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The Chiswell Street Chronicles #1
The Bookseller's Wife
Books have been her only solace
Now they’re about to change her life
Based on a true story
Volume 1 of the Chiswell Street Chronicles
‘Vivid, real and full of colour’ ~ Clare Flynn, author of The Pearl of Penang
‘Dorcas is as appealing and extraordinary in her circumstances as Elizabeth Bennet or Mrs Dalloway’ ~ JJ Marsh, author of Salt of the Earth
London, 1775: The only surviving child of six, Dorcas Turton should have been heiress to a powerful family name. But after her mother’s untimely death, she is stunned by the discovery that her father’s compulsive gambling has brought them close to ruin. With the threat of debtor’s prison looming large, she must employ all her ingenuity to keep their creditors at bay.
Fortunately, ingenuity is something Dorcas is not short of. An avid reader, novels have taught her the lessons her governess failed to. Forsaking hopes of marriage and children, she opens a day-school for girls. But unbeknown to Dorcas, her father has not given up his extravagant ways. When bailiffs come pounding on the door, their only option is to take in lodgers.
The arrival of larger-than-life James Lackington and his wife Nancy breathes new life into the diminished household. Mr Lackington aspires to be a bookseller, and what James Lackington sets out to do, he tends to achieve. Soon Dorcas discovers she is not only guilty of envying Mrs Lackington her strong simple faith and adaptable nature. Loath though she is to admit it, she begins to envy her Mr Lackington…
Based on a true story, Jane Davis’s latest historical novel is for book-lovers everywhere, delivering unforgettable characters, a portrait of Georgian London on the brink of change, and a love song to the life-changing power of the written word.
Now they’re about to change her life
Based on a true story
Volume 1 of the Chiswell Street Chronicles
‘Vivid, real and full of colour’ ~ Clare Flynn, author of The Pearl of Penang
‘Dorcas is as appealing and extraordinary in her circumstances as Elizabeth Bennet or Mrs Dalloway’ ~ JJ Marsh, author of Salt of the Earth
London, 1775: The only surviving child of six, Dorcas Turton should have been heiress to a powerful family name. But after her mother’s untimely death, she is stunned by the discovery that her father’s compulsive gambling has brought them close to ruin. With the threat of debtor’s prison looming large, she must employ all her ingenuity to keep their creditors at bay.
Fortunately, ingenuity is something Dorcas is not short of. An avid reader, novels have taught her the lessons her governess failed to. Forsaking hopes of marriage and children, she opens a day-school for girls. But unbeknown to Dorcas, her father has not given up his extravagant ways. When bailiffs come pounding on the door, their only option is to take in lodgers.
The arrival of larger-than-life James Lackington and his wife Nancy breathes new life into the diminished household. Mr Lackington aspires to be a bookseller, and what James Lackington sets out to do, he tends to achieve. Soon Dorcas discovers she is not only guilty of envying Mrs Lackington her strong simple faith and adaptable nature. Loath though she is to admit it, she begins to envy her Mr Lackington…
Based on a true story, Jane Davis’s latest historical novel is for book-lovers everywhere, delivering unforgettable characters, a portrait of Georgian London on the brink of change, and a love song to the life-changing power of the written word.
318 pages, Paperback
Published April 16, 2024
3 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Jane Davis
15 books160 followersHailed by The Bookseller as 'One to Watch', Jane Davis writes thought-provoking page-turners, exploring a diverse range of subjects, from pioneering female photographers to relatives seeking justice for the victims of a fictional disaster. Interested in how people behave under pressure, Jane introduces her characters when they're in highly volatile situations and then, in her words, throws them to the lions. Expect complex relationships, meaty moral dilemmas and a scattering of dark family secrets!
Her first novel, 'Half-Truths and White Lies', won a national award established by Transworld with the aim of finding the next Joanne Harris. Further recognition followed in 2016 with 'An Unknown Woman' being named Writing Magazine's Self-Published Book of the Year as well as being shortlisted in the IAN Awards. In 2019 'Smash all the Windows', won the inaugural Selfies Book Award. Her novel, 'At the Stroke of Nine O'Clock' was featured by The Lady Magazine as one of their favourite books set in the 1950s and was a Historical Novel Society Editor's Choice.
Jane lives in Surrey, in what was originally the ticket office for a Victorian pleasure garden, known locally as 'the gingerbread house'. Her house frequently crops up in her fiction. In fact, she burnt it to the ground in the opening chapter of 'An Unknown Woman'. Her latest release, 'Small Eden', is a fictionalized account of why one man chose to open a small-scale pleasure garden at a time when London's great pleasure gardens were facing bankruptcy.
When she isn't writing, you may spot Jane disappearing up the side of a mountain with a camera in hand.
Find out more about Jane at:
Website:jane-davis.co.uk
Get a FREEcopy of her time-slip, photography-themed eBook, I Stopped Time, when you signup to her mailing list at jane-davis.co.uk/newsletter
Her first novel, 'Half-Truths and White Lies', won a national award established by Transworld with the aim of finding the next Joanne Harris. Further recognition followed in 2016 with 'An Unknown Woman' being named Writing Magazine's Self-Published Book of the Year as well as being shortlisted in the IAN Awards. In 2019 'Smash all the Windows', won the inaugural Selfies Book Award. Her novel, 'At the Stroke of Nine O'Clock' was featured by The Lady Magazine as one of their favourite books set in the 1950s and was a Historical Novel Society Editor's Choice.
Jane lives in Surrey, in what was originally the ticket office for a Victorian pleasure garden, known locally as 'the gingerbread house'. Her house frequently crops up in her fiction. In fact, she burnt it to the ground in the opening chapter of 'An Unknown Woman'. Her latest release, 'Small Eden', is a fictionalized account of why one man chose to open a small-scale pleasure garden at a time when London's great pleasure gardens were facing bankruptcy.
When she isn't writing, you may spot Jane disappearing up the side of a mountain with a camera in hand.
Find out more about Jane at:
Website:jane-davis.co.uk
Get a FREEcopy of her time-slip, photography-themed eBook, I Stopped Time, when you signup to her mailing list at jane-davis.co.uk/newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
March 22, 2024
In a Nutshell: A good literary fiction, but might not work for everyone. I love the research, the storyline and the main character, but certain small factors prevented this from being a top star read for me. Still, recommended to historical fiction readers who like character-oriented plotlines and a grounded setting.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
I became a fan of Jane Davis when I read ‘A Funeral for an Owl’. In 2022, I also enjoyed her then-latest release, ‘Small Eden’. Today, as I was struggling to figure out where to begin this review, I went back to those two reviews for some inspiration. And I laughed at myself! Because in both those reviews, I said exactly the same thing: that I didn’t know how and where to begin! I guess this is going to be the status quo for me when it comes to Jane Davis’ novels.
All the features from the earlier books are present in this novel as well: interesting characters in various shades of ‘human’, a strong female lead, excellent historical research with a firm rooting in facts, a deceptively simple storyline that sometimes makes you wonder where it is going, and an ending that leaves you thinking. The tempo, however, is quite fast this time around; this is the first time I completed a Jane Davis novel in two evenings flat!
