melindamoor's review against another edition
4.0
What a little, shiny Pearl of a BOOK.
"Unfortunately, readability is not a quality that is studied in universities; thus no literary critic has ever defined what makes Dorothy Whipple’s domestic, everyday books so gripping."
Quoted from the website of Persephone books and I couldn't agree more, but it is one of those cases when Simple, Humdrum & Everyday win easily over Convoluted, High Drama & Extraordinary and what a spectacular Victory it is.
Also from the Publisher's website:
"As Jane Brocket writes in her Persephone Preface: the novel ‘is a celebration of the Lancastrian values of hard work and stubbornness, and there could be no finer setting for a shop-girl-made-good story than the county in which cotton was king.’ And the cultural historian Catherine Horwood has written about this novel: ‘Dorothy Whipple was only too well aware that clothes were one of the keys to class in this period. Before WW1, only the well-off could afford to have their clothes made: yards of wool crepe and stamped silks were turned into costumes by an invisible army of dressmakers across the country, and the idea of buying clothes ready-made from a dress shop was still unusual. Vera Brittain talks of “hand-me-downs” in Testament of Youth with a quite different meaning from today. These were not clothes passed from sibling to sibling but “handed down from a rack” in an outfitter’s shop, a novelty.’ High Wages describes how the way people shopped was beginning to change; it is this change that Dorothy Whipple uses as a key turning point in her novel."
"Unfortunately, readability is not a quality that is studied in universities; thus no literary critic has ever defined what makes Dorothy Whipple’s domestic, everyday books so gripping."
Quoted from the website of Persephone books and I couldn't agree more, but it is one of those cases when Simple, Humdrum & Everyday win easily over Convoluted, High Drama & Extraordinary and what a spectacular Victory it is.
Also from the Publisher's website:
"As Jane Brocket writes in her Persephone Preface: the novel ‘is a celebration of the Lancastrian values of hard work and stubbornness, and there could be no finer setting for a shop-girl-made-good story than the county in which cotton was king.’ And the cultural historian Catherine Horwood has written about this novel: ‘Dorothy Whipple was only too well aware that clothes were one of the keys to class in this period. Before WW1, only the well-off could afford to have their clothes made: yards of wool crepe and stamped silks were turned into costumes by an invisible army of dressmakers across the country, and the idea of buying clothes ready-made from a dress shop was still unusual. Vera Brittain talks of “hand-me-downs” in Testament of Youth with a quite different meaning from today. These were not clothes passed from sibling to sibling but “handed down from a rack” in an outfitter’s shop, a novelty.’ High Wages describes how the way people shopped was beginning to change; it is this change that Dorothy Whipple uses as a key turning point in her novel."
flappermyrtle's review against another edition
4.0
This is the second Persephone Book I read, and I was once more touched by the aura of feminine culture and community surrounding it. High Wages deals with the life of a shop girl in the 1910s and leaves nothing out; the happy Sundays off, the boredom of rainy days in the shop, the meanness of employers and the support of workers among one another. Though Jane's life certainly goes uphill in the novel, it's not a glorified rags-to-riches story, and attention is paid to the less pleasant sides of being a working class girl. Especially the relationships with women coming into the shop are put down sharply, the class-system still in place and enforced by rich women treating the lower classes like filth. The same goes for Jane's thoughts on all these women buying, buying, buying and being so utterly focused on appearance - why? The issues raised are still relevant today, I felt, which made the story even more appealing.
It's a very easy read - I read its 300+ pages in one day, compelled to keep reading and find out more about Jane, her friends and her customers. There's a lovely story here, but also subtle commentary on society at the time, and the roles given to women in this society. A must-read for every smart woman who also loves dresses!
It's a very easy read - I read its 300+ pages in one day, compelled to keep reading and find out more about Jane, her friends and her customers. There's a lovely story here, but also subtle commentary on society at the time, and the roles given to women in this society. A must-read for every smart woman who also loves dresses!
juliaeditrix's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the protagonist, Jane Carter. Surprised at the slow pace of the story that moved along at its own pace, and yet the story never dragged. It was a peaceful walk in the countryside, and even in dramatic moments never felt ungainly. A lovely slip into the past. Good ending, too.
larafrances's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
disneydaughter's review against another edition
5.0
It feels like I'm being overly generous with my ratings recently, but I've had a really good year with my book choices!
This is my first Persephone book (which I picked at random in their lovely shop in London), as well as the first Dorothy Whipple novel I've read. Set on the cusp of WW1, it's a charming story of a shop girl making her own way as a business woman. It was quiet and subtle, but shouldn't be underestimated as a good feminist text, with some really interesting nods towards societal changes.
I think this might be one of my favourite books this year. I've ordered some more Whipple, as it looks like this might be one of her lesser known books. I would encourage everyone to check out Persephone publishers. They specialise in printing books by lesser known female authors from the mid 20th century; there's sure to be some overlooked classics.
This is my first Persephone book (which I picked at random in their lovely shop in London), as well as the first Dorothy Whipple novel I've read. Set on the cusp of WW1, it's a charming story of a shop girl making her own way as a business woman. It was quiet and subtle, but shouldn't be underestimated as a good feminist text, with some really interesting nods towards societal changes.
