The Camomile; An Invention is a fascinating story of Ellen Carstairs and her search for independence as told to her dear friend Ruby via letters and journal entries. Mostly set in Glasgow after WWI, we discover how Ruby and Ellen first met and became friends in Germany studying music. But now, Ruby is back in London and Ellen is back in Glasgow teaching music.

The bulk of the story takes place in Scotland as we see Ellen and he brother Ronald living with their aunt after the death of their parents. They are duly grateful but Ellen finds herself being rubbed the wrong way and feeling stifled by her lack of freedom and space. So she decides to hire a small room in a neighbouring house where she can finally have a room of her own to write, think her own thoughts and be quiet and at peace.

The second half of the story races along much faster than the first part, yet the whole time I was never quite sure which way Carswell was going to to go. Was Ellen going to embrace her independence or was she going to compromise for love?

I thoroughly enjoyed this Scottish Renaissance story and would be very keen to read Carswell's other novel at some point.

I generally enjoy books in this genre (female writers 1920s-1950s), but The Camomile was a miss for me. The first 70% of the book is a mundane account of the main character's daily life. We see her straining against the boredom of her repressive family and attempt to carve out her own life by renting a room in which to write. It could have been interesting but fell flat for me. Without giving any spoilers, about 70% into the book, there is suddenly an interesting conflict and a much more compelling story. Unfortunately, it was too late in the story to redeem the book as a whole.

I was thrilled to read The Camomile's ARC. I love the British Library Women Writers books. The fact that it's set in the 1920s, in epistolary format, and centers on an independent young woman made me even more excited to get started. Alas, I didn't enjoy this book and found it a slog to get through. I think it was a combination of having a very unlikeable main character. Ellen always made snide comments in her journal/letter to Ruby. Sadly, the important feminist ideas that Carswell outlines seem lost in the snarkiness.

"The Camomile" is the story of a woman's journey toward love and being true to herself in a century when women's interests outside of marriage were frowned upon. It is told through journal entries to her best friend, which is a novel form I love, as it gives a peek into the inner thoughts and struggles of the narrator from her own words. Fans of 20th-century women's fiction will find much to like here. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

#TheCamomile

"'The chamomile, the more it is trodden on, the faster is grows.' Shakespeare, Henry IV Part 1

The opening quote of The Camomile provides an insight into the book's title. The narrative highlights the tensions for a woman in the early 20th century between the desire to explore her creativity and the duties expected of her as a prospective wife. Through a series of journal entries, which form an extended letter to her best friend, we follow the protagonist, Ellen, who rents out a room away from her family to provide a quiet space in which to focus on her music and her writing. Ellen is a lively soul who wants the freedom to express herself and she finds a champion of her endeavors at the Mitchell Library. But as she falls in love and becomes betrothed to a doctor who is soon to return to India, she finds herself increasingly conflicted and has to eventually make a choice."

I just gotta say how much I adore the cover of this book. It's perfect but also wonderfully reflects the contents inside it's covers.

I was so excited to read this, as I had heard it recommended by Miranda Mills on Youtube! I was so fortunate to be able to read a preview copy early from NetGalley, of the British Women's Library edition. I love epistolary form stories and books, and this one was lovely. I enjoyed it very much, and would definitely recommend to any other vintage book readers, especially Persephone or Virago Modern Classics folks!