The Eights

by Joanna Miller
The Eights cover
Good Books rating 3.67
Historical Fiction
Technical:
  • ID: 1145
  • Added: 2025-09-27
  • Updated: 2025-10-11
  • ISBN: 9780593851418
  • Publisher: Penguin Group
  • Published: 2025-04-15
  • Formats: 41
  • Reviews: 3
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Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99 Hardback • £16.99
Bookshop
Format • £16.14

The Eights follows the journey of four women who defy societal norms to become the first female students at Oxford University in 1920. Beatrice, Dora, Marianne, and Otto, each with their own secrets and dreams, form an unshakable friendship as they navigate the challenges of a male-dominated academic world. Their stories intertwine with the lingering effects of World War I and the fight for gender equality. Set against the historic backdrop of Oxford, the novel explores themes of friendship, resilience, and the struggle for women's rights. The women face misogyny, the aftermath of war, and personal demons, all while supporting each other in a world that often seeks to hold them back.

Reviews
Washington Independent Review of Books · 2025-05-06
pleasantly 4.00

The writing is crisp and informative, with a terrific way with dialogue. The characters are presented with care and accuracy.

The reviewer praised the author's crisp and informative writing style, noting the excellent use of dialogue. They appreciated the care taken in accurately presenting the characters and their experiences. The reviewer found the narrative to be well-crafted and engaging, highlighting the author's ability to bring the characters to life. The story's historical context was also well-handled, making it a pleasurable read.

Quick quotes

    Miller's writing is crisp and pleasantly informative,

    Her way with dialogue is terrific.

    Her care in accurately presenting her characters

Books Are My Third Place · 2025-04-25
engaging 4.50

The writing is engaging and memorable, making it feel like anything but a debut novel. The reviewer looks forward to the author's next work.

The reviewer was thoroughly impressed by the engaging and memorable writing style, which did not feel like a debut novel. The story's depth and the author's ability to captivate the reader are highlighted as standout features. They anticipate future works from the author with great enthusiasm. The reviewer appreciated the immersive experience and the way the narrative unfolded, making it a delightful read from start to finish.

Quick quotes

    I didn't feel like I was reading a debut novel.

    Joanna writes in a super engaging and memorable way,

    I look forward to her next story.

Book Munch · 2025-04-03
disappointing 2.50

The novel assembles characters' personal impressions of their new environment, but it fell short of expectations.

The reviewer found the novel to be an assemblage of characters' personal impressions of their unfamiliar surroundings, which was interesting but did not meet their expectations. They felt that the story lacked depth and cohesion, making it feel more like a collection of vignettes rather than a cohesive narrative. Despite the historical detail, the reviewer was left wanting more in terms of plot and character development.

Quick quotes

    The novel is essentially an assemblage of characters' personal impressions

    The story lacked depth and cohesion

    It fell short of expectations

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