Hetty Dorval

I really enjoyed this. At first it seemed like the story of a young girl growing up on a ranch, with an almost idyllic life, but the detail about Ernestine‘s future revealed that the story was going to get darker. This is my first Ethel Wilson, but won‘t be my last.

Does anyone else think that Hetty would be able to get herself out of trouble in Austria, no matter how ominous the last lines? 😏

#PersephoneClub

andrew61 Yes, I agree, Hetty will definitely find someone else who falls for her charms. Great review. 4w

Tamra @andrew61 agreed! 4w

willaful Yup, she's a survivor. 4w

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LeahBergen Haha! Yes, I bet Hetty figured something out. 3w

rubyslippersreads @LeahBergen Maybe she heard that a captain with seven children was looking for a governess. 🤣 3w

LeahBergen Good one!! 😂 3w

46 likes6 comments

CarolynM

Hetty Dorval. by Ethel Wilson | Ethel Wilson

pick

#PersephoneClub
I have a lot of thoughts about this one. Firstly, the ostracism. No one quite seemed to know exactly why, but Hetty was a “menace” & to be shunned. I wonder how often this happened (& still happens) to someone innocent? Then the “femme fatale”. Of course it‘s the woman‘s fault, no man can resist a beautiful woman who appears available & interested🤬 I was kind of disappointed that it turned out Hetty conformed to the stereotype.

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, Caryl, sisilia, daena, LeahBergen, JenlovesJT47, elkeOriginal, Gissy, Aimeesue, Tamra, Teresereading, andrew61, Cathythoughts, Bookbuyingaddict, julieclair, willaful

Tamra I got the impression that was one of Wilson‘s points, re: stereotype? Hetty & her mother suffered the social stigma of having been real women with real feelings, desires, dreams, etc. who were especially manipulated by men. They in turn had to manipulate others bc they operated in survival mode. I would have liked Hetty more fleshed out in first person, but it was Frankie‘s POV. Honestly, I was more interested in Hetty! (edited) 1mo

Cathythoughts Yes I agree, the judgement of innocent people in this world is upsetting. I think Hetty was set up early on when she tells Frankie their meetings must be a secret… this is how we are introduced to her and it‘s hard to get past. I worried for Hetty‘s future, she was living life in survival mode. Solitary. 1mo

68 likes2 comments

LeahBergen

Hetty Dorval | Ethel Wilson

pick

I‘m late to review our latest #PersephoneClub read as I‘ve been travelling around the interior of British Columbia (and very close to the setting of this novel).

I loved it! And who was surprised by the “reveal”?? I felt like I could have continued on with Frankie‘s story just a little bit longer.

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, Caryl, sisilia, CarolynM, daena, LeahBergen, JenlovesJT47, elkeOriginal, Gissy, Aimeesue, Tamra, Teresereading, andrew61, Cathythoughts, Bookbuyingaddict, julieclair, willaful

Tamra It was a surprise to me! Didn‘t seem to be handled well all the way around. 😅 I felt like that about Frankie too, but I had to keep reminding myself the titular character is Hetty. I wonder if that was a publisher choice? I hope you enjoyed your trip! (edited) 1mo

willaful I would really have liked to see more of what happened to Frankie, but I came to the conclusion that the story was really about her finding her own values and voice and we could take the rest on faith. 1mo

CarolynM I was surprised, but it made sense to me. And I liked what the Afterword said about the consequences of parents behaving as servants to their children. I was uncomfortable all along with accepting that Hetty was bad, without any real evidence. I was hoping for those sitting in judgement to be in the wrong. 1mo

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rubyslippersreads I‘m even later than you, but will come back when I‘m done. 😺 1mo

Cathythoughts I loved it too. The reveal was a surprise to me too, but then on reflection it made sense. I felt for Hetty , but I‘d say she would be a difficult person. I loved the description of their first meeting in nature. Lovely writing. ❤️ 1mo

