The Secret Book Society

The Secret Book Society,  written by Madeline Martin was a delightful read. 

This was a very entertaining novel. Labeled as historical fiction the reader gets a feel for the plight of women living in London England in the early 1800.  They were considered property and totally controlled by their fathers and then by their husbands. 

This is the story of how a small group of women defied their husbands and found ways to read the novels they so enjoyed.  They developed the strength and fortitude to stand up to their husbands and demand better treatment.  

In this story the husbands are controlling and cruel.  They ban books from their wives in fear that they will gather too much knowledge and possibly become independent or develop hysteria, becoming unhinged.  

We meet this three women in unhappy marriages, Mrs Eleanor Clarke, who is married to Cecil.  She came from a life as a daughter of noble birth whose family had fallen on hard times. He is a merchant looking to show his new wealth, marries her and makes a gratuitous  display of her and the gemstones and dresses he can buy.  She is a prisoner to her husband.  Mrs. Rose Wharton, is an American who fell in love with her husband, Theodore.  Now Theodore's brother who was the earl, but is dying from cancer and Theodore will soon step into that role. Rose has to learn how to behave properly for the society she has married into. Theodore is hard on Rose because he fears his brother.  Then there is Lady Lavinia Cavendish, a young woman, not yet married, whose father is worried she feels things too deeply, and that books only increase her exaggerated emotions. Her father takes away her books because he is afraid she is not marriage material and will end up in the lunatic asylum.

This is what happens to many wives who do not obey their husbands. On the word of an angry, spiteful husband they can be sent off to the asylum for life. 

Lady Duxbury who is a widow, but suffered through two terrible marriages, invites the women for tea, they start the secret book group.  They become friends and their bond helps them build resolve to change their circumstances.  They bolster each other as they decide to take control of their lives and their marriages.

You will enjoy spending a few afternoons reading this book with a cup of tea and biscuits.