The Tea Ladies by Amanda Hampson
Set in 1965 in Sydney’s rag trade district, four tea ladies who work for the surrounding fashion manufacturers meet regularly on their own breaks. They are the gentle Hazel, bossy Merl, slightly dizzy Betty and rough-as-guts Irene (who herself has a colourful past).
Led by Betty, they investigate murder, rescue a kidnapped Russian gymnast and help introduce the latest fashion trends in their industry.
Rosemary:
Rosemary described the book as ‘cosy crime’. She enjoyed the characters but thought it a little unrealistic how they suddenly turned into sleuths. It was a nice easy read, a bit of escapism and gave good insights into life in the 60s. A sequel is coming out soon.
Bev:
Bev found that the book was a bit slow to start but thought it got better and became more interesting.
Joan:
Joan commented on Hazel, the leader of the tea ladies, saying that she was a woman of the times. Despite her involvement in the sleuthing, she was unable to read or write, something she avowed to rectify.
Ed:
Ed also enjoyed the book and was suspicious of Bob (Hazel’s husband) straight away!
Jo:
Jo enjoyed the characters and the storyline. The book took her back to the ‘good old days’.
Theresa:
For Theresa the book brought back many memories as her sister had lived in Surrey Hills, so it was quite nostalgic for her. She did feel sorry for Hazel and the downtrodden role she had in her marriage although she eventually did stand up to Bob.
Prue:
Prue had only just started the book, but she was thoroughly enjoying it. Her first job was as a tea lady, and had lived in the area.
She described it as ‘not the best book’ she had read but it was a good read.
Judy J:
Judy’s comment was that humour must be a difficult genre to write. She didn’t find the book and the situations described in it, very funny. Yet she enjoyed the discussion in the group of some of the funnier incidents.
Her favourite part was the coming of the new fashion era of miniskirts etc lead by Jean Shrimpton.
Judy De L :
Judy agreed that she hadn’t found the book very funny. It was an easy and light read. Talking about it was more amusing.
The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams
This semi-historical novel traces the writing and publication of the Oxford Dictionary at the time of the Suffragette movement and World War 1.
Lyn:
The author weaves the fictional character of Esme Nichol through the book. The intricacies of word selection, meanings, description and examples of use fascinated her.
She enjoyed the book more on this second reading, appreciating the astounding depth of research.
Val:
Val enjoyed the book as it was quite original in its subject matter. She commented on how the plight of women was woven through the narrative. Val had also lived in and attended school in the area where the book was set.
Margaret:
The main ideas of the book were words, language and women’s place in society, being very subservient to men.
Through reading the book you learn about the history of the times without it being done in a heavy way. She also enjoyed the bit of romance in the story.
The Book Binders of Jericho is the companion book.
Kris:
Kris enjoyed the book although it was a little slow to begin with. This is the author’s first novel, and she has written several other interesting non-fiction books.
Even though it’s quite long, it’s a story to be savoured. Kris thought she is a great storyteller and a beautiful writer, weaving the story around historical facts. It’s well worth reading.
Helen:
While she took a while to get into the story, she thought it was such an original beginning with a young girl sitting under a desk picking up bits of paper with words on them.
She loved the characters and finding out about the history of the Oxford Dictionary.
This genre, learning about history with fiction thrown in, is much like the books written by Geraldine Brooks.
Pat:
The first half was slow and depressing, with so much sadness for young Esme. She enjoyed the second half much more.
It was such an interesting concept that the Oxford Dictionary was created in a back yard shed by a group of people who were totally obsessed with words. As such it was very different from any book she had read. The photos in the back tied everything together.
Judy A:
She managed to read nearly 150 pages before the slow moving and tedious story forced her to give the book away. The author’s notes and epilogue were more interesting.
Tam:
Tam described the book as a fascinating study of words and the need for dictionaries to keep track of changing uses and meanings. It was interesting that men were usually educated and only the words they used were included. An original type of story.
Sheila: Hornblower and the Crisis by C S Forester
This historical novel forms part of the Horatio Hornblower series from when Hornblower had gone to sea as a 17 year old and finishing as Commander. Set in 1805 it tells the story of Napoleon’s plans to invade England.
All the books are well written, and the descriptions of the English sailor’s life on ships regardless of their position is very interesting. So too are the descriptions of the warships and how they won the battles. It’s history served up in a novel.
SEPTEMBER: Autobiography or Biography of your own choice.
