British Library Women Writers: The Camomile: An Invention

‘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 twentieth 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 endeavours 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.