Published By: Michael Joseph
Pages: 400
Released On: 20/07/2023
When Edie Budd arrives at a shabby West London boarding house in October 1958, carrying nothing except a broken suitcase and an envelope full of cash, it’s clear she’s hiding a terrible secret. And she’s not the only one; the other women of 73 Dove Street have secrets of their own . . .
Tommie, who lives on the second floor, waits on the eccentric Mrs Vee by day. After dark, she harbours an addiction to seedy Soho nightlife – and a man she can’t quit.
Phyllis, 73 Dove Street’s formidable landlady, has set fire to her husband’s belongings after discovering a heart-breaking betrayal – yet her fierce bravado hides a past she doesn’t want to talk about.
At first, the three women keep to themselves. But as Edie’s past catches up with her, Tommie becomes caught in her web of lies – forcing her to make a decision that will change everything . . .
*****
Thanks to Michael Joseph for the gifted advanced proof of this title in return for an honest review.
The main thing I can say about Julie Owen Moylan is that she excels at writing women. That was true with That Green Eyed Girl, and it’s true with 73 Dove Street. I don’t know how or why, but that is clearly her niche and her passion and where her talent lies, and I am here for it.
We have three protagonists: Edit, Tommie and Phyllis. Edie I went hot and cold with. She was fabulously written but it took me a while to settle in with her. At times I felt sorry for her, but then at others I was a bit suspicious. But overall, she managed to worm her way into my heart. Tommie I didn’t overly like. I can’t put my finger on why. Again, expertly written, but I felt she was playing the victim too much, but again, she did worm her way around by the end. And Phyllis. Oh she was probably my favourite. Maybe I expected to feel closer to the younger characters rather than the landlord, but my heart went out to her majorly from the start to the end.
This is definitely a woman’s story. There are male characters of course, but for me they fade into the background. In a time period where women were meant to be subservient and quiet, these are powerful women who deserve to be in charge of their lives and their loves.
It covers the present time, but also looks at Edie’s past over the last five years. Flashback narratives can often be a bit confusing and clunky, but this is seamless and it really helps you understand her now, and gives her this characterisation that I’m not sure you’d have got it it had just been a linear narrative.
At 400 ish pages, I wasn’t expecting to read it in one sitting, but that’s what happened. I tried to do other things, but it kept calling to me, and in the end I just gave in an devoured it. And boy is it leaving a serious hangover.
For a book reviewer, it’s probably unhelpful to say I can’t explain something. But it’s impossible to clearly explain how Julie writes. She is a voice like I’ve never read. Completely unique. Passionate and tender and raw and beautiful. I don’t do star ratings generally for books, but I cannot imagine her work every being anything other than 5 stars, 10 stars, whatever the maximum is.
The problem is now – and it’s a good problem to have – is that when I read That Green Eyed Girl, there were no preconceived ideas, as it was her debut. And then I had big hopes for this one. And it means I’m expecting great things from her future work. No pressure. I’m sure anything and everything she will write will be perfect and I cannot wait.
Books By Your Bedside 