Dangerous Ages   By: Rose Macaulay (1881-1958)

Dangerous Ages by Rose Macaulay is a compelling exploration of the complex lives of women in early 20th-century England. Set against the backdrop of the suffrage movement, the novel delves deep into the challenges faced by women of different generations and societal backgrounds.

Macaulay skillfully weaves together the stories of several women, each grappling with their own desires, dreams, and limitations in a society that is evolving rapidly. Through her vivid prose and sharp observations, the author presents a nuanced portrayal of the changing roles and expectations placed upon women during this tumultuous era.

The novel centers around the three generations of the Curtis family: Neville, her daughters, and her granddaughter. Neville, an independent and unconventional woman, becomes a source of inspiration for her daughters, who find themselves caught between the traditional expectations of society and their own burgeoning ambitions.

Macaulay's characters are richly drawn and imbued with a remarkable depth of emotions. She captures the inner struggles, longing, and disappointments experienced by women who find themselves bound by societal norms, and their attempts to break free and forge their identities. Whether it is the pursuit of love, intellectual fulfillment, or personal autonomy, each character grapples with their desires against the backdrop of a changing world.

What sets Dangerous Ages apart is Macaulay's unflinching honesty in portraying the complexities of relationships. She delves into the intricacies of mother-daughter dynamics, sisterhood, and friendship, examining the tensions and power dynamics that exist within these bonds, as well as the profound impact they have on individual trajectories.

While the tone of the novel is often introspective and reflective, Macaulay's wit and keen sense of humor inject moments of levity into the narrative. Through her satirical observations and sharp dialogue, she skillfully highlights the idiosyncrasies of societal norms and the absurdities they entail.

Overall, Dangerous Ages is a compelling and thought-provoking read, offering a poignant exploration of womanhood in a time of societal upheaval. Macaulay's skillful storytelling and nuanced characterizations breathe life into the struggles and triumphs of her female protagonists, leaving the reader reflecting on the timeless themes of self-discovery and the pursuit of personal fulfillment.

First Page:

Neville, at five o'clock (Nature's time, not man's) on the morning of her birthday, woke from the dream broken sleep of summer dawns, hot with the burden of two sheets and a blanket, roused by the multitudinous silver calling of a world full of birds. They chattered and bickered about the creepered house, shrill and sweet, like a hundred brooks running together down steep rocky places after snow. And, not like brooks, and strangely unlike birds, like, in fact, nothing in the world except a cuckoo clock, a cuckoo shouted foolishly in the lowest boughs of the great elm across the silver lawn... Continue reading book >>