Restless Dolly Maunder by Kate Grenville

Shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for fiction 2024; 256 pages; Published by Canongate Books 25/04/24; Dimensions: 12.8 x 1.9 x 20 cm

Loved this!

A fictional story of the author’s grandmother that simply put, is immersive and inspiring. This is a historical fiction that I was intrigued by and could not put down.

I found it fascinating reading about how different life was for young women in Australia towards the end of the nineteenth century and post war years. One bit towards the end did have me welling up and if a book has that effect on me it’s a keeper!

This book fits well if you wish to learn or read about being born female and growing up and living in a man’s world, a good one for feminist readers. A completely convincing family history here.

I was excited to be reading this book on my train journey up to London for the Women’s Prize Live. My journey was just 90 minutes and I managed to read exactly half on the way up and the second half on the way home.

I was able to listen to the author Kate Grenville read and extract via video call at the event, I noticed right away when I reached that section.

This book is quite short and reads fast, a very easy read. I love the colours on the cover the gorgeous turquoise, the flowers, birds and nature. The silhouette of Dolly is just beautiful.

This book will stay with me and I highly recommend reading it.