Clarionettes by Ruth Enright
Release: 8 August 2023
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Blossom Spring Publishing
Source: Zooloos Book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon
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When mill owner’s daughter, Ellen Rastrick, dares to borrow her brother’s bicycle to join the Clarion Cycling Club in secret, she discovers an exciting new world. It is 1896 in the industrial town of Halifax, West Yorkshire. Ellen’s fellow Clarionettes are young men and women from all walks of life, liberated by the movement to mix socially for the first time.
Naïve or worldly, rich or poor, they all seek freedom, happiness and love. But they soon discover that these can mean very different things to one another. Dynamic relationships and a single drastic act create an unstoppable momentum in the lives of those both inside and outside their group.
They meet as rebels, workers and artists, full of their own hopes and dreams. They become conflicted allies, enjoying new times as friends and lovers while braving danger, risk, heartbreak and loss. Together, they find futures they could never have imagined.
About the Author:
Ruth Enright is from Halifax, West Yorkshire. She enjoys holidays in Whitby, Scarborough and the surrounding area; with Robin Hood’s Bay and Whitby being the inspiration for her debut novel ‘Seahaven.’
Her second book, ‘Button Box’ is for children and young adults. A young girl finds herself living in two worlds – the modern day and a dangerous Victorian past in 1850s London.
Ruth studied English Language and Literature at Reading University and has always had the ambition to write herself. She lives in Manchester with her family and works for local government, where she has held a number of posts. She is now an Information Governance Officer. Ruth came to Manchester as a graduate trainee in Librarianship with Manchester Polytechnic before changing career paths and training for a certificate in teaching lipreading to adults with acquired deafness in Adult Education. She then had her daughter and later became a local government officer.
Ruth has always kept on writing and started a blog a few years ago for her poems, stories and other items. Encouraged by readers, she has recently succeeded in having five short stories published by ‘Yours Fiction’ special short story quarterly magazine.
Ruth loves to read and enjoys writing in both historic and modern settings, experimenting with different genres. Ideas for her writing come from many sources, for instance the name of Robin’s uncle Jorfant in ‘Seahaven’ came from researching her partner’s family tree!
Ruth lives with her partner Jack, and a cat called Margot. Ruth is delighted to be a published author and is looking forward very much to writing more novels.
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Clarionettes Review:
To begin, I cherished how this book exuded a timeless, classic aura. The author’s prose is so exquisite that it evokes the essence of reading a Dickens novel. The narrative revolves around a group of friends who are members of the Clarion Club, and in doing so, it eloquently explores themes of social class, interpersonal relationships, and their shared yearning for adventure and communal experiences. The author skillfully delves into the concept of community, mutual support, and the prevailing social issues within the industrial town of Halifax.
Moving on, the characters in the story possess a distinct charm. Initially, the author introduced us to a large cast, and it took me some time to become acquainted with each one. However, as the narrative unfolded, I began to feel like an integral part of their close-knit circle. The interactions and actions of Ellen and Jane, reflecting their emotional turmoil and the intricacies of their relationships, stand out as some of the narrative’s high points. The author adeptly navigates the intricate web of emotions, desires, and interactions among the characters, illuminating their unique peculiarities and the evolving dynamics within the group. The coexistence of love and tension weaves a complex tapestry of human connections, rendering the story both captivating and multifaceted.
The only minor drawback lies in the book’s length. While I relish any well-crafted book, diving into a substantial tome requires a bit of effort, and I found myself thinking that the author could have trimmed certain sections—some of the descriptions of scenes were too detailed.
In summary, “Clarionettes” is a charming historical novel that I genuinely relished, and I eagerly anticipate delving into more of the author’s literary offerings.
Book Tour Schedule
I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on The Clarionettes by Ruth Enright Blog Tour hosted by Zooloos Book Tours.
Thank you so much for sharing this gorgeous review x
Thank you very much for reading my book and giving it such a wonderful review. I am delighted you felt so involved by it and I am very flattered indeed to be compared to Dickens!