Mariana

Mary hears on the radio that the British warship her husband is on has sunk, leaving few survivors. Waiting for daybreak to bring news, Mary escapes into memories of her past. Sincere and engaging - a ‘hot-water bottle’ novel - Mariana by Monica Dickens is full of sharply remembered detail: childhood holidays, the heartbreak of first love, making friends, growing up.

At eleven, Mary Shannon is sprightly and observant. She adores leaving London to spend holidays with her family at Charbury House in Somerset. Playing with her cousins means time with Denys, who she loves best of all. When she joins a secondary school, Mary knows no one, but salvation comes in the form of Angela Shaw, and together they move on to acting college. The ups of studying with Angela are outnumbered by the downs, so Mary drops out after various humiliating run-ins with a cruel teacher. Next Mary moves to Paris, learns to design dresses, and is swept off her feet by the immensely wealthy Pierre. But will this be enough for her?

Mariana is part of the Persephone Audiobook Collection, a series of forgotten classics including neglected fiction and non-fiction by women writers. First published in 1940, this edition includes a preface by Harriet Lane and is narrated by Sophie Roberts.