The Miseducation of Evie Epworth is the debut novel by Matson Taylor, published in 2020.
It was both a Richard & Judy Book Club pick and a Radio 2 Book Club selection.
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Plot
Set in 1960s Yorkshire, Evie Epworth is 16 (and a half) and on the cusp of womanhood. She is unsure what she wants to do in life, and what path she should take. Without a mother to guide her, she relies on advice from her father and two Adam Faith posters (“brooding Adam” and “sophisticated Adam”).
This is a coming of age story with a difference. Not only does Evie have to navigate her path in life, but she also needs to deal with Christine, a manipulative, money-grabbing schemer and her soon-to-be stepmother.
The Miseducation of Evie Epworth Book Review
I found this book to be an uplifting and funny read. It’s a lighthearted novel, for which I was grateful after reading a couple of heavier books recently.
Evie is a spirited and relatable heroine. Whilst I wasn’t born in the 1960s (I had Ronan Keating posters on my wall, not Adam Faith), I could completely relate to Evie. I remember all too well being that awkward age of 16, not a child but also not a woman. It’s a tricky time when you’re trying to figure out what to do with your life, and for an adult male, Matson Taylor perfectly encapsulates the inner workings of a teenage girl’s mind.
It’s full of witty dialogue and I chuckled out loud as I read Evie’s inner monologue. Although there were a lot of witty moments, there were some touching and poignant moments throughout the story too.
A couple of the characters were a bit unrealistic and the antagonists were presented as pantomime villains. I almost expected a boo and hiss! However, that can be forgiven considering it’s written from the viewpoint of an adolescent girl.
All in all, I really enjoyed The Miseducation of Evie Epworth and I’d definitely look out for any future works by Matson Taylor.
This book was featured as a Richard and Judy Book Club pick.
What should I read after The Miseducation of Evie Epworth?
If you enjoyed The Miseducation of Evie Epworth, I’d definitely recommend reading the sequel, All About Evie.
If you’re looking for similar reads I would recommend reading The Diaries of Adrian Mole by Sue Townsend and The Funny Thing about Norman Foreman by Julietta Henderson.