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Ladies in Black
Ladies in Black | Madeleine St John
Now a major film directed by Bruce Beresford and starring Angourie Rice, Rachel Taylor, Noni Hazlehurst, Susie Porter and Shane Jacobson.
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review
Eggs
The Women in Black: A Novel | Madeleine St John
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Mehso-so

Great Setting: late 1950s/early1960s, Goode department store-Sydney

Four Goode saleswomen dressed in variations of black dresses, sell frocks. I read this bc it was free on kindle unlimited, but found the story of the women and their husbands or SOs to be bland and repetitive; but realize it was not my cup of tea; though perhaps others may love it. I believe à film might be better.

#Pantone2023 @Clwojick
#JoysOfJuneReadathon Day 7 @Andrew65

Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 A shame it wasn‘t better. 1y
Eggs @Andrew65 🩷🩷 1y
59 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick
The Women in Black: A Novel | Madeleine St John
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Hey #foodandlit friends...

If you have Kindle Unlimited in the US, this book is set in Australia and was a fairly quick read. Thought I'd share if you're still looking for a book for the challenge. It wasn't some spectacular, life-changing novel, but it was an enjoyable visit to mid-century #Australia .

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Allylu
The Women in Black: A Novel | Madeleine St John
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1. We take our decorations down after the Baptism of our Lord which is the end of our Christmas season - this year that is January 9. 2. I like to read by the fireplace, so snow for me, but rain is soothing, too.

Andrew65 Thanks for the tag 😍 2y
Andrew65 Thanks for the tag 😍 2y
TheAromaofBooks Thank you for the tag!! 2y
21 likes3 comments
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kspenmoll
The Women in Black: A Novel | Madeleine St John
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#newbeginnings #beginswith #black TBR

My sister gave this to me; I hope to read it soon.

Cathythoughts I really enjoyed this one 😃👏👏👏 3y
Eggs Great cover and photo❣️ 3y
CarolynM Lovely book🙂 The audio is good too. 3y
63 likes3 comments
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DivineDiana
The Women in Black: A Novel | Madeleine St John
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Pickpick

Catching up on reviews. I read this book in December due to a recommendation from a staff member at my local bookstore. Having spent a good deal of my career working in an elegant specialty store, the story of four women selling women‘s dresses in 1950‘s Australia was interesting. Has the feel of Miss Maisel.
Themes: Women‘s issues, friendship, marriage
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💫

CarolynM 3y
66 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Centique
The Women In Black | Madelaine St. John
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this light little book - thank you @CarolynM for sending it on to me. It is just a short look at the lives of four women working in a big department store in Sydney in the 1950s - and while each of them have their struggles, it‘s an uplifting little book.
Also a school ball photo - very very lucky to have a school ball this year, most of them were cancelled last year. So girls in “evening frocks” a little like the book!

Cathythoughts Such a book ! I loved it 🥰 3y
CarolynM Glad you enjoyed🙂 Lovely photo too. 3y
73 likes2 comments
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mrsmarch
The Women in Black: A Novel | Madeleine St John
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#GreetingsFromKingsCross #theotherKingsCross This photo of 1950s #Sydney #AUS illustrates the world of the women in black, the staff of the Ladies Cocktail dress department at Goode‘s department store. They live, they suffer, they grow, independent of but affected by their fellow salesladies. Patty, Lisa, Magda, Fay — I rooted for every one of them. They‘re all so full of the future when we leave them. #bookspin / #doublebookspin for June.

CarolynM Great photo! Do you know this book - it's King's Cross pre WWII 3y
21 likes2 comments
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Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick
The Women in Black: A Novel | Madeleine St John
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Pickpick

This is a light pick since it was short on pages and plot. It does transport you to a 1950s department store in Sydney, where we meet a few ladies working in the dress departments at Christmastime and follow a few weeks of their lives. My favorite character was Magda, a sassy & sexy continental who takes young Lisa under her wing. Nothing wildly interesting, but good enough to read in one day.

