Bessie is a sweet soul, that warms my heart. She makes me want to travel back in time and meet her, face to face. I wonder what type of advice she’d give me...

This book gives me a sense of feeling, and it thrills the soul. This also makes me cringe and stare in shock, as people were treated like this not to long ago.

Thanks for reading and commenting @Peter J Sterpe ! Who knows which version will end up in the final book? Maybe a combination of the two? I appreciate your insight, as always :)

Really liked Chapter 1, and agree with the commenter who thought the original was better. I was, indeed, hooked quicker by the original. I got a nicer sense of the city from the alternative, though, especially the imagery of the bustle. The alternative seems to want to establish Bessie’s character by describing her job and what a tight ship she runs. She’s substantial, but can the office details maybe wait? Her reaction to the eyeglasses tells me a lot about her; also the fact that her sister makes a lot of the decisions. The mimeograph machines and the not-to-be-called-copy-girls and the career backstory felt a little planned. The original chapter makes me want to read more, and as I do, I’ll be happy to learn more about what makes Bessie tick.