Two women, a hundred years apart – and the decisions which link them…
‘A superbly crafted novel about duty, compromise and inspiration’ Sunday Times
1849: Bess Hardemon arrives at the grimly Dickensian Priors Heath school, little knowing that she will one day end up as an inspiring and legendary headmistress – but at considerable personal cost.
1970: Sarah Beckett is delighted to gain a place at Priors Heath – as much for the pride of her parents as for herself – but will she fit in?
The plight of a nineteenth century schoolteacher, trapped by her duty to her job, is mirrored by a modern day woman’s fight to escape the shackles of a broken marriage. Bess Hardemon, a tough and canny young teacher is determined to make a difference at her new school. At the cost of her own chance of finding love, Bess remains trapped by her duty, a confinement echoed a century later by Sarah, who must make her own choice between duty and her efforts to save a broken marriage.
‘A superbly crafted novel about duty, compromise and inspiration’ Sunday Times
1849: Bess Hardemon arrives at the grimly Dickensian Priors Heath school, little knowing that she will one day end up as an inspiring and legendary headmistress – but at considerable personal cost.
1970: Sarah Beckett is delighted to gain a place at Priors Heath – as much for the pride of her parents as for herself – but will she fit in?
The plight of a nineteenth century schoolteacher, trapped by her duty to her job, is mirrored by a modern day woman’s fight to escape the shackles of a broken marriage. Bess Hardemon, a tough and canny young teacher is determined to make a difference at her new school. At the cost of her own chance of finding love, Bess remains trapped by her duty, a confinement echoed a century later by Sarah, who must make her own choice between duty and her efforts to save a broken marriage.
Reviews
An excellent thought-provoker which interweaves the plight of two schoolmistresses, separated by a hundred years, both trapped by duty and dedication
The figure of Jane Eyre presides over this lively debate in fictional form about what women really want. Modern and Victorian values battle it out in McMahon's cool look at the benefits of education
A superbly crafted novel about duty, compromise and inspiration
Convincing, dramatic and authentic
A satisfying multi-nuanced treatment of what women want and the sacrifices they make to achieve