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y
Cinfhen This sounds cool/ a little different from my normal reads 👍🏽 4y
Cathythoughts I really enjoyed this one too 4y
45 likes4 comments
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Jen2
The Women in Black: A Novel | Madeleine St John
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Pickpick

Lovely story

Cathythoughts Lovely book 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 4y
76 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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mcctrish
The Women in Black: A Novel | Madeleine St John
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Pickpick

I had read this author ages ago ( I remembered her name over the title 🤷🏻‍♀️The Essence of the Thing ) my husband gave me this for Christmas and I picked it to read this first solely on the cover. It was the perfect choice as it‘s set in the 6 weeks leading up to Christmas and then the New Year. It‘s a lovely female focused story set in 1950‘s Sydney 🇦🇺❤️

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mcctrish
The Women in Black: A Novel | Madeleine St John
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Starting one of my Christmas books

Thousand-Lives What a pretty cover! 4y
mcctrish @Thousand-Lives I totally agree 4y
Cathythoughts Oh I did love this one 👌🏻 4y
46 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Lindy
The Women in Black: A Novel | Madeleine St John
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I had not imagined you to have such a tale to tell—you Australians are mysterious people, no one would guess that this is a place where people can also suffer. It is the constant sunshine, it hides everything but itself.
(Photo: my Australian friends demonstrate how to make beer angels amidst the empties tossed over the veranda rail.)

Clwojick Oh my gosh! I love this! 😂😍😀 4y
Ruthiella They‘re gonna need a few more empties! 😂 4y
TrishB 😂😂 4y
See All 8 Comments
Lindy @Clwojick @Ruthiella @TrishB It‘s fun to hang out with wacky friends. 😁 4y
Kimzey 😂 4y
Lindy @Kimzey I should have mentioned that this took place 3 years ago, the last time I was in Australia. 2021 trip has been indefinitely postponed. 😕 4y
marleed That‘s hilarious! 4y
Lindy @marleed 🤪 4y
46 likes8 comments
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Lindy
The Women in Black: A Novel | Madeleine St John
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Pickpick

This uplifting story set in 1950s Sydney, Australia, follows six weeks in the eventful lives of several women who work in the same department store. It‘s smart and funny. #Ozfiction

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Lindy
The Women in Black: A Novel | Madeleine St John
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“Give me your opinion of the cake, anyway,” said Rudi to Lisa. “I must say that in Melbourne, where I have been living so miserably, there are at least many better cakeshops than here.”
“In Melbourne they have more need of cake,” said Stefan, “having more or less nothing else.”

LeahBergen Oh, burn! 🔥😆😆 4y
Texreader 🤣🤣🤣 I did not see that coming! (edited) 4y
Cathythoughts I loved this book 👍🏻✨ 4y
46 likes3 comments
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Lindy
The Women in Black: A Novel | Madeleine St John
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Mrs Williams was a little, thin, straw-coloured woman with a worn-out face and a stiff-looking permanent wave. Her husband Frank was a bastard, naturally.

LeahBergen 😂 I have this book on my shelf. I‘ve heard the movie is wonderful, too. 4y
Lindy @LeahBergen I think you will enjoy this. 👍 4y
CarolynM Loved this. If you can I recommend listening to at least a bit if the audio version for some authentic mid 20th century Australian speech. The book was adapted as a stage musical a few years ago with songs by Tim Finn, including "He's a Bastard" ??? The movie is ok @LeahBergen but nowhere near as charming as the book. 4y
LeahBergen @CarolynM I want to hear the audio now (and definitely the “bastard” son from the musical 😂). 4y
41 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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kimovsky
Ladies in Black | Madeleine St John
Pickpick

Originally ‘Women in Black‘ this is a nostalgic look at Sydney from the perspective of the department store floor after WWII. It is simple, beautifully written and makes me appreciate just how far we have come.

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Aaronlisa
The Women in Black: A Novel | Madeleine St John
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Mehso-so

I read this between Mar 18 & 22 and rated it 3.5 ⭐️. This was an impulse buy because the cover and title caught my eye. I enjoyed it but parts of it were flat for me - probably because I didn‘t like all of the ladies. It was a pleasant read and I would recommend it. It just wasn‘t a favourite for me

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KristiAhlers
The Women in Black: A Novel | Madeleine St John
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Pickpick

This is a super quick read that was quirky and fun. Set in Australian at a department store the book follows the lives of several woman who work in the cocktail dress department during the lead up to Christmas. Great character and fun and happy way to spend a few hours. Literally a one sitting read if you have the chance.

