Emily Faithful is a publisher printing magazines promoting women's rights in 19th Century London. She has been good friends with Helen, the wife of an Admiral, when they were in Malta and their relation has been interrupted when she has come back to London.

Helen finds Emily in London and their friendship is renewed. Helen informs her about her troubles with her husband and the bleak marriage they have been carrying on. Emily tries to help her friend but gets alarmed soon due to the improper relations she sees her friend having. While trying to promote braver actions within the sphere of Women's rights, she sees herself slowly dragged into a family affair which will not leave anyone involved unscathed.

Emma Donoghue has taken a real event from 19th Century England and has created a gripping tale out of it. The background given to us is really grim. Women do not have any right to property or even custody of their children in case of a divorce. The two sides do not appear in a divorce trial, which is carried out in proxy. Even women in the women's tights movement are wary of progressing very fast, since they could lose the tiny improvement they are accomplishing year by year.

The narrative is good and is reflective of the closed society in Victorian England and the book ends with an explosive finale. Heartily recommended.