The compelling, powerful story of two women, separated by a hundred years, but linked by the lives they choose and the decisions they make.
1849: Bess Hardemon arrives at the grimly Dickensian Priors Heath school, little knowing that she will one day end up as an inspiring and legendary headmistress – but at considerable personal cost.
1970: Sarah Beckett is delighted to gain a place at Priors Heath – as much for the pride of her parents as for herself – but will she fit in?
The plight of a nineteenth century schoolteacher, trapped by her duty to her job, is mirrored by a modern day woman’s fight to escape the shackles of a broken marriage. Bess Hardemon, a tough and canny young teacher is determined to make a difference at her new school. At the cost of her own chance of finding love, Bess remains trapped by her duty, a confinement echoed a century later by Sarah, who must make her own choice between duty and her efforts to save a broken marriage.
1849: Bess Hardemon arrives at the grimly Dickensian Priors Heath school, little knowing that she will one day end up as an inspiring and legendary headmistress – but at considerable personal cost.
1970: Sarah Beckett is delighted to gain a place at Priors Heath – as much for the pride of her parents as for herself – but will she fit in?
The plight of a nineteenth century schoolteacher, trapped by her duty to her job, is mirrored by a modern day woman’s fight to escape the shackles of a broken marriage. Bess Hardemon, a tough and canny young teacher is determined to make a difference at her new school. At the cost of her own chance of finding love, Bess remains trapped by her duty, a confinement echoed a century later by Sarah, who must make her own choice between duty and her efforts to save a broken marriage.
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Reviews
A satisfying multi-nuanced treatment of what women want and the sacrifices they make to acheive.