In her captivating debut novel, The Eights, Joanna Miller transports readers to 1920 Oxford University, where four young women make history as part of the first cohort of female students permitted to matriculate at the prestigious institution. “The Eights”—named for the corridor where they reside at St. Hugh’s College—follows Beatrice, Dora, Marianne, and Otto as they navigate academic challenges, romantic entanglements, and the lingering shadows of the Great War.
What makes Miller’s novel particularly impressive is her meticulous historical research, which brings to life the restrictions, prejudices, and opportunities that shaped women’s experiences at Oxford a century ago. Drawing on her own connection to Oxford (she studied English at Exeter College), Miller crafts a narrative that balances historical accuracy with emotional resonance, creating characters whose struggles and triumphs feel both authentic to their era and relevant to contemporary readers.
Four Women, Four Journeys
Each of Miller’s protagonists brings a distinct perspective to this pivotal moment in women’s education:
- Beatrice Sparks: The politically-minded daughter of a famous suffragette, Beatrice is studying Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. Intellectually confident but socially awkward, she finds in Oxford the community of like-minded women she has longed for.
- Dora Greenwood: Originally intended for marriage rather than education, Dora arrives at Oxford carrying the weight of devastating wartime losses—both her brother George and her fiancé Charles died at Cambrai. Or did they?
- Otto Wallace-Kerr: The rebellious daughter of an MP, Otto served as a Voluntary Aid Detachment driver during the war. Sophisticated, flirtatious, and mathematically brilliant, she uses her sharp wit to mask deeper vulnerabilities.
- Marianne Grey: The quiet, studious daughter of a village rector, Marianne harbors a shocking secret that could end her academic career if discovered.
Miller excels at developing these four distinct personalities while showing how their friendship evolves through shared experiences, from the indignities of their first days at Oxford—when they’re mocked by male students and strictly chaperoned—to the triumphs of passing examinations and standing up for their right to be there.
A Vivid Portrait of Post-War Oxford
The novel’s setting is brought to life with remarkable precision. Miller recreates the physical landscape of 1920s Oxford with its “dreaming spires,” college quads, and river paths, while also capturing the social atmosphere—the tension between tradition and change, the grief and upheaval left by the war, and the tentative steps toward greater equality for women.
Particularly effective is Miller’s portrayal of the restrictive “chap rules” that governed women’s behavior at Oxford. Female students needed chaperones to attend lectures, visit men’s colleges, or go boating. They faced curfews, dress codes, and constant scrutiny. As Otto wryly observes, “The idea of a daring night out here is a cocoa party by candlelight.”
These historical details never feel like mere window dressing; instead, they shape the characters’ experiences and highlight the significance of their determination to claim an education despite the obstacles. Miller skillfully integrates factual elements—like the debate at the Oxford Union about women’s place at the university and Queen Mary’s visit to receive an honorary degree—into her fictional narrative.
Strengths and Standout Elements
Several aspects of “The Eights” by Joanna Miller deserve particular praise:
- Complex female friendships: Miller avoids both saccharine idealization and melodramatic rivalry in her portrayal of the women’s relationships. These friendships have depth, friction, and genuine affection.
- Nuanced exploration of class differences: The characters come from different social backgrounds, and Miller subtly illustrates how this shapes their experiences at Oxford and their prospects afterward.
- Vivid secondary characters: From the stern principal Miss Jourdain to the lovelorn Frank Collingham, the supporting cast feels fully realized rather than merely functional.
- The shadow of war: Miller sensitively depicts how the Great War has marked everyone—physically, psychologically, demographically—creating a society struggling to move forward while still grieving its losses.
- Atmospheric detail: From the rituals of academic life to the seasonal changes in the Oxfordshire landscape, Miller’s descriptive prose creates an immersive reading experience.
Areas for Improvement
Despite its many strengths, “The Eights” by Joanna Miller occasionally falters in its pacing. The novel’s first half sometimes moves too deliberately, establishing character backgrounds and Oxford traditions at the expense of narrative momentum. A few subplots—particularly those involving minor characters from other colleges—could have been trimmed without significant loss to the central story.
Additionally, while Miller generally avoids anachronistic attitudes in her characters, there are moments when their progressive views seem slightly too modern for 1920, particularly regarding sexuality and gender roles. This slight contemporizing is understandable in making historical characters relatable but occasionally strains credibility.
The resolution of Dora’s storyline, involving the unexpected reappearance of her supposedly dead fiancé, relies on coincidences that feel somewhat contrived. While dramatically effective, this plot development requires a willingness to suspend disbelief that breaks the otherwise realistic tone of the novel.
Echoes of Literary Tradition
Miller’s novel stands in a distinguished literary tradition of Oxford-set fiction, from Dorothy L. Sayers’s “Gaudy Night” to Evelyn Waugh’s “Brideshead Revisited.” More recent works like Sarah Waters’s “The Paying Guests” and Kate Atkinson’s “Life After Life” share Miller’s interest in women’s lives in the aftermath of World War I.
What distinguishes “The Eights” by Joanna Miller is its focus on the specific historical moment when women first gained the right to earn Oxford degrees—a watershed that changed both the institution and the women who fought to be admitted. Miller shows how this victory, while incomplete (women faced quotas and restrictions for decades afterward), represented a crucial step toward educational equality.
A Timely Historical Perspective
Though set a century ago, “The Eights” by Joanna Miller addresses themes that remain relevant today: the value of female friendship, the challenge of balancing personal and professional ambitions, and the courage required to enter spaces where one is not expected or entirely welcome.
Miller’s novel reminds us that the educational opportunities many now take for granted were hard-won through the persistence of earlier generations. As one character observes, watching the Queen receive an honorary degree.
By focusing on ordinary women rather than exceptional historical figures, Miller illustrates how social change occurs not just through dramatic protests or legislative victories but through the daily determination of individuals to claim their rightful places in the world.
Final Assessment
“The Eights” is an accomplished debut by Joanna Miller that combines historical authenticity with emotional depth. Miller writes with obvious affection for both her characters and Oxford itself, creating a novel that educates as it entertains.
The story’s greatest strength lies in its portrayal of the transformative power of friendship and education. Through their connections with each other and their academic pursuits, Beatrice, Dora, Marianne, and Otto discover new possibilities for their lives beyond the conventional expectations for women of their era.
While not flawless, the novel’s vivid characters, atmospheric setting, and thoughtful engagement with history make it a rewarding read. Miller has crafted a story that honors the pioneering women who opened Oxford’s doors while acknowledging the personal and societal challenges they faced.
For readers who enjoyed “The Eights,” similar works include:
- “A Gentleman in Moscow” by Amor Towles (for its similar balance of historical detail and character study)
- “The Rose Code” by Kate Quinn (for its portrayal of female friendship during a pivotal historical moment)
- “Hamnet” by Maggie O’Farrell (for its literary quality and emotional depth in historical fiction)