As the titular character, Dorcas is the star of the show, and she shoulders this job well. I loved how her character grows over the course of the story, and how she didn’t allow the men in her life to thwart her intellect. Of course, she is still a woman of the 1770s, so her freedom comes with chains. Let’s just say, she stretches those limits to the furthest she is allowed to. Thanks to her arc, there are some insights about societal restrictions on women, especially on those involved in the running of a business.
James and Nancy Lackington are also well-sketched characters. James is unlike typical historical fiction leads, and his exuberant behaviour that rarely sticks to social mores adds a fun element to the plot. But my favourite character has to be Patience, the young girl chosen by Dorcas to help in housework. I loved her gumption, and I hope she gets a greater role in the next book.
Davis’ historical books stress greatly on accuracy and authenticity, and this book is no exception. She brings the era alive with her descriptions and references to historical places, people and events. Her author’s note was insightful, letting us know the inspiration for this story (I shall reveal nothing!), her research methodology in brief, and her writing choices wrt fact vs. fiction. Reading her note further enhanced my satisfaction with the novel, because until then, I treated Dorcas and James as ordinary fictional characters.
Courtesy the above two characters’ interest in books and later, in bookselling, we also get a fascinating glimpse at the book business of that era. It is amazing how we today take so many things about books for granted. This novel brings back the heydays of the bookstore, with physical stock and the smell of books and no digital marketing. There are also several quotes from and discussions about books, poems, and authors of those days.
The book is divided into two parts. The first part worked better for me as it was more personal. The second half was very different in tone, and I took some time to adjust to the change in direction. Though interesting, Part Two didn’t grip me to the fullest extent, which is surprising as everything about the bookstore was in this section. But somehow, the emotions felt very distant. The finale had references to some historical events I had no idea about, so those scenes went a bit above my head. I wish there had been better cohesion between the two parts of the book.
If I could, I would change the title of the novel. Though the book is about Dorcas and she does become the bookseller’s wife, this isn’t until around the halfway mark. As we already know who the bookseller is and that he is married, it isn’t tough to figure out what is going to happen to his wife. The title thus is a kind of spoiler, and I hate spoilers.
This is the first book of The Chiswell Street Chronicles series. There’s no cliffhanger ending, but there’s also no completion. I guess I can say that it ends at one phase of the characters’ lives, and the second book might show us the aftermath of that final decision. I am interested to see where the plot goes; I just hope I remember enough of this mellow drama until then.
Recommended, but not to all. This is a story about working class people, so it will work well for historical fiction readers looking for a grounded depiction of an ordinary middle-class couple in 1770s London. No dances or balls herein, just plenty of realism. If you are the kind of reader who needs a steady plot progression with a clear start-middle-end, this isn’t for you. It is quite literary in style, so go in expecting character-oriented writing and true-to-life feels.
3.75 stars.
My thanks to author Jane Davis for providing me with a complimentary copy of “The Bookseller's Wife” at my request. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
1775. London. Twenty-five-year-old Dorcas Turton once belonged to a wealthy and reputed family. But due to her father’s gambling problem, worsened after her mother’s death, she now resides in a small house, taking up sewing jobs and running a class for young ladies to make ends meet. Books are her only solace.
With no improvement in their financial situation, Dorcas leases out a room. The new tenants, James and Nancy Lackington, rejuvenate the house with their spirit and friendliness. Dorcas finds their support helpful, but she also starts thinking about how she has no one, the way Nancy has James. Does she actually envy sweet Nancy her husband?
The story comes to us in the limited third person perspective of Dorcas.
I became a fan of Jane Davis when I read ‘A Funeral for an Owl’. In 2022, I also enjoyed her then-latest release, ‘Small Eden’. Today, as I was struggling to figure out where to begin this review, I went back to those two reviews for some inspiration. And I laughed at myself! Because in both those reviews, I said exactly the same thing: that I didn’t know how and where to begin! I guess this is going to be the status quo for me when it comes to Jane Davis’ novels.
All the features from the earlier books are present in this novel as well: interesting characters in various shades of ‘human’, a strong female lead, excellent historical research with a firm rooting in facts, a deceptively simple storyline that sometimes makes you wonder where it is going, and an ending that leaves you thinking. The tempo, however, is quite fast this time around; this is the first time I completed a Jane Davis novel in two evenings flat!
As the titular character, Dorcas is the star of the show, and she shoulders this job well. I loved how her character grows over the course of the story, and how she didn’t allow the men in her life to thwart her intellect. Of course, she is still a woman of the 1770s, so her freedom comes with chains. Let’s just say, she stretches those limits to the furthest she is allowed to. Thanks to her arc, there are some insights about societal restrictions on women, especially on those involved in the running of a business.
James and Nancy Lackington are also well-sketched characters. James is unlike typical historical fiction leads, and his exuberant behaviour that rarely sticks to social mores adds a fun element to the plot. But my favourite character has to be Patience, the young girl chosen by Dorcas to help in housework. I loved her gumption, and I hope she gets a greater role in the next book.
Davis’ historical books stress greatly on accuracy and authenticity, and this book is no exception. She brings the era alive with her descriptions and references to historical places, people and events. Her author’s note was insightful, letting us know the inspiration for this story (I shall reveal nothing!), her research methodology in brief, and her writing choices wrt fact vs. fiction. Reading her note further enhanced my satisfaction with the novel, because until then, I treated Dorcas and James as ordinary fictional characters.
Courtesy the above two characters’ interest in books and later, in bookselling, we also get a fascinating glimpse at the book business of that era. It is amazing how we today take so many things about books for granted. This novel brings back the heydays of the bookstore, with physical stock and the smell of books and no digital marketing. There are also several quotes from and discussions about books, poems, and authors of those days.
The book is divided into two parts. The first part worked better for me as it was more personal. The second half was very different in tone, and I took some time to adjust to the change in direction. Though interesting, Part Two didn’t grip me to the fullest extent, which is surprising as everything about the bookstore was in this section. But somehow, the emotions felt very distant. The finale had references to some historical events I had no idea about, so those scenes went a bit above my head. I wish there had been better cohesion between the two parts of the book.
If I could, I would change the title of the novel. Though the book is about Dorcas and she does become the bookseller’s wife, this isn’t until around the halfway mark. As we already know who the bookseller is and that he is married, it isn’t tough to figure out what is going to happen to his wife. The title thus is a kind of spoiler, and I hate spoilers.
This is the first book of The Chiswell Street Chronicles series. There’s no cliffhanger ending, but there’s also no completion. I guess I can say that it ends at one phase of the characters’ lives, and the second book might show us the aftermath of that final decision. I am interested to see where the plot goes; I just hope I remember enough of this mellow drama until then.
Recommended, but not to all. This is a story about working class people, so it will work well for historical fiction readers looking for a grounded depiction of an ordinary middle-class couple in 1770s London. No dances or balls herein, just plenty of realism. If you are the kind of reader who needs a steady plot progression with a clear start-middle-end, this isn’t for you. It is quite literary in style, so go in expecting character-oriented writing and true-to-life feels.
