The Camomile: An Invention

By Catherine Carswell

Book Overview

'The chamomile, the more it is trodden on, the faster is grows.' Shakespeare, Henry IV part 1

The opening quote of The Camomile provides an insight into the book's title. The narrative highlights the tensions for a woman in the early 20th century between the desire to explore her creativity and the duties expected of her as a prospective wife. Through a series of journal entries, which form an extended letter to her best friend, we follow the protagonist, Ellen, who rents out a room away from her family to provide a quiet space in which to focus on her music and her writing. Ellen is a lively soul who wants the freedom to express herself and she finds a champion of her endeavors at the Mitchell Library. But as she falls in love and becomes betrothed to a doctor who is soon to return to India, she finds herself increasingly conflicted and has to eventually make a choice.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0712355073
• ISBN13: 9780712355070
• Release Date: June 2025
• Publisher: British Library
• Length: 224 Pages

Customer Reviews

A rare gem

Although The Camomile is not a very well known novel, and one of only two novels written by Carswell, it reflects the tradition of Jane Austen with a bit of Kate Chopin's The Awakening thrown in.Semi-autobiographical, the Camomile journals a young woman's battle against convention without the pomp and circumstance of other "feminist" authors. The protagonist, Ellen Carstairs, is well-balanced and through her journal entries to her friend Ruby, we see Ellen contend with ideas of matrimony, career and what it is to be a woman in the early part of this century.Carswell's language is witty and Ellen is rather winsome and sympathetic as a protagonist. Highly recommended for lovers of Austen. Musicians, professional and amateur alike, will also empathize with Ellen.