Women should not be allowed to go to Oxford University, or write novels on the subject - because they’re too darned good at it. @joannamillerauthor’s debut, ‘The Eights’ coming this April, has stirred a very unbecoming excess of emotion, unbalanced and overheated my brain, and made me fall utterly, eternally in love with its four heroines: Beatrice, Dora, Marianne, and Otto (in order of appearance not esteem - I cannot decide who I love most). [PR Copy] Set in Oxford in 1920-1, ‘The Eights’ is a fictionalised account of four of the first women to matriculate as full students able to take degrees. The women’s academic ambitions and the barriers they face, including their own sense of self-doubt and guilt, are wholly convincing, inspiring, and relatable. Their position as women finding their own way in a world very different from that of their mothers is powerful and poignant. The profound aftershocks of the Great War are heartbreaking (much blubbing on my part), but the green shoots of hope were as uplifting as a hot air balloon ride (also much grinning, and happy blubbing on my part). Sense of place is spot on, and period details were perfect without ever overwhelming the characters at the story’s heart. Oxford has been the setting for 8.8 million novels over the past two centuries (official made up stats), but this miraculously offers a fresh, clear-eyed and modern perspective while retaining magic and charm. It’s pure Brideshead era - a city of aquatint - but shows one of the many other sides of the city and the university. It also contains fascinating insights into women’s work and lived experience during the war, plus the suffrage movement and manages not to feel preachy. I will probably spend the next few weeks harvesting copies of Vera Brittain and Robert Graves from secondhand shops. When I’ve finished the essay I’m meant to be writing as a current student at the university, in honour of the Eights. Obviously. Brava Joanna - can’t wait to read it again in hard copy! Thanks to @penguinfigtree and @netgalley for the advanced copy.

I very much enjoyed this story of the first women students at Oxford University and the problems they faced. It is a well researched and clever book. The four girls became very dear to me and I would like to read a sequel.

This is the story of four women who are brought together when they study at Oxford University in 1920. They are among the cohort of women who are the first to matriculate after years of women being denied the opportunity to study alongside men, a turning point in history which roughly coincided with women over 30 having the vote. They all live in corridor Eight of St Hughes, each from different backgrounds and education and come to be the best of friends, looking after and supporting each other through a tumultuous time. The recent War hangs over everything with no one in the novel unaffected by it through war work, trauma and loss and memories. This isn't just about Oxford, it's about women and the lengths they go for each other and for themselves. It's about friendship and love and I fell in love with the four very easily. It is witty, poignant, has a bit of a twist and is extremely well researched. It's also a really great read! I loved this novel, already recommending it to several people.

The Eights is a book that will stay with you for a very long time. Set in the aftermath of WW1, this is so much more than the telling of women finally being allowed to study for a degree at Oxford University. It is about a country forever changed by loss and trauma. About the survivors, both male and female, of a devastaing war that was supposed to end all wars. Recognising the impact on the women of WW1 was an additonal dimension that added so much to tthe book. Jo0anna Miller's research was amazing - I was there in 1920, on the bridges, on the lawns and in the library. It almost goes without saying that I adored the four female students on Corridor Eight of St Hughs, an all female college. They are all so different, all so likeable, all so damaged but strong. I honestly couldn't pick a favourite. I love a book about female friendship, about a turning point in history, and about women suvceeding against the odds. The Eights had in all in spades. When I came to the last page I wanted to go back and read it all again. If you have a book club you MUST pick this book. There is so much to discuss. II promise that you will not regret it. (And you can thank me later.) Five massive fat stars from me. * * * * * (Wish I could give it six!)