Although women had been able to study at Oxford University since the 19th century, October 1920 marked the first time they were able to matriculate (or be formally admitted). In her new novel, The Eights, Joanna Miller imagines the stories of four fictional women who were part of this historic moment.
Beatrice Sparks, Theodora Greenwood, Marianne Grey and Ottoline Wallace-Kerr refer to themselves as the Eights because they occupy the four rooms on corridor eight of St Hugh’s, one of the Oxford colleges that is admitting female students. They also each have a name with eight letters, something which pleases Otto, who is a mathematician and loves the number eight. Otto’s family and friends, who are wealthy socialites, are surprised by her decision to study for a degree rather than concentrate on making a good marriage, but Otto is desperate to prove herself after feeling that she failed as a VAD nurse during the war.
Beatrice is the daughter of a suffragette and has grown up in the shadow of her formidable, overbearing mother. For her, university means independence, freedom and a chance to lead her own life at last. Theodora – known as Dora – is also grateful for the opportunity she has been given, but at the same time she feels a sense of guilt knowing that her brother, who was killed in the war, was supposed to be the one to go to Oxford. Dora also lost her fiancé in the war and she’s still struggling to come to terms with both tragedies. The final member of the Eights is Marianne, the quiet, clever daughter of a widowed vicar. Marianne seems to have led a sheltered life compared to some of the other girls at St Hugh’s, but she has a secret that she’s determined to keep hidden.
The Eights describes the experiences of these four young women during their first year at Oxford. There’s not really an overarching plot – more a series of episodes – but I didn’t have a problem with that as I was so absorbed in the lives of the four main characters. My favourite was probably Marianne, but I liked and admired all of them and enjoyed watching their friendships develop over the course of the year. The women all face a different set of challenges and struggle with self-doubt – about fitting in, coping with the work or living up to expectations – and it was good to see them grow in confidence and overcome some of the obstacles in their way. I liked the use of flashbacks to provide background information about each woman and the very different paths they followed that led them to Oxford.
Obviously I wasn’t at Oxford in 1920, so I have no idea how accurate the book is – all I can say is that the setting feels very authentic and it’s clear that Joanna Miller has done her research. She weaves historical detail throughout the novel, often beginning chapters with a real newspaper excerpt or a set of university rules and regulations (which illustrate the double standards in the way male and female students were treated). There’s a glossary at the end, as some readers may be unfamiliar with the academic terms used in the book, many of which are unique to Oxford. There are also some cameo appearances from real-life authors Vera Brittain and Winifred Holtby, who are attending Somerville College, one of Oxford’s other women’s colleges.
My only real criticism is that I found Marianne’s secret far too easy to guess and would have preferred to have been surprised by it, like the other students were. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this book and loved getting to know the Eights. It would be good to meet them again when they return for their second year at Oxford!
Thanks to Fig Tree for providing a copy of this book for review via NetGalley.
She Reads Novels 
I love books about women in the early days of coeducation so will definitely look for this. I am spending four days in London at the end of this month and am preparing a shopping list (with much help from your reviews, although I suppose this might not be out yet).
It was published this week, so it should be available. I think you would enjoy it.
It turns out my library already has it on order!
I really want to read this one! I love books with that college setting, and a book about the first women at Oxford is even more intriguing. This sounds like a novel I’d really enjoy, especially after reading your thoughts on it. 😀
I hope you’re able to read it. I loved the Oxford setting and it was fascinating to read about the early days of women’s education. The four main characters are great too!
I was thinking about Vera Brittain and Winifred Holtby so I’m glad they make an appearance,VB’s description of being at Oxford after the war is so atmospheric that I’m really interested to read this as well!
They only appear briefly, but I was pleased to see them. I loved reading Vera Brittain’s descriptions of Oxford too.
I like the sound of this, Helen, and especially as we’re hoping to stay in Oxford for a few days in early May (just as we did last year) and catch a few concerts and maybe see some exhibitions: I like fictions set around the university (Babel, Gervase Fen, His Dark Materials, and so on).
Yes, I’m often drawn to books with an Oxford setting too, even though I’ve never lived there or had any real connection with the city or university. It seems to inspire good fiction, though. I hope you enjoy your trip!
This does sound such fun. I have a Netgalley ARC. I’m actually glad to hear it’s not too plotty.
It sort of felt like an old-fashioned boarding school story, but with adult characters. I hope you like it!
That sounds AMAZING
This is definitely on my list of books to read. I find the education of women at universities quite fascinating. The novel sounds interesting with its focus on friendship and their challenges.
Yes, it’s really interesting from a historical point of view, but I also enjoyed watching the friendships develop between the four women. I hope you like it!
I recently went to an author event in a nearby town where the one of the authors was a person called Ali Lowe. She mentioned this book because Joanne Miller is her sister! They write very different books though!
Thanks for sharing your review with the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge
That’s interesting! I don’t think I’ve come across Ali Lowe’s books.