Regiment of Women is a fascinating and thought-provoking novel that challenges traditional gender roles and societal norms. Set in a dystopian future where women rule and men are subjugated, the story follows the journey of a male protagonist who finds himself caught in a world he never imagined.
The writing is beautifully crafted and the world-building is immersive, drawing the reader in from the very first page. The characters are complex and well-developed, each with their own struggles and motivations that drive the plot forward.
Dane does an excellent job of exploring themes of power, control, and equality, forcing readers to confront their own beliefs and biases. The novel serves as a gripping commentary on gender dynamics and the consequences of a society dominated by one gender.
Overall, Regiment of Women is a gripping and thought-provoking read that will leave readers contemplating its themes long after they have finished the book. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a compelling and thought-provoking read.
Book Description:
Set in a small town in Edwardian England, Regiment of Women is about the relationship between two teachers at a private girls' school. One of them, Clare Hartill, is in her mid-thirties and runs the school in all but name. Most of the girls are devoted to Hartill and gladly suffer under her strict but charismatic rule. The other teacher is Alwynne Durand, an attractive nineteen-year-old woman who lives with Elsbeth Loveday, her unmarried aunt and guardian. When Durand starts teaching at the school she is immediately popular with her students but also excites Hartill's attention. The two women become close friends, and the couple also travel abroad together during the summer holidays. Although Loveday and Hartill hardly ever meet, a strange kind of antagonism develops between them, each woman fighting to spend more time than they do with Alwynne Durand and to be the dominant person in Alwynne's life.
Famous for its veiled references to lesbian relationships, this novel was said to have inspired Radclyffe Hall's "The Well of Loneliness". - Summary by Beth Thomas
Dedicated to Beth Thomas