It’s 1982. The Knighton women, all living under one roof are about to be struck with dance marathon fever…
Greaty, 75, matriarch of the Knighton family. Turning down marriage proposals since 1927, backbone of her Clare Valley community. Favourite dance: The Foxtrot.
Gran, 55, on the frontline of the women’s movement with her best friend, Wilma. Never saw a picket line she didn’t like. Favourite dance: The Twist.
Lucy, 32, single mother, romantic, looking to find a man and get married – finally. Favourite dance: The Hustle.
Holly, 12, obsessed with Australia’s favourite star, best friends with Barry Jones and determined to win Adelaide’s illustrious dance marathon. Favourite dance: Tap!
Greaty, fierce and fearless is creating her legacy, re-writing the rules of The Women’s Annual, a tome her own mother gifted to her as a young woman. In it, she weighs up time-honoured traditions of housekeeping, and reflects on what makes a woman’s life her own, rather than at the beck and call of society’s rules – and men.
Meanwhile, Holly, on the verge of teenhood, is finding her own feet, banking on becoming a famous dancer, until Gran and Wilma decide the marathon is the latest focus of their activism, bringing feminist values to Adelaide’s premier social event of the year…
Bring on the generational conflict that’ll leave sequins on the dancefloor.
Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
This is a delightful, thought-provoking slice of unconventional family life set in the Clare Valley district of South Australia in 1982. At first, I dipped into the novel as if it were a tempting box of chocolates then started at the beginning as one should and weaved my way through to the end. The characters were strong and quirky, four generations of women living together in a rambling ancestral home, the eccentric friends and townspeople, and Barry, stalwart supporter and dance partner of Holly, the twelve-year-old protagonist around whom the story of a marathon dance competition and its effects revolve. Relationships are built and outgrown, conflicts must be faced and dealt with, growing up and facing change is not always easy and of course, there are the pesky peacocks to chase. I enjoyed this novel and can see myself returning to it again and again….it felt warm and comforting, proving that love surmounts all in the end. Lesley, QLD, 5 Stars
This is the first novel I have read of Denise Picton’s, and I was not disappointed. Set in South Australia in 1982 and focuses on a non-conforming family of 4 women, with the youngest being Holly at 12 years of age. Holly lives with her Mum, Grandma, and Great Grandma who set a high benchmark for societal rules and customs. Holly loves to dance and the four women become obsessed with a dance-a-thon that is scheduled, but all for very different reasons. The novel covers a number of issues like same-sex relationships, religion, and the expectations of women and how they should behave. It’s an interesting journey through the pages and the lives of the Knighton women vs how it started compared to how it ended. I particularly liked Holly’s Observation Studies (set by her English teacher) which covers a number of life experiences as per the occasion and setting in the novel. This quote, early in the book certainly had an impact, ‘One of the key responsibilities of all women is to leave their learning behind for the next generation.’……Dorothy Knighton. Sharon, QLD, 5 Stars
The book is set in 1982 in a small South Australian community. It focuses on a family of four generations of women, at a time when life was changing for many women, but society was still very patriarchal. The family live in an old, large house, Wakefield Hall, they’re cash-poor and asset rich and constantly trying to make ends meet. Greaty, is the matriarch, then there’s Gran and Holly’s Mum, Lucy. There are no men directly in their lives and it seems for Greaty and Gran that’s the way they want it. The story is told through the voice of Holly, she’s twelve, obsessed with meeting her hero Olivia Newton-John and determined to become a famous dancer. So when she hears there is a dance marathon to be held in Adelaide she is desperate to take part and be spotted by talent scouts. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters of the senior members of the Knighton clan and appreciated their passion for standing up for women and laughed at the Brecht quotations they continually spouted! This is a story of how women pull together, what can tear them apart, and the importance of family. I highly recommend it. Jacky, QLD, 5 Stars
