Annie Magdalene

by Barbara Hanrahan

The detailed story of Annie Magdalene McGregor, button-sewer, lady's companion, and aircraft worker, whose family life in Australia is an accurate portrait of a life hidden from history

Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Hanrahan, Barbara Janice (1939 - 1991)
Archival/Heritage Resources Published Resources

Barbara Hanrahan was an artist, printmaker and writer. She was born in Adelaide in 1939 and lived there until her death in December 1991. Hanrahan spent three years at the South Australian School of Art before leaving for London in 1966 to continue her art studies. In England she taught at the Falmouth College of Art, Cornwall, (1966-67) and Portsmouth College of Art (1967-70). From 1964 Hanrahan held a number of exhibitions principally in Adelaide and Sydney, but also in Brisbane, Canberra, Perth, London and Florence. Hanrahan's novels include The Scent of Eucalyptus (1973), The Peach Groves (1980), The Frangipani Gardens (1988) and Flawless Jade (1989).


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Career Highlights
URL: The home page for this entity is located at http://www.history.sa.gov.au/history/...
Barbara Hanrahan was educated at Thebarton Girls' Technical College before commencing a three year Art Teaching course at Adelaide Teachers' College. At the same time she completed art classes at the South Australian School of Art. Following the completion of her Diploma of Art Teaching, Hanrahan began teaching art in schools as well as enrolling for evening classes with the newly established Printmaking Department at the South Australian School of Art. In 1961 she was appointed assistant lecturer in Art at Western Teachers' College, Adelaide. In the same year she participated in a four-artist exhibition at the Hahndorf Gallery, and was awarded the Cornell Prize for Painting. She taught at the South Australian School of Art from 1963-66.

Hanrahan left for London in 1966 to continue her art studies. She taught at the Falmouth College of Art, Cornwall, (1966-67) and Portsmouth College of Art (1967-70). In the early 1980s Hanrahan, with her partner Jo Steele, returned to live in Adelaide, where she established her own studio. Hanrahan's writing career began in 1973 with the publication of her first, largely autobiographical, novel The Scent of Eucalyptus. Other titles soon followed and her last novel, Good night, Mr Moon, was published posthumously in 1992.

During her life Hanrahan held a number of exhibitions nationally and internationally. Her works are held by the Australian National Gallery, Canberra, and many regional galleries.


Sources used to compile this entry: refereces

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Barbara Hanrahan’s Annie Magdalene seems more like a memoir than a novella, and I think it was created in much the same way as Flawless Jade, which I read last month. It reads as if it has been compiled from conversations with an elderly woman whose life spanned the early 20th century until the 1970s. As a portrait of a working-class woman’s life, it is mildly interesting. It’s a social document that details how a woman, under-educated by contemporary standards, made an enjoyable and independent life for herself before the changes that feminism made possible.

I think Hanrahan gave her character the name ‘Magdalene’ to indicate that she died a virgin. She had some insignificant boyfriends, but her closest companion was a female friend. The friend, however, married and died young. That relationship never blossomed into anything else, or perhaps Hanrahan’s source chose not reveal it for privacy reasons or feared disapproval. Or the whole thing is a work of imagination rather than having biographical origins and it was important to Hanrahan to suggest the denial of this woman’s sexuality.

Annie enjoyed creative domestic crafts. She loved to sew, could cut a design without need of a pattern, knew how to tailor waistcoats and turn the heel of a sock, and took pleasure in fabrics and design. She took pride in cooking better than some of the wives about her, and made fancy cakes as well as wedding dresses for her friends. When I was a young feminist it was fashionable to be dismissive of these crafts but today when I see a local shop specialising in turning up hems or replacing a zip and charging a small fortune for it, I think we have lost the capability to do things for ourselves, not to mention the pleasure of having clothes that fit properly and are as individual as we are.

Annie supported herself in a variety of jobs, from seamstress (including a stint at self-employment), factory hand, and nanny. But now in the 21st century where the plight of homeless elderly women is so stark, we can see that her independence was funded by her parents’ decision to leave their house to her. Her younger, married brother is indignant, and threatens to challenge the will, but he never does. However, as his marriage fails, he eventually moves in with Annie, and she resents it. The home that had been hers is invaded by his presence. Although she is working and he is not, she finds herself having to cook and clean for him. The easy-going social life that she had hosting female friends in regular gatherings is overpowered by his loud voice. It spoils everything.

To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2025/12/23/a...

[Nadia · Rating 4 out of 5]

this novel is quietly feminist in the titular character’s refusal to conform to social norms, and is a portrait of sleepy, wartime adelaide through the eyes of annie magdalene. it was nice to read a classic, and feel at home in it.

[Anastasya Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Barely made it past that choppy beginning. I can’t do short stories or a series of vignettes, and the first third feels like that. Took a while to get to the story where things connected. Was keen to get to the feminist part but it just didn’t come soon enough.

She’s definitely not a character who holds on to things. She might break up with someone or the dude might die and she’s like “ok” and moves on. I love it.

I love that she just didn’t get married, given the times. She was cared for by the friends she invested in.