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crackedchelle's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
samstillreading's review against another edition
4.0
Victoria Purman first came on to my radar as an excellent writer of romantic fiction, but she’s just as talented (if not more) when it comes to historical fiction. Her historical fiction is always full of detail, including little known aspects about women’s roles. In The Women’s Pages, she takes the reader to Sydney just as World War II ends. To the modern reader, this day has always been portrayed as a day when joy returned to the lives of Australians but Purman explains that for some women, new dramas were just about to start.
The main character Tilly is a war correspondent for a Sydney newspaper. Being a woman, she’s never been allowed outside the country (just another taunt that her male colleagues can add) but she’s happy in her job. The end of the war means that she will be moving to the women’s pages – beauty, fashion, social events and gossip – all things Tilly detests. The end of the war means that Tilly’s husband, a prisoner of war should be on his way home soon. For Tilly’s friend Mary, it means that her husband will be coming home from Changi prison– but despite the much-heralded return of the first POWs, bonny and well fed, her husband is a shell of himself mentally and physically. Tilly’s sister is hoping and waiting that her husband will return home to his family…eventually. Even at home, Tilly’s father is fighting unions as the dock workers ask for a pay rise and strike action occurs. And Tilly’s unshakeable war correspondent colleague Cooper is shocked at what he finds in the prisons and war trials. It seems that the end of war doesn’t mean the end of pain and suffering.
The Women’s Pages is intricately researched down to the last detail. I don’t think I’ve read a book that describes everyday life so well for the average woman. Occasionally, the story is more detail with less action, but I think Purman should be proud of what she’s discovered (and historical fiction is the main way I learn my history). Tilly is a fascinating character, straddling the middle class with working class roots. This background gives the reader an insight into how the immediate post-war period was for many Australians, with government support to war widows being cut and these women being unable to provide for their family. (Even working women were paid less than a man for the same job and many were displaced or lost their jobs as the soldiers returned home). Tilly is a gutsy character in the workplace, but vulnerable in her personal life as multiple tragedies occur. What I liked about The Women’s Pages was the realism as characters dealt with multiple blows as the fairy-tale post-war period they had imagined didn’t come true. The women and men demonstrated courage and a plodding determination to work through this, as they had during the war years.
But the story is not all doom and gloom. There are stories of rising above adversity and a romance, plus a nice plot twist that shows just how important inside information can be. The Women’s Pages is a well written, easily readable and worthy addition to Australian historical fiction. It covers women’s lives in a way history books don’t.
Thank you to Harlequin for the ARC. My review is honest.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
The main character Tilly is a war correspondent for a Sydney newspaper. Being a woman, she’s never been allowed outside the country (just another taunt that her male colleagues can add) but she’s happy in her job. The end of the war means that she will be moving to the women’s pages – beauty, fashion, social events and gossip – all things Tilly detests. The end of the war means that Tilly’s husband, a prisoner of war should be on his way home soon. For Tilly’s friend Mary, it means that her husband will be coming home from Changi prison– but despite the much-heralded return of the first POWs, bonny and well fed, her husband is a shell of himself mentally and physically. Tilly’s sister is hoping and waiting that her husband will return home to his family…eventually. Even at home, Tilly’s father is fighting unions as the dock workers ask for a pay rise and strike action occurs. And Tilly’s unshakeable war correspondent colleague Cooper is shocked at what he finds in the prisons and war trials. It seems that the end of war doesn’t mean the end of pain and suffering.
The Women’s Pages is intricately researched down to the last detail. I don’t think I’ve read a book that describes everyday life so well for the average woman. Occasionally, the story is more detail with less action, but I think Purman should be proud of what she’s discovered (and historical fiction is the main way I learn my history). Tilly is a fascinating character, straddling the middle class with working class roots. This background gives the reader an insight into how the immediate post-war period was for many Australians, with government support to war widows being cut and these women being unable to provide for their family. (Even working women were paid less than a man for the same job and many were displaced or lost their jobs as the soldiers returned home). Tilly is a gutsy character in the workplace, but vulnerable in her personal life as multiple tragedies occur. What I liked about The Women’s Pages was the realism as characters dealt with multiple blows as the fairy-tale post-war period they had imagined didn’t come true. The women and men demonstrated courage and a plodding determination to work through this, as they had during the war years.
