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The Soldier's Wife
Ruby and Jimmy Hawkins are sure their love will last forever, despite Jimmy being sent to Gallipoli only weeks after their marriage. Amid the desperate battles of the Dardanelles, Jimmy dreams of the future they planned together and writes Ruby letters full of love and longing.
Back in Sydney, Ruby must face challenges she never could have imagined as a young country bride. Finding a place in the city and taking a job as a bookkeeper in a timber merchant's yard, she discovers that working in a man's world is fraught with complications, especially when her employer suffers a devastating loss and she is expected to take the reins.
When Jimmy returns wounded in both body and spirit, he and Ruby come close to losing everything in the aftermath of war. They must find a new way to live and to love if their marriage is to survive.
Back in Sydney, Ruby must face challenges she never could have imagined as a young country bride. Finding a place in the city and taking a job as a bookkeeper in a timber merchant's yard, she discovers that working in a man's world is fraught with complications, especially when her employer suffers a devastating loss and she is expected to take the reins.
When Jimmy returns wounded in both body and spirit, he and Ruby come close to losing everything in the aftermath of war. They must find a new way to live and to love if their marriage is to survive.
384 pages, Paperback
First published April 28, 2015
14 people are currently reading
557 people want to read
About the author
Pamela Hart
31 books152 followersPamela is a best-selling, award-winning author of more than 40 books.
As Pamela Hart, she writes the Poppy McGowan Mysteries and historical fiction, including Regency romance.
As Pamela Freeman, she writes children's fiction and non-fiction, and is well known for her fantasy novels for adults, the CASTINGS TRILOGY and her Aurealis Award winning novel EMBER AND ASH.
Pamela lives in Sydney with her husband and their son, and teaches at the Australian Writers' Centre.
She has a Doctorate of Creative Arts from the University of Technology, Sydney, where she has also lectured in creative writing.
Also published under Pamela Freeman - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
As Pamela Hart, she writes the Poppy McGowan Mysteries and historical fiction, including Regency romance.
As Pamela Freeman, she writes children's fiction and non-fiction, and is well known for her fantasy novels for adults, the CASTINGS TRILOGY and her Aurealis Award winning novel EMBER AND ASH.
Pamela lives in Sydney with her husband and their son, and teaches at the Australian Writers' Centre.
She has a Doctorate of Creative Arts from the University of Technology, Sydney, where she has also lectured in creative writing.
Also published under Pamela Freeman - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
April 27, 2017
The Soldiers Wife is different from a lot of WWI novels I’ve read as it is told from a woman’s point of view, a young woman who had fallen in love, married and immediately lost her husband to fight in a war.
Ruby had to fight for a job and fight for respect. She was feisty and a little outspoken for her time but this was all brought on by her urge to survive.
It’s hard to say much without giving spoilers on how the story pans out but it’s a story of growth and change. The war brought change for everyone, those that fought and those that remained at home.
Very well researched, the story will transport you back to 1915 Australia with wonderful descriptions of the streets of Sydney, the fashions and the attitudes of the time. Even the scene of Ruby doing the washing in the copper made it all so real and vivid in my mind.
The characters were all likeable and I instantly fell in love with Ruby and Jimmy as they bared their soul and their dreams.
An entertaining read that not only is a very touching story but also a good history of attitudes, customs and fashions from early 1900’s Australia.
With thanks to Hachette Aus for my copy to read and review.
Ruby had to fight for a job and fight for respect. She was feisty and a little outspoken for her time but this was all brought on by her urge to survive.
It’s hard to say much without giving spoilers on how the story pans out but it’s a story of growth and change. The war brought change for everyone, those that fought and those that remained at home.
Very well researched, the story will transport you back to 1915 Australia with wonderful descriptions of the streets of Sydney, the fashions and the attitudes of the time. Even the scene of Ruby doing the washing in the copper made it all so real and vivid in my mind.
The characters were all likeable and I instantly fell in love with Ruby and Jimmy as they bared their soul and their dreams.
An entertaining read that not only is a very touching story but also a good history of attitudes, customs and fashions from early 1900’s Australia.
With thanks to Hachette Aus for my copy to read and review.
February 18, 2016
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.
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.
February 22, 2016
I very much enjoyed this story which was inspired by events in the author's own family history which serves to give it a truly authentic feel. The details have been well researched to give as much accuracy as possible making good use of public records and newspaper archives for specific events right down to the daily weather reports, current prices of goods and etc.
Reading this story gave me a lot of pause for thought so forgive me if I ramble but I'd like to make note of some of the things I took away from it, rather than give another synopsis.
Although I am aware of the many roles which women played during wartime, it's not often that you hear much about the roles which the women at home played, the myriad struggles they endured on a daily basis and their methods of coping...all of which were exacerbated by the fact that they were women, and thus subordinate.
