Your Preview Verdict: The Marriage Trap by Victoria Purman

Buy a copy of The Marriage Trap here.

Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:

The beautiful, glossy and captivating cover of The Marriage Trap by Victoria Purman compelled me to start reading it as soon as I received it. I really enjoyed this book and the nostalgic adventure it took me on and although I would have been several years younger than Evelyn was in this setting, I could still relate to much of the idealogy of the 1960’s. It was so clever how Victoria tied in and blended the attitudes of the various generations of women in this story. It is an easy read and suitable for all age groups from young adults to seniors. It will enlighten and perhaps surprise some younger readers as to what the earlier generations of women went through and senior readers will be able to reminisce about days gone by and marvel at how things have progressed. I was particularly intrigued with reading about how The Pill was slowly introduced and many of the initial difficulties women had in obtaining it. It was a fun and light hearted journey the book took when it delved into the Beatles hysteria as I was too young to appreciate it back then. I also thought the book was finished off beautifully and tenderly when the author delved into an important senior topic. Coral, VIC, 5 stars

Victoria Purman sets out to write about ordinary women living ordinary lives in times when just doing that made them quite extraordinary. Her latest book, The Marriage Trap spans a ten year period in Australia, 1960–1970. A time when life has settled down after two world wars, and life is expected to continue as it always has for women. She must marry, look after her home and her husband and produce babies. Then, look after her home, husband and children until they too follow this pattern of life, but the world is changing. Olive has four children with Len and in 1950, at 50 years old discovers she is pregnant with her fifth, Evelyn. By 1960 three of her children are married and Cathy, her 20 year old daughter, is training to be a teacher. She is coping with a weekly visit from her rude and opinionated Mother In Law and feeling all of her 60 years. The story continues following Olive, Cathy and Evelyn as they live through the many changes of that decade. For those of us old enough to remember that life, this will resonate and perhaps bring back memories, good and bad. Victoria has written very believable characters in situations all too common at that time, a time of great change, especially for women. She addresses the backlash from mainly men against the contraceptive pill, and opportunities for women to take their place in society outside the home and domestic duties. A well researched and enjoyable read. Catherine, QLD, 5 stars

I’ve been a fan of Victoria Purman’s historical fiction since reading The Land Girls in 2019. I fell in love with Purman’s intricately crafted stories about resilient women and the unique challenges they faced. And with the Australian landscape portrayed in vibrant, colourful brushstrokes, Purman’s novels have come to encapsulate significant moments in our cultural, social and political history with unforgettable characters and topical themes. In The Marriage Trap, we’re transported back to 1960s Adelaide, at a time when men still held a tight reign over women with the iron-fisted rules of a tired and outdated era. But what these men don’t know is that women are sensing change. The Marriage Trap highlights a significant moment in Australia’s social history. Told through Olive, Cathy and Evelyn, we experience the obstacles women faced and the gradual swing towards women having a voice and choice. From Beatlemania to fashion, political and religious ideologies and the introduction of The Pill, Purman transports the reader into everyday women’s lives. Linda, QLD, 5 stars

I loved, loved The Marriage Trap. I have come to expect a beautiful story from Victoria Purman. Every year her books take me back to my younger days and I recall my time with parents and grandparents. Pregnancy was not discussed, neither was how one got pregnant, and everyone had strong religious beliefs. This is a story of a big family, a stay at home Mum, 5 children, and Dad who went to work to feed the family and pay the bills, and went along with whatever his wife said. But things change. Stacey, NSW, 5 stars

As a child of the 60s The Marriage Trap was filled with memories for me of the challenges women faced. It made me smile at times and sad at others but the sheer strength of women was wonderful and always will be. I have met or know everyone of the Langley family and the love and challenges that such a family has. A truly wonderful story. Sally, VIC, 5 stars

I’ve just finished The Marriage Trap by Victoria Purman. A great read that explores Australia in the 1960s. It made me nostalgic for the good times and at the same time glad that we have moved on. Religious and political dictates meaning women had no say over their bodies would have been difficult to live with. Telling the story through the eyes of different generations really showed the difficulties that existed as society changed. I really enjoyed the relaxed pace of the book and the use of ‘Aussie’ vernacular. Steph, NSW, 5 stars

A fabulous tribute to a revolutionary time. The Marriage Trap is set in Australian suburbia in the sixties. Olive, Cathy and Evelyn each represent different stages of womanhood during a time of change. Olive questions duty and motherhood, Cathy is caught between expectation and independence, and Evelyn begins to challenge everything she hears. It is a reminder of how hard women fought for change. Tanya, QLD, 5 stars

