From the bestselling author of The Land Girls comes a beautifully realised novel that speaks to the true history and real experiences of post-war Australian women.
Sydney 1945 The war is over, the fight begins.
The war is over and so are the jobs (and freedoms) of tens of thousands of Australian women. The armaments factories are making washing machines instead of bullets and war correspondent Tilly Galloway has hung up her uniform and been forced to work on the women’s pages of her newspaper – the only job available to her – where she struggles to write advice on fashion and make-up.
As Sydney swells with returning servicemen and the city bustles back to post-war life, Tilly finds her world is anything but normal. As she desperately waits for word of her prisoner-of-war husband, she begins to research stories about the lives of the underpaid and overworked women who live in her own city. Those whose war service has been overlooked; the freedom and independence of their war lives lost to them.
Meanwhile Tilly’s waterside worker father is on strike, and her best friend Mary is struggling to cope with the stranger her own husband has become since being liberated from Changi a broken man. As strikes rip the country apart and the news from abroad causes despair, matters build to a heart-rending crescendo. Tilly realises that for her the war may have ended, but the fight is just beginning…
Read our Preview reviewer thoughts here:
This book was such a special read, I felt like some of the things that happened in the past with my family’s experiences happened the exact way in this book. The author had an uncanny way of bringing things to life, it felt like I knew of someone who experienced the same things, it really was such a pleasure to immerse myself into a book such as this one. This is well worth the time to absorb yourself into another era where love and war meet with sadness and with some joy. – Suzie, WA, 5 Stars
The Women’s Pages by Victoria Purman is a light book to read with a standard WWII story of love, loss and friendship. The historic research by Victoria Purman is interesting giving it a clever twist to the story. – Rhonda, QLD, 5 Stars
Thank you for my free copy. It took a little bit to get into The Women’s Pages but once I did I really enjoyed reading the book the storyline really picked up the pace by the middle. The writing style and narrative were really good and flowed nicely. I really enjoyed getting to know Tilly and Mary plus their family and friends. You really had to feel for Tilly in her struggled to fit into a post ww2 world and the uncertainty that comes with not knowing what happened to her husband watching how Mary struggled with accepting her husband had changed. Recommend The Women’s Pages for a great read, it’s made me laugh and cry plus many emotions in between. It’s a great insight into the times our grandparents went through. – Simone, WA, 5 Stars
Another engaging read by Victoria Purman. You will be filled with love, horror, grief and hope at some of the consequences of the ending of WW2 for the women in The Women’s Pages, keeping you turning the pages for more until the end. – Emma, VIC, 5 Stars
Thank you Better Reading for the opportunity to read The Women’s Pages by Victoria Purman. What a beautiful written heartbreaking story. Set during the war this is a story of courage, grief and the terrible things that happen to people who went through the war. Main character Tilly works in a men’s world, where she struggles to have woman’s views heard. Tilly’s husband has gone off to war and she waits many years for news of him. Will he return to heal her heart or will she get devastating news like so many other wives waiting for their husband’s return? Such an interesting read! Highly recommend!! – Judy, NSW, 5 Stars
The Women’s Pages is a heartfelt, emotional and inspiring look at women during and after WWII. Set in Sydney in 1946 immediately post WWII with events during the war told in backstory The Women’s Pages is narrated via Tilly Galloway, working at the Daily Herald whilst her husband is away fighting. Through Tilly and her family and close friends, Purman has shown the different impact the war had on women, with some husbands returning but forever damaged, whilst others for a variety of reasons not returning at all. Women who had been earning a wage and for the first time having money of their own were suddenly unemployed whilst older men were also losing their jobs to young, returning soldiers. It was a time of adjustment for all and for some it wasn’t the dream they had envisioned. The scenes around Sydney city and The Rocks were brought to life by Purman’s wonderful descriptions. With many mentions of the political climate and newsworthy events of the time, the story is solidly set in its time frame. Purman has delivered a heartfelt story. The characters are likeable, their emotions and dreams are genuine and relatable. The Women’s Pages is a thoroughly researched novel that had me spellbound from cover to cover. – Veronica, NSW, 5 Stars
Thank you for the opportunity to read The Women’s Pages by Victoria Purman. This is a book about life in Sydney during and mainly after World War 2. I found this take on the war to be very interesting. We always hear a lot about what happened during the war, but not about the effects of the war on so many in the community. It is the story of Tilly who has been working as a newspaper reporter during the war and wants to be taken seriously. This is usually dictated by the men, but she does get some opportunities. The writing was done really well, I could picture how it would have been during and after the war, with rationing, no new housing, and many other hardships. Tilly’s family and friends came to life, from her father who worked on the wharf, to her mother holding it all together, her sister and many friends. Many situations were brought into focus and really made me think about different possibilities that could have happened. I am not always a fan of historical fiction, but this book brought an awful part of history alive in a compassionate way that made me wonder how I would have coped. I would definitely recommend it. – Tara, SA, 5 Stars
