Mr Wroe's Virgins, by Jane Rogers [1991]

Sometimes the plot of a story is enough to carry a reader along, and sometimes the excellence of the writing style is the strong point in a novel. In Jane Roger's book, we are graced with both attributes.

This is one of the most unique and well-written novels I have read in a while. Set in Great Britain in the 1830s, and based in part of the true life of the religious leader, Prophet Wroe, Roger's book begins with Mr Wroe's latest dream prophecy. Mr Wroe, a Christian Israelite, dreams that God has directed him to choose seven virgins from his flock who will come and live with him.

The seven women come from very different backgrounds and circumstances. Each chapter gives us more insight into the wives' earlier lives, their current circumstances and their hopes, if any, for the future. As the inner motivations of religion, sex, and power direct the outward lives of the women, each tries to find some meaning for their new role as one of the great prophet's wives.

Jane Rogers provides a wonderful peak at a time when the communal dreams of the Owen movement were on the rise, the labour movement was starting to organize weavers and spinners, and the world seemed poised on the brink of a new era, or as Prophet Wroe was claiming, the end of the World!