-
Jane Eyre- Charlotte Bronte
Synopsis: This novel follows the life of our protagonist, Jane Eyre, a plain, orphaned, English girl living with her aunt- though not due to Mrs Reed’s resplendent geniality- rather a promise she made to her late husband before his death. Hence, throughout her childhood, Jane suffered saturnine feelings of abandonment and isolation- notions which were augmented by the fulminating nature of her cousins. After years of emotional and physical abuse, Jane is sent away to a boarding school, whence she discovers her love for knowledge despite the unforgiving conditions she is kept under. Eventually, after leaving school, our protagonist ventures to find placement as a governess; providence leading her to…
-
Dictionary of Lost Words- Pip Williams
Synopsis: Set in pre-war Oxford, Esme lives with her father who works in the Scriptorium- a community full of dedicated workers aiming to create the first English dictionary. Having spent her childhood under the table of her father’s workplace, Esme develops a strong passion for words: their meanings, their ubiquitous nature, and particularly, the words which are regarded as improper in standard English- the vocabulary used by those rejected in society. Her curiosity leads her down a path of self-discovery, as she divulges into the hidden life of the lower-class, and befriends those few women unafraid to rebel against the patriarchy. Fighting against expectations and societal condemning, Esme navigates her…
For those who are written in books