The Soldier's Wife in Aussie Readers

Apr 27, 2015 Brenda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-fiction, own-read, aussie-authors, 2015-release

Ruby and Jimmy Hawkins had only been married a week when Jimmy enlisted – the flush of young love meant their vows were strong; their love forever. But when Jimmy was sent to Gallipoli in the first World War, neither of them had any idea how their lives would change.

Ruby was boarding with Maree and her small son Edward in Sydney; Maree’s husband Theo was also away at war and the two women slowly became good friends. Ruby knew she needed to find a job as money was tight – there were many women w Ruby and Jimmy Hawkins had only been married a week when Jimmy enlisted – the flush of young love meant their vows were strong; their love forever. But when Jimmy was sent to Gallipoli in the first World War, neither of them had any idea how their lives would change.

Ruby was boarding with Maree and her small son Edward in Sydney; Maree’s husband Theo was also away at war and the two women slowly became good friends. Ruby knew she needed to find a job as money was tight – there were many women working in men’s positions with the war on, and she was determined she would be the same. When she took the job as bookkeeper in Curry & Son’s timber yard in Sydney, a short walking distance from her residence, Ruby was nervous; unsure of what the future would bring. The men she worked with were resentful of her but she hoped in time they would come to accept her.

When Jimmy returned home a year after he’d left, he was terribly wounded; a changed man. His stay in the Army hospital was a long one but eventually he was able to leave, going to the home Ruby had made for them. But they had many and varied challenges to face – Ruby was an independent young woman, not the young girl Jimmy had married in Bourke; Jimmy was devastated and shell shocked. Would their fragile love be strong enough in the aftermath of a tragic war? What would happen to them; to their marriage?

Wow! What an absolutely brilliant historical fiction novel The Soldier’s Wife is! Based on the true story of the author Pamela Hart’s grandfather as told to her by her father, The Soldier’s Wife is heart wrenching, sad, uplifting and filled with hope. Beautifully written, the characters are so incredibly real. I loved little Eddie – the light hearted moments when the author adds a child’s comment – “He’ll have a head on him in the morning,” Maree said. Eddie frowned and told her, very seriously, “He already has a head, Mummy.”

The Soldier’s Wife by Aussie author Pamela Hart is one I have no hesitation in recommending highly.
...more

22 likes · Like · see review

Dec 18, 2024 Tianne Shaw rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Ruby has had a fast start to being a wife and now relocated to Sydney whilst her new husband Jimmy trains to be deployed to Gallipoli. Ruby finds here feet and really makes her mark. Knowing she cannot survive with the few pounds the military give she finds her way. This really changes things up and when Jimmy does return things are not the same rosy life they left before the war.

Like · see review