But the story is not all doom and gloom. There are stories of rising above adversity and a romance, plus a nice plot twist that shows just how important inside information can be. The Women’s Pages is a well written, easily readable and worthy addition to Australian historical fiction. It covers women’s lives in a way history books don’t.
Thank you to Harlequin for the ARC. My review is honest.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
hundredacreofbooks1990's review against another edition
3.0
World War 2 has at last finally come to an end, Australia’s first female War correspondent for the Daily Herald newspaper Tilly Galloway sits at her desk and cries tears of joy, the street down below erupts with celebration. This important event in history told through the perspectives of women, how can you not get swept in the fight for change given the world’s current situation?
Read my thoughts here
https://hundredacreofbooks.com/index.php/2020/09/02/the-womens-pages/
Read my thoughts here
https://hundredacreofbooks.com/index.php/2020/09/02/the-womens-pages/
littlemisscass's review
5.0
"These women had had a taste of independence, of the freedom of their own pay packet and of the kind of camaraderie that comes with growing to know the people you work alongside. [...] What would all those women do now for work and for money and for friends?"
When the war ends in the Pacific and the world appears to once more be at peace, women who had been given fantastic work opportunities during the war are asked to step aside to let men "have the satisfaction again of being the breadwinner in their families".
Tilly Galloway is a female war correspondent at a Sydney newspaper whose job and life suddenly change when the men start returning from war. Still waiting on the return of her husband, missing as a POW since 1942, Tilly hopes to continue working hard as a reporter - not just in the women's pages of the paper.
But the war, and its end, have changed everything, and continue to change the lives of the women who stayed behind.
I really enjoy Victoria Purman's historical fiction. The Land Girls was incredible, and I possibly loved this even more. The writing is rich with historical information but never in a way that seems forced, just giving a factual undertone to what is a lovely fictional story. The characters were vibrant and enjoyable, and I liked that the focus was on one character - Tilly - as opposed to a range of POVs. Overall, an excellent read: one that I would recommend and one that I plan to buy a copy of in print.
*An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
When the war ends in the Pacific and the world appears to once more be at peace, women who had been given fantastic work opportunities during the war are asked to step aside to let men "have the satisfaction again of being the breadwinner in their families".
Tilly Galloway is a female war correspondent at a Sydney newspaper whose job and life suddenly change when the men start returning from war. Still waiting on the return of her husband, missing as a POW since 1942, Tilly hopes to continue working hard as a reporter - not just in the women's pages of the paper.
But the war, and its end, have changed everything, and continue to change the lives of the women who stayed behind.
I really enjoy Victoria Purman's historical fiction. The Land Girls was incredible, and I possibly loved this even more. The writing is rich with historical information but never in a way that seems forced, just giving a factual undertone to what is a lovely fictional story. The characters were vibrant and enjoyable, and I liked that the focus was on one character - Tilly - as opposed to a range of POVs. Overall, an excellent read: one that I would recommend and one that I plan to buy a copy of in print.
*An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
bibliobliss_au's review against another edition
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, set in Sydney immediately post-WWII. With strong and well-developed characters, some heartache and sweet romance and dotted with information about the past, this is exactly the kind of historical fiction I love to read.
The volume of research that went into this book is obvious. It’s full of insights into the experience of women during & after the war as well as the difficulties many Australians faced post-war.
At times, this was an incredibly moving and emotional read. Tilly is a brilliant lead. Fierce and determined, I loved following her journey.
I learnt so much about my own hometown post-war and the issues women of the time would have faced, just by reading this novel. This book opened up a whole world of information to me & I immediately went down the rabbit hole on Google & Wikipedia to learn more about some of the topics this book covers.
I found The Women’s Pages to be a completely absorbing tale!
The volume of research that went into this book is obvious. It’s full of insights into the experience of women during & after the war as well as the difficulties many Australians faced post-war.
At times, this was an incredibly moving and emotional read. Tilly is a brilliant lead. Fierce and determined, I loved following her journey.
