The Saturday Evening Girls Club: A Novel

by Jane Healey

Overview

In Boston’s North End, four immigrant women leave childhood behind—but never one another.

For four young immigrant women living in Boston’s North End in the early 1900s, escaping tradition doesn’t come easy. But at least they have one another and the Saturday Evening Girls Club, a social pottery-making group offering respite from their hectic home lives—and hope for a better future.

Ambitious Caprice dreams of opening her own hat shop, which clashes with the expectations of her Sicilian-born parents. Brilliant Ada secretly takes college classes despite the disapproval of her Russian Jewish father. Stunning Maria could marry anyone yet guards her heart to avoid the fate of her Italian Catholic mother, broken down by an alcoholic husband. And shy Thea is torn between asserting herself and embracing an antiquated Jewish tradition.

The friends face family clashes and romantic entanglements, career struggles and cultural prejudice. But through their unfailing bond, forged through their weekly gathering, they’ll draw strength—and the courage to transform their immigrant stories into the American lives of their dreams.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781503943278
Publisher:	Amazon Publishing
Publication date:	04/25/2017
Pages:	250
Sales rank:	160,832
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Jane Healey was inspired to write The Saturday Evening Girls Club after learning of the group’s history while researching an article on their namesake pottery, also known as Paul Revere Pottery. She became fascinated by the relatively unknown stories of these smart, sassy, enterprising young immigrant women living in Boston’s North End at the turn of the twentieth century.

In addition to being a fiction writer, Jane is a freelance journalist and consultant. Her publishing credits include the Boston Globe, Boston Magazine, AOL/Huffington Post, the Street, Publishers Weekly, and New England Home.

Jane holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire and a master’s degree from Northeastern University. She shares a home north of Boston with her husband, two daughters, and two cats. When she’s not writing, she enjoys running, reading, and cooking. For more information on the author and her work, visit www.janehealey.com.

Editorial Reviews

A breathtaking ode to female empowerment and the American Dream, The Saturday Evening Girls Club belongs on every feminist’s bookshelf. It’s the ultimate battle cry for female potential.” —Redbook

“A beautifully written and refreshing reminder of the importance of friendship, The Saturday Evening Girls Club is a can’t-miss summer read.” —BuzzFeed Community

“An empowering novel that you won’t want to put down.” —Brit + Co

“[A] multicultural literary gem.” —Bookstr

“The writing is so smooth that readers may not consciously notice all the cultural details tucked in.…Fans of warmhearted sagas should enjoy this.” —Historical Novel Society

“From the first word to the last, this unputdownable novel celebrates the art of overcoming oppression and cultural prejudice, and embracing the strength found in female friendships. This summer’s most inspiring read for females, The Saturday Evening Girls Club is mandatory reading material for every feminist.” —Ms. Career Girl

“A potent tale of the empowerment found in bonds of female friendship, The Saturday Evening Girls Club will enliven and uplift the reader. Every year requires a brilliant literary celebration of feminism, power, and the American dream, and The Saturday Evening Girls Club delivers.” —She Knows

“Fans of Colm Tóibín’s Brooklyn should run to the nearest bookstore (or website) and grab a copy of Jane Healey’s novel. The Saturday Evening Girls Club brings to life the story of four young women creating lives for themselves in the early 1900s in Boston’s North End. Healey seamlessly weaves the narratives, exploring the hardships—of immigration, sexism, and cultural clashes—with a hearty dose of hope and resilience. These are strong women facing up to a new American world where work, love, and pushing against tradition can come at a cost. Book groups and readers looking to find friends on the page or discuss themes that resonate strongly today will adore The Saturday Evening Girls Club.” —Emily Franklin, author of The Girls’ Almanac and Last Night at the Circle Cinema

“Follow the four women of Jane Healey's immersive historical drama and you'll come face to face with how different life truly was for women at the turn of the century. As Caprice, Thea, Ada, and Maria fight for the right to live, love, and work according to the changing times, you'll root for them at every turn to find their hearts' desire.” —Emily Carpenter, author of Burying the Honeysuckle Girls and The Weight of Lies

“The Saturday Evening Girls Club carries special meaning as we reflect on the struggles that women have overcome. This story of four women trying to find independence in work and in love against cultures that don’t encourage such individualism is both engaging and educational. Prepare to have your heart tugged as you champion their friendships and their journey. A winner from author Healey—I look forward to reading more from her!” —Camille DiMaio, author of the bestselling novel The Memory of Us and the forthcoming Before the Rain Falls

“Set in early twentieth-century Boston, The Saturday Evening Girls Club is a heartwarming story of love, laughter, ambition, and friendship. As daughters of immigrants, Caprice, Ada, Maria, and Thea struggle against family expectations to achieve their dreams. Delightfully immersive.” —M.K. Tod, author of Time and Regret

From the Publisher