3.75 stars.
My thanks to author Jane Davis for providing me with a complimentary copy of “The Bookseller's Wife” at my request. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
March 16, 2024
“Books have been her only solace. Now they’re about to change her life.”
This is wonderful historical fiction!
Not only did I get caught up in the lives of the characters, but I also learned about Georgian London. I appreciated reading about Dorcas’ struggle with the expectations society put on women and the tenacity with which she bore her lot. Dorcas’ mother died having buried 5 of her children. Her legacy for her only surviving child was an inheritance from her powerful family. However, Dorcas’ father’s compulsive gambling makes short waste of the inheritance.
With shoulders strengthened by the burdens of her father, Dorcas Turton balances keeping house, paying off her father’s debts, teaching, cooking, and balancing the books for her father’s business. She’s educated, loves books and spends any spare time she has left over in thought about the women in the novels she’s read or encouraging other women to read.
The decision to rent part of their home to shoemaker and bookseller Mr James Lackington and his wife, Nancy, puts Dorcas’s future on a completely different trajectory. It was amazing to see how one person’s misfortune developed into another’s blessing.
“Books are extraordinary things. The more you have, the more you need.”
Author Jane Davis brings ‘vellichor’ alive - ‘the beautiful wistfulness of used bookstores and the strange romance evoked by the scent of old books and paper!’ The Bookseller’s Wife may be volume one of the Chiswell Street Chronicles, but in light of the above quote, you can see why we bibliophiles upon finishing this book, need volume two! One is not enough.
Davis’ story about the power of the written word is one you’ll want on your radar!
This is wonderful historical fiction!
Not only did I get caught up in the lives of the characters, but I also learned about Georgian London. I appreciated reading about Dorcas’ struggle with the expectations society put on women and the tenacity with which she bore her lot. Dorcas’ mother died having buried 5 of her children. Her legacy for her only surviving child was an inheritance from her powerful family. However, Dorcas’ father’s compulsive gambling makes short waste of the inheritance.
With shoulders strengthened by the burdens of her father, Dorcas Turton balances keeping house, paying off her father’s debts, teaching, cooking, and balancing the books for her father’s business. She’s educated, loves books and spends any spare time she has left over in thought about the women in the novels she’s read or encouraging other women to read.
The decision to rent part of their home to shoemaker and bookseller Mr James Lackington and his wife, Nancy, puts Dorcas’s future on a completely different trajectory. It was amazing to see how one person’s misfortune developed into another’s blessing.
“Books are extraordinary things. The more you have, the more you need.”
Author Jane Davis brings ‘vellichor’ alive - ‘the beautiful wistfulness of used bookstores and the strange romance evoked by the scent of old books and paper!’ The Bookseller’s Wife may be volume one of the Chiswell Street Chronicles, but in light of the above quote, you can see why we bibliophiles upon finishing this book, need volume two! One is not enough.
Davis’ story about the power of the written word is one you’ll want on your radar!
March 22, 2024
Well, if any author can convince me to start reading a series, Jane Davis is the one! Take a look at my #bookreview on my #bookblog here to find out more! https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2024/03/2...
March 19, 2024
In The Book Seller‘s Wife, the Chisholm St., Chronicles by Jane Davis we meet Dorcus Turton A young woman in the 18th century who loves novels and out of necessity has become a teacher who also takes in sewing due to her fathers flagrant regard for money at one time they were part of a wealthier set but thanks to his love of gambling they’ve been knocked down a couple of pegs but Dorcas takes all this in stride when debt collectors come to the door she decides to take in lodgers this is how she meets the Lakingtons she likes Nancy Lakington immediately she finds her husband John strange but it seems the more they get to know each other the more kindred spirits she realizes they are. Soon Dorcas‘s father passes away and once again The couple helps her out in ways she never could’ve imagined but soon it is Miss Lakington‘s funeral they are arranging and this is when life completely changes for dorcas. My favorite thing about this book is there are many mentionss of other books novels pamphlets plays ET see throughout the book I love how giving Dorcas was I was sad to learn patience was made up but that is just a minor negative to the book I also would love to know what happened to Piggly after realizing he had been at their house for four months that was the last he was mentioned also a minor point in the book. This is a great book and one I definitely enjoyed an absolutely recommend. It is rare to get a book that it is hard to take yourself away from but I must admit the Book Sellers wife by Jane Davis is definitely one of them. It is mainly about nothing but about so much at the same time I truly truly enjoyed it. I want to think Rossdale print productions and net galley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
March 13, 2024
Dorcas is the voice in this book. Being brought up as part of a wealthy family her fortunes have turned as a result of her father's gambling addiction and her mother's death means she has little hope of escaping her situation through marriage. At first, her father comes across as an unlikeable character but as the story progresses you, and Dorcas, find snippets of information that show that some of the comforts she does have in her seemingly dire situation come from her father rather than her mother - her love of reading novels came from him reading to her at night and his 'indulgence' in letting her have an education, usually reserved for boys, meant that she had the means to support them both, by running a school for young ladies, when times became hard. They are both grieving the loss of Dorcas' mother. Behind the danger of trying to keep up with her father's debts is the tumultuous political situation and different religious factions of the time. There is a small shift in her character after her father's death and her subsequent marriage to the Bookseller and their plans to improve education for all. I was left with a feeling that the story hadn't concluded and there may be another instalment in which Dorcas comes to the fore as her own person.
With thanks to #netgalley for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
#femalevoices #historicalfiction #empowerment #educationofgirls #bookselling #polilitcs #revolution #unrest #class #thebooksellerswife #netgalley
With thanks to #netgalley for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
#femalevoices #historicalfiction #empowerment #educationofgirls #bookselling #polilitcs #revolution #unrest #class #thebooksellerswife #netgalley
January 27, 2024
If you enjoy Phillipa Gregory's novels, then you must read The Bookseller's Wife.
Jane Davis, in her inimitable style, has once again brought history to life. Her dedication to digging out facts, and then turning them into a vivid story is what makes her one of my favourite authors.
Set in London in the 1700s we get to meet Dorcas, an avid reader which in itself was extraordinary for women then.
The story is full of colourful characters and the storyline grabs your attention from the beginning to the end.
I particularly enjoyed they way Dorcas held her own in the company of men, and how she was so determined to educate young women, including her own housemaid.
Without any spoilers, I loved how Dorcas' story developed and her life was improved.
This is another brilliant historical novel by Jane Davis and is highly recommended.
Jane Davis, in her inimitable style, has once again brought history to life. Her dedication to digging out facts, and then turning them into a vivid story is what makes her one of my favourite authors.
Set in London in the 1700s we get to meet Dorcas, an avid reader which in itself was extraordinary for women then.
The story is full of colourful characters and the storyline grabs your attention from the beginning to the end.
I particularly enjoyed they way Dorcas held her own in the company of men, and how she was so determined to educate young women, including her own housemaid.
