now lives part of the year in California and part in southern Spain.
Connect with Rosemary:
Thank you, Cathie. It makes me so happy when someone enjoys my book. And when someone writes about it so masterfully... I'm lost for words!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words, Rosemary. It was a pleasure to read Strait Lace.
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