Lolly Willowes

Lolly Willowes, published in 1926, is a pioneering feminist novel by Sylvia Townsend Warner. It tells the story of Laura “Lolly” Willowes, a single woman who escapes her stifling family life in London to live independently in the countryside—where she eventually embraces witchcraft. Through lyrical prose and understated humor, Warner critiques societal expectations of women and explores themes of autonomy, nature, and spiritual freedom. The novel was ahead of its time and remains a subtle, powerful declaration of feminine self-realization.