Through the eyes of Tilly Galloway, Purman’s seventeenth novel richly illustrates how radically the war changed life for the women of Australia. Proving their capability in occupations formerly the exclusive domain of men, women would eventually earn recognition and a measure of independence, permitting them a career beyond housewife and mother. It sowed the seeds of feminism and the fight for equal pay. Captivating Australian historical fiction. – Marianne, NSW, 5 Stars
Australia had been a complacent island until war again arrived. Life in 1940’s Sydney changed drastically for many, from silk blouses and stockings to cheap cotton and cardboard insoles to patch holes in shoes. Housewives hung up their aprons and joined the workforce, taking on positions to help the war effort. Tilly Galloway becomes a reporter for the Daily Herald whilst worrying about the fate of her husband Archie held as a Japanese POW. After the hard times of shortages and anxiety, the end of the war is a jubilant moment, but it brings about further societal change. Equality no more: the freedom of paid labour is taken from women, relegated to home duties so returning soldiers can be the breadwinners. Feisty Tilly is downgraded to the drudgery of the newspaper’s women’s pages – fashion, makeup and recipes. Tilly’s father is a dockworker, striking for better working conditions despite the battle to put food on the family table. Post-war life is about to become a battle for the workplace and social transformation. Victoria Purman has delivered a factually laden, well-researched depiction of how WWII changed the lives of Australian women in The Women’s Pages. As an ‘older’ reader it evoked strong memories of place and mood. Thanks to Better Reading for an advanced reading copy. – Thelma, QLD, 5 Stars
A truly exceptional read. I love historical fiction and especially well researched Australian fiction. Victoria Purman has created a fascinating story about women in a time of Australia’s history when men were the decision-makers and women were fighting for their independence. It is the end of World War II and men are returning from fighting, from being POWs and from being away from their loved ones for years. The women of Australia were fighting their own war on the home front in carrying the burden of everyday life, working jobs that previously men undertook and waiting for loved ones to return home. It is a different world to what life was before the war. The men that have come home are shadows of their former selves and the women want more than to be domestic wives. The Women’s Pages is a must-read for those interested in Australian history especially women’s issues. My mother was a war veteran’s wife so this story resonated with the stories she told me growing up. The long wait between receiving letters, friends who lost their husbands and friends whose husbands returned ‘damaged’ either physically and/or emotionally. Another Victorian Purman gem. – Karyn, ACT, 5 Stars
From the very first moment, this book had me hooked. Presented in three acts, Purman’s magical penmanship immediately draws you in, transporting you to the jubilant celebrations on the streets of Sydney on that auspicious day in history – Victory in the Pacific, 15th August 1945. However, the stark reality soon hits. The war may be over, but it lives on in so many. As the first female war correspondent for the “Daily Herald”, Tilly Galloway awaits news of her prisoner-of-war husband Archie, a number of servicemen are beginning to return, shellshocked and shadows of their former selves. While the city struggles with post-war life, Tilly is relegated to the women’s pages to allow the men to resume their previous positions at the newspaper. Like so many others who remained on the home-front, the war brought Tilly so much and yet, took so much away. Based on the real experiences of Australian women, this book’s timely release marks the 75th Anniversary Year of Victory in the Pacific. Throughout, Purman expertly explores the incredible contrasts the war has on society whilst covering the themes of World War II, post-traumatic stress, communism versus capitalism, gender inequality and industrialism. Prior to reading this book, I was not particularly conversant in the history and politics of waterside workers in Sydney, nor what happened in Rabaul and the surrounding areas during the war. The authors thorough research is woven into her story in such a digestible way, I was completely engrossed and eager to do my own research to delve further into these events. Featuring strong, trailblazing female characters who fight for and stand up for what they believe in, this empowering tale remains relevant today and reminds us to live for those who are no longer alive. I would highly recommend The Women’s Pages to fans of historical fiction, romance and feminism. Thank you to Better Reading and Harper Collins for giving me the opportunity to preview this spellbinding and poignant book. I cannot wait to read more from Victoria Purman’s library. – Fleur, NSW, 5 Stars
Victoria Purman has written a captivating novel portraying the harsh and realistic struggles of the Second World War through the eyes of families, husbands, wives and friends. Her main character Tilly shows such strength and emotion as she comes to terms with how her life has changed, and for those women around her as they try to adjust to post-war life again. She wants to be heard through her newspaper stories and pursues options so that she can regain independence and love again the life that they had before the war, and for the lives that were lost. – Karen, NSW, 5 Stars
