Two new British Library Women Writers titles have just been published, and I’m quite behind with keeping up to date with my posts about the previous ones. The new ones will turn up here before too long but, before that, let’s talk about the others!
Which Way? by Theodora Benson is the first book in the series where I didn’t have a copy previously. I read it many years ago in the Bodleian, and re-read it as a photocopy that the kind people at the British Library arranged, but it was impossible to get hold of otherwise. Which makes it feel all the more exciting to have rescued it.
I think I first read it after seeing a publisher’s advert – the premise intrigued me. I still think it’s a brilliant idea. Fans of the film Sliding Doors will recognise the idea – what if a small moment had been different? Something seemingly inconsequential could make a huge change in the way a life pans out.
For Claudia Heseltine in Which Way?, it’s choosing which invitation to accept. We get to know Claudia in the opening section of the novel, and it ends with her walking into a room with two letters and a phone call about to be answered. It’s a scene that is repeated a few times in the book – and each time she accepts a different invitation for the weekend.
There was a fire in the room, very comforting and gay. It threw a lovely sheet of orange on the big armchairs on each side of it….An antique clock marked time in a hushed monotone. Only the fire was alive, consuming its life – for what? Then the door opened and as Claudia came with hurried steps into the fire’s glow, two open letters in her hand, the telephone began ringing. She shut the door and turned up the lights.
What I particularly liked about Which Way? is that, though initially set up as a choice between three men, the different outcomes aren’t really about them. Yes, different paths lead Claudia to marriage or relationships or singleness, but what they really draw out of her are different ways to be a woman in the 1930s. Facets of her personality, occupations (domestic or otherwise), friendship groups, even taste in popular culture – all of these are influenced by the metaphorical door she chooses.
The main reason I wanted Which Way? to be part of the series is the innovation. There is nothing strictly fantastic here – Claudia doesn’t jump between timelines; she isn’t aware of the multiverse she inhabits – but it’s such a clever way to look at how circumstances can bring out latent aspects of a person.
Others who got Stuck into this Book:
“I read this book around two weeks ago, and it’s still hovering heavily in my thoughts. I highly, highly recommend it to anyone interested in women’s fiction or social history.” – Asha, A Cat, A Book, A Cup of Tea
“An excellent plot idea, then, and carried out impressively. But there’s more to enjoy here. It’s hard not to feel a sort of fascinated horror at the complete emptiness of Claudia’s life, or lives.” – Harriet, Shiny New Books
I am glad to know that you are not completely caught up with reviewing these wonderful books – I so enjoy them but am not up to date on the arrivals! This one has such a clever idea at the heart of it – it’s fascianting to see where it goes.
I really enjoyed this one, and that bodes well for the new body-swap one as I’m usually more into realism. I loved the little details that were the same in each timeline, then people she interacted with in different ways: here’s my review from when it was republished https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2021/11/07/book-review-theodora-benson-which-way/
Looking forward to getting to this one! :D
For some reason my review copies of the new ones haven’t arrived. I hope they will! This series is my absolute top favourite.
I am still waiting for mine too :D
It’s wonderful that you’ve been part of rescuing this novel Simon – congratulations!
thank you my friend!
It’s very interesting hearing the background to the titles that you choose for the series and I’m looking forward to this one very much!
thanks Jane, do hope you enjoy this one
I thought Which Way was really good, and I generally don’t like the sliding doors thing, but it’s explored beautifully here. It seems quite an experimental idea for the 1930s and I enjoyed how the author adapted her character to her situation.
I am so glad you liked it!
I had received most of the Women Writers series as review copies, but somehow I fell off the list, so I haven’t received this one yet. I exchanged emails with my contact about a month ago, and he said he would make sure I got all the ones I had missed, but no package so far. I hope it’s just the mails. I know that’s not your department, but this is just to say I’ve been keeping my fingers crossed waiting for my BL Women Writers books!
I do hope you get a copy, one way or another!
Yes, this does sound different. I’ll put this on my wish list! Thanks.
exellent :)
I picked a copy of this up when I was visiting the British Library in late September, and it is now my next paperback read, since it was the book picked for me by the latest Classics Club Spin (#32)! Really looking forward to this one. Thanks for the recommendation.