I really enjoyed everything about this family story, it was very well written, different from any book I’ve read before, but in a lovely peaceful relaxed way. I particularly liked the flow throughout the whole book, and the ending was perfect. Rene, WA, 5 Stars
This is a fun book, told through the lives of four generations of women from the Knighton family. The different roles they play in the family structure and the differing expectations of each generation make for some entertaining situations, but there are also some more serious moments as well. The country town charm and the numerous 80s flashbacks made me smile and the women were all lovable in their own very different ways. Overall a very enjoyable read. Ruth, NSW, 5 Stars
A great book with a lot of humour, one you can read with a nice wine while tucked up in your favourite armchair in front of the fire. A houseful of women, four generations, all bursting with the wisdom they have garnered over the years, attempting to funnel it down to the younger generation. While attempting to help the youngest to attain her dreams of becoming a dancer they almost manage to dash those same dreams to pieces as their own ideas tend to get entwined and ensnared with hers. Overall, a real page-turner of a story; I was really pleased to have had the privilege of reading it. Something there for readers of all ages. Well done! Terry, SA, 5 Stars
I absolutely loved loved loved this book! Seen through the eyes of 12-year-old Holly…what a wonderful way to experience the world. I enjoyed getting to know the four generations of the Knighton and their plight for social justice in their own unique way. Five stars from me for this book! Justine, NSW, 5 Stars
It is 1982 and the Knighton Women are all living under one roof. Holly, aged 12 and the youngest of the clan lived with her mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother. Holly has her heart set on becoming the best dancer Australia has ever seen, however, she will need to win the upcoming dance marathon in Adelaide. The story is about women and the roles they play in society and fulfilling one’s hopes and dreams. The book delves into the lives of all four women and society’s expectations of them according to the era in which they were born. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It is the perfect summer read. I was, however, saddened by Greaty’s story (Holly’s Great Grandmother) of her life as a young woman. The story is told from Holly’s perspective and her observations of the world around her are often quite funny. I especially enjoyed reading her Observation Studies, the assignment set by her schoolteacher. Carolyn, WA, 5 Stars
This book follows the four generations of the Knighton women who live at Wakefield Hall in the Clare Valley and is told through the eyes of 12-year-old Holly Knighton. It is 1982 and the anticipated dance marathon approaches. For Holly this is going to be her opportunity to be discovered and become a famous dancer, however, each of the Knighton women has their own reasons for wanting to participate in the dance marathon. As the story unfolds we learn about each of the Knighton women and their past, their hopes for the future, and the wisdom that they hope to pass on to Holly. I enjoyed the entertaining cast of characters, from the matriarchs Greaty and Gran to Holly’s loyal best friend Barry, the dislikable Weasel Features, and the Knightons’ friends who attend Sunday night dinners. It is a heartwarming story about love, loss, and family and would make a great summer read. Holly, WA, 5 Stars
What a wonderful family read of the Knighton women, all the characters played their parts in the book and it was quite funny in some of the wording of things. I commend the author for her hard work in writing this quirky book of 4 generations of women finding their way back in the 1980s. I loved it and would recommend it for you to read. Denise, QLD, 5 Stars
Sometimes, you are fortunate enough to read a book that just makes you happy with all the things you have. 📚 This book did that for me. 📚 I utterly adored Holly. Her complete adoration of ONJ (Olivia Newton-John for those that don’t know), her desire to be the best darn dancer, and tour with ONJ, her life with her mum, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and then of course the highlight of the book for me: Barry! 📚 Barry had me in fits of giggles with his sayings. I am not sure if he was making fun of Holly or had no idea what the sayings were, but he was a fabulous character. 📚Although this was a funny and witty book, there were a huge number of “take-home” moments. 👉 Live your life your way. 👉 Stand for what you believe in. 👉 Don’t let others bring you down, 👉 Enjoy the moment, and most importantly, 👉 Love your family with everything you have and be happy with your life. 💝 Absolute joy to read, and I hope that everyone enjoys this as much as me. Oh, and there is also an amazing playlist on Spotify that goes with this book. So get out dancing shoes and enjoy! Ali, TAS, 5 Stars
