One Bright Morning begins in the common room of a college for girls in 1913, on the last day of term. Most of the girls will not be returning to school but will start life on their own, teaching, living apart from friends and family for their first time. The story focuses on Ann Owen, bright and hardworking, full of love for her family on their smallholding in North-Wales, setting out to teach 60 youngsters in a class, while living in rented rooms. It takes us through the next few years of her life, with her collegues, family, friends, and of course Richard, fellow student, working for his Masters degree. But also the First World War, with all its sorrow and worries.
This is not a romantic book, but a beautiful evocation of life in the early 20th century in North Wales. Crisp, critical, but always ringing true. ( )