I felt in awe of these women left behind to fight their own new wars while their men went off to battle.
The absence of their partners, their fear and longing, the not knowing, the sheer terror at the sight of the telegram boy heading in their direction, and the daily struggles to cope with what that all meant.
Apart from being a very compelling story about one particular soldier's wife, this book gives a thoroughly enlightening look at what were to become so many deviations from the social norms that arose with the onset of WW1, and the resultant effects to the status quo...much to the chagrin of many.
Few could have envisaged the long and short term effects of a war which thankfully didn't quite reach our shores, yet those effects would be many and radical all the same.
The huge toll to our population of young men alone almost brought this country to its knees, and was the major cause for immediate and necessary changes to the existing social system, such as training and employing women to do what was traditionally mens' work.
This proved to be a very liberating time for women but would later become problematic when the men returned and needed their jobs back, effectively making the women redundant from the workforce and committing them once again to such menial positions more befitting a woman. This would be a hard pill to swallow.
This story speaks about the relationships of women during this time...the camaraderie, the solidarity forged when the men went away to the war and the women held the fort at home.
How very little time young couples had to learn each other before he left for duty...and how suddenly alone and vulnerable many women now found themselves to be, once he did.
By necessity they now had to become independent and versatile in order to manage this new, even alien, lifestyle.
And yet, they were thwarted at every turn by dogged convention and propriety just the same, in spite of their newfound circumstances of needing to provide for themselves and any children or other dependents, they were still expected to conform to the social standards becoming of a woman.
Working women were continually frowned upon by the assumed superiority of the men in any workplace, their positions of employment always subordinate and their wages considerably lower than those of a man...regardless of her workload...with little, if any, opportunity for advancement.
This left them open to all kinds of exploitation from unscrupulous employers and male employees who chose to abuse their own positions.
Women were not expected to have career aspirations, and their futures were pretty much decided by established conventions, that is that they would automatically aspire to their future role of [house] wife and mother, conforming to accepted social standards.. the status quo.
All of that suddenly changed when the war broke out and women found themselves having to fulfill both roles, wife and mother as well as husband and breadwinner.
A soldiers' wage was not enough to cover the costs of paying rent and services, as well as putting food on the table, so women were obliged to seek employment.
Also the large void left in the workforce by enlisted men was having to be filled, by necessity, with women taking up the slack.
This gave women the skills to perform all manner of occupations outside of (but not excluding) their usual "women's work" roles, it also unwittingly gave them an independence they never imagined as it made them autonomous.
A sort of unexpected silver lining to their predicaments, they learned to enjoy this newfound freedom which came with being of independent means.
Before embarking on this journey into war, many young men made hasty marriage proposals to their girlfriends, many of whom were first loves...young budding loves.
These young couples made promises to be faithful to their commitments to one another and to resume their relationships where they left off, when the war was done.
Who knew what was afoot?
As soldiers returned, people reconnected and tried to cling to the "old" status quo, in an effort to return to "normal" by trying to enforce the previous established protocols. Perhaps in an effort to find some normalcy where things no longer made sense...but so much had changed.
Surely those earlier naive promises were now by virtue of experience rendered void?
How could things possibly go on in the same way as before?
When the soldier was so unalterably changed by the firsthand atrocities of war, and she was changed by the conditions, through the necessity to adjust to the evolving consequences of that war. Neither one is the same person that made those commitments.
So we see that the casualties of this war were far, far reaching and would prove to be many and varied.
This story tells how these combined conditions affected this particular soldier and his wife.
I have the utmost pride and respect for the men and women who served in the wars, and also for those who fought to maintain the home front.
They all paid a price, many paid the ultimate price. None were left unscathed in some way, their involvements cannot be compared or measured, they are all equally worthy of merit in their own rights.
Bless them all for their brave contributions towards a better future.
Many thanks to the author for sharing this wonderful story.
A highly recommended read 4★s
May 5, 2015
Four and a half stars
The year is 1915 when this novel starts. Ruby and Jimmy, only recently married and with limited time together, are forced to say goodbye as he is going off to war. Instead of going back to Bourke, Ruby resolves to try for a bookkeeper’s job in Sydney at a timber merchant.
Jimmy’s letters to Ruby express his love and hoped for the future. But how much will the war change them? Will their love survive?
This novel gives a clear picture of the dreadful cost of war not only for those who are sent off to fight but for family and loved ones left behind. It is no surprise to read that it was inspired by the author’s own grandfather who was an Anzac at Gallipoli. It has obviously been well researched and this shows in the little details. One that was humorous and telling was the wearing of uniform items inside out to try and solve the lice problem. Just a little detail but it added so much to convey the dreadful conditions.
