Yours from the Tower

The epistolary format made this such a lovely book to read! The writing style of the letters feels historical, and the focus on daily life made it very atmospheric.

The three girls are separated from each other for nearly the entire time, but the letters make it so clear how close they are. All three plotlines felt a little predictable from the start, (Of course Tirzah's stern grandmother has a family secret, of course Polly is right about the orphan mystery and of course Sophia will marry the funny guy and not some rich suitor), but the way they were written made them very engaging. The letters follow the girls' daily lives and only tell about the events when they have already happened, creating a sense of introspection to all of the show more stories.

The girls acknowledge multiple times how the time they live in restricts women, but never follow up on it. On one hand, it's slightly disappointing, on the other hand, I liked it because it meant they found their personal happily ever afters within these restrictions.
All three could have achieved so much more, but they are able to be happy regardless, which is comforting compared to the idea that historical women always have to put on a fight to be remotely happy. show less

I found this totally charming -- the setting, the humor, the vibrant characters writing heartfelt letters, the little behind-the-scenes commentary as they worry for each other. It's such a feel-good book, even if it does fall within the traditional bounds of the time period. I want more for Polly, Tirzah and Sophia, but I also like that they want more for themselves, too, and are capable of finding a life they want.

Advanced reader's copy provided by Edelweiss.

Very enjoyable read! The writing is very good and all of the characters have very distinct ways of writing and wording things which meant it was easy to tell them apart even via letter. The love interests were all very charming and I am happy with all the matches the girls managed to make. I must say Sebastian was probably my favourite character.

The plot was a bit predictable at times but still engaging. I really liked that the author gave us a peek into very different ways of life through the 3 girls' perspectives. We see the Season and the nobles' life through Sophie's eyes, plus the life of a poorer relative dependent on their wealthy relative's generosity. Through Polly we see how life was like for a working class woman and for show more poor orphans. And finally Tirza gives us a look at simple village living and what it was like for girls whose family did not encourage them to become socialites. Instead of giving us three different perspectives of the same balls and parties, the variety was refreshing.

As for the negatives, it does get a bit heavy handed with giving the characters modern sensibilities. It sometimes took me out of the setting a bit. For example Tirza worrying about dying a virgin when at the time the main worry would have more so been dying a spinstress. In my opinion, dying a virgin would have meant dying before you could find a husband which would have been considered a much greater tragedy. Also Tirza speaking so plainly about thinking of doing "something sinful" with the town blacksmith? I would have expected a better euphemism at the very least. And all the girls lamenting at the lack of options for the future that girls have and saying they dream of when any girl could be a scientist or whatever else they wish to be. At the same time I think it does not feel out of place in a YA novel and perhaps I am simply being too critical of something I would have loved as a teen. Or maybe I am the one not familiar enough with the era and have fallen victim to the Tiffany problem.

Overall, I really enjoyed it! It was a quick read and I finished it in one night. The characters were all super interesting, the letters were very well written and the author managed to give each of the characters a unique voice. Definitely reccomend if you like epistolary novels, historical romance or are just looking for a quick, fun read! show less

I absolutely adored this book! So much fun and I know younger me would have also loved it. Told through a series of letters between Sophia, Tirzah, and Polly in late nineteenth century England - Yours from the Tower is a celebration of female friendship. The letters are funny, heartfelt, sometimes sad, and all around wonderful. The girls couldn't be more different in temperament and in circumstance. They all met at a girl's finishing school - but now they are back at "home" they miss each other dearly. One girl is in the middle of her first (and only) season and she is hoping to catch a wealthy man to care for her and her younger sisters, another is stuck at home with her grandmother as a companion, and the third works at an orphanage. show more So much fun - I loved this novel from the very first page! show less

It's 1896, and Tirzah, Polly, and Sophia have just left boarding school for their grown-up lives. Sophia is experiencing a London season due to the generosity of a wealthy aunt, and she's determined to marry a wealthy man in order to provide for her younger sisters. Polly is teaching at an orphanage in Liverpool, where her heart is wrung daily on behalf of her young charges. And Tirzah is stuck in a village in a remote part of Scotland, working as companion to her strict grandmother, and bored out of her skull. The three friends write a round-robin letter so that they can stay connected and updated on each other's doings, and the reader gets to peek over their shoulders and experience their varied adventures.

I delighted in this book as show more if it were a hot cup of tea and a plate of shortbread. It was delicious. If you enjoy historical fiction, epistolary novels, and coming of age stories featuring young women, this is for you. show less

Written in an epistolary format, "Yours From the Tower" follows the lives of three young women navigating the end of the 19th century. Sophie, Polly, and Tirzah met at boarding school and, despite now leading very different lives, have remained close friends through constant letter-writing.

Sophie is lively and social, eagerly anticipating the upcoming London Season in hopes of finding a wealthy husband and her happily-ever-after. Tirzah, with a passion for science, finds herself stuck in a remote corner of Scotland caring for her strict and rather tyrannical grandmother, who forbids her from doing anything remotely exciting. Meanwhile, Polly is working in an orphanage - a role she finds fulfilling and meaningful.

"Yours From the Tower" show more was a charming read. I thoroughly enjoyed the heartfelt and often humorous correspondence between the three girls. The inclusion of letters from other characters added extra depth and perspective to the story. The tone of the letters - candid, witty, and supportive - brought their friendship to life.

And I must mention the cover - it is absolutely gorgeous! show less

This lovely epistolary novel centers on three young women in Great Britain during the later Victorian era. Each young woman comes from a different background: Sophia is having her first Season in London thanks to wealthy relatives, Polly works at an orphanage, and Tirzah is forced to live with her grandmother in Scotland as her companion. They have been friends since their time at boarding school, now as young adults they rely on their friendships even more.
Their round-robin style letters, written to two and answered the same way, are lively and interesting, and a commentary on the lives of women and the many aspects of life that they were and were not allowed to do in the late nineteenth century.
Tirzah is the most immature of the three show more and the most dramatic in her letters, though the reader cannot blame her for her miserable lifestyle. Why is her grandmother so cold and demanding? Polly loves working at the orphanage and is drawn to three little boys who were left by their stepmother when their father was killed in India, and Sophia is trying to make a good match to help support her family.
Along with their notes, other letter writers appear who are central to the characters and are a welcome addition to the story. They help round out the story and fulfill the plot nicely. show less