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A review by ori_gina_lity
High Wages by Dorothy Whipple
4.0
High Wages is one of three novels I recently purchased from Persephone Books', who reprints forgotten female authors of the early to mid 20th century. First of all the books are beautiful, the covers are exteremly smooth and fall open perfectly. The endpapers are so striking and unique to each book - in this case a 1930 Cryséde Ltd. dress fabric called Farm Scene is showcased. Inside, the words were just as aesthetically pleasing. Whipple introduces us to determined and ambitious Jane Carter alone in the world she gets a job at a draper's shop where she's badly paid and dreams of setting up for herself.
I was instantly enamored with time period, the clothing, the characters, and overall "feel" of this novel. I loved the descriptions of the dress shop - I work in retail and someday I'd love to own my own shop so I relate to Jane on a spiritual level. The novel spans about 10 years, during WWI and though occasionally I found the writing to be abrupt it's a fascinating look at what some may consider a shallow topic; fashion. If you take notice of Whipple's subtle hand there is much to examine. Jane is a strong, complex female lead - she has business savvy, she doesn't tolerate bullshit but she's also feminine and delicate. The depiction of the social classes and ill-fated romance reminded me of one of my favorite writers, E.M. Forster. Though I wouldn't go to say it's at the same level as his work, aspects of Whipple's style were comparable. A highly readable shop-girl story, and much more. 4/5 stars.
I was instantly enamored with time period, the clothing, the characters, and overall "feel" of this novel. I loved the descriptions of the dress shop - I work in retail and someday I'd love to own my own shop so I relate to Jane on a spiritual level. The novel spans about 10 years, during WWI and though occasionally I found the writing to be abrupt it's a fascinating look at what some may consider a shallow topic; fashion. If you take notice of Whipple's subtle hand there is much to examine. Jane is a strong, complex female lead - she has business savvy, she doesn't tolerate bullshit but she's also feminine and delicate. The depiction of the social classes and ill-fated romance reminded me of one of my favorite writers, E.M. Forster. Though I wouldn't go to say it's at the same level as his work, aspects of Whipple's style were comparable. A highly readable shop-girl story, and much more. 4/5 stars.