A "New York Times Book Review" Notable Book of the Year It was the year after Chappaquiddick, and all spring Carmel McBain had watery dreams about the disaster. Now she, Karina, and Julianne were escaping the dreary English countryside for a London University hall of residence. Interspersing accounts of her current position as a university student with recollections of her childhood and an ever difficult relationship with her longtime schoolmate Karina, Carmel reflects on a generation of girls desiring the power of men, but fearful of abandoning what is expected and proper. When these bright but confused young women land in late 1960s London, they are confronted with a slew of new preoccupations--sex, politics, food, and fertility--and a pointless grotesque tragedy of their own. Hilary Mantel's magnificent novel examines the pressures on women during the early days of contemporary feminism to excel--but not be "too" successful--in England's complex hierarchy of class and status.
Hilary Mantel
Hilary Mantel is an award-winning British writer known for her historical fiction novels. She is best known for her Thomas Cromwell trilogy, which includes "Wolf Hall," "Bring Up the Bodies," and "The Mirror and the Light." Mantel's works are characterized by their richly detailed historical settings, complex characters, and intricate storytelling. She has been praised for her ability to bring history to life and challenge traditional narratives. Mantel's contributions to literature have had a significant impact on the historical fiction genre, earning her two Booker Prize wins and cementing her place as one of the most respected writers of her generation.
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