This book is highly readable as evidenced by the fact I started it one day and finished it the next. The characters are fleshed out well and it is easy to relate to Ruby, her friend Maree, Jimmy, Tom, and Mr Curry and the way they react to various events. They practically step off the page. Ruby is a spirited woman and not one to be brow beaten by anyone. I loved the way she not only sticks up for herself but reaches out to help others who desperately needed it. I also liked the way the attitudes and social customs and expectations of the times are woven into the story.
Perhaps my only reservation is that the ending seemed to be wrapped up just a little too quickly for my liking. But that may be just me. All in all it is a compelling and an insightful read. Thanks to the Reading Room and Hachette Australia for my uncorrected proof copy to read and review.
The year is 1915 when this novel starts. Ruby and Jimmy, only recently married and with limited time together, are forced to say goodbye as he is going off to war. Instead of going back to Bourke, Ruby resolves to try for a bookkeeper’s job in Sydney at a timber merchant.
Jimmy’s letters to Ruby express his love and hoped for the future. But how much will the war change them? Will their love survive?
This novel gives a clear picture of the dreadful cost of war not only for those who are sent off to fight but for family and loved ones left behind. It is no surprise to read that it was inspired by the author’s own grandfather who was an Anzac at Gallipoli. It has obviously been well researched and this shows in the little details. One that was humorous and telling was the wearing of uniform items inside out to try and solve the lice problem. Just a little detail but it added so much to convey the dreadful conditions.
This book is highly readable as evidenced by the fact I started it one day and finished it the next. The characters are fleshed out well and it is easy to relate to Ruby, her friend Maree, Jimmy, Tom, and Mr Curry and the way they react to various events. They practically step off the page. Ruby is a spirited woman and not one to be brow beaten by anyone. I loved the way she not only sticks up for herself but reaches out to help others who desperately needed it. I also liked the way the attitudes and social customs and expectations of the times are woven into the story.
Perhaps my only reservation is that the ending seemed to be wrapped up just a little too quickly for my liking. But that may be just me. All in all it is a compelling and an insightful read. Thanks to the Reading Room and Hachette Australia for my uncorrected proof copy to read and review.
July 16, 2017
My first venture into a novel of Pamela's. (With the exception of several of her children's books) This was just a pure magical read. Loved it from start to finish.
I think what I liked most about it was how the story seemed to just flow so smoothly, and how it grew to a natural climax in its journey. It turned from hearing how Ruby coped being separated from her new husband Jimmy, who had gone off to War, and her reading his frequent love letters from the war-front, to becoming action packed in seemingly a heartbeat. It was rather simplistic in its writing, however done so magnificently well.
I adored seeing how Ruby changed and evolved simply due to the circumstances in which she found herself, and how her colleagues went from disbelieving and arguably suspicious of her, all because she was female, to an almost indispensable cog at her place of work as time went on.
Each character played a crucial role in this story, and most, if not all, were very likeable.
Pamela obviously spent quite some time researching, as it felt like I was there with Ruby, every step of the way. A rather nice little sidenote for me is that this is based from her family's history, and I think this came across in the writing of it... that said, she is one talented writer and story-teller and I'm sure all her work is as good as this!
One of my top reads of 2017, if not the very top of my list and I would have no hesitation in recommending this highly to lovers of historical fiction, and those who are fans of Australian fiction.
I think what I liked most about it was how the story seemed to just flow so smoothly, and how it grew to a natural climax in its journey. It turned from hearing how Ruby coped being separated from her new husband Jimmy, who had gone off to War, and her reading his frequent love letters from the war-front, to becoming action packed in seemingly a heartbeat. It was rather simplistic in its writing, however done so magnificently well.
I adored seeing how Ruby changed and evolved simply due to the circumstances in which she found herself, and how her colleagues went from disbelieving and arguably suspicious of her, all because she was female, to an almost indispensable cog at her place of work as time went on.
Each character played a crucial role in this story, and most, if not all, were very likeable.
Pamela obviously spent quite some time researching, as it felt like I was there with Ruby, every step of the way. A rather nice little sidenote for me is that this is based from her family's history, and I think this came across in the writing of it... that said, she is one talented writer and story-teller and I'm sure all her work is as good as this!
One of my top reads of 2017, if not the very top of my list and I would have no hesitation in recommending this highly to lovers of historical fiction, and those who are fans of Australian fiction.
May 20, 2015
My View:
This is a wonderful, intelligent, evocative and mesmerising 5 star read!