Without any spoilers, I loved how Dorcas' story developed and her life was improved.
This is another brilliant historical novel by Jane Davis and is highly recommended.
March 18, 2024
Jane Davis, The Bookseller's Wife, The Chiswell Street Chronicles Volume 1, Rossdale Print Productions, March 2024.
Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.
Dorcas Turton is an engaging character whose story takes place in the 1770s. She is the daughter of Samuel Turton, whom her mother married so as to keep the family name. She is the granddaughter of Sir John Turton. However, current family links are mainly through Samuel seeking financial assistance or using the relationship to obtain credit. Turton’s generous expenditure, largely on himself, for fine clothing and gambling has depleted not only his own fortune but that of his recently deceased wife. This is the family, father and situation Dorcas must navigate in a society where a woman is deprived of the skills to do so, as well as the environment in which, even if they are uniquely able, it is unacceptable. The Lackingtons arrive to rent the room Dorcas has been forced to advertise. They are to change her life…and she is to change theirs.
The value of reading and education is at the centre of Dorcas’s being, and she teaches children from her own social background until she takes in Patience as a servant. Recognising her abilities, Dorcas teaches her to read and write, with great success. Reading novels and the challenge they make to religious reading and the lives they open up to their readers is an important theme in this work. Initially the debate around reading and its value is personal, but with religious tensions fanned by anti-Catholicism it becomes public.
Davis is adept at using her characters to tell two stories, the personal and the public. She has used a real character, Dorcas Lackington, and real events to weave a plot that rings true. Together with her knowledge of the period she ensures that imaginary material necessary for the plot are seamless additions. The information Davis provides at the end of the novel makes fascinating reading and points to the integrity of this writer and her research. A wonderful aside is her respect for her location and historical period. The paperback version of the work is set in Caslon Pro to honour the Caslon Type Foundry that was established between 1737 and 1909 in the setting for the Lackington booksellers, and the main thrust of this novel. Davis has also used secondary sources, all of which are listed and some of which are discussed.
Returning briefly to Dorcas, like most of Davis’s main characters introduced when under stress, Dorcas has to surmount discrimination; a fragile economic situation; her love for her father and devastating understanding of his weakness; and as the only living child, her responsibility for him and her household. She is a courageous and intriguing woman as demonstrated through Davis’s facility with characterisation. The Lackingtons, Patience and even minor characters are also well observed. With its clever plotting, adherence to historical knowledge and engaging characters Jane Davis has written a historical fiction that has charm and integrity. I shall look for more of her work.
Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.
Dorcas Turton is an engaging character whose story takes place in the 1770s. She is the daughter of Samuel Turton, whom her mother married so as to keep the family name. She is the granddaughter of Sir John Turton. However, current family links are mainly through Samuel seeking financial assistance or using the relationship to obtain credit. Turton’s generous expenditure, largely on himself, for fine clothing and gambling has depleted not only his own fortune but that of his recently deceased wife. This is the family, father and situation Dorcas must navigate in a society where a woman is deprived of the skills to do so, as well as the environment in which, even if they are uniquely able, it is unacceptable. The Lackingtons arrive to rent the room Dorcas has been forced to advertise. They are to change her life…and she is to change theirs.
The value of reading and education is at the centre of Dorcas’s being, and she teaches children from her own social background until she takes in Patience as a servant. Recognising her abilities, Dorcas teaches her to read and write, with great success. Reading novels and the challenge they make to religious reading and the lives they open up to their readers is an important theme in this work. Initially the debate around reading and its value is personal, but with religious tensions fanned by anti-Catholicism it becomes public.
Davis is adept at using her characters to tell two stories, the personal and the public. She has used a real character, Dorcas Lackington, and real events to weave a plot that rings true. Together with her knowledge of the period she ensures that imaginary material necessary for the plot are seamless additions. The information Davis provides at the end of the novel makes fascinating reading and points to the integrity of this writer and her research. A wonderful aside is her respect for her location and historical period. The paperback version of the work is set in Caslon Pro to honour the Caslon Type Foundry that was established between 1737 and 1909 in the setting for the Lackington booksellers, and the main thrust of this novel. Davis has also used secondary sources, all of which are listed and some of which are discussed.
Returning briefly to Dorcas, like most of Davis’s main characters introduced when under stress, Dorcas has to surmount discrimination; a fragile economic situation; her love for her father and devastating understanding of his weakness; and as the only living child, her responsibility for him and her household. She is a courageous and intriguing woman as demonstrated through Davis’s facility with characterisation. The Lackingtons, Patience and even minor characters are also well observed. With its clever plotting, adherence to historical knowledge and engaging characters Jane Davis has written a historical fiction that has charm and integrity. I shall look for more of her work.
February 21, 2024
Brilliant! An immersive 18th century woman’s take on life.
At last – a novel set in this period that puts in all the bits that 18th century novels always left out, such as the story of ‘the wife’ of whom all history has left us is her name! Many thanks to Jane Davis for imagining Dorcas’ story and bringing her to life.
If you enjoy walking around in someone else’s shoes, in this case an 18th century lady’s pair hand-sewn in silk, you will love your time with Dorcas. Since her mother died, this young woman has carried the weight of her feckless father’s gambling and now his debts must be paid or prison looms.
Despite her predicament, Dorcas keeps her head and her acerbic sense of humour. The thoughts she knows better than to speak aloud are wry social and personal observations worthy of Jane Austen, who was born in the year this novel begins.
It was fun to read a novel with the full 18th century flavour about a woman with an educated literary background, in which she challenges patriarchal assumptions and expectations – and question the literature itself, wondering about the women portrayed in popular novels.
While Dorcas ponders such questions, an unlikely romance develops in her own life. With classic English understatement, Jane Davis shows how delicacy in dealing with the father’s drunken state, or in timely payment of rent, can render a man attractive.
There are many astute observations about people and relationships and many parallels between then and now to make readers think but Jane Davis lets you enter the story and live it with your own thoughts. She shows that when society is divided to the point of lethally violent protests, loving your neighbour can be dangerous. And she made me wonder what I would have done.
For anyone who loves books, the 18th century bookshop which becomes Dorcas’ home, is fascinating! I could smell the books and feel those uncut pages from the detail given. I also loved the depiction of working-class people ‘bettering themselves’, and of the skills required to work in ‘trade’, a reality far different from the snobbery of the upper class (into which Dorcas was born).
Just as good as Jane Davis’ other books – and I’ve read them all! Her style is perfect in telling a great story while capturing the feel of the period. And what a treat that there will be a sequel – I can’t wait!
At last – a novel set in this period that puts in all the bits that 18th century novels always left out, such as the story of ‘the wife’ of whom all history has left us is her name! Many thanks to Jane Davis for imagining Dorcas’ story and bringing her to life.
If you enjoy walking around in someone else’s shoes, in this case an 18th century lady’s pair hand-sewn in silk, you will love your time with Dorcas. Since her mother died, this young woman has carried the weight of her feckless father’s gambling and now his debts must be paid or prison looms.
