The Land Girls in Aussie Readers

Apr 12, 2019 Brenda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-fiction, arc, own-read, aussie-authors, net-galley, 2019-release, read-on-kindle

With war across Europe, Australia’s men and women were joining the cause in droves. Flora’s younger brother Frank was fighting overseas and in Melbourne, she, her father and brother Jack worried constantly. Betty from Sydney worked in Woolworths and her next door neighbour and best friend, Michael joined up, heading overseas. And Lily from Adelaide was being courted by David so when he joined the air force to fight overseas, she wanted to do her bit for the war effort.

The Australian Women’s Land With war across Europe, Australia’s men and women were joining the cause in droves. Flora’s younger brother Frank was fighting overseas and in Melbourne, she, her father and brother Jack worried constantly. Betty from Sydney worked in Woolworths and her next door neighbour and best friend, Michael joined up, heading overseas. And Lily from Adelaide was being courted by David so when he joined the air force to fight overseas, she wanted to do her bit for the war effort.

The Australian Women’s Land Army were calling for women to help out with the jobs men had always done. Shearing, picking grapes, apples, working on farms with the animals. All three young women – Flora, Betty and Lily – separately decided to become Land Army girls for the duration of the war. And as they worked their various roles in different parts of Australia, they met other women doing the same thing; making dear friends. Along the way, there was heartache and loss, sadness and tragedy – the relentless arrival of the dreaded telegram – but there was also growing maturity, pride in their work and independence among the women.

When Flora was once again at Two Rivers near Mildura, she learned two other Land Girls were arriving to help this season with the grapes. And so she met Betty and Lily. The three girls worked hard – the work was backbreaking, and the heat was never ending – all the while wondering if the war would ever end. And whether their loved ones would come home...

The Land Girls is a poignant story filled with heartache and hope, love and loss, as well as courage, grit and determination. Aussie author Victoria Purman has once again written a well-researched historical novel which I thoroughly enjoyed. I wasn’t aware of the Australian Women’s Land Army and the role the women played during the war. Many of the farms and properties simply wouldn’t have survived without the help of those wonderful women. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
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May 13, 2019 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: aussie-author

In Victoria Purman’s historical fiction novel, The Land Girls, It’s 1942 and World War II has spread from Europe across the Pacific. As fathers, brothers, husbands and sons fight on the frontlines against the Germans, Italians and Japanese, the women left behind are asked to do more than just tend their victory gardens, knit socks, and roll bandages. While some women heed the call and join auxiliary services like the WRANS or the WAAF, or take up positions in factories and shipyards, workers are In Victoria Purman’s historical fiction novel, The Land Girls, It’s 1942 and World War II has spread from Europe across the Pacific. As fathers, brothers, husbands and sons fight on the frontlines against the Germans, Italians and Japanese, the women left behind are asked to do more than just tend their victory gardens, knit socks, and roll bandages. While some women heed the call and join auxiliary services like the WRANS or the WAAF, or take up positions in factories and shipyards, workers are also desperately needed to ensure Australia’s agricultural industry doesn’t collapse and thus, The Australian Women’s Land Army was founded.

Flora, a 30 year old under-appreciated secretary, volunteers because while one of her brothers is serving overseas, the other cannot, and she is determined that no one will be able to accuse their family of not doing enough.

Betty, not quite 18, leaves her job as a Woolworth’s counter girl when her best friend, Michael, enlists, wanting to prove that she too can make a difference beyond selling cosmetics.

Lily chooses to join the Land Girls when her new husband must report for duty to the Airforce the day after their wedding, despite the displeasure of her ‘society’ parents who would prefer their daughter assist the war effort in a more seemly manner.

With warmth, humour and honesty, The Land Girls follows the journey of these three women from when, for meals, board, a brand new uniform, and thirty shillings a week, they are given their first assignments. It explores not only the challenges the women are faced with as they work long hours, largely unaccustomed to such intense physical labour, in unfamiliar surroundings with strangers, but also the emotional challenges of being separated from family, and their fears for their loved ones serving overseas. There are gains and losses, joy and heartbreak. All three of these women will be changed by their experiences as Land Girls, and the vagaries of war.

Well researched, The Land Girls is a wonderful tribute to the 6000 women who participated in the war effort as a member of The Australian Women’s Land Army between 1942 and 1945. It shamefully took more than fifty years for the Australian government to recognise the value of their contribution. I’m thankful Victoria Purman has shone a light on this admirable facet of history.

The Land Girls is a charming, edifying and poignant novel of Australian women in wartime and the important role they played on the home front, a story of resilience, tragedy and hope. ...more

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Aug 17, 2019 Helen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I am not sure what to say, other than this is a must read, Victoria Purman has done it again with an amazing story that took me back to World War 2 and let me get to know three wonderful woman who did what they could back home while their men were away, make yourself comfy for this one and have some tissues at the ready.

Flora comes from Melbourne and is the oldest of them and a spinster, she works at an office, looks after her father and brother and her youngest brother is already away fighting, ...more

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Jun 24, 2019 Kim rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, fiction, 2019-release-aussie-author, australian-fiction, act-library, 2019-read, aww2019

I seem to be on "a women's perspective of war" reading kick! As it says on the front cover "It was never just a man's war" pretty much applies to all wars.

This had a little bit of a slow start, seemed like it needed a good edit. When the 3 main characters started working as "Land Girls" it really picked up. I became completely invested in the characters, had to know how it all worked out for them and I couldn't put it down.

I knew something about "The Land Girls", thinking of them as just anoth ...more

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May 16, 2022 Catsalive rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: aww, 2022

4.5*
A very enjoyable read. Flora Atkins, Betty Brower & Lily Thomas join the Australian Women's Land Army in 1942, working extremely hard in difficult conditions to support the men at the front. I imagine how hard it must have been to take on such back-breaking work when they had lived sedentary lives in Melbourne, Sydney & Adelaide, respectively. They also had to put up with the "city girls coming to find a husband" attitude from some community members. The AWLA was disbanded on 31 December 194 ...more

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Aug 26, 2019 Joanie rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: aus, historical-fiction, 2019

3.5 stars

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Nov 11, 2022 Kalliste rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: australian, historical-fiction

This was a lovely way to learn about the Australian Women's Land Army and all the work they did. I especially enjoyed Flora's story, perhaps because she was older than the others and felt a bit more familiar to me.

I also occasionally had issues remembering which story belonged to Betty and Lily, even though their backgrounds were different their stories sometimes got mixed up in my head.

I love a book told from multiple perspectives, and this is no exception. Excellent read. ...more

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