This war time novel brings unique voice to this work of historical fiction – it is unusual to see the war depicted from this view point – the view of a woman, a multifaceted view; the view of a wife, facing an uncertain future in her new home in Sydney, NSW, while her husband is overseas deployed in the war, the view of a compassionate friend – who is a great support when the Death Knock Telegrams are delivered, the view of a woman bravely entering the realms of a male dominated workplace where her opportunity to work is regarded as a privilege not a right by her male colleagues, and the view of a daughter discovering adult married life and responsibilities outside of the community of her childhood. And a very interesting view point – of the partner of a returned, injured soldier dealing with the physical and invisible injuries that war bestows on him. War leaves its stain on all that it comes in contact with.
This book was a joy to read - it had bold, wonderful, engaging transforming female protagonists on the cusp of emancipation and the narrative was filed with the tension, uncertainties, fear and the drama of war – both on the battlefield and off although most of the setting and action takes place is in inner city Sydney. The First World War is a backdrop that provides the tension and influences the characters life choices and destinies in this narrative. Ruby’s personal story is one that is engaging, positive and realistic of that time and provides a little slice of history for us all to understand: war affects us all, changes everyone and everything.
I was surprised at just how much I enjoyed this book – historical fiction is not one I usually embrace but my view of historical fiction is rapidly changing, what a gifted writer you are Pamela Hart, thank you.
This is a wonderful, intelligent, evocative and mesmerising 5 star read!
This war time novel brings unique voice to this work of historical fiction – it is unusual to see the war depicted from this view point – the view of a woman, a multifaceted view; the view of a wife, facing an uncertain future in her new home in Sydney, NSW, while her husband is overseas deployed in the war, the view of a compassionate friend – who is a great support when the Death Knock Telegrams are delivered, the view of a woman bravely entering the realms of a male dominated workplace where her opportunity to work is regarded as a privilege not a right by her male colleagues, and the view of a daughter discovering adult married life and responsibilities outside of the community of her childhood. And a very interesting view point – of the partner of a returned, injured soldier dealing with the physical and invisible injuries that war bestows on him. War leaves its stain on all that it comes in contact with.
This book was a joy to read - it had bold, wonderful, engaging transforming female protagonists on the cusp of emancipation and the narrative was filed with the tension, uncertainties, fear and the drama of war – both on the battlefield and off although most of the setting and action takes place is in inner city Sydney. The First World War is a backdrop that provides the tension and influences the characters life choices and destinies in this narrative. Ruby’s personal story is one that is engaging, positive and realistic of that time and provides a little slice of history for us all to understand: war affects us all, changes everyone and everything.
I was surprised at just how much I enjoyed this book – historical fiction is not one I usually embrace but my view of historical fiction is rapidly changing, what a gifted writer you are Pamela Hart, thank you.
May 3, 2015
I read this novel in two sittings and would have happily read it in one if I'd had the time! From the get go, I loved the strong, spunky protagonist and my love for her just grew with the story.
Her struggles became my struggles and her wins equally so. Set in Sydney during WW1, Pamela has done a wonderful job crafting a realistic setting - not just the rich scenery (which she describes so vividly) but also the etiquettes and attitudes of the times - which are integral to the story.
I was completely drawn into the love story, but also came away feeling as though I'd had a bit of a history lesson (the good kind) - and could picture how day-to-day life may have been for my great grandparents! An absolute must read.
Her struggles became my struggles and her wins equally so. Set in Sydney during WW1, Pamela has done a wonderful job crafting a realistic setting - not just the rich scenery (which she describes so vividly) but also the etiquettes and attitudes of the times - which are integral to the story.
I was completely drawn into the love story, but also came away feeling as though I'd had a bit of a history lesson (the good kind) - and could picture how day-to-day life may have been for my great grandparents! An absolute must read.
May 4, 2015
There’s a myriad of books, tv series, and movies set during WW1 out at the moment (for obvious reasons) and I, just like many others, have been swept up in the wave of enthusiasm of needing to know more about this significant era of Australian history.
Therefore, when I received this book via Hachette Australia and The Reading Room, I had high expectations simply because the book was set in 1915, and thankfully, I can say this book delivered admirably.
You often hear that ‘war changes everything and everyone’ and The Soldier’s Wife is a great example of exploring that theme while still delivering an enjoyable story.
The book follows the life of Ruby, a young newlywed who has just arrived in Sydney from Bourke to farewell her husband of only a few weeks as he leaves for the trenches of Turkey.
Simply being married is the first change for our heroine. She comes to realise that she is treated differently due to her marital status and begins to feel like a mature adult for the first time. Believing that returning to Bourke will mean taking a backward step in this regard, Ruby decides to stay in Sydney.
She finds a permanent place to stay, boarding with Maree, whose husband is also enlisted in the army and fighting overseas. And she finds a job, at a timber yard as a bookkeeper.