Cathythoughts Lovely picture ! I hope you had a great time on your trip x 1mo

MemoirsForMe Happy Travels! 🤗🚐❤️ 1mo

rubyslippersreads I was surprised by the reveal. As for Hetty‘s reputation, I think Frankie‘s parents were just trying to protect Frankie, and to keep her from growing up too fast. But that was difficult to do without divulging too much of the sordid gossip around Hetty, which at that time would have been very shocking. 4w

68 likes8 comments

andrew61

Hetty Dorval. by Ethel Wilson | Ethel Wilson

pick

@quietjenn @Tamra @CarolynM @sisilia @Caryl @daena @elkeOriginal @Gissy @Aimeesue @Bookbuyingaddict @julieclair @willaful @LeahBergen #persephoneclub
Another great read with (reminded me of a lost lady by WC) a central character who is the hypnotic femme fatale who attracts everyone except the sceptical narrator ,here Frankie burnaby who as a child loves the stranger + her parents forbid her to contact but as adult sees the spider like risk.

LeahBergen Pretty photo! I really enjoyed this one, too (and still need to review it). 😆 1mo

rubyslippersreads Spider-like is a perfect description of Hetty. 4w

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quietjenn

Hetty Dorval | Ethel Wilson

pick

So much packed into this slight novel! Such layered, complex characters in a story that did not go all the places I expected it to. A great #persephoneclub pick!

LeahBergen Look at that old edition, too! 😍 1mo

Tamra 👏🏾indeed, good things come in few pages. 😄 1mo

CarolynM What a great edition! I‘m just getting started. 1mo

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willaful

Hetty Dorval | Ethel Wilson

A coming of age story in which young Frankie's life in beautiful British Columbia, and later in Europe, is disrupted several times by the fascinating, enigmatic -- evil? -- Hetty Dorval. I've read books with similar themes before but I'm not sure I've ever read one in which the narrator comes so satisfactorily into their own by the end; no matter who Hetty really is, Frankie will be the person she needs to be.

#PersephoneClub

LeahBergen Great review! And I‘ve yet to start. 😬 2mo

Cathythoughts Great review. I enjoyed this too. Hetty is one complicated woman ! 2mo

willaful @LeahBergen It's a pretty fast read. 2mo

24 likes3 comments

Cathythoughts

Hetty Dorval | Ethel Wilson

pick

I adored this book. Watching Frankie as a young girl and then as she matures , and how she sees Hetty at different times in her life. Beautiful writing , I loved this story. #PersephoneClub And what do we think of Hetty !

andrew61 My copy arrived in today's post so I'm looking forward to reading it after all these positive reviews. 2mo

Cathythoughts @andrew61 Looking forward to your review 👍🏻 2mo

CarolynM Great review. I‘m hoping to get to it soon. 2mo

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LeahBergen Oh, I‘m so glad that you liked it! I‘m travelling right now and have it with me (but this whole “family wedding” thing is giving me no time to read 😆). 2mo

Cathythoughts @CarolynM Looking forward to your thought 😁 2mo

Cathythoughts @LeahBergen I loved it Leah ! Great choice. Enjoy the wedding. We have a family wedding in a couple of weeks but we don‘t have to travel far. ❤️ 2mo

Tamra I was a bit torn about Hetty. On the one hand I appreciated her independence and desire to live her life as she saw fit (despite the social pressure & stigma) on the other hand she also was portrayed as a terrible narcissist. The bombshell dropped on her was unfair. 2mo

Cathythoughts @Tamra Yes, the bombshell was unfair, but then she went to Frankie‘s and took her bed and actually slept. I suppose she was a survivor, and ultimately alone , I felt bad for her in that sense. I didn‘t like that in the beginning she asked Frankie to keep it a secret that they met. 2mo

Tamra @Cathythoughts great way to describe her character, a survivor. Agreed, that scene was a clue she had questionable judgement. 2mo

rubyslippersreads I feel a slight sympathy for Hetty, but she does whatever it takes to survive, and I find her impossible to like (although I can see how she charms others). 4w

Cathythoughts @rubyslippersreads Yes, I agree. That‘s my feeling on her too 👍🏻❤️ 4w

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Tamra

Hetty Dorval. by Ethel Wilson | Ethel Wilson

pick

I read this in all but a single sitting. I had to know about Hetty!

