The Eights centres on four women starting to study at Oxford University in 1920. Beatrice, Marianne, Dora (Theodora) and Otto (Ottoline). The book moves through the twenties, going back a few years. then back to the twenties. In the 1920’s women started to be allowed to be awarded a degree. Previous women students who had studied but not received a degree could eventually claim theirs. Prior to this women could study, but were not awarded a degree at the end like men. I found this book fascinating and very interesting. It is a book I read slowly, digesting it all. It also touches on the period of the Great War. It is a book woven with fact and fiction. The author has a very clever way with words, and for me it’s one of the special kinds of books that you come across sometimes, that stay in your mind. I’m so glad that I have read it. The authors notes at the end of the book were an interesting addition too. I have been researching some of the characters and things of interest, and it has opened my eyes to the pioneering strong women of the past, who enabled great change for the future. A very good read. Many thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for an advanced e-copy. Opinions about the book are entirely my own.

It is hard to believe that this enigmatic book is a debut. The Eights follows four young women as they enter their first year at Oxford University in 1920, the year that women are first allowed to matriculate. The story is steeped in beautiful imagery that makes you feel all the characters could come and tap you on the shoulder as you are reading it. It is a powerful reminder of how far feminism has come and how far there is still to go. It is a shrine to female friendship, a meditation on the intricacies of grief and how young people find their place in the world. An absolute must read that will have you laughing and crying at the same time!

‘It’s enough to send a chap to Cambridge’ Turbulent times at Oxford when in 1920, the first intake of female students allowed to formally matriculate arrived at Oxford. They were a long way from being accepted and their journey at St Hugh's held many challenges. They were ridiculed, jeered at and held to account but slowly and surely they gained support and change began. A well researched account of a turning point in Oxfords academic history, the city was instantly recognisable and I found this a fascinating and heartwarming read. Beatrice, Otto, Marianne and Dora came from completely different backgrounds but living in the same corridor 'The eights' they came together as a friends, allies and protectors. A moving and inspirational read. My thanks to Penguin UK and NetGalley for the advance review copy, all opinions expressed are my own.

I was fascinated by the story of these young women, some of the earliest, to attend Oxford university during the 1920s. The story highlights the experiences of women, emerging from the devastation of WW2, with a burning desire to prove themselves. Full of historic detail, the story covers women's suffrage, the role of the Oxford colleges during the First World War and the women who worked there, lights on the 'single women' status of women during the postwar period and details the injured and damaged young men who were the 'survivors' of the war but who returned as very different people. I loved the different characters of The Eights, finding myself really caring and rooting for these young women in the challenges they faced during their first year at Oxford. Their different stories highlight the 1920s of Oxford bringing their characters vividly alive. I thoroughly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys history especially that which reflects on women and the struggle for equality. A brilliant read!