i don't know what I was expecting but it exceeded my expectations! I went into it knowing nothing, and it was such an interesting read!

not sure how to put it into words yet, but it's a really fascinating and raw book. It's beautifully written, but so messy and real. Felt like a slice of real life, so random and chaotic in a way, but beautiful.

Very interesting (and important) to read about the historical and social evolution of these professions and artistic fields, the experiences recounted in the first person, the big and important part that women played in these areas. I learned a lot and particularly enjoyed reading about the trade unions and their role, which was so relevant in these areas, but also in many other professions in general — the essential role they played and how present and important they were in society as a whole, how they helped each other, the role they played in the inclusion of women in the workforce (both positive and negative, at times... after all, these are made by people...); but also how they were impacted by right-wing policies (mainly in the UK, given that the accounts are by women who worked in England), the way in which they lost power/power was taken away from people, especially workers, and also the fact that they were unable to adapt to the changes caused by technological development and the consequent changes that these caused in various professional areas, specifically in the field of typography. In part, the low rating is due to my inability to focus, which is my fault because I decided to read it while working and most of the time was in a state of boredom and sleepiness that doesn't really allow me to concentrate and immerse myself in the book...

Of all her books that I have read, this one is not my favourite. I found it a little predictable and lacking in originality... However, the last third of the book made all the difference and made me fall in love with the story and the characters — in that last part, I was really interested in the story and sincerely wanted to know more about them, about what had happened and what was going to happen. Besides, reading the book and then watching the film made me like the book even more. The things I felt were missing from the film made me realise how much I had enjoyed getting to know the characters, how much I cared about all the big and small details that make up the book, that make up the story.

an heartwarming, messed, unique and coming off age story

Very interesting and thought-provoking, direct and succinct. The first chapter, in particular, was very interesting and different from what I was expecting, but a great correlation and introduction to the theme of image and belief. Perhaps because it is such a short, straightforward book, it uses much more technical, complex and specific language, which, combined with the fact that it is in English (not my first language), makes it a little more difficult to read.