Coming-of-Age novel set on Mudeford Spit, DORSET
Novel set in rural Lincolnshire
23rd April 2026
Paper Sisters by Rachel Canwell, novel set in rural Lincolnshire
Paper Sisters by Rachel Canwell is beautifully written and clearly evokes the Lincolnshire Fenland in the years around the First World War. The author is an expert in the use of descriptive language, cleverly avoiding clichés. The story centres on the Scott family; and, as the title suggests, mainly on adult sisters Lily and Eleanor and their sister-in-law Clara. It is a story of rural life and the way in which the family’s existence has been changed by the tragic death of Lily’s twin brother, Alfred, and is further affected by the war. The characters are well developed, and the plot is promising but I felt that it just lacked something to make it a truly involving novel.
The story opens with Eleanor Scott taking care of a hospital building, which lies adjacent to the family home. She and Lily live on the far side of the River Nene from the nearest village and they are somewhat isolated. The hospital has never been used but it has to be kept in readiness. Eleanor’s other responsibility is taking care of the reclusive Lily. While both sisters mourn the death by drowning of Alfred, Lily has taken it very badly and this results in a mean vengefulness in her character – mainly directed at Eleanor. Their parents have also died, ostensibly from grief after Alfred’s death. Their older brother, Frank, is also scarred by the tragedy, and his anger, coupled with drunkenness, results in violence towards Clara and their children.
The somewhat grim daily lives of the family form the backdrop and there is little to lighten the tone. Yet Eleanor does have hope when she meets John, the village farrier, and begins to think of a romantic future with him. Needless to say, that prospect doesn’t suit Lily and she does what she can to make life even more difficult for Eleanor. Lily is a deeply unsympathetic character (but that is the point!). Eleanor and Clara have a close relationship, but circumstances prevent them from supporting each other as they might wish. John is a wise and warm character and provides a sharp contrast to the brutish Frank. It’s a long read – nearly 400 pages – and mostly progresses at a gentle pace.
I recommend this book as a delightful portrait of rural Lincolnshire with the reservation that I feel that the author has been let down by poor proofreading. (The copy I received to review was not an uncorrected version.) I hope this can be corrected before further editions are published.
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