The Marriage Trap by Victoria Purman is an oh-so-nostalgic time capsule, it’s like opening your jewellery box and seeing the plastic ballerina spin around to Fur Elise. You’ll be transported back to your own childhood years or to tales from your grandmothers, when the social media of the day was the Women’s Weekly and the closest thing to Netflix was listening to Blue Hills on the wireless. It is a story of different generations of women who struggle to communicate openly with each other because of ignorance, religion, societal norms and worrying about what the neighbours would think. Although it is a story of mothers and daughters, grandmothers and sisters, my favourite character was Len, dutiful, devoted, steadfast and reliable, but most of all, kind. There is a poignancy in reading this book at this very moment in history, as it is set in turbulent times of war, politics and protests, with men in positions of power influencing everyday lives.

Warning: This book is likely to stir up all manner of emotions and memories and what-ifs, which will linger long after you read the final page. Michelle, VIC, 4 stars

I’m probably old enough to remember some of the days where women had the choice of either having a career (and being called a spinster) or getting married and having children. Not both. Until the advent of the contraceptive pill women were tied to a life of many children with no choice. And to have a child out of wedlock was a stigma no family wanted. A woman in this predicament was either forced to marry or sent to an unwed mother’s home. Thank goodness we have come a long way from those days. It was called Freedom. Vivien, ACT, 4 stars

After reading The Nurses’ War I have been hooked on Victoria Purman novels, so was very excited to win an early copy of The Marriage Trap through Better Reading. This book tells the story of the struggles of being a woman in the 60’s through the eyes of a mother and two of her daughters, focusing on contraception and women’s fight for freedom of choice. It is hard to believe how difficult their lives were only 60 years ago. Told from three points of view, it was hard to put down. The author’s note at the end is a real eye opener. Vikkie McCourt, QLD, 4 stars

Really interesting and relevant topics covered in this novel. Whilst I was still a baby in 1960 the pill debate was still going strong when I was a teenager in the 70’s and when I started teaching in 1981 unmarried women still had to travel to another town to get a prescription and have it dispensed due to the hold on the town by the Catholic doctor. Victoria Purman uses dialogue to tell most of her story so at times it feels like nothing is happening, yet she still manages to make her point. An easy read that brought back lots of memories of growing up in the Catholic community. Michelle, VIC, 4 stars

The Marriage Trap by Victoria Purman is a story about the journey of a mother and two daughters during times of change in the 60’s and 80’s. It delves into the introduction and repercussions of the contraceptive pill. The characters are very believable and mostly likeable. I could associate with many opinions which added to the enjoyment. The story is especially poignant as it is set in Adelaide, my home town, and the era in which I grew up. Julie, SA, 4 stars

As a child of the 60s, The Marriage Trap was filled with memories for me of the challenges women faced. It made me smile at times and sad at others but the sheer strength of women was wonderful and always will be. A truly wonderful story. Sally, VIC, 4 stars

The Marriage Trap by Victoria Purman is a great read that explores Australia in the 1960s. It made me nostalgic and glad we have moved on. Religious and political dictates meant women had no say over their bodies. Telling the story through different generations showed the difficulties as society changed. I enjoyed the relaxed pace and Aussie vernacular. Steph, NSW, 4 stars

A fabulous tribute to a revolutionary time. The Marriage Trap is set in Australian suburbia in the sixties, where women are finding their place amid shifting expectations. Olive feels the ground shifting beneath her, Cathy is caught between duty and desire, and Evelyn begins to question everything she hears. It captures a moment of quiet upheaval and change. Tanya, QLD, 4 stars

The Marriage Trap is a beautifully written novel that captures a society in the midst of rapid change. What struck me most was the contrast between women overwhelmed by change and those embracing new freedoms around contraception and independence. It made me reflect on how every generation experiences its own version of this tension between progress and comfort. Natalie, NSW, 4 stars

As I was a child of the 1950’s and 1960’s this book was very appealing to me. Victoria Purman included many features of these years which made the text familiar. It was a page turner and kept my interest till the very end. It gave me so much pleasure to relive that time. Lorraine, VIC, 4 stars

The Marriage Trap is a compelling and enjoyable read that highlights the realities faced by women in the 1960s. Purman explores social expectations and constraints through three main characters. The emotional depth makes their struggles feel authentic. The story balances hope, disappointment and resilience, and immerses the reader in a time when marriage was both a necessity and a constraint. Belinda, NSW, 4 stars