This was a beautiful story about an aspect of war we don’t often hear about… the amazing women. The story is about Tilly and her friends and family as they all battle their own struggles, both through the end of war and after the war. Tilly is one of the many women filling the roles usually held by men, while they are off fighting in ww2. As she waits for news of her missing husband, she works in the newspaper office as a reporter. She faces many challenges both in the workforce, and personally, as she deals with her own problems and trying to support her family and friends. It was a beautifully written, sensitive story about the challenges of the time. I liked the way the author was able to blend the current and past quite easily throughout the story. The main characters were so authentic and felt like friends. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it. It was my first book by Victoria Purman and I will be reading more of her books. Thanks to Better Reading and Harper Collins for my preview copy. – Kim, NSW, 5 Stars
Lovers of historical fiction will thoroughly enjoy this book. It is inspiring and heartwarming and gives an insight into women in journalism and the struggles of women in times of war in general. – Rachel, QLD, 5 Stars
Thank you for the opportunity to read The Women’s Pages by Victoria Purman. I have to say that this has to be her best book yet. From start to finish it had me wanting to keep turning the pages. The way life was for people back in the days of war make you realize how lucky we are today. How strong women are and the things they have overcome to be the amazing people they are. I can’t recommend this book enough. It’s a must-read for all. You won’t be disappointed. – Jodie, NSW, 5 Stars
I really enjoyed this book. It showed what life after the war, for women & families was like. A side of history that is not often told. – Madelaine, NSW, 4 Stars
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel about a young reporter, Tilly Galloway, set in Sydney at the end of the second world war. The Women’s Pages is the moving and beautifully written story of Tilly as she tries to come to terms with the changes to her life and the lives of those around her that have been brought about by the war. The characters are likeable and well developed and the dialogue realistic. The authenticity of the characters and the description of the setting and the events made me feel as if I was part of the story and ensured I was invested in the storyline. I really cared about what happened to the characters and especially enjoyed getting caught up in the genuine friendship between Tilly and her housemate Mary. Purman has clearly done her research and delivers a story that is rich in history and lays bare the struggles faced by women reporters of the era. I highly recommend this novel and believe it would especially appeal to women and those interested in historical and/or romantic fiction. The perfect book to read during isolation! – Mary-Jo, VIC, 4 Stars
The Women’s Pages is historical fiction that starts when World War Two comes to an end. The book places the personal and historical experience of women centre stage through the eyes of forthright, ambitious and down to earth Tilly, whom I found myself admiring. The novel evokes the idealism of the families waiting for their soldiers to return home and the innocent expectation that life will simply return to normal. This is cleverly contrasted with the slow realisation of the lasting impacts of the war at the personal and societal level. Tilly’s role as a newspaper reporter, a role she would never have been offered before the war, allows for current events to be woven into the narrative adding richness and grounding it in history. I love the vivid details of the day such as the clothes, food, rationing, focus on the war effort, that really brings to life a period in Sydney’s past that that has special meaning for me as a Sydneysider. As someone who loves to imagine times gone by, and to read about alternative perspectives on historical events, particularly through a woman’s’ eyes, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. – Karin, NSW, 4 Stars
The Women’s Page’s by Victoria Purman is a heartfelt and moving story, set in Sydney, Australia. This story follows Tilly Galloway, in post-WWII Sydney, as the city swells with returning servicemen and women are encouraged to return to their pre-war duties. Tilly has been relegated to the women’s pages of her newspaper and finds herself wanting to tell the stories of those that have been overlooked, the underpaid and overworked. With her father on strike from work at the waterside, her best friend, Mary, coping with the return of her husband and the anxious wait for the return of her own husband, her life is turned upside down, again, in the wake of the end of the war. I enjoyed this book. It has been extremely well researched and kept me interested from start to end (even though it covered a lot of ground). I will certainly be reading more from Victoria Purman in future. – Laura, SA, 4 Stars
The post-war theme in this book was very interesting, well researched and well written however I did find the book did tend to drag for quite a bit and could have been shorter. The gender inequality theme was also very evident and the ways in which women suffered significantly as a result, yet it was the women such as Tilly, Elsie, Mary and Martha who persevered and had strength. All in all a fascinating read. – Danielle, VIC, 3 Stars
The Women’s Pages gives great insight into what WWII was like for women in Sydney and the changes that came afterwards. The protagonist, Tilly, is a likeable character who I really felt for. The book has been very well researched and I’m keen to read more of Victoria Purman’s books – Julie, NSW, 4 Stars
it was a fantastic read, there were heaps of emotion and great character arcs throughout the book. I honestly couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend – Zhyesha, WA, 4 Stars