Freespirit Great movie too❤️ 5y
KristiAhlers @Freespirit I‘m gonna have to look for the movie. I hadn‘t realized there was one! 5y
Cathythoughts 👍🏻✨👗❤️ 5y
40 likes1 stack add3 comments
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AlexGeorge
The Women in Black: A Novel | Madeleine St John
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Pickpick

Charming, fun, quick read. I‘m hardly the intended audience, I suspect, but I romped through this. The writing is exquisitely sharp, even if the subject matter (shop assistants in 1950s Sydney) is hardly the thing of legend. We‘ve sold a lot at the bookshop. It‘s a cheerful breeze of a book, and we could all use some cheering up right now.

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Cathythoughts
The Women in Black: A Novel | Madeleine St John
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Pickpick

Carolyn , I enjoyed this one so much ! I love fashion & frocks ... this was delightful..I was in Sydney a few times when my daughter lived there & was in Randwick & Coogee& Elizabeth Street (in the David Jones shop I bought a bag ) ... so this was fun to remember . I‘ve already stacked another of her books.
Thankyou ! Nice one 👍🏻😘

LeahBergen I‘ve heard the movie is really good , too. I‘ve been waiting to read the book first, of course. 😄 5y
CarolynM Yay! Glad you liked it. 😘 The movie is fun, but not as witty or charming as the book. Just to be confusing it is called Ladies in Black @LeahBergen 5y
Cathythoughts @LeahBergen The book is charming as @CarolynM describes it. The characters are lovely 😊 5y
Cathythoughts @CarolynM I did post you something a couple of weeks ago ... I had hoped you would get it by now .... hopefully soon 👍🏻😘 5y
62 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Cathythoughts
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Happy Christmas Carolyn ! And Thankyou very much got thinking of me & sending this book. I see Hilary Mantel calls this “ A pocket masterpiece. A jewel “ Well that‘s good enough for me 👍🏻✨ really looking forward to it! Love, Cathy X

CarolynM You're very welcome, Cathy. I hope you enjoy it. Merry Christmas to you and yours😘🎄 5y
batsy Love that cover! ❤️ 5y
Cathythoughts @batsy it‘s a fab cover ❤️👍🏻 5y
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LeahBergen I have this and need to get to it soon! Merry Christmas! 😘 5y
Cathythoughts @LeahBergen Happy Christmas Leah 😘 5y
Graywacke That Mantel comment appeals to me too. Noting. And, Nice! 5y
56 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Victoria_Clyne
Ladies in Black | Madeleine St John
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Pickpick

So, trying to catch up on book reviews before the end of the year. I've still got a couple to do. I enjoyed listening to this one, and enjoyed it enough to add other Madeline St John books to my TBR. Its a nice charming chick lit books. I liked that the characters weren't perfect, living perfect lives, but instead were a bit quirky and struggling with everyday problems.

jillrhudy How was the narrator? 5y
Victoria_Clyne @jillrhudy I quite liked the narrator, Deidre Rubenstein. I looked her up to see what else she's read. 5y
19 likes2 comments
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serrahmiles28
Ladies in Black | Madeleine St John
Pickpick

Just watched the book recently. and the book was recommended to me so I got it from the library.

A consummately beguiling little story, catching a cut of life in Australia in the late 50s.

https://www.booktopia.com.au/ladies-in-black-madeleine-st-john/book/978192560399...

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jillrhudy
The Women In Black | Madelaine St. John
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Pickpick

Five women in different life stages are working in high end women‘s sales in a department store in 1950s Sydney. The novel is a neatly woven and beguiling, often funny, tapestry of these women‘s lives, both on and off the sales floor. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Full review at https://www.librarything.com/work/1650636/reviews/173980731

LeahBergen Nice review!! 👏🏻 5y
jillrhudy @LeahBergen thanks! 🤗 5y
Aimeesue I bet Melly would have some things to say about this one! 😂 5y
jillrhudy @Aimeesue Melly would like it! 5y
Aimeesue @jillrhudy Melly should write her own! 5y
18 likes1 stack add5 comments
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jillrhudy
The Women In Black | Madelaine St. John
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Ladybug would rather have another treat than pose with my Kindle. Set in 1950s Australia, this was originally published in 1993 and was made into a film last year called “The Ladies in Black.” It is being re-released in February and marketed to fans of the Mrs. Meisel show. #Netgalley #ARC

28 likes1 stack add
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LeahBergen
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#DownUnder

This novel, set in a 1950s Sydney department store‘s frock shop, has been described as Barbara Pym in Australia. That‘s good enough for me (and I hope to get to it soon)!