I could simply say, ‘we follow Ruby as she faces the many hurdles life throws her way on her journey’, but it does sound quite inadequate.
One of the charms of the book, definitely, is that each hurdle is realistic. Each challenge that Ruby needs to overcome is frustratingly normal. (For example, a woman cashing a cheque in 1915 was a huge struggle.) The supporting characters she interacts with are (often depressingly) typical. The choices she has to make could be similarly forced upon us today.
I’d tag The Soldier’s Wife as ‘historical feminist literature’, seeing as sexism and prejudice against women is probably the main theme addressed in the novel. Thankfully Australians and their attitude towards women have changed for the better.
The book also raises the issues of premarital sex, birth control, religious bigotry, prejudices against people with disabilities, ageism, racism, and classism. PTSD, such an unknown element to those eager to enlist at the time, is painfully highlighted too.
Hart addressed each ‘ism’ subtly. She’s the perfect example of ‘show, not tell’ writing. There was never any preaching (or the dull rattling off of facts) getting in the way of the story.
It’s also obvious that Hart has meticulously researched the era. I loved all the tiny details she seamlessly wove into the story. From descriptions of visiting the toilet, to those explaining how a soldier was paid, all the historical finer points are fascinating additions to the characterisation and plot.
If I had one quibble, it would be the ending. I can see why Hart chose that ending, but I can’t say it was the one I wanted. Again, however, it’s probably the most realistic and that suits this novel.
I highly recommend this read and will eagerly await Hart’s next offering.
My rating 5/5
Therefore, when I received this book via Hachette Australia and The Reading Room, I had high expectations simply because the book was set in 1915, and thankfully, I can say this book delivered admirably.
You often hear that ‘war changes everything and everyone’ and The Soldier’s Wife is a great example of exploring that theme while still delivering an enjoyable story.
The book follows the life of Ruby, a young newlywed who has just arrived in Sydney from Bourke to farewell her husband of only a few weeks as he leaves for the trenches of Turkey.
Simply being married is the first change for our heroine. She comes to realise that she is treated differently due to her marital status and begins to feel like a mature adult for the first time. Believing that returning to Bourke will mean taking a backward step in this regard, Ruby decides to stay in Sydney.
She finds a permanent place to stay, boarding with Maree, whose husband is also enlisted in the army and fighting overseas. And she finds a job, at a timber yard as a bookkeeper.
I could simply say, ‘we follow Ruby as she faces the many hurdles life throws her way on her journey’, but it does sound quite inadequate.
One of the charms of the book, definitely, is that each hurdle is realistic. Each challenge that Ruby needs to overcome is frustratingly normal. (For example, a woman cashing a cheque in 1915 was a huge struggle.) The supporting characters she interacts with are (often depressingly) typical. The choices she has to make could be similarly forced upon us today.
I’d tag The Soldier’s Wife as ‘historical feminist literature’, seeing as sexism and prejudice against women is probably the main theme addressed in the novel. Thankfully Australians and their attitude towards women have changed for the better.
The book also raises the issues of premarital sex, birth control, religious bigotry, prejudices against people with disabilities, ageism, racism, and classism. PTSD, such an unknown element to those eager to enlist at the time, is painfully highlighted too.
Hart addressed each ‘ism’ subtly. She’s the perfect example of ‘show, not tell’ writing. There was never any preaching (or the dull rattling off of facts) getting in the way of the story.
It’s also obvious that Hart has meticulously researched the era. I loved all the tiny details she seamlessly wove into the story. From descriptions of visiting the toilet, to those explaining how a soldier was paid, all the historical finer points are fascinating additions to the characterisation and plot.
If I had one quibble, it would be the ending. I can see why Hart chose that ending, but I can’t say it was the one I wanted. Again, however, it’s probably the most realistic and that suits this novel.
I highly recommend this read and will eagerly await Hart’s next offering.
My rating 5/5
August 21, 2017
The Soldier's Wife is a welcome different perspective on the Australian World War I homefront told from the point of view of Ruby, a country girl from Bourke who comes to Sydney to farewell her husband and ends up as the bookkeeper of a harbourside timberyard to survive. Here, she is confronted by the common prejudice of the time against women 'taking men's jobs' and must prove herself as an effective manager on behalf of her grief-stricken,absentee boss. She forges an alliance and touching friendship with her landlady, Maree, whose husband is also serving with the AIF.
Rigorously researched (the author claims even the weather is accurate for each day of 1915-16!) and told in fine-grained, credible detail (which never slows or clots the narrative), this novel's chief achievement is the psychological plausibility of its main character as she faces multiple challenges with trepidation and growing courage. Ruby is a persuasive portrait of a working woman whose worklife and skills are shown with scrupulous attention: "She didn't want the world to change. She just wanted to do a job she liked and that she was good at." (p326) Ruby faces many travails (attempted sexual assault, vile gossip, the tense grief of awaiting bad news) with an unassuming everyday heroism but also skillful diplomacy and strategic cleverness.
I particularly liked the way the narrative of the first part of the book is punctuated with her husband Jimmy's love letters; we are already alerted to the unreality of this fragile romance sealed by a marriage only weeks before his departure and threatened by the over-reach of Ruby's longing.
The second half of the book is an uncompromising answer to the first in which Ruby and Jimmy must confront the ugly aftermath of war. Ruby's relations with other characters (her gentleman colleague Tom, her grieving boss Mr Curry, her landlady-friend Maree) are all explored with a subtle ambivalence, saved from being maudlin by being undercut with Aussie humour.
Hart has done an excellent job of breathing authenticity and animation into what could easily have become cliched historical tropes (grief for the fallen, the returning soldier's trauma, the misunderstood modern woman and her conservative husband). I was also very glad to see an episode of an Australian of German descent being pursued for arrest and internment as an enemy alien, a subject dear to my heart.
Rigorously researched (the author claims even the weather is accurate for each day of 1915-16!) and told in fine-grained, credible detail (which never slows or clots the narrative), this novel's chief achievement is the psychological plausibility of its main character as she faces multiple challenges with trepidation and growing courage. Ruby is a persuasive portrait of a working woman whose worklife and skills are shown with scrupulous attention: "She didn't want the world to change. She just wanted to do a job she liked and that she was good at." (p326) Ruby faces many travails (attempted sexual assault, vile gossip, the tense grief of awaiting bad news) with an unassuming everyday heroism but also skillful diplomacy and strategic cleverness.
I particularly liked the way the narrative of the first part of the book is punctuated with her husband Jimmy's love letters; we are already alerted to the unreality of this fragile romance sealed by a marriage only weeks before his departure and threatened by the over-reach of Ruby's longing.
The second half of the book is an uncompromising answer to the first in which Ruby and Jimmy must confront the ugly aftermath of war. Ruby's relations with other characters (her gentleman colleague Tom, her grieving boss Mr Curry, her landlady-friend Maree) are all explored with a subtle ambivalence, saved from being maudlin by being undercut with Aussie humour.
Hart has done an excellent job of breathing authenticity and animation into what could easily have become cliched historical tropes (grief for the fallen, the returning soldier's trauma, the misunderstood modern woman and her conservative husband). I was also very glad to see an episode of an Australian of German descent being pursued for arrest and internment as an enemy alien, a subject dear to my heart.
May 1, 2015
After the moving tributes of ANZAC Day this year, one hundred years after the Gallipoli campaign, I was in the mood to read something set in the time period that celebrated the ANZAC spirit. I couldn’t have picked a better book than The Soldier’s Wife. The book not only chronicles what it was like for those left on the home front, it also goes into detail of the horrors of war and how they affect families and loved one. Plus, it celebrates some girl power in Ruby, a young woman who finds her strength and determination when she is left alone in Sydney after her very new husband departs for the front. Ruby is a country girl from Bourke and the city is new to her – the smells, constant movement and the never-ending buildings. After Jimmy leaves on a troop ship, she organises a place to board and sets off looking for a job.
Ruby finds a place as a bookkeeper as a timber yard, thanks to her experience in her family’s drapers. A timber yard is not the usual place for women to work in 1915 and Ruby finds things uncomfortable at first amongst the men. However, she finds strengths in not only being able to do the work well, but helping new friend Maree and being a voice of calm and reasoning when tragedy strikes her boss’ family. Ruby grows into a strong, admirable woman before the reader’s eyes, but is it enough to sustain her when she gets her own bad news?
It’s at this point that the narrative changes from being about Ruby, relatively free, to being someone’s wife. Having only a couple of weeks of marriage to compare to, life is not easy being half of a pair, especially when the physical and mental scars of war are so fresh. Will Ruby give up her freedom to be a dutiful wife, or does her new life mean more to her?
It was easy to like Ruby and I enjoyed seeing her personal growth from wide eyed country kid to a force to be reckoned with (yet retaining her femininity). Pamela Hart stops Ruby from being the perfect woman in that she slips up sometimes with some razor-sharp verbal barbs. I thought that this made Ruby more realistic and well…conflict does make for an exciting story. I really didn’t know which way Ruby was going to turn towards the end of the book as events cumulate in a race against time. I liked not knowing what would happen – would the ending be happy or sad? Would Ruby end up together with Jimmy (or someone else) or alone? It made the story more exciting and delayed my bedtime somewhat!
Pamela Hart’s research for The Soldier’s Wife was both detailed and interesting. I enjoyed reading about Lassetter’s, a wonderful shopping emporium in Sydney and how the timber was transported. And her words? Well, the pages just flew by. This is a book that you won’t want to tear yourself away from – it contains a myriad of feelings and events that makes for compulsive reading.
Thanks to Hachette Australia and The Reading Room for the ARC, it was a delight to read.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
Ruby finds a place as a bookkeeper as a timber yard, thanks to her experience in her family’s drapers. A timber yard is not the usual place for women to work in 1915 and Ruby finds things uncomfortable at first amongst the men. However, she finds strengths in not only being able to do the work well, but helping new friend Maree and being a voice of calm and reasoning when tragedy strikes her boss’ family. Ruby grows into a strong, admirable woman before the reader’s eyes, but is it enough to sustain her when she gets her own bad news?
It’s at this point that the narrative changes from being about Ruby, relatively free, to being someone’s wife. Having only a couple of weeks of marriage to compare to, life is not easy being half of a pair, especially when the physical and mental scars of war are so fresh. Will Ruby give up her freedom to be a dutiful wife, or does her new life mean more to her?
It was easy to like Ruby and I enjoyed seeing her personal growth from wide eyed country kid to a force to be reckoned with (yet retaining her femininity). Pamela Hart stops Ruby from being the perfect woman in that she slips up sometimes with some razor-sharp verbal barbs. I thought that this made Ruby more realistic and well…conflict does make for an exciting story. I really didn’t know which way Ruby was going to turn towards the end of the book as events cumulate in a race against time. I liked not knowing what would happen – would the ending be happy or sad? Would Ruby end up together with Jimmy (or someone else) or alone? It made the story more exciting and delayed my bedtime somewhat!
Pamela Hart’s research for The Soldier’s Wife was both detailed and interesting. I enjoyed reading about Lassetter’s, a wonderful shopping emporium in Sydney and how the timber was transported. And her words? Well, the pages just flew by. This is a book that you won’t want to tear yourself away from – it contains a myriad of feelings and events that makes for compulsive reading.
Thanks to Hachette Australia and The Reading Room for the ARC, it was a delight to read.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
May 19, 2015
Full disclosure: I was sucked in by the cover. I wanted to buy it because I loved the hair of the model on the cover and wanted to show it to my hair dresser. It was still a cracking good read! So I got my money’s worth two fold.
As everybody knows I don’t do spoiler reviews, kind of takes away from people reading the novels if I give them away already, but I do have to give away some information in order to comment on it. Nothing major, so don’t fear, but otherwise all I can say is, “It was a nice book with words in it… Dear God, I’ve said to much, wahhhh!”
The Soldier’s Wife is a historical fiction novel written by Pamela Hart set in 1915. What I loved about this book was that it did the whole, prissy city bitch moves to the country and has to adjust, in reverse. So we saw this poor woman, moving to the city, trying to adjust, her husband is away serving in the army and she has to really pull things together and do it tough. She like many women in this time has to find work, manage finances, arrange her living conditions, in a society that makes these simple rights that we see, very difficult. AS DOES THE HUSBAND. Don’t get me wrong, as does the husband. You think that’s sad? Oh no, you are going to cry so much more that that implies. Because the husband comes back. He comes back after being emotionally and physically destroyed by the ravages of war. This is where the real tragedy starts. So pack your Kleenex because this historical fiction is going to get you right in the feels.
I’d recommend this to anyone who loves military history and or women’s history… or anyone who likes reading.
As everybody knows I don’t do spoiler reviews, kind of takes away from people reading the novels if I give them away already, but I do have to give away some information in order to comment on it. Nothing major, so don’t fear, but otherwise all I can say is, “It was a nice book with words in it… Dear God, I’ve said to much, wahhhh!”
The Soldier’s Wife is a historical fiction novel written by Pamela Hart set in 1915. What I loved about this book was that it did the whole, prissy city bitch moves to the country and has to adjust, in reverse. So we saw this poor woman, moving to the city, trying to adjust, her husband is away serving in the army and she has to really pull things together and do it tough. She like many women in this time has to find work, manage finances, arrange her living conditions, in a society that makes these simple rights that we see, very difficult. AS DOES THE HUSBAND. Don’t get me wrong, as does the husband. You think that’s sad? Oh no, you are going to cry so much more that that implies. Because the husband comes back. He comes back after being emotionally and physically destroyed by the ravages of war. This is where the real tragedy starts. So pack your Kleenex because this historical fiction is going to get you right in the feels.
I’d recommend this to anyone who loves military history and or women’s history… or anyone who likes reading.
