# The Camomile

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- Book: [The Camomile](https://www.bookquiver.com/catherine-carswell/the-camomile) ([The Camomile.md](https://www.bookquiver.com/catherine-carswell/the-camomile.md))
- Authors: [Catherine Carswell](https://www.bookquiver.com/catherine-carswell)
- Publisher: British Library
- ISBN: 978-07-1235-507-0
- Pages: 224
- Published: 2024-08-15
- Language: en_US
- Binding: Softcover

## Description

'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.