Review: Dreamers of the Day
Gaby Meares
I must confess my knowledge of the historic events that are the heart of this novel is somewhat sketchy, so if there are any inaccuracies, I am blissfully unaware!
I loved our initially timid heroine Agnes Shanklin. It’s 1920, she is 40 years old and has not lived at all, having been kept firmly under her mother’s thumb. The Spanish flu leaves her totally alone in the world, apart from her fearless companion, Rosie, a dachshund who accompanies her on the adventure of a lifetime.
There is a wonderful scene where Agnes overcomes her reservations and enters a fashionable department store to purchase some up-to-date clothes. The irrepressible Mildred takes her (and Rosie) in hand and in a laugh-out-loud episode, introduces Agnes to the fashions of the day.
From here on, Mildred is a constant positive voice in Agnes’ head, subduing the other (negative) voice in her head, which is her mother’s. Mildred gives her courage.
This is a fantastic novel about a women finding herself in a turbulent, changing world. Agnes is a witness to events in Cairo that would change the world, and rubs shoulders with the likes of T. E. Lawrence and Winston Churchill, and, in the process, discovers herself.
Perfect related text for HSC Journeys.