A Woman's Work
Victoria Purman
Reviewed by Helen
Another brilliant story from Victoria Purman, this time she has taken me back to 1956, and tells the story of what life is like back then, we are introduced to two woman, who both live in St Kilda, so very different but show such strength and courage, come along and meet them and see what our mother’s and grandmother’s lives were like.
1956 and the Olympics are going too held in Melbourne and there is much excitement, to be had, television is about to come as well and the fabulous Australian Woman’s Weekly cooking competition is on, and the prize money is awesome and Kathleen O’Grady and Ivy Quinn will be entering.
Kathleen is married to motor mechanic Peter, she is thirty years old has been married for eleven years and they have five children and being a mother and wife is starting to take its toll on her, when her mother visits and brings the latest copy of the Woman’s Weekly they discover the competition and start creating recipes to enter.
Ivy Quinn, is thirty six and widowed, she has a twelve year old son Raymond and a job as a Doctor’s receptionist when young Raymond sees the prize money and thinks what it could buy them they decide to get creative and enter, although Ivy is not the best cook she is more than happy to enter with her son.
This is a beautifully told story that is realistic in the way things were back in 1956, this is what many woman went through, men ruled and it was really hard for any woman to make a decision for themselves, Victoria Purman has taken matters that still play a big part today and told them with care thought and compassion and bought this story and the characters to life on the pages. There are so many wonderful characters.
I loved this one so much and I learnt more about the times then and am glad that things are moving forward for many people, it is a story that I would highly recommend, Victoria Purman writes stories that are packed with real life and emotion, don’t miss this one it is a must read. This will be going on the keeper shelf.
My thanks to Harlequin AU for my copy to read and review.
1956 and the Olympics are going too held in Melbourne and there is much excitement, to be had, television is about to come as well and the fabulous Australian Woman’s Weekly cooking competition is on, and the prize money is awesome and Kathleen O’Grady and Ivy Quinn will be entering.
Kathleen is married to motor mechanic Peter, she is thirty years old has been married for eleven years and they have five children and being a mother and wife is starting to take its toll on her, when her mother visits and brings the latest copy of the Woman’s Weekly they discover the competition and start creating recipes to enter.
Ivy Quinn, is thirty six and widowed, she has a twelve year old son Raymond and a job as a Doctor’s receptionist when young Raymond sees the prize money and thinks what it could buy them they decide to get creative and enter, although Ivy is not the best cook she is more than happy to enter with her son.
This is a beautifully told story that is realistic in the way things were back in 1956, this is what many woman went through, men ruled and it was really hard for any woman to make a decision for themselves, Victoria Purman has taken matters that still play a big part today and told them with care thought and compassion and bought this story and the characters to life on the pages. There are so many wonderful characters.
I loved this one so much and I learnt more about the times then and am glad that things are moving forward for many people, it is a story that I would highly recommend, Victoria Purman writes stories that are packed with real life and emotion, don’t miss this one it is a must read. This will be going on the keeper shelf.
My thanks to Harlequin AU for my copy to read and review.
5 stars
April 5, 2023 by HQ Fiction AU