Hetty is a woman of mystery. Is she friend or foe? 👀

#PersephoneClub

Cathythoughts Intriguing! I‘m just starting x 2mo

Tamra @Cathythoughts enjoy! 2mo

LeahBergen Ooo, you‘re already finished! 👏 I‘m thinking I‘ll speed through it, too. 2mo

Tamra @LeahBergen I think you will be compelled to, though the nature writing is lovely to savor. 2mo

CarolynM Looking forward to it! 2mo

61 likes5 comments

Tamra

Hetty Dorval. by Ethel Wilson | Ethel Wilson

I had to look up the village of Lytton & the Thompson River. I didn‘t know it had been decimated by a wildfire in 2021. 😒 Rebuilding very slowly.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/mayor-lytton-return-home-1.75193...

#PersephoneClub

Suet624 😳🙁 2mo

Leftcoastzen 😕that is sad 2mo

JuniperWilde Yes and there is an out of control wildfire there right now. 2mo

LeahBergen Yes, isn‘t it awful?? 2mo

Cathythoughts A terrible sight 😕 2mo

44 likes5 comments

Cathythoughts

Hetty Dorval | Ethel Wilson

Hetty Dorval is down from the top shelf. But I wanted to share my growing Persephone collection, Thankyou @LeahBergen for your inspiration. ✨✨✨

Ruthiella Beautiful! 🤩 2mo

squirrelbrain Gorgeous! 🩶 2mo

Tamra 😍 I haven‘t organized by publisher, but now I‘m thinking I should! 2mo

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Tamra Who is the handsome man in the photo? 2mo

Cathythoughts @Ruthiella @squirrelbrain Thanks ! I love the top shelf. 2mo

Cathythoughts @Tamra I havnt either , only that top shelf. That lovely man is my son 🥰 thankyou for asking x 2mo

Tamra @Cathythoughts 💕 2mo

rubyslippersreads 😻😻😻 2mo

Cathythoughts @rubyslippersreads It‘s a blame it on Leah situation 😁❤️ 2mo

LeahBergen They look so pretty!! And I can‘t believe how many we‘ve read together. 😆 2mo

Cathythoughts @LeahBergen Isn‘t it really lovely how many we have read together ❤️ 2mo

TrishB I love this ❤️ 2mo

AnnCrystal 🤩📚💝. 2mo

CarolynM Lovely! And the Furrowed Middlebrows too😍 2mo

Cathythoughts @TrishB Hi Trish x thanks. 2mo

Cathythoughts @AnnCrystal 👍🏻❤️ 2mo

Cathythoughts @CarolynM Yes Middlebrows 🥰 I‘m taking a break from that Bookclub.. only because I‘m snowed under trying to keep up with my reading. ❤️ 2mo

youneverarrived 😍😍 2mo

elkeOriginal Love the contrast of the grey shelf vs the rainbow📚 2mo

Cathythoughts @elkeOriginal Thankyou x 2mo

64 likes20 comments

LitsyEvents

Hetty Dorval | Ethel Wilson

Repost for @LeahBergen

It‘s now August so that means it‘s time for one of our #PersephoneClub reads!

@LeahBergen ‘s pick (my pick!) for us this month is Hetty Dorval by Ethel Wilson. This is a casual buddy read; read and comment on each other‘s posts and reviews as you see them. We usually aim to finish by the middle of the month but that‘s not written in stone. 😉 And anyone is welcome to read along with us, of course!

LeahBergen Thanks for the repost! ❤️ 2mo

29 likes1 comment

LeahBergen

Hetty Dorval | Ethel Wilson

It‘s now August so that means it‘s time for one of our #PersephoneClub reads!

@LeahBergen ‘s pick (my pick!) for us this month is Hetty Dorval by Ethel Wilson. This is a casual buddy read; read and comment on each other‘s posts and reviews as you see them. We usually aim to finish by the middle of the month but that‘s not written in stone. 😉 And anyone is welcome to read along with us, of course!