From the very first page I was taken back to my childhood. The story of the Langley women felt like it was written about my family. It shows the rapid changes affecting each generation. It also highlights how difficult sex education was, often avoided completely within families. The book is filled with love and reflects how families try to do their best within the constraints of their upbringing. Karyn, SA, 4 stars

I loved the nostalgic element of this book. I was reminded of growing up during this time. I liked the characters and related to them. Janette, TAS, 4 stars

The Marriage Trap is a well-written and thought-provoking story. By chapter one I was immersed. It shows how difficult and frustrating life was for many women in the 60s and early 70s as they navigated womanhood. Sharon, VIC, 4 stars

Thank you for the opportunity to read this heartwarming story. It told the story from women’s perspectives in a funny and truthful way and gave insight into how women were treated in the 60s. Melissa, VIC, 4 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed The Marriage Trap. It was a reminder of how far women have come. The story allows us to understand the influence of church and society and the limited choices available. It also highlights major social change including contraception and the Vietnam War era. Leonie, WA, 4 stars

The Marriage Trap is told from three female narrators in the same family. It explores the introduction of the contraceptive pill and its impact. I especially enjoyed Evelyn’s perspective. It is written in clear and simple prose. Julia, TAS, 4 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this stark look at what life was like for Australian women years ago. It made me appreciate my life and think about the future for my daughters. Erin, QLD, 4 stars

The Marriage Trap shows how family values were revolutionised in the 60s and 70s. It follows three women with different upbringings and perspectives and shows how each grows over time. Amanda, VIC, 4 stars

Victoria Purman’s *The Marriage Trap* is an evocative and illuminating window into Australian family life during the 1960s. While the narrative unfolds with a gentle, steady pace rather than high-octane drama, its strength lies in its meticulous historical detail and social commentary. The story follows a mother and two of her five children, offering a poignant look at the era’s gender imbalance. Purman expertly captures the exhausting, mundane labour and the systemic lack of autonomy women faced regarding their own bodies and life choices. From the overreaching influence of the Church to the absolute authority of male doctors, the book highlights the immense pressure on women to sacrifice their identities for marriage and children. For me, the most rewarding aspect was the bridge it built to my parents’ generation, helping me understand the rigid societal expectations they navigated. Seeing the contrast between a mother’s limited options and her youngest daughter’s opportunity for university was particularly moving. If you enjoy historical fiction that serves as a rich social history lesson, this is an accessible and insightful read. Amy, QLD, 3 stars

Victoria Purman’s writing presents the attitudes of the 1960s well, and I could still relate to some of the ideas despite not growing up in that era. It was interesting how she tied together different generations of women in the story. It is an easy read, though at times quite straightforward, and younger readers may find it educational while older readers may find it nostalgic. Michelle, VIC, 3 stars

The Marriage Trap by Victoria Purman is a story about a family navigating spiritual and physical journeys during the 60s and 80s. It explores the introduction of the contraceptive pill and its consequences. The characters are believable and mostly likeable, and I could relate to many of their opinions. Being set in Adelaide made it especially meaningful as it reflected the era in which I grew up. Julie, SA, 3 stars

I’ve been a fan of Victoria Purman since *The Land Girls*, but I found this book a little slower than her others. The story is set in a time of change for women, and while the themes are strong and important, the pacing felt uneven at times. Bernie, WA, 3 stars

The story was interesting but I felt it was a bit too slow to start. It explores changes for women during the 1960s and 70s, a time of liberation and social change, but it did not engage me as strongly as other books by the author. Amanda, VIC, 3 stars

The Marriage Trap tells the story of 1960s Adelaide suburban life through three women in the same family. It focuses on the introduction of the contraceptive pill and its impact. While I enjoyed the concept, at times it felt like not much was happening. The writing is simple and clear. Julia, TAS, 3 stars

The dialogue-driven style sometimes made the story feel like it was moving slowly, although it still conveyed its message about women’s struggles and contraception debates in the 60s. Sharai, QLD, 3 stars

I enjoyed the historical context and the insight into women’s lives in Australia during the 1960s. However, I found parts of the story slow and not as engaging as expected. Bec, SA, 3 stars

The Marriage Trap gives an interesting look at Australian women’s lives during a time of social change. While informative, I felt it moved slowly and I wanted more depth in places. Kim, NSW, 3 stars

This book explores important themes about women’s rights and social change, but I found the pacing uneven and it did not fully hold my attention throughout. Amanda, VIC, 3 stars

Buy a copy of The Marriage Trap here.