I think this might be one of my favourite books this year. I've ordered some more Whipple, as it looks like this might be one of her lesser known books. I would encourage everyone to check out Persephone publishers. They specialise in printing books by lesser known female authors from the mid 20th century; there's sure to be some overlooked classics.
jessreadthis's review against another edition
4.0
"Oh, the comfort of that first cup of tea! The warmth and life it puts into you!" , (p.25)
My first Dorothy Whipple novel read. Most definitely not my last. A lovely tale with insights into the life of a live in shopgirl with big dreams. You just can't help not cheering for the sturdy Lancashire girl, Jane Carter, as she bravely strikes out on her own. It's a novel of the values of hard work, determination, and friendship that will take one places. At times, I will confess, I found portions to be a wee bit melodramatic. However, interspersed throughout the novel are lovely bits of imagery, prose, and pure fancy. I loved a particular scene where Jane is utterly entranced over the words from a novel being read aloud. She has to hold that book and read it for herself. The feeling was so great and overwhelming to read the words herself rather than have them read to her. That is an exact feeling I've had myself and Whipple captures it beautifully.
Well done on this reprint, Persephone Books!
My first Dorothy Whipple novel read. Most definitely not my last. A lovely tale with insights into the life of a live in shopgirl with big dreams. You just can't help not cheering for the sturdy Lancashire girl, Jane Carter, as she bravely strikes out on her own. It's a novel of the values of hard work, determination, and friendship that will take one places. At times, I will confess, I found portions to be a wee bit melodramatic. However, interspersed throughout the novel are lovely bits of imagery, prose, and pure fancy. I loved a particular scene where Jane is utterly entranced over the words from a novel being read aloud. She has to hold that book and read it for herself. The feeling was so great and overwhelming to read the words herself rather than have them read to her. That is an exact feeling I've had myself and Whipple captures it beautifully.
Well done on this reprint, Persephone Books!
amy_h_45's review against another edition
4.0
A while back I had the opportunity to visit the Persephone Books shop in London. I went there with a purpose--to buy all of the Dorothy Whipple books they had in stock. I the proceeded to carry four novels around London all day. My back hurt, my arm hurt, and I vowed to never again buy books on vacation.
All of that was made worth it when I read High Wages. It is delightful to read, yet thought provoking. I am always interested in period women's literature that discusses the true lives of women at the time. What I enjoyed about High Wages is that Whipple discusses the often desperate situation of working class women in pre-WW1 England with a lightness (not to be confused with superficiality) that allows the reader to consider other issue and form her own opinion. In that way she reminds me of Jane Austen, who was the master of this writing style.
My only problem with the novel is that the end was not quite as satisfying as the beginning. I loved reading about Jane's struggle to rise above her station. It seemed tome that once she attained her goals she love her lust for life, and so did I lose a bit of my enthusiasm for the book. Let it be known, however, that if i was writing a more scholarly interpretation this would probably not be the case, as I believe the end has more to flesh out than the beginning. I was reading this book on vacation-- not in a critical analysis kind of environment at all.
All of that was made worth it when I read High Wages. It is delightful to read, yet thought provoking. I am always interested in period women's literature that discusses the true lives of women at the time. What I enjoyed about High Wages is that Whipple discusses the often desperate situation of working class women in pre-WW1 England with a lightness (not to be confused with superficiality) that allows the reader to consider other issue and form her own opinion. In that way she reminds me of Jane Austen, who was the master of this writing style.
My only problem with the novel is that the end was not quite as satisfying as the beginning. I loved reading about Jane's struggle to rise above her station. It seemed tome that once she attained her goals she love her lust for life, and so did I lose a bit of my enthusiasm for the book. Let it be known, however, that if i was writing a more scholarly interpretation this would probably not be the case, as I believe the end has more to flesh out than the beginning. I was reading this book on vacation-- not in a critical analysis kind of environment at all.
maccymacd's review against another edition
5.0
Such a wonderful roller coaster. I continue to be delighted by Dorothy Whipple and her easy, accessible and fabulous way of writing and throwing together a story filled with characters that I really care about. Jane Carter's ascent from shop girl to shop owner is fascinating as well as heartbreaking. Along the way she meets lovesick Wilfred, melancholy Noel, drippy Maggie, kind Mrs Briggs and the snobbish Mr Chadwick. If Charles Dickens wrote a story like this I imagine his characterizations to be vastly similar.
miggsisalot's review against another edition
4.0
Dorothy Whipple’s High Wages was seriously fun to read. As someone who has worked in retail for nearly nine years, I found the book’s heroine Jane Carter easy to relate to and very likable, though I haven’t as much ambition, talent, and savvy to open my own clothing business as she does in the book. The story begins in 1912, in the English town of Tidsley, where Jane finds a job working in a draper’s shop. For next six years, she toils under the thumb of the shop’s owner, the pompous Mr. Chadwick, until a dear friend gives her the push she needs to strike out on her own.
I would have enjoyed this book to the fullest if it weren’t for the love story that comes in rather late in the game, and to be honest, I felt that when it happened, Jane quickly became a different person. I’m just thankful that Whipple wrote in plenty of other characters to follow and care about, such as Mrs. Briggs and Wilfrid. I’d say that after such a long time languishing on my To-Read list, High Wages definitely lived up to all its rave reviews. I enjoyed it a lot, but could have done without the romance.
I would have enjoyed this book to the fullest if it weren’t for the love story that comes in rather late in the game, and to be honest, I felt that when it happened, Jane quickly became a different person. I’m just thankful that Whipple wrote in plenty of other characters to follow and care about, such as Mrs. Briggs and Wilfrid. I’d say that after such a long time languishing on my To-Read list, High Wages definitely lived up to all its rave reviews. I enjoyed it a lot, but could have done without the romance.