Devoted Ladies by Molly Keane (Virago Modern Classics)

Devoted Ladies by Molly Keane is a witty and darkly comic novel that explores the complexities of female relationships and power dynamics. Set in the 1930s, it tells the story of two women, Jessica and Jane, who share a tumultuous and obsessive bond. Jessica, domineering and manipulative, holds sway over the weaker, insecure Jane, creating a toxic relationship filled with emotional turmoil.

Their lives take a dramatic turn when they move from London to the Irish countryside, where they encounter a host of eccentric characters and a new, glamorous friend named Piggy. As tensions rise and new rivalries emerge, the novel delves into themes of jealousy, control, and the darker side of love.

Keane’s sharp prose and biting humor bring this vividly imagined world to life, making Devoted Ladies a compelling and memorable examination of friendship, cruelty, and the fine line between devotion and destruction.