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, Caryl, sisilia, CarolynM, daena, JenlovesJT47, elkeOriginal, Gissy, Aimeesue, Tamra, Teresereading, andrew61, Cathythoughts, Bookbuyingaddict, julieclair, willaful

LeahBergen @LitsyEvents 2mo

Tamra 👏🏾👏🏾 How is it time already??? Always look forward to a Persephone read. 😁 2mo

willaful Yay, my library bought this. 2mo

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Cathythoughts Thanks Leah ! I have my copy ready to go 😁❤️ 2mo

LeahBergen @Tamra And how is it August?? 2mo

LeahBergen @willaful Oh, good! It‘s in print from a couple of Canadian publishers, too. 👍 2mo

LeahBergen @Cathythoughts Yay! This one looks like it‘s going to be a fast little read. 😊 2mo

Tamra @LeahBergen @Cathythoughts I read chapter 1! 😳😱 Fantastic writing. 2mo

LeahBergen @Tamra I‘m excited to start now!! 2mo

CarolynM Thanks Leah. I‘m away at the moment, I will get on to it when I get home 😊 (edited) 2mo

LeahBergen @CarolynM I‘m on my way out of town this week, too. We‘ll get to it when we get to it! 😆 2mo

Caryl Thank you, Leah! I need to catch up with my Persephone reads. Think I‘ll start with this one! 2mo

LeahBergen @Caryl And it‘s a nice short one! 2mo

Bookbuyingaddict Hi 👋 all & thanks again @LeahBergen for organising this 😀I was back in Bath 🛁 last month and of course popped in and purchased 3 greys for my collection 😆I‘m going to have to miss this one this month sorry 😢 I‘m just stacked with bookclub and buddy reads but il be jumping back in with the blank wall - happy 😃 reading il still keep track of everyone‘s thoughts much love ❤️ x x 2mo

LeahBergen @Bookbuyingaddict See you for our next read! 😘 2mo

elkeOriginal I have a nonPersephone edition (the horror!) but looking forward to this thin lil read 2mo

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Reviewsbylola

Hetty Dorval | Ethel Wilson

pick

#bookgiftedtoyou #booked2019

This prompt gave me an opportunity to read one of the Persephone titles gifted to me through my subscription last year. Hetty is a slim novella that is told from the perspective of now-adult Frankie, who met Hetty when she (Frankie) was only 12. Hetty flows in and out of Frankie‘s life, and it‘s not until much later that Frankie sees the impact Hetty will have on her life.

BarbaraBB Beautiful! 6y

78 likes1 comment

Reviewsbylola

Hetty Dorval | Ethel Wilson

I came home from work to find my second #Persephone subscription selection. I'm super excited, and this one is very slim so I'll be able to read it in one or two sittings.

emilyhaldi, Meredith3, AnnieD

quirkyreader The bag is great. I have had mine for years. 8y

Booksnchill Oh I just love the look and the idea behind these books! 8y

LeahBergen 😍😍😍😍 8y

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Nat_Reads What is this?! Please share! It's so pretty. What is a Persephone book subscription? 8y

vicgreentoriafield I'm curious too. I've seen posts about Persephone books and I've even looked it up but I'm not sure I understood 8y

erzascarletbookgasm 😍 8y

emilyhaldi Love it!! 💗 8y

Reviewsbylola Persephone is a book shop in London that publishes older, lesser known books that have gone out of print. Almost exclusively female authors. They're known for their classic, sleek gray covers and beautiful endpapers that are carefully chosen. They offer book subscriptions as well, and I was gifted one for my birthday! @vicgreentoriafield @Nat_Reads For the subscription, I think they offer 3,6, and 12 months. 8y

Reviewsbylola I got the bag for my birthday and it is so well made. I love it. @quirkyreader 8y

Nat_Reads Thank you!! 8y

Cinfhen The perfect gift 💜 8y

Mdargusch I hope you love it! 8y

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