I really enjoyed Denise Picton’s book preview during the busy holiday season and highly recommend this as a Book Club Pick! This made me think about how we pass our stories and memories, tips, and advice to our kids. It’s Australian. It’s the 80s. Four generations of women, four ideas about how to live…and the dance marathon was a fantastic ending. I think each of you would find something in here that completely resonates with your family and friend connections. The writing style is perfectly set to the late 80s banter, current affairs, and music choice. Preeya, QLD, 5 Stars
This is a lovely story about a family set in 1982. With four generations of women living in the same house, it’s inevitable that there would be differing opinions. A very entertaining read, I enjoyed learning about the older women through the eyes of Holly, the youngest Knighton family member. Twelve-year-old Holly has aspirations to be the best dancer in Australia and sets her sights upon winning the dance marathon. However, conflicts arise when her grandmother decides to use the marathon as the focus for her views on the women’s movement. The oldest in the family is headstrong, 75-year-old Greaty (Dorothy) who loves quoting playwright Bertolt Bercht, and prefers to live her life her own way, continually referencing The Women’s Annual 1905 but also writing her own compendium. Then there’s her daughter, Flo (who is very much into women’s rights), and Flo’s daughter, Lucy who is Holly’s mother. I enjoyed getting to know all four strong women and while there were emotional times, I also loved the very witty and funny moments. Thank you, Better Reading for the opportunity to read and review this delightful book. Christine, QLD, 5 Stars
The Knighton Women’s Compendium is a brilliant, fascinating and heart-warming read, filled with wondrous twists and turns that throughout, always left me wondering what would happen next. This grand and endearing literary masterpiece set the scene and plot but was enlightened by excellent smaller-scale mysteries and adventure that I adored. The portrayal of the characters was amazing, and the beauty of each page-turning moment grew my heart even more in the depth of warmth and sincerity. A strong and bold signature of uniqueness, life, love, and everything in between. Emotion enriched, passionate, inspiring, and moving. Kylie, QLD, 5 Stars
The title of this novel implies it is perhaps a stuffy self-help book from a formal, bygone era. Instead, the story is pure joy. The characters are believable and the voice of Holly, the twelve-year-old narrator, is authentic. She is feisty, yet occasionally insecure, and is the product of a feminist upbringing with few male role models. Her hopeless devotion to Olivia Newton-John is adorable. As Molly Meldrum said about music around the time this story takes place: “Do yourself a favour!” I enthusiastically handed this over to a friend immediately after finishing. Five is not enough stars. Heidi, VIC, 5 Stars
It’s 1982, and four generations of the Knighton family women are living harmoniously at Wakefield Hall in the Clare Valley. Each is endearing in her own way: 12-year-old Holly, our insightful and witty narrator, is set on becoming a famous dancer, joining her idol ONJ touring the world. Her gentle mum, Lucy, suffers from severe tiredness and pains, but longs for a romantic future, although not necessarily with either of her eager suitors. Feisty grandma Flora is a radical feminist, with a zeal for grand public gestures and societal disruption. Great Grandma (Greaty) is more reasonable and the titular compendium is her miscellany of learnings for the following generations. When Adelaide’s Celestial Ballroom announces a dance marathon Holly is determined to enter. With much song and dance, which of the Knightons will realise their dreams, and what lessons will be learned along the way? Like a Cottee’s Chocolate Instant Pudding, this is a sweet and very satisfying read. Anita, QLD, 5 Stars
What a wonderful story of four women living together while each trying to live their own lives. The generation gaps are at times huge but ultimately every woman is wanting the freedom to live their best life without the constraints of society’s expectations. Throw into the mix that these women are four generations of the one family and you have a story filled with warmth, love, dreams, and of course family drama. Tracey, Vic, 5 Stars
