Spare brides

The year is turning from 1920 to 1921, and the First World War has ended, yet its aftermath still shapes everything. Ringing in a decade the newspapers promise will sparkle, a generation of women who lived through the conflict find that peace has not restored their old certainties. So many young men were killed that the few survivors are scarce, and the marriage market now favours those with money or good looks.

The novel follows four women caught in this new order. Beatrice has neither fortune nor beauty, leaving her with few prospects. Ava possesses both, but after the independence the war gave her, marriage feels like a locked door. Sarah has already paid the heaviest price the war exacted, having lost her husband. Lydia's husband spent the conflict safely behind a desk, which ought to be a blessing, but she can see nothing in him except cowardice.