Welcome to Litsy!

Here we follow The Eights as they navigate life as some of the first women at Oxford University in 1920, in an institution not entirely ready to accept them. From the blurb I thought this would be a real firebrand of a novel and there is some of that yet it was also somewhat formulaic post-war historical fiction in some parts and therefore maybe slightly disappointing. That said, it was largely enjoyable and engaging reading.

Oxford, 1920 & 4 young female students, Ottoline aka “Otto“, Marianne, Beatrice, & Dora arrive at the university to start their studies. From different backgrounds, the girls are all allocated rooms on Corridor 8 of St Hugh's College, leading to their friendships & camaraderie against the misogyny which still stalks the halls of Oxford University.

Vacation Mode: Activated 😎🥰 Can‘t wait to test out this cup holder with a glass of wine later!!

I've been really looking forward to this one and am glad to say it didn't disappoint. Maybe I'll finally get around to Testament of Youth, for non-fiction take? (It's in the bibliography and Brittain and Holtby are walk-on characters).

Today my friend and I went to 2 indie bookstores since she had a family thing on Indie Bookstore Day in April and was bummed to miss all the excitement. Well, today was a blast!! These are my two newest additions to my TBR mountain 😆 Can‘t wait to read them! #BookBuddies

In January, I was disappointed reading My Oxford Year when the story didn‘t match the title. Not so here. This book set in the 1920s features four women earning the opportunity to matriculate from Oxford. Each woman has a unique and compelling story engrossed in 1920s culture. It didn‘t feel like a 2025 woman finding herself in 1920 (my pet peeve with HF). It felt like what women able to consider higher education in the 1920s would experience.

In January, I was disappointed reading My Oxford Year when the story didn‘t match the title. Not so here. This book set in the 1920s features four women earning the opportunity to matriculate from Oxford. Each woman has a unique and compelling story engrossed in 1920s culture. It didn‘t feel like a 2025 woman finding herself in 1920 (my pet peeve with HF). It felt like what women able to consider higher education in the 1920s would experience.

It was a great read... Though l think it could have been even better.
It felt disjointed most of the time and up to halfway through l felt quite lost. What kept me reading was the easy style, the great historical setting, the most ntetesting pieces of history and the four main characters.

It's about the first women who could get a degree in Oxford, who entered university and n 1920. Plus, remembrance of the Great War and suffrage movements.