Four generations of Knighton women in one household means like is never boring! Holly, the youngest, describes her life with mum, gran & great gran Greaty. Greaty is quite the character & although the women are strong on how they can manage without a man in their lives, Holly’s mum has an enigma on her hands juggling two ardent admirers. Funny and touching in parts. Holly’s passion for dance and a glamorous future is entangled in the family routines and expirations, climaxing in a dance marathon. An excellent holiday read for all the family. Wendy, SA, 5 Stars
I had the privilege of reviewing “The Knighton Women’s Compendium” by Denise Picton. A lovely story from the perspective of Holly (12 years old) who wants to be the best Dancer in Australia. She lives with 3 other matriarchs: a feminist, a traditional housewife, and her mother, who just needs a man to support her. I enjoyed the verbal sparring between all the women. Bridget, VIC, 4 Stars
This was an enjoyable read that explored many themes relating to the circumstances of 4 generations of women from the same family living under one roof. Independent, intelligent women who were carving their own paths without men. The story is set in the Clare Valley, SA, in 1982 and has many comic exchanges between the elder two of the women, Greaty and Gran. The story is told through the eyes of Holly, the 12-year-old daughter of Lucy, who is desperate to win the local dance marathon. Holly dreams about becoming a professional dancer, the best Australia has ever seen and she hopes that winning the dance marathon will launch her a fabulous career. This is a heartwarming read which I can recommend as a feel-good story covering social themes on women’s rights in the 20th century and how they have changed over the years. The author has cleverly woven her working life background and experience into a good yarn. Well done! Robyn, QLD, 4 Stars
I loved Denise’s last release and this one is just as good. Four generations of women under one roof and a dance marathon looming makes for a really fun read. I also appreciated the more serious undertones of the Book —feminism, sexuality, family bonds, and finding your place in life. Thanks to Better Reading and the publisher for my advance copy. Katie, QLD, 4 Stars
A great summer holiday read. An interesting look at the differences of feminism across the generations for one family, due to Olivia Newton-John and a dance marathon. If you enjoyed the eighties and like a little family drama this is a book for you. Penny, QLD, 4 Stars
Read this in one sitting. What a great tale! Loved the women’s lib/feminist movement history woven through the story. So much to unpick but the told through the innocence of Holly made it a light read. I kept visualising this as a screen adaptation. Everyone needs a Barry in their lives! Great read. Dan, VIC, 4 Stars
The four Knighton women are at different stages of life, despite loving each other dearly and they have contrasting ideas and needs. A narrative about a family’s daily adventures, their quirky friends and neighbors, full of funny quotes and Australian language. A wise Greaty points out to Holly, what really matters in life, is that you should always listen to others and most of your own inner voice and especially when things don’t go as planned and nothing stays the same forever. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and it took me back to being a teenager in the 1980s, I danced and sang along to the Grease soundtrack with my cousin, we were both fans of Olivia Newton-John and we had so much fun. Four stars from me, a perfect choice for a book club read, it covers many relevant topics and makes you think about life, love, family, how you’re never too old to hit the dance floor and the impact music has on people. Karren, SA, 4 Stars
An absorbing story of four generations of Knighton women living under one roof in the Clare Valley in 1982, each trying to live their life the way they want but bound by the threads of family. Told through Holly, the youngest member of the family, and her ambition to become a world-renowned dancer, and hopefully noticed by Olivia Newton-John, sets out to win the dance marathon with her best friend and dance partner Barry. I enjoyed the story on many levels but especially the humour that Barry brings with his “misquoted” quotes and the Observation Studies written by Holly, Along with addressing long-held societal values the warmth, humour, compassion, and most of all the unconditional love between the four generations make this book a joy to read. Colleen, WA, 4 Stars
