Miss Mole by E. H. Young -- BOOK BEGINNINGS

BOOK BEGINNINGS ON FRIDAYS

Miss Mole by E. H. Young

Thank you for joining me for Book Beginnings on Fridays. Please share the opening sentence (or so) of the book you are reading this week. You can also share from a book that caught your fancy, even if you are not reading it right now.

MY BOOK BEGINNING

The voice of her new friend, bidding her good night, followed Miss Hannah Mole as she went down the garden path, and the laurel bushes, as she brushed by them, repeated in a whisper, yet with a strange assurance, the persuasive invitation of Mrs. Gibson to come back soon.

-- from Miss Mole by E. H. Young.

E. H. Young won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize in 1930 for Miss Mole, a novel about a seemingly meek and retiring woman making her way as a paid helper -- governess, companion, and housekeeper. But Miss Mole has a secret that could disrupt her placid life. 

I'm working my way through the James Tait Black winners, so was excited to find a Dean Street Press edition of Miss Mole.  I was inspired to read it now as one of my Spinster September books.  

YOUR BOOK BEGINNINGS

Please add the link to your Book Beginnings post in the box below. If you share on social media, please use the #bookbeginnings hashtag.

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THE FRIDAY 56

The Friday 56 is a natural tie-in with Book Beginnings. The idea is to share a two-sentence teaser from page 56 of your featured book. If you are reading an ebook or audiobook, find your teaser from the 56% mark.

Anne at My Head is Full of Books now hosts The Friday 56. Please visit Anne's blog and link to your Friday 56 post.

MY FRIDAY 56

-- from Miss Mole:

For Mrs. Gibson, the next few days had a noble sadness in them. She was to lose Miss Mole but could not grudge her to the exalted state of being housekeeper to Mr. Corder, and Miss Mole knew she would be welcome at any time if she liked to drop in for a cup of tea.

FROM THE PUBLISHER'S DESCRIPTION

Miss Hannah Mole has for twenty years earned her living precariously as a governess or companion to a succession of difficult old women. Now, aged forty, a thin and shabby figure, she returns to Radstowe, the lovely city of her youth. Here she is, if not exactly welcomed, at least employed as housekeeper by the pompous Reverend Robert Corder, whose daughters are sorely in need of guidance. But even the dreariest situation can be transformed into an adventure by the indomitable Miss Mole. Blessed with imagination, wit and intelligence, she wins the affection of Ethel and her nervous sister Ruth. But her past holds a secret that, if brought to life, would jeopardise everything.