I learnt so much about my own hometown post-war and the issues women of the time would have faced, just by reading this novel. This book opened up a whole world of information to me & I immediately went down the rabbit hole on Google & Wikipedia to learn more about some of the topics this book covers.
I found The Women’s Pages to be a completely absorbing tale!
mandylovestoread's review against another edition
4.0
The Women’s Pages was the first book by Victoria Purman that I have read and I really enjoyed it. I have recently discovered historical fiction and found input to be a genre that I am loving. This book is set in the 1940’s, and starts toward the end of WWII. This book was very heavy on historical facts, and at times I felt a bit overwhelmed by it all. So much was happening in Sydney and the world at this time and the author has definitely done her research. It was an emotional and interesting read, told from the point of view of a woman waiting for her husbands return.
Tilly Galloway is a Sydney girl through and through. Her dad is a wharfie and she works for the Daily Herald as their first war correspondent. Her husband Archie has is a POW of the Japanese and she hasn’t heard from him since 1942. And then the war is over. And life is about to change for everyone. The men are coming home and the women are expected to give up there jobs for the men. Tilly is sent to the Women’s Pages, to report on fashion and recipes. She is frustrated as she knows she can do more, but in this time it is not the done thing for women. And she is anxiously awaiting news on Archie. We follow her journey as well as that of her flat mate Mary, whose husband was also a POW.
Thanks to Harlequin Books Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read. The Women’s Pages is out September 2nd.
Tilly Galloway is a Sydney girl through and through. Her dad is a wharfie and she works for the Daily Herald as their first war correspondent. Her husband Archie has is a POW of the Japanese and she hasn’t heard from him since 1942. And then the war is over. And life is about to change for everyone. The men are coming home and the women are expected to give up there jobs for the men. Tilly is sent to the Women’s Pages, to report on fashion and recipes. She is frustrated as she knows she can do more, but in this time it is not the done thing for women. And she is anxiously awaiting news on Archie. We follow her journey as well as that of her flat mate Mary, whose husband was also a POW.
Thanks to Harlequin Books Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read. The Women’s Pages is out September 2nd.
readingtimeatthezoo's review against another edition
4.0
I felt like I was in a history class reading this one, and I mean that in a good way J
The Women’s Pages is set in Sydney, Australia. It’s 1945 and the end of the war has finally been announced. It’s a time to celebrate and welcome home all the fathers, sons, brother and uncles who have all been bravely fighting overseas for their country.
As much as this should be a happy time, it’s also a difficult time for all the women left behind during the war. The women who stepped up and worked in the factories that now have to give up those jobs, the women whose husbands have returned yet aren’t the same men who left all those years earlier, and then of course the grief for those women whose loved ones haven’t returned at all.
This is a beautifully written book about post-war life told from the side of these women. In particular the brave and feisty Tilly, a journalist at one of Sydney’s major newspapers. Desperate for news on her husband’s fate, yet at the same time desperate to make a difference for both herself and other women as more than just housewives. Tilly knows there is so much more important news to cover than the latest frocks and makeup.
Tilly is the daughter of a watersider, her father works the wharves and the ships on Sydney Harbour, and something she is immensely proud of and speaks out on whenever she can. Her father has spent his life giving his all, fighting for justice for the workers on the wharves, for better working conditions and better pay conditions and what ultimately becomes the union movement in Australia. It is another piece of Sydney’s history that Purman weaves brilliantly into the story.
For those of you that love historical fiction, especially those that are set around WWII, this one is a great read. The detail that has gone into the surrounding backstories is amazing. I learnt so much about how the war affected us in Australia. It actually made me feel embarrassed to realise how little I really did know. It certainly has also given me a greater appreciation for all those strong females that helped forge ahead the change for equality that we mostly enjoy today.
Thank you so much to Harper Collins Australia for the opportunity to read The Women’s Pages and celebrate the release of a wonderful Australian book by a wonderful Australian author.
The Women’s Pages is set in Sydney, Australia. It’s 1945 and the end of the war has finally been announced. It’s a time to celebrate and welcome home all the fathers, sons, brother and uncles who have all been bravely fighting overseas for their country.