Despite her predicament, Dorcas keeps her head and her acerbic sense of humour. The thoughts she knows better than to speak aloud are wry social and personal observations worthy of Jane Austen, who was born in the year this novel begins.
It was fun to read a novel with the full 18th century flavour about a woman with an educated literary background, in which she challenges patriarchal assumptions and expectations – and question the literature itself, wondering about the women portrayed in popular novels.
While Dorcas ponders such questions, an unlikely romance develops in her own life. With classic English understatement, Jane Davis shows how delicacy in dealing with the father’s drunken state, or in timely payment of rent, can render a man attractive.
There are many astute observations about people and relationships and many parallels between then and now to make readers think but Jane Davis lets you enter the story and live it with your own thoughts. She shows that when society is divided to the point of lethally violent protests, loving your neighbour can be dangerous. And she made me wonder what I would have done.
For anyone who loves books, the 18th century bookshop which becomes Dorcas’ home, is fascinating! I could smell the books and feel those uncut pages from the detail given. I also loved the depiction of working-class people ‘bettering themselves’, and of the skills required to work in ‘trade’, a reality far different from the snobbery of the upper class (into which Dorcas was born).
Just as good as Jane Davis’ other books – and I’ve read them all! Her style is perfect in telling a great story while capturing the feel of the period. And what a treat that there will be a sequel – I can’t wait!
April 20, 2024
This is an overall enjoyable historical fiction book—based on an actual person, as the author describes in her notes at the end.
The Bookseller’s Wife tells the story of a young woman, Dorcas, in late 18th Century London. Dorcas is a truly first-wave feminist who loves to read and who teaches girls how to read, how to play the harpsichord, and also educates them in literature and poetry.
It was a joy to read the subversive feminism at play in Dorcas’ life—from her admiration of other strong women to her educating girls to her own consideration of her own future. I LOVED the nod to the Caslon Foundry!
John Wesley and early Methodism made an appearance, which helped ground me in the period.
I was very interested to learn of the Gordon Riots, which took place in June 1780, toward the end. I did a bit of a dive into the riots.
The story is told in two parts, and I while I was wholly invested in the first part, I found the second uneven. While the first had me on the ground with Dorcas, standing beside her and understanding her thoughts and motivations, the second part seemed mostly dialogue—and a very formal dialogue of the time. It seemed as if I were looking at Dorcas and the household from above. Things moved so very quickly, and the development of characters took a back seat to plot, though that, too seemed rushed. I was not very engaged.
Overall, I’m glad I read it. On StoryGraph I gave this 3.75 stars. Three stars for me means I like a book just fine—it’s doing its job for me.
I was not familiar with the author and because I enjoy historical fiction so much, I will look for others of hers.
The Bookseller’s Wife tells the story of a young woman, Dorcas, in late 18th Century London. Dorcas is a truly first-wave feminist who loves to read and who teaches girls how to read, how to play the harpsichord, and also educates them in literature and poetry.
It was a joy to read the subversive feminism at play in Dorcas’ life—from her admiration of other strong women to her educating girls to her own consideration of her own future. I LOVED the nod to the Caslon Foundry!
John Wesley and early Methodism made an appearance, which helped ground me in the period.
I was very interested to learn of the Gordon Riots, which took place in June 1780, toward the end. I did a bit of a dive into the riots.
The story is told in two parts, and I while I was wholly invested in the first part, I found the second uneven. While the first had me on the ground with Dorcas, standing beside her and understanding her thoughts and motivations, the second part seemed mostly dialogue—and a very formal dialogue of the time. It seemed as if I were looking at Dorcas and the household from above. Things moved so very quickly, and the development of characters took a back seat to plot, though that, too seemed rushed. I was not very engaged.
Overall, I’m glad I read it. On StoryGraph I gave this 3.75 stars. Three stars for me means I like a book just fine—it’s doing its job for me.
I was not familiar with the author and because I enjoy historical fiction so much, I will look for others of hers.
July 5, 2024
Dorcus Turton comes from a family whose name historically holds power and respect. However, as the only surviving heir, her life has been challenging. Upon the death of her mother, her father started a downward struggle of alcoholism and gambling debt. Dorcus runs a girls' school out of their home and takes up some seamstress tasks, but she can still not stave off the debt collectors, so she resorts to taking in renters. James Lackington and his wife turn out to be more than just renters; they are a wonderful addition to Dorcus's life, with their kindness and generosity and their tremendous love of reading and books, something with which Dorcus strongly identifies. The Lackington's dream is to become booksellers, and with the help of Dorcus and her father, their dream soon comes to fruition. Of course, tragedy strikes in the form of sickness, death and heartbreak, and Dorcus's life drastically changes, but will it be for the better?
I really liked this book….up until the last third. The author went from a wonderful exploration of a resilient woman's life during Georgian London to a focus on the politics of the time. The political atmosphere of the time is, of course, essential to character choice and the advancement of the plot. I just wished it was more woven into the plot instead of reading like a textbook. I was also a little disappointed in the book's ending; it seemed rather abrupt, but then I realized that this book is the first in a series. So now I know that this isn't the end of Dorcus's story.
Thank you to Rossdale Print Productions and Netgalley for the free copy.
I really liked this book….up until the last third. The author went from a wonderful exploration of a resilient woman's life during Georgian London to a focus on the politics of the time. The political atmosphere of the time is, of course, essential to character choice and the advancement of the plot. I just wished it was more woven into the plot instead of reading like a textbook. I was also a little disappointed in the book's ending; it seemed rather abrupt, but then I realized that this book is the first in a series. So now I know that this isn't the end of Dorcus's story.
Thank you to Rossdale Print Productions and Netgalley for the free copy.
April 10, 2025
The Bookseller’s Wife is an absorbing novel based on the life of a young woman, Dorcas, who lived in London around the time America sought independence from England. Although she’s from a wealthy, aristocratic family, her father’s recklessness and deficiencies have rendered her family near penniless. After her mother dies, she tries desperately to manage her father’s excesses and keep their finances afloat, but her father’s habits are a constant burden. She rents out a room in their house to earn money, and the married couple to whom she rents turns out to be her salvation.
When her father becomes ill and she is forced to close his shop, the couple sublet it to open a bookshop. After a terrible illness, the man’s wife dies, and Dorcas and the bookseller marry. Many interesting characters pepper the pages of the novel and bring it to life, including not just those already mentioned but a young servant who becomes Dorcas’s protégé, a young man plucked off the street who becomes an invaluable help in the bookshop, and eventually a young urchin who joins Dorcas and the bookseller in making a sort of family.
Everything about the novel was enjoyable until near the end when it diverts away from the main characters and story and dabbles in anti-Catholic protests and rioting. This topic is given both too much and too little attention. It’s too much considering it’s only a footnote in the timeline of the story, and since it’s only a footnote, it’s given short shrift and not well explained. The book would have been better having left it out entirely.
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an advanced reader’s copy of this book. These opinions are voluntary.
When her father becomes ill and she is forced to close his shop, the couple sublet it to open a bookshop. After a terrible illness, the man’s wife dies, and Dorcas and the bookseller marry. Many interesting characters pepper the pages of the novel and bring it to life, including not just those already mentioned but a young servant who becomes Dorcas’s protégé, a young man plucked off the street who becomes an invaluable help in the bookshop, and eventually a young urchin who joins Dorcas and the bookseller in making a sort of family.
Everything about the novel was enjoyable until near the end when it diverts away from the main characters and story and dabbles in anti-Catholic protests and rioting. This topic is given both too much and too little attention. It’s too much considering it’s only a footnote in the timeline of the story, and since it’s only a footnote, it’s given short shrift and not well explained. The book would have been better having left it out entirely.
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an advanced reader’s copy of this book. These opinions are voluntary.
March 17, 2024
It was an amazing read, Jane is a writer who has the rare talent to transport you to the time and place in which the book is set and enter into the mind of the main character. In this case Dorcas Turton, a young woman of the upper class in Georgian times, trained for nothing more practical than how to wear the latest fashions and take afternoon tea. Dorcas finds herself on hard times after her mother's death due to her feckless father's gambling. But she is made of strong stuff and posesses ingenuity as well as practicality which is put to good use. A firm believer in education for young women she opens a school for genteel young ladies teaching them to read and write. Not to mention using those neat little sewing stitches to bring in another money stream. Anything to keep her and her useless father out of the debtors jail.
When the bailiffs come knocking she takes in lodgers out of necessity. Enter Mr and Mrs Lackington, aspiring booksellers. From that point Dorcas' life is about to change dramatically. She is a truly extraordinary woman of her time. I particularly identified with her thinking that books had been her dearest companions throughout her life. Jane brings the surrounding history to life and fills in a period that prior to reading the book I knew little about. I eagerly await the next in the series.
When the bailiffs come knocking she takes in lodgers out of necessity. Enter Mr and Mrs Lackington, aspiring booksellers. From that point Dorcas' life is about to change dramatically. She is a truly extraordinary woman of her time. I particularly identified with her thinking that books had been her dearest companions throughout her life. Jane brings the surrounding history to life and fills in a period that prior to reading the book I knew little about. I eagerly await the next in the series.
April 16, 2024
I requested this book on NetGalley because I typically take an interest in any book that will speak to my own personal love of books. If a book has a setting such as a bookshop or library, or the protagonist appears to love books, that always sparks my interest.
This offering from Davis takes the reader to Georgian London, where we meet Dorcas. I felt the author had a particularly interesting way of narrating, that helped me feel particularly connected to Dorcas. It was as though I knew everything that Dorcas did, felt, and thought, at any given moment, and I felt very engaged, Somehow, it felt less like reading a book, and more like someone was telling me a story about Dorcas and her life.
There were times when I felt oddly thoughtful while reading this, in a dark sort of way. I wondered if Dorcas was going through the motions of her everyday life, concealing unhappiness, as we sometimes do. Her love of books was a part of her character that resonated with me, and as a book lover, if someone told me that books would change my life as they changed Dorcas', I wouldn't argue. In fact, I think that books have already changed my life. I can't remember a time when books weren't a part of my life, I can't imagine my world without them, and I wondered if Dorcas felt that way too.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers, for a free copy to review.
This offering from Davis takes the reader to Georgian London, where we meet Dorcas. I felt the author had a particularly interesting way of narrating, that helped me feel particularly connected to Dorcas. It was as though I knew everything that Dorcas did, felt, and thought, at any given moment, and I felt very engaged, Somehow, it felt less like reading a book, and more like someone was telling me a story about Dorcas and her life.
There were times when I felt oddly thoughtful while reading this, in a dark sort of way. I wondered if Dorcas was going through the motions of her everyday life, concealing unhappiness, as we sometimes do. Her love of books was a part of her character that resonated with me, and as a book lover, if someone told me that books would change my life as they changed Dorcas', I wouldn't argue. In fact, I think that books have already changed my life. I can't remember a time when books weren't a part of my life, I can't imagine my world without them, and I wondered if Dorcas felt that way too.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers, for a free copy to review.
March 18, 2024
As a bibliophile, I was lured in by the book's title. This historical novel has a strong female hero and is likely to be enjoyed by women who like historically-informed novels set in London. There are elements of romance and some of the plot offers insights into the early world of bookselling. The writing was solid, though unremarkable. At times it felt a bit too far over the line between historical novel and romance novel, and as one who prefers historical novels, I was happiest when I was learning something about history and less happy when the writing moved towards the romance zone. The hero is a woman who was expects never to marry due to her fallen family background and apparently ordinary looks. Unlike the vast majority of women of her time, she learned to read and is able to teach young girls the same skills. Due to an unexpected turn of events, she takes in lodgers and her romantic prospects change. Her cleverness propels the plot. It is a solid book, but not one that will linger in my memory. Perhaps this book is best suited for reading on an airplane. It passes the time, and I learned a bit as I read it...but it is not the kind of book I will be advising my friends to put on their must-read lists.
March 1, 2024
The Bookseller’s Wife is an entertaining read – well-written, with credible characters and a strong sense of both place and historical period. The pacing of the story is good, and what we learn on the way about working-class and women’s education, the precarious position of middle-class women, the development of printing and publishing and the Gordon Riots of 1780 is woven seamlessly into the plot. Having said that, when I finished the book I felt that something was missing – maybe a greater sense of drama or jeopardy? Once her initial difficulties are overcome, the progress of Dorcas’s professional and personal life seems to be relatively untroubled. To me it felt a little bit safe, but that might just be a question of taste. It certainly doesn’t detract from the high quality of the writing or the skill with which the characters are drawn. Any reader looking for an interesting, entertaining and well-crafted account of a slice of late eighteenth century life won’t be disappointed by The Bookseller’s Wife.
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
March 14, 2024
Based on a true story, read about it on the author's note, this book is Book 1 of the Chiswell Street Chronicles series, and tells the story of Dorcas, a young woman in 1700s London, who has to take care of the house and survival of her and her father after he squandered and gambled all of their money.
She is ahead of her time in her believes that education and learning to read and write are rights to everyone, women included, she's an avid reader that sometimes uses novels to avoid reality but she's also aware of the social and political situations of the times.
The author, with her situations and places descriptions, makes us feel like we are living in those times along with Dorcas, we learn about the situation of middle class women, how printing and publishing was developed in that time period and about the Gordon's Riots of 1780 and how Catholics were targeted in that riots. These stories are woven seamlessly in the plot making for an interesting read.
I'll eagerly wait for the next book in the series.
She is ahead of her time in her believes that education and learning to read and write are rights to everyone, women included, she's an avid reader that sometimes uses novels to avoid reality but she's also aware of the social and political situations of the times.
The author, with her situations and places descriptions, makes us feel like we are living in those times along with Dorcas, we learn about the situation of middle class women, how printing and publishing was developed in that time period and about the Gordon's Riots of 1780 and how Catholics were targeted in that riots. These stories are woven seamlessly in the plot making for an interesting read.