This book is based on a home in the Clare Valley where 4 generations of women live together. Each of the women brings their own life experiences to the way that they view the world. The central plot is about a dance contest that the youngest wants to enter, and how this makes each of them feel about their life as it is. It is a quirky, breezy read with well-drawn characters, the 80s setting is a character too. I enjoyed reading this book and sped through it in 2 days. Lisa, QLD, 4 Stars
Who would have thought a dance marathon could tear four generations of women apart and bring them together all at the same time? I loved the different ideals the four women had within the family but it was evident throughout how much they all loved each other. Overall a good feel good book that was well written and very easy to read and enjoy. Thanks to Better Reading and Ultimo Press for my copy to read and review. Also thanks to Denise Picton for writing this great book. Renee, QLD, 4 Stars
Holly, Lucy, Gran and Greaty all live under one roof. Four generations of Knighton women connected by blood, and now, a dance marathon. For 12-year-old Holly, all she wants is to win the marathon and meet Olivia Newton-John. Gran, however, sees the dance as an opportunity to challenge social norms, and advance women’s rights. The strength of character within this story was a highlight. The complex family relationships are tainted by both individual and shared experiences of a household governed by pushing for women’s rights. While the undercurrent of discrimination and patriarchy drives the story forward it can, at times, feel a little forced. It does, however, show the hard, long fight women have had for equality. Due to their desire for necessary change, there is personal cost for each of the Knighton women, highlighting that though fictitious, the fight for women’s rights is not over. Kath, VIC, 4 Stars
Thank you for allowing me to review this book! This book takes us into the lives of the Knighton women – great-grandmother (Greaty), grandmother (Gran), Mum (Lucy), and daughter (Holly) set in the Clare region of South Australia. Holly is 12 and obsessed with the late Olivia Newton-John and is hopeful of winning a dance contest in Adelaide which will put her in the spotlight. All in all a great read based in 1982 and follows the dramas that involve these 4 ladies – I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Fiona, VIC, 4 Stars
What a wonderful, easy-to-read story! I found the four main characters completely engaging. Four generations of females live under one roof. All with such different personalities. What could happen? It could be a recipe for disaster – but isn’t! They have the family dynamics all worked out. There’s ‘Greaty’; ‘Gran’; Mum and Holly, the teenager of the family. Reaching puberty she plunges head first into the ‘all for her’ stereotype, but of course not with the outcomes she necessarily desired, and she comes to realise that the other members of her family have dreams and aspirations of their own. Yes, even at ‘Greaty’s’ age! This is a delightful read that left me with the ‘feel good’ feeling. ‘Greaty’ was my favourite character. I could appreciate where she was coming from. Chris, VIC, 4 Stars
This story, set in South Australia’s Clare Valley in 1982, focuses on a non-conforming family of four generations of women. We have the matriarch, Greaty- Dorothy, who was an unwed mother in the early days of women’s suffrage. Gran-Flora, a progressive activist for women’s causes. Lucy, mum to Holly, and looking at marriage to give her and Holly a life like the one she reads about in the Women’s Weekly, and twelve-year-old Holly, from whose perspective this book is written – looking at a local dance marathon as her opportunity to be discovered and become a dancer with Olivia Newton-John. Although it took me a while to get the family straight, I found this to be a mainly light-hearted read, with some of the characters fleshed out a little more than others. It came to a satisfying conclusion, and I’d happily recommend it. Thank you to BetterReading and Ultimo Press for an advance copy in return for an honest review. Tracy, VIC, 4 Stars
This is an enjoyable and entertaining read, narrated by twelve-year-old, Holly. A fascinating look at life from the perspective of four generations of women from the same family, all living under the same roof and each at different stages of their lives. Set in the Clare Valley, South Australia. Following the lives of Greaty (Dorothy) 75, Flo 55, Lucy 32, and Holly 12 who are each well-developed characters that I loved getting to know. A very entertaining and clever read, whilst also emotional and thought-provoking. Well worth a read for all ages. Thank you to the Better Reading team for my copy to read and review. Kellie, TAS, 3 Stars
Leave a Reply