Beginning at the end of World War 2 this follows the lives of women working in the newspaper industry. The initial joy of the war being over, the realisation that their men would come home and life would resume as before turns out not to be as easy or the fairytale envisioned. Marriages were ended and men came home very different from the young men that left. Tilly Galloway is desperate to find out what happened to her husband while trying to hold on to her job as a reporter and get the recognition for her work in a man’s world. I found this insightful and got to the core of what both men and women went through trying to adjust to a post-war life. – Leanne, SA, 4 Stars
Tilly Galloway works for the Daily Herald and as peace is declared she awaits news of her husband, who is a prisoner of war. As Tilly navigates this new world she is exposed to the effects the war has had on others and the realisation that for many, the war is not yet over. Historical fiction at its best. – Christina, NSW, 4 Stars
I admit I was expecting this book to be more about the stories that Tilly wrote about other women’s post-war experiences, rather than about Tilly herself. I kept waiting for it to happen but we only got glimpses of other women’s stories and I would’ve loved to have been able to delve more deeply into those. Tilly’s own story took a little bit of getting into, but once it got going I found myself immersed in it. The story of her wharfie family and their struggles; her relationship with Cooper; and her outsider’s view of Mary and Bert’s marriage, were all beautifully realised and very moving. I found it hard to believe her sorrow at her own husband’s war experience, only because there were only the briefest mentions of what was a fairly brief relationship before he shipped out. This is not usually the type of book I’d pick up – I trend to prefer grittier historical fiction – but I would recommend it for people who lean more towards romances and Australian fiction. – Katrina, TAS, 3 Stars
Loved this book. The story of two women in Sydney 1945. The war is over and they are waiting for their husbands to return. It has been a long war with very little communication from their loved ones and they have taken on the men’s jobs as lots of other women have during the war. The stories of how they managed are incredible, very little in the way of clothing, fresh food, heating etc, makes what we are going through now with COVID-19 seem a breeze in our cosy homes with food, tv, family around us and still complaining. They are desperate for news of their husbands and the story revolves around Mary’s husband returning a shadow of his former self and Tilly still waiting for news. There is so much going on as a strike is looming as bad news for the nation, worth a read to take you back in time. – Anne, VIC, 4 Stars
The Women’s Pages was an informative and entertaining historical read. Tilly was a strong character whose struggle for recognition as a woman is one which, unfortunately, many readers would share today. – Laura, VIC, 4 Stars
Straight away I was plunged into the sense of place: Sydney in 1945. The story opens just before peace was declared. There hasn’t been much written about the post-war years in Sydney and I was anxious to start reading. I was immediately drawn into the story and I read it in a couple of days. The book covers a particularly difficult period of time and everyone thought that when peace was declared they would live ‘happily ever after’. But this was not always the case. Tilly didn’t get the ‘happy ending’ she was expecting. She had been left with heartache and surprises and had to reconcile with the fact that a lot of information about the war and the fighting men, had been withheld from civilians. The women in the story mucked in to help with the war effort and along the way, the friendships they made were strong and binding. They helped each other through the high and low times. I felt indignant when women were asked to leave jobs they been doing for the war years once the men started to come home. Tough one! The characters were all true to life and were richly developed. My two favourites were Tilly’s mum Elsie and her boss on the Women’s Pages, Mrs Freeman. Both these characters were strong and gutsy and I could empathise with the different situations life had dished up to them. All beautifully handled by the author. This was a great book, and one I will definitely recommend. – Chris, VIC, 4 Stars
A timely read, I received this book just a couple of days after the 75th Anniversary of the Victory in the Pacific, and this story begins right there. I found this book to be very easy to read, and I quite enjoyed it, more so in the first 3/4 of the book. I had hoped that the latter part would be less of a romantic story, and more of Tilly, our heroine, striking out for the rights of women, and the end did seem a little rushed to me. Hopefully, there will be a sequel, as the author does not preclude that, and I would like to see more of Tilly and her story. It was good to see a very Aussie story of our not so recent past. Overall, an enjoyable story, full of believable characters that I would highly recommend. – Tracy, VIC, 4 Stars
so good thanks
Stories centered on women’s lives always pull me in, and this one sounds especially meaningful. I love books that explore ambition, resilience, and the quieter forms of courage that often go unnoticed in everyday life. There is something deeply human about watching characters carry love, pressure, duty, and hope all at once, because that is how real life usually feels. Historical fiction like this can make the past feel vivid instead of distant. Even a small detail can change how connected we feel to something, much like searching for the culpeper star exponent phone number when you want a clearer sense of the full story.