As much as this should be a happy time, it’s also a difficult time for all the women left behind during the war. The women who stepped up and worked in the factories that now have to give up those jobs, the women whose husbands have returned yet aren’t the same men who left all those years earlier, and then of course the grief for those women whose loved ones haven’t returned at all.
This is a beautifully written book about post-war life told from the side of these women. In particular the brave and feisty Tilly, a journalist at one of Sydney’s major newspapers. Desperate for news on her husband’s fate, yet at the same time desperate to make a difference for both herself and other women as more than just housewives. Tilly knows there is so much more important news to cover than the latest frocks and makeup.
Tilly is the daughter of a watersider, her father works the wharves and the ships on Sydney Harbour, and something she is immensely proud of and speaks out on whenever she can. Her father has spent his life giving his all, fighting for justice for the workers on the wharves, for better working conditions and better pay conditions and what ultimately becomes the union movement in Australia. It is another piece of Sydney’s history that Purman weaves brilliantly into the story.
For those of you that love historical fiction, especially those that are set around WWII, this one is a great read. The detail that has gone into the surrounding backstories is amazing. I learnt so much about how the war affected us in Australia. It actually made me feel embarrassed to realise how little I really did know. It certainly has also given me a greater appreciation for all those strong females that helped forge ahead the change for equality that we mostly enjoy today.
Thank you so much to Harper Collins Australia for the opportunity to read The Women’s Pages and celebrate the release of a wonderful Australian book by a wonderful Australian author.
tasmanian_bibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
‘Sydney 1945. The war is over, the fight begins.’
‘The day the war ended, Tilly Galloway sat at her desk on the second floor of the Daily Herald building in Sydney’s Pitt Street and cried with delirious joy.’
The war is over. Tilly and her friend Mary are waiting for their husbands to return. But society is about to change yet again. Not every serviceman will return, and many of those who do have been deeply scarred by their experiences. And many of the jobs that women have been doing will (once again) be restricted to men. Tilly has worked as a war correspondent, but now the only job available to her is on the women’s pages writing about fashion and makeup.
‘We are all doing the best we can, aren’t we, Tilly?
Tilly’s husband Archie is a prisoner of war, and while she’s not heard from him since he was captures, she’s eagerly awaiting his return. In the meantime, her flatmate Mary’s husband returns from Changi. He’s a very different man.
Ms Purman brings the challenges of post-world war life, especially for women, to the fore. Women, many of whom have lost husbands, brothers and fathers, women who’ve been a vital part of the war effort in Australia are expected to quietly return to a secondary role.
I picked this novel up and found it difficult to put down. These are the times in which my parents were born, glimpses of times mentioned by my grandparents: shortages, anxiety, sacrifices. Ms Purman brings these times to life, with her well-developed characters and her handling of contemporary issues. I finished the novel, continuing the story on in my imagination.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin HQ Fiction for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
‘The day the war ended, Tilly Galloway sat at her desk on the second floor of the Daily Herald building in Sydney’s Pitt Street and cried with delirious joy.’
The war is over. Tilly and her friend Mary are waiting for their husbands to return. But society is about to change yet again. Not every serviceman will return, and many of those who do have been deeply scarred by their experiences. And many of the jobs that women have been doing will (once again) be restricted to men. Tilly has worked as a war correspondent, but now the only job available to her is on the women’s pages writing about fashion and makeup.
‘We are all doing the best we can, aren’t we, Tilly?
Tilly’s husband Archie is a prisoner of war, and while she’s not heard from him since he was captures, she’s eagerly awaiting his return. In the meantime, her flatmate Mary’s husband returns from Changi. He’s a very different man.
Ms Purman brings the challenges of post-world war life, especially for women, to the fore. Women, many of whom have lost husbands, brothers and fathers, women who’ve been a vital part of the war effort in Australia are expected to quietly return to a secondary role.
I picked this novel up and found it difficult to put down. These are the times in which my parents were born, glimpses of times mentioned by my grandparents: shortages, anxiety, sacrifices. Ms Purman brings these times to life, with her well-developed characters and her handling of contemporary issues. I finished the novel, continuing the story on in my imagination.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin HQ Fiction for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith