Dale Harcombe's Reviews > The Women in Black

This is a charming novel that gives a picture of Sydney in the 1950s and the salesladies that wore black dresses. I was surprised to find it was written in 1993. I thought it might have been earlier than that. It’s not compelling reading but it is quietly enjoyable. I loved the cast of characters with Patty, Fay, Magda and her husband Stefan and Lesley who changes her name to Lisa. They all work in the frock section (yes they were called frocks not dresses back then) except for Magda who has charge of the Model Gowns section. Lisa is the young one of the group having recently finished her HSC and waiting on results.
It covers a lot including family dynamics and attitudes of the times especially towards marriage and those from European countries. The book has occasions of a wry humour and is basically a feel good read. For anyone interested in how far society has come over the last 50-60 years this gives a pretty good indication, when things like salami are considered exotic and where going to uni was seen as an option for a select group.
Maybe I was just in the mood for something light and nostalgic but I really enjoyed this. I admit I didn’t read the foreword by Bruce Beresford but went straight to the story but I did linger to read more about Madeleine St John’s life at the end. Worth reading if only to see the changes in Australian society since then, but I enjoyed the characters and sharing their lives as well in this pleasant interlude.