This book, set in a small, fictional English town of the same name. The story revolves around a group of women in their middle to old age, who are the backbone of the community. As they navigate through various social changes, personal losses, and emerging modernities, their lives are punctuated by humor, tragedy, and the bonds of friendship. The novel explores themes of class, gender roles, and the tension between tradition and progress, all while depicting the close-knit dynamics of a provincial society in the 19th century. Through the eyes of the observant and empathetic Mary Smith, the reader is introduced to the intricacies of small-town life and the enduring strength of its female characters.