I'll eagerly wait for the next book in the series.
March 22, 2024
Jane Davis, writes beautifully, I have read all of her books and liked them all, this one is quite different. It’s historical, not recent history, but late 1700’s, I don't think it was a lovely period of time, especially for women, it is quite bleak, the pictures painted by her words show a grey and black landscape, noisy, smoky and cloudy.
I didn’t love Dorcas, I’ve read that she is as appealing as Elizabeth Bennett, I don’t agree, and certainly don’t like her circumstances nor her family. The story is interesting, and there’s a lovely continuity in the way she writes, and she writes a very defined picture. I was delighted to read another of Jane’s books, I think it’s her use of language that I love the most, her stories are engaging, and the words flow like poetry.
I read free copy of this book for an honest review, that said I have bought all of her other books, reviewed or not.
I didn’t love Dorcas, I’ve read that she is as appealing as Elizabeth Bennett, I don’t agree, and certainly don’t like her circumstances nor her family. The story is interesting, and there’s a lovely continuity in the way she writes, and she writes a very defined picture. I was delighted to read another of Jane’s books, I think it’s her use of language that I love the most, her stories are engaging, and the words flow like poetry.
I read free copy of this book for an honest review, that said I have bought all of her other books, reviewed or not.
March 25, 2024
Jane Davis writes incredibly readable books, and better still, each of her offerings is uniq1ue in terms of subject matter and style.
The Bookseller's Wife has Dorcas Turton as its protagonist. This young woman is moved to become a school teacher for female students because her father has gambled away the family fortune. She loves to read and believes that it is her duty to provide her young charges with good female models. Not a bad shout for a woman in 1775!
As the book progresses we meet her lodgers, James and Nancy Lackington, who run a bookshop and are heavily involved with the Wesley Society and the household grows further with a maid of all work. Life for Dorcas doesn't follow the traditional path for a woman born to her station int this time period, and of course this is what makes her so appealing.
Once again I have to applaud Jane Davis for bringing a time, place and set of characters to life that delight and fascinate.
The Bookseller's Wife has Dorcas Turton as its protagonist. This young woman is moved to become a school teacher for female students because her father has gambled away the family fortune. She loves to read and believes that it is her duty to provide her young charges with good female models. Not a bad shout for a woman in 1775!
As the book progresses we meet her lodgers, James and Nancy Lackington, who run a bookshop and are heavily involved with the Wesley Society and the household grows further with a maid of all work. Life for Dorcas doesn't follow the traditional path for a woman born to her station int this time period, and of course this is what makes her so appealing.
Once again I have to applaud Jane Davis for bringing a time, place and set of characters to life that delight and fascinate.
April 25, 2024
In 1775 London, Dorcas Turton, the only surviving child of six, faces ruin due to her father's gambling problem. Threatened by debtor's prison, she relies on her ingenuity, learned from novels, to open a girls' day school and welcome lodgers to fend off creditors.
However, her father's wasteful habits continue.
The arrival of the ambitious bookseller, James Lackington, and his wife, brings a fresh lease of life to their household. Dorcas unexpectedly finds herself envying Mrs Lackington's faith and adaptability, and even her husband.
Jane Davis's historical novel, based on a true story, delivers a compelling depiction of Georgian London, the power of literature, and unforgettable characters. I'm also pleased to see that this is the first in a series of books about London's Chiswell Street.
The characters in The Bookseller's Wife seem so real that I dreamed about them. For me, this is a sign of a good story!
However, her father's wasteful habits continue.
The arrival of the ambitious bookseller, James Lackington, and his wife, brings a fresh lease of life to their household. Dorcas unexpectedly finds herself envying Mrs Lackington's faith and adaptability, and even her husband.
Jane Davis's historical novel, based on a true story, delivers a compelling depiction of Georgian London, the power of literature, and unforgettable characters. I'm also pleased to see that this is the first in a series of books about London's Chiswell Street.
The characters in The Bookseller's Wife seem so real that I dreamed about them. For me, this is a sign of a good story!
February 13, 2024
Another exceptional novel from Jane Davis.
I've loved all her books, with An Unknown Woman genuinely being my favourite novel of all time - but The Bookseller's Wife is so beautifully written and paced, with Davis' research sitting incredibly softly within the story that I think it might well now bounce to the top of my regular re-read list.
I know very little about this period of English history; reading this made me feel as though I had travelled back and I could almost smell and touch the soot and fabrics.
Here's an extract of the truly glorious prose that make Jane Davis my favourite of authors:
Dorcas's guilt is the black of inkwells, of coal seams and crows.
Isn't that divine?
If you like to be fully absorbed into a time with your fiction, and for your fiction to be supremely convincing, then I cannot recommend this enough.
I've loved all her books, with An Unknown Woman genuinely being my favourite novel of all time - but The Bookseller's Wife is so beautifully written and paced, with Davis' research sitting incredibly softly within the story that I think it might well now bounce to the top of my regular re-read list.
I know very little about this period of English history; reading this made me feel as though I had travelled back and I could almost smell and touch the soot and fabrics.
Here's an extract of the truly glorious prose that make Jane Davis my favourite of authors:
Dorcas's guilt is the black of inkwells, of coal seams and crows.
Isn't that divine?
If you like to be fully absorbed into a time with your fiction, and for your fiction to be supremely convincing, then I cannot recommend this enough.
February 25, 2024
Another wonderful & enjoyable read from Jane Davis that transported me right back to London in the late 1700s with vivid scenes and descriptions that really brought the city and characters to life.
I love historical fiction where I can learn about the history of a place at a particular time while simultaneously getting lost in the novel and all the struggles and triumphs of the characters. I think this is what Jane Davis does really well and her books always leave me with the desire to know more about the period in question and the political and social debates of the day. The Bookseller's Wife is a thoughtful discussion about the expectations of women and their place in society in the late 1700s - a fascinating and thought-provoking read.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
I love historical fiction where I can learn about the history of a place at a particular time while simultaneously getting lost in the novel and all the struggles and triumphs of the characters. I think this is what Jane Davis does really well and her books always leave me with the desire to know more about the period in question and the political and social debates of the day. The Bookseller's Wife is a thoughtful discussion about the expectations of women and their place in society in the late 1700s - a fascinating and thought-provoking read.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
March 14, 2024
It's been a while since I've read historical fiction and I think The Bookseller's Wife has rekindled my interest in the genre. I thought it was well-written and I felt engaged from start to finish.
Dorcas and Patience were such strong, intelligent female characters and I loved them both! Nancy, the first Mrs. Lackington, was also an inspiring female character, though in a more understated manner, and I was sad to see her go (though I knew from the title that it would happen). And Mr. Lackington was an interesting, entertaining character... one I found myself rooting for from his first appearances in the story. I truly enjoyed seeing the developments in the relationships of all the main characters and felt satisfied at the conclusion of the novel. I would definitely read more from Ms. Davis!
