Comments on: The Eights: The captivating debut historical novel following the first women to study at Oxford University

By: Steph

Steph — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 10:34:00 +0000

Recommended. A very effective setting, Oxford University in 1920. The novel really catches the contradictions. Women have finally been admitted as full students (previously they couldn’t receive degrees) but they’re constrained by strict regulations and openly ridiculed by many male academics and students. And people are still suffering the aftermath of the Great War – bereavement, trauma, guilt at having survived. The four main characters are slightly caricatured – good time girl, lesbian daughter of a suffragist etc – and the storylines become over-elaborate but it’s a good read.

By: lisa5750

lisa5750 — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 15:57:47 +0000

I enjoyed this book , I learned a lot and found myself researching various aspects alluded to by the author. I’m very interested in women’s rights and have read
much on the subject, but this is the first book I’ve read about female education at Oxford. Elements of the story were fascinating , as was the afterword. The main reason for the 4* rather than 5* is mainly because I found it a slow slog at the beginning , in fact I almost stopped reading a third of the way through. I’m so glad I stayed with it though , it really is a fascinating depiction of the struggle for women’s rights during the early part of the C20th. The characters of ‘The Eights’ do become more engaging as the story unfolds. Very much worth a read it you enjoy learning about women and their struggles at the turn of the century.

By: L Mee

L Mee — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 08:10:02 +0000

At first I was a bit unsure about this. And about a quarter of the way in, I wavered again. I was craving more impact and for the characters to appeal more; I felt the story hadn't 'hooked me'.

But I had to admit it was well written and I loved the history of the period immediately after the Great War, Oxford University and the development of women's rights. So I persevered.

And then, unexpectedly, the story grabbed me and sucked me in. I devoured the remaining three quarters of the book in 48 hours. I was completely absorbed in this delicious tale. One of the best books I've read for a while. If you're enjoying it but not totally convinced during the first quarter, my advice would be to stay with it, because it becomes a beautiful read.

By: K A Sandford-Clisby

K A Sandford-Clisby — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 12:29:59 +0000

What a beautiful novel! I absolutely loved this book about a group of women who were among the first women to be admitted to Oxford to study for degrees. The book starts in 1920 and all of the main characters have been affected by WWI in one way or another. It also touches on the suffrage movement as well. The amount of research that the author did is incredible and brings it to life. Highly recommend!

By: Finchley

Finchley — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 18:39:03 +0000

This is the story of several young women who are in the first “coed” class at Oxford in the 1920’s. The novel develops each character in some depth. It also offers historical and cultural background for the times. It kept my interest throughout although it is not full of suspense, humor or sensationalism.

By: Gabrielle Massey

Gabrielle Massey — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 04:30:23 +0000

I think this is a perfect book -the story, the characters, but maybe especially the actual writing. I’m not sure how often I notice the beauty of sentences as I have in this book.
Fortunately for me, the husband went to Cambridge and his brother to Oxford (I went to a fairly rubbish place in London), so for any details I didn’t know, I had a resident instructor. I feel that I should be writing this in Received Pronunciation….
Living in NY, this has been a most wonderful visit to the England that no longer exists.
Absolutely loved it!

By: Deborah Leff

Deborah Leff — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 20:47:31 +0000

Follows four young women who, in 1920, are among the first matriculating class of women at Oxford University. Prior, women had been grudgingly allowed to attend classes if allowed by a professor, but we’re not granted degrees. With characters that are well drawn and relatable, from varying backgrounds, the book is actually more character driven than plot driven. One of the best things about The Eights, however, is it’s sense of historical place and time. It explores the changing British class structure in the wake of WWI, the Suffrage Movement and the devastation, on a personal and societal level, of a nation that has lost the majority of a generation of young men to the war, either through death or terrible injury, both physical and emotional. The cultural mores, speech patterns and attitudes, even the narration, are very much spot on. None of the grafting of 21st century sensibilities onto historic time periods that spoils so much of current HF. (I swear, if I read “I’m here for you,” one more time in a book set before 1970, I’ll bite somebody!) If you were a fan of Downton Abby, you’ll probably love this book.

By: Laura R

Laura R — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 11:12:38 +0000

Really enjoyed this story, the setting/ premise and the characters she wrote, informative and insightful.

By: Schmetterling

Schmetterling — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 16:26:24 +0000

This is a vivid, engaging and brilliantly researched novel. The backdrop of Oxford in the 20s is fascinating and richly detailed, but you never feel that the author is shoehorning her research into the story. It’s woven into the narrative and the lives of these four beautifully drawn women. All their stories individually build throughout the book, with twists and turns you don’t expect, and although it seems gentle at first it really packs a punch and by the end you feel all four strands have come together very movingly. Cried my eyes out. This would make an incredible film. Can’t wait to see it!

By: Dilly

Dilly — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 23:11:05 +0000

This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. Ms Miller has obviously conducted a lot of detailed research, which shines through in her book. I loved the historical references and the detail of University life after World War I. The four lead characters were each interesting in their own right, as were the male characters who were on the periphery but integral to the storyline. I will be passing this book on to friends, and look forward to more from Joanna Miller.