IN 1848 Bess Hardemon starts as a teacher at a grim school (think Jane Eyre’s Lowood) and battles benefactors, parents, staff and endless committees to turn it into a success.
She is single-minded, determined and has time for little else in her life.
Meanwhile, in 1967, a bright girl studies at the school, falls in love, marries someone else and comes back to the same school as a teacher.
On the surface she and that revolutionary headmistress seem to have nothing in common at all. And yet...
As well as the intriguing stories of the two women, this book has a wonderful sense of time and history and, overwhelmingly, of the difficult choices women will always have to make.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here