Dorcas and Patience were such strong, intelligent female characters and I loved them both! Nancy, the first Mrs. Lackington, was also an inspiring female character, though in a more understated manner, and I was sad to see her go (though I knew from the title that it would happen). And Mr. Lackington was an interesting, entertaining character... one I found myself rooting for from his first appearances in the story. I truly enjoyed seeing the developments in the relationships of all the main characters and felt satisfied at the conclusion of the novel. I would definitely read more from Ms. Davis!
March 4, 2024
Once again, as with all of her books, a history lesson from Jane Davis in THE BOOKSELLER’s WIFE.
Lively, fast-paced, Jane’s descriptive scenes of the period, has one on the streets of London with her.
Great verbal sparring between Dorcas, her father and the Lackingtons, you can see the characters in all their nuances.
There has always been strong women and no less in Dorcas as she survives family trauma.
The ability to read has given privileged Dorcas not only education and personal solace but she used her skill to teach others and her realisation that all people need to be able to read to uplift themselves and is not just for those who can pay for it.
I’m thankful for the privilege to have advance read this free copy of The Bookseller’s Wife.
Beverley Hulse
Lively, fast-paced, Jane’s descriptive scenes of the period, has one on the streets of London with her.
Great verbal sparring between Dorcas, her father and the Lackingtons, you can see the characters in all their nuances.
There has always been strong women and no less in Dorcas as she survives family trauma.
The ability to read has given privileged Dorcas not only education and personal solace but she used her skill to teach others and her realisation that all people need to be able to read to uplift themselves and is not just for those who can pay for it.
I’m thankful for the privilege to have advance read this free copy of The Bookseller’s Wife.
Beverley Hulse
March 11, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Rossdale Print Productions for this eCopy to review
I loved The Bookseller's Wife. It is set in the Georgian Period, which I have not read much about so it was new and interesting for me. We follow Dorcus as she tries to manage her household following the death of her mother and the debts her father racks up. One of the ways in which she does this is to take in lodgers, enter the Lackingtons, who bring much need relief and good cheer back into Dorcus's life. Just as she is getting settled tragedy strikes with her father and Mr Lackington's wife dying, how will she survive?
The Bookseller's Wife is full of memorable characters and gave a fascinating insight into early bookshops, the history and politics of the time. A very enjoyable read
I loved The Bookseller's Wife. It is set in the Georgian Period, which I have not read much about so it was new and interesting for me. We follow Dorcus as she tries to manage her household following the death of her mother and the debts her father racks up. One of the ways in which she does this is to take in lodgers, enter the Lackingtons, who bring much need relief and good cheer back into Dorcus's life. Just as she is getting settled tragedy strikes with her father and Mr Lackington's wife dying, how will she survive?
The Bookseller's Wife is full of memorable characters and gave a fascinating insight into early bookshops, the history and politics of the time. A very enjoyable read
February 22, 2024
Jane Davis has written yet another great book. Set in 18th century London she deftly conjures up what it was like living at that time, particularly for women. The language she uses so competently had me transported back in time. Her research and attention to detail has produced yet another great book The next time I'm walking around London, I'm sure the vibrant images she conjured up in her book will walk with me. My only criticusm is that it was too short as I scrolled to the next page only to find the acknowledgements. I look forward to reading book 2 when it's written.
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
March 8, 2024
I have been a fan of Jane Davis since I read At the Stroke of Nine O'clock. The Bookseller's Wife, set in 18th-century London, is another combination of accurate history, topography and the place of women in society. I defy any reader not to love Dorcas, the main character who cleverly allows the men around her to think they make all the decisions. She loves books and wants every woman to share her love of reading. She believes in education for both men and women. She can cope with difficult, even dangerous situations. It is merely by chance I'm writing this review on International Women's Day. We need more novelists like Jane Davis.
March 25, 2024
An immersive story of a fascinating 18th century young woman.
Absorbed by Dorcas’s character and values as I was, I found Jane’s vivid and detailed description of her life, her environment and her decisions outstanding. Here is a young woman as intelligent and capable as Jane Eyre, and as principled and determined as Lizzy Bennett. Faced with penury, she gathers up her inner strength and sets to in a practical way to make her life possible and passable. Resolute is a word that could apply to her, especially in respect of her tiresome father.
Every page is a treat – the writing is excellent. I thoroughly recommend this thoughtful and clever read.
Absorbed by Dorcas’s character and values as I was, I found Jane’s vivid and detailed description of her life, her environment and her decisions outstanding. Here is a young woman as intelligent and capable as Jane Eyre, and as principled and determined as Lizzy Bennett. Faced with penury, she gathers up her inner strength and sets to in a practical way to make her life possible and passable. Resolute is a word that could apply to her, especially in respect of her tiresome father.
Every page is a treat – the writing is excellent. I thoroughly recommend this thoughtful and clever read.
April 6, 2024
A most entertaining read. Well researched historical fiction is always a treat, and Dorcas, the main character was a wonderful strong character. I also enjoyed Patience and Jack. Reading about the book selling world of that time was an eye opener, and the attitudes and values of the time were also interesting.I found the sections about the mob a little out of keeping, so much detail that didn’t directly impact the story, however, this may become more relevant in the sequel. The ending seemed a bit up in air, again, perhaps the sequel will solve that. This is the first book I have read by this author, and I look forward to reading more of her.
March 18, 2024
The Bookseller's Wife by Jane Davis
In 18th century London, Dorcas, an unmarried only child of a reckless father, uses her intelligence and wits to stay afloat - running a school for young ladies and taking in sewing. When things take a turn for the worse she takes in lodgers, Mr and Mrs Lackington, which sets in motion a whole chain of events.
I really enjoyed this book - the historical detail is fascinating and I loved the characters, especially Dorcas and Patience. The last bit of the book felt very dense with historical events so I preferred the first part of the book, but that's just personal preference. The author is very skilled at bringing this period in history, and London at that time, alive. Highly recommended.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
In 18th century London, Dorcas, an unmarried only child of a reckless father, uses her intelligence and wits to stay afloat - running a school for young ladies and taking in sewing. When things take a turn for the worse she takes in lodgers, Mr and Mrs Lackington, which sets in motion a whole chain of events.
I really enjoyed this book - the historical detail is fascinating and I loved the characters, especially Dorcas and Patience. The last bit of the book felt very dense with historical events so I preferred the first part of the book, but that's just personal preference. The author is very skilled at bringing this period in history, and London at that time, alive. Highly recommended.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
January 30, 2024
Another captivating novel by Jane Davis exists in The Bookseller's Wife.
Rich characters and even more detailed settings make this a wonderfully enjoyable read. You are transported to London in the 1700s amidst all its noise and vivid smells! You stand alongside Dorcas, sharing her frustrations, readying yourself to join her in fighting against her struggles. Wrapped up in the gamut of emotions that come with every next page.
Rich characters and even more detailed settings make this a wonderfully enjoyable read. You are transported to London in the 1700s amidst all its noise and vivid smells! You stand alongside Dorcas, sharing her frustrations, readying yourself to join her in fighting against her struggles. Wrapped up in the gamut of emotions that come with every next page.
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