Confessions of a Grammar Queen
Bernadette Swift’s dream of becoming the first female CEO in publishing is off to a rocky start. Despite being outstanding at her job, she is called the Grammarian and doesn’t seem to have any chance of moving beyond an entry-level copy editor position at a New York publishing company. Her sexist boss heaps mountains of manuscripts on her desk while constantly criticizing her and demanding she make him a cup of coffee. Her fellow copy editors, all men, play immature pranks on her and treat her like a joke. Fortunately, outside of the office, she has a close group of like-minded friends from her feminist book club. Emboldened by her friends’ unwavering support, she makes a daring move to stand up for herself at work. Her courage inspires a wave of activism among her friends and members of the neighborhood.
Knight’s novel deals with serious topics from the early 1960s, like the fight for gender equality and sexual harassment in the workplace, yet maintains a light-hearted tone. She balances
Bernadette’s obstacles with humor and even a little romance, making for an engaging and fun read. The chapters alternate between Bernadette’s point of view and Frank’s, her genial and loyal Harlequin Great Dane. Frank’s antics and observations add an additional layer of heart and levity. Knight has created a strong cast of female characters who demonstrate the power of friendship, and the publishing industry setting allows the author to show her creative flair with language. Fans of Knight’s previous books will be pleased, and new readers are in for a treat.