#WanderingJune

Cathythoughts Lovely pic ✨book sounds good 👍🏻 5y
CarolynM It's great. The movie is ok but... 5y
BarbaraBB Attractive cover! 5y
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Cinfhen Love the cover and book sounds charming💕 5y
AlaMich Working in apparel retail as I do (🙄) I will have to check this out! 5y
Freespirit It‘s a lovely story...movie is good too 5y
Crazeedi Sounds intriguing! 5y
rubyslippersreads I would buy it just for that cover! 😍 5y
jillrhudy It's available on Netgalley right now! I got it. 5y
LeahBergen @jillrhudy Is it? 👏🏻👏🏻 I hear there‘s also a movie or TV series based on it? 5y
jillrhudy @LeahBergen I‘ll read it and then I‘ll find out! Book first, adaptation afterwards! 5y
jillrhudy @LeahBergen read the book then found the movie on Amazon Prime, and the movie is even better than the book! 5y
LeahBergen @jillrhudy Oh, good to hear! 👍🏻 5y
92 likes3 stack adds13 comments
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Joreads
Women in Black | Madeleine St John
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Mehso-so

So I guess I missed the point of this novel. It was an ok read but for me it was not the classic others seem to see.

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Libby4
Ladies in Black | Madeleine St John
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Pickpick

Loved the movie and loved the book...even though it's set in the summer of 1959, before I was born, there were a lot of references that gave me a memory from my childhood.

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CarolynM
Ladies in Black | Madeleine St John
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Pickpick

A young girl takes a summer job as a sales assistant in the "Cocktail Frocks" section of a fashionable department store in 1950's Sydney. The book follows her experiences, as well as those of the other staff members in the section and of Magda, the chic European emigre who presides over "model gowns". A lot of the attitudes, particularly towards the "Continentals" reminded me of my grandparents. It's a delightful story and beautifully read.

LeahBergen I‘ve been meaning to read this for ages. 6y
CarolynM @LeahBergen I encourage you to do so, it's lovely. I recommend the audio, Deirdre Rubenstein was great at bringing the characters to life with great nuances between the voices and so true to the way Australians sounded in the mid 20th century. 6y
52 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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CarolynM
Ladies in Black | Madeleine St John
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#31bookpics #MovieAdaptation
My book group is reading this book this month, and going to see the film for our meeting.

50 likes2 stack adds
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Rhondareads
Ladies in Black | Madeleine St John
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All the way from a book pal in Australia so excited to read&then watch the characters come alive on screen.

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Abailliekaras
The Women In Black | Madelaine St. John
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Pickpick

Enjoyed this comedy of manners set in Goode's department store (Ladies' Cocktail Frocks) in Sydney 1960, based on David Jones. Her observations of the tone and atmosphere of the store, & its customers, are very funny. A Jane Austen-style wit and a Tolstoy influence in one party scene, her writing is light but clever. Shows the fun, and the constraints, of being a woman in that era. Love the Hungarian characters ('Continentals'). A good read.

batsy Austen-style wit! *immediate stack* 7y
Abailliekaras @batsy hope you like it! Sort of Australia 1960s Austen-style, if that's a thing? 😉 7y
LeahBergen This sounds wonderful! Stacked. 7y
Abailliekaras @LeahBergen 👏🏼 it's a good light read. 😊 7y
39 likes8 stack adds4 comments
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Abailliekaras
The Women In Black | Madelaine St. John
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I picked this up on a whim at the bookstore last weekend. Hilary Mantel describes it as 'a pocket masterpiece. A jewel.' So that's good enough for me! Waiting for the book club crew. 😊📚

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