The Girls from Fitzroy
Jennie Jones
Reviewed by Helen
Melbourne 1945 and the war has just ended in the Pacific and two young woman meet in the joy that is happening both from Fitzroy but opposite sides of town, Maggie Johnson born into an affluent family and Lil Kelly who lives in the slums but Maggie feels that Lil could be her friend, could it happen could two woman from such different backgrounds find friendship?
Maggie is determined to become friends with Lil, Lil is very unsure that they can be, she is worried about Maggie mixing with the likes of her class, but there is no stopping outspoken Maggie from making this happen and soon a wonderful friendship is growing but she knows that it must be kept secret from her grandmother, father and mother.
They meet once a week in a park in the middle of North and South Fitzroy and Maggie feels for Lil and is soon bring what she can to help Lil and her mother and sister they support each other and share secrets about their lives but then everything turns sour for Maggie in such a terrible way and Maggie needs her friend Lil more than ever and soon finds herself living in the slums with the Kelly family.
This move shows Maggie more than ever what is happening in the slums and soon Maggie sees what strength and courage these people have and is soon working and organising so much to help these people and herself, she makes so many friendships here more than she ever has, not just Lil, but Jack and Connie, Mrs. Kelly, Alys, Vasilios and then there are the people from her other life Norma, Tommy Gran and her Mum and Alexander. There are so many awesome characters in this story and I have to say this one kept me up really late last night there was no way I was putting this one down till I finished it.
I loved this story it is told in such a beautiful and caring way and opened my eyes to how tough life was for many Australians in this era it also showed me that there are some beautiful people out there who are always there for each other. This one is filled with so many emotions and there were tears and smiles throughout from this reader. The ending is perfect, I loved it and I do highly recommend this one to any reader who loves a story with awesome characters it is sure to keep you turning the pages.
My thanks to the publisher Harlequin Au for my copy to read and review.
Maggie is determined to become friends with Lil, Lil is very unsure that they can be, she is worried about Maggie mixing with the likes of her class, but there is no stopping outspoken Maggie from making this happen and soon a wonderful friendship is growing but she knows that it must be kept secret from her grandmother, father and mother.
They meet once a week in a park in the middle of North and South Fitzroy and Maggie feels for Lil and is soon bring what she can to help Lil and her mother and sister they support each other and share secrets about their lives but then everything turns sour for Maggie in such a terrible way and Maggie needs her friend Lil more than ever and soon finds herself living in the slums with the Kelly family.
This move shows Maggie more than ever what is happening in the slums and soon Maggie sees what strength and courage these people have and is soon working and organising so much to help these people and herself, she makes so many friendships here more than she ever has, not just Lil, but Jack and Connie, Mrs. Kelly, Alys, Vasilios and then there are the people from her other life Norma, Tommy Gran and her Mum and Alexander. There are so many awesome characters in this story and I have to say this one kept me up really late last night there was no way I was putting this one down till I finished it.
I loved this story it is told in such a beautiful and caring way and opened my eyes to how tough life was for many Australians in this era it also showed me that there are some beautiful people out there who are always there for each other. This one is filled with so many emotions and there were tears and smiles throughout from this reader. The ending is perfect, I loved it and I do highly recommend this one to any reader who loves a story with awesome characters it is sure to keep you turning the pages.
My thanks to the publisher Harlequin Au for my copy to read and review.
5 stars
July 31, 2024 by HQ Fiction
