London Lodgings

Rayner's story of Tilly's progress from sheltered child to a woman who must make her own way in London is an interesting episodic pilgrimage. The characters in the book ring true from Tilly's dominant father Austen, to her maid and nemesis Dorcus. As a period piece which tells the story of a woman in the late 1850's and early 1860's, it is an interesting study on the roles of women. When the fundamentalist lawyer visits and offers the opinion that women should never be allowed to own property or handle their own finances, it puts us in touch with how far society has progressed in the 140 years since. While a bit plodding in places, I kept opening the book to read the next chapter and usually was surprised by the next development. Tilly did seem to be a bit icy as a love interest, but the tale is engagingly told. I found the book to be well worth the read!