This is a book I've owned for 30 ish years because I bought all the Virago Modern Classic books when they came out. I was really unable to read it at the time. I was too young. I just finished it with tears in my eyes and thought how wonderful it was that this book was still in print. I'm heading for my bookshelf for her other book I bought years ago....."The Misses Mallet". Stay tuned....JB ( )

"Be anything you like, but be something. Simply being a useful woman like me isn't good enough." (p. 223)

This is the advice housekeeper Hannah Mole gives to Ruth Corder, daughter of Hannah's employer. Miss Hannah Mole came to Reverend Corder's household after a series of positions as housekeeper and/or companion. At 40, Hannah is well aware that her frank communications have gotten her in trouble with employers before. Her weatlhy, status-conscious cousin Lilla is instrumental in finding Hannah's new position, on the condition that their relationship be kept secret.

The Corder household is somewhat in shambles after the death of Mrs. Corder. Reverend Corder is unable to meet his daughters' emotional needs, and is unaware of his own. Miss Mole simply goes about her business, slowly winning over daughters Ruth and Ethel, to their father's amazement. She befriends people in the community, including those shunned by others. She is, despite her acid tongue, a very good person, and this rubs off on those around her. But Miss Mole harbors secrets from her own past, which are threatened when she is recognized by another clergyman in the town.

Emily Hilda Young lived and wrote in Britain around the turn of the 20th century. Her writing style is delightful and witty, and she portrays Miss Mole as a strong woman unusual for her time:
If she asserted her personality before she had established herself firmly, even Lilla's patronage would not save her. She had to persuade Robert Corder that she was useful before she let him suspect her of a mind quicker than his own ... (p. 67) Hannah Mole turns out to be far more than just "useful," making Miss Mole a memorable book. ( )

Miss Hannah Mole is a thin spinster of 40 who has ended up in service to others through the circumstances of her life (circumstances which are revealed as the story progresses...no spoilers here). But within that thin frame beats the heart of a rebel, one who has a strong sense of her self (and of her feet...watch for the good shoes!). Armed with a quick wit and a keen intelligence, Miss Mole frequently finds herself unemployed because she won't take life (or wealthy employers) lying down.

When she joins the household of the Reverend Robert Corder, a non-conformist minister of a chapel in Radstowe, she finds herself in the role of an ersatz Mary Poppins figure to his two young daughters, Ethel and Ruth. This reader wanted to bop Ethel over the head quite frequently but came to love the character of Ruth. Miss Mole injects decent meals, a sense of stability and humour into their stultified lives. She finds an unlikely ally in Rev. Corder's nephew Wilfrid, who sees the spark of life in Miss Mole and loves it.

A temporary stop at Mrs. Gibson's boarding house introduces her to Mr. Samuel Blenkinsop, a serious banker whom Miss Mole attempts to cheer up and loosen up, in her indomitable style.

It all comes together in the most satisfying of endings, all loose knots tied together, all conundrums sorted out. Several people will get their just desserts and Miss Mole will at last find her life progressing in a manner which satisfies both her mind and heart. A wonderful, quirky, come at you sideways book which delighted this reader immensely. Highly recommended. ( )