All The Nice Girls, By Joan Bakewell
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Since turning 70, Dame Joan Bakewell, official spokesperson for the elderly, has now published two books. Her 2003 autobiography looked back on her adventures in the chauvinist world of modern broadcasting, and her debut novel also has the changing lot of women as its theme.
At the heart of the book is a wartime story about the pupils and staff of a northern girls' grammar. It's 1942, and in an effort to contribute to the war effort, the school 'sponsors' a merchant navy ship.
Some girls write to the lonely sailors, others, like the school's glamorous headmistress, Miss Maitland, take a more hands on approach. Interspersed with the high seas drama is a parallel narrative set in 2003 on the eve of the Iraq war.
This is an enjoyable and even at times a thrilling read, though the book's contemporary chapters take the history lesson one step too far.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments