mabel, I read this in book group. I can honestly tell you that we had more attendees for this discussion than any other book over the past year. All was favorable. Some younger folks came that night, and were totally unaware of how "things were" for domestics during that era. Yes, for me too, it was the best fiction I'd read all year. Our library book group usually runs about 6 to 8 people, mostly older. We had to add an additional table w/chairs for the extras. I didn't write it down but I think we had 12. Since the book was fairly new, at first we had a problem getting enough copies through our library to have the discussion, but it worked out all right. We discussed the strength of the characters, especially the maids; the sense of impending tragedy (had anyone found out about their writing circle); the book seemed so real, and really drew all of us into the story. Great writing!