July 8, 2015
Full disclosure: I've attended many writing courses that have been taught by Pamela - I consider her my mentor and a friend. But that doesn't mean I went into reading this book determined to like it; on the contrary, some cheeky, asinine part of me read it hoping to find faults, to pick up mistakes my teacher had made. Alas, there were none - this book is as close to perfect as any I've read in a long time. The characters and the setting were rendered with such superb clarity and precision that allowed me to truly and deeply fall into the world she has built. The ending took my completely by surprise, but then had me saying, 'but of course, it's obvious, it had to be that way!' - a quality that I love in fiction and find rarely. It is such a beautiful book!
April 26, 2015
What a great read to read on the 100th Anniversary of Anzac Day. I usually read war stories about the war but this time it was the reverse and about what people back home went through. "The Soldier's Wife" was mainly about Ruby and how she had to find a home and work in Sydney once her husband, Jimmy went to war.
I loved reading about the struggles Ruby went through in a mans world and how everything she did turned to gossip. Man, life back then was so hard for females.
It was sad reading the reactions of that telegram that came to inform loved ones that someone was injured or killed on duty. And how hard it was for the injured to return to a normal life,
I manged to finish this book in two sittings which is very rare for me. Looking forward to reading more of Pamela Hart's books.
I loved reading about the struggles Ruby went through in a mans world and how everything she did turned to gossip. Man, life back then was so hard for females.
It was sad reading the reactions of that telegram that came to inform loved ones that someone was injured or killed on duty. And how hard it was for the injured to return to a normal life,
I manged to finish this book in two sittings which is very rare for me. Looking forward to reading more of Pamela Hart's books.
May 6, 2015
Review to be posted on May 7th
June 16, 2020
The read takes into account many of the prejudices of the time which prevailed until about the sixties.
So it was for Ruby Hawkins, 1915 WW1, country girl newly married but having to make her way in the world earning a living. Husband Jimmy has gone off to war leaving her in Sydney.
Constrained Society meant that women wore hats and gloves with dresses to the ankles. Restrictive clothing made movement difficult. Ruby soon realises this and as a skilled seamstress makes adjustments to her clothing. However adjustments to the attitude with the men she's working with are more difficult to navigate.
Hired as a bookkeeper for a timber yard, from her experience at her father's drapery business in the country, she adapts relatively easy to the job, with her lack of knowledge of the different types of timber used the only thing that she has to learn. Ruby has a doubtful personality and initially relies on the opinion of others, her mother is a strong influence but she and Ruby have not been close, rather it's her sister that has the greater emotional support from their mother. Ruby is boarding with Mrs Hannan (who drinks shandies! love it) whose husband has also enlisted and has a young son Eddie who Ruby has great fondness for. William Curry, owner of the timber yard, an Irish Catholic is a man of real physicality and presence with an attitude to match.
Ruby settles into the job even with the ongoing hostility from some of the men. However, it's with the death of Mr Curry's son in the war that the strength of this young woman emerges even enduring the gossiping women. William Curry's despair has meant that Ruby has no choice but to run the business. This brings about changes in the men's attitude to her and they give her the respect she deserves.
Jimmy returns badly wounded, losing the use of his right arm and hand. His trauma is not isolated to his own wounds but to the entire war. He suffers from nightmares and obvious post traumatic stress which in this war is not recognised as such. Jimmy like many returned soldiers are suspicious of their women and so it is for Ruby with Jimmy questioning everything that she does. Life for her is now even more difficult with the added responsibility of her wounded husband who treats her badly. A terrible turn of events follows when Jimmy doesn't return home, however with help from others all ends well.
So it was for Ruby Hawkins, 1915 WW1, country girl newly married but having to make her way in the world earning a living. Husband Jimmy has gone off to war leaving her in Sydney.
Constrained Society meant that women wore hats and gloves with dresses to the ankles. Restrictive clothing made movement difficult. Ruby soon realises this and as a skilled seamstress makes adjustments to her clothing. However adjustments to the attitude with the men she's working with are more difficult to navigate.
Hired as a bookkeeper for a timber yard, from her experience at her father's drapery business in the country, she adapts relatively easy to the job, with her lack of knowledge of the different types of timber used the only thing that she has to learn. Ruby has a doubtful personality and initially relies on the opinion of others, her mother is a strong influence but she and Ruby have not been close, rather it's her sister that has the greater emotional support from their mother. Ruby is boarding with Mrs Hannan (who drinks shandies! love it) whose husband has also enlisted and has a young son Eddie who Ruby has great fondness for. William Curry, owner of the timber yard, an Irish Catholic is a man of real physicality and presence with an attitude to match.
Ruby settles into the job even with the ongoing hostility from some of the men. However, it's with the death of Mr Curry's son in the war that the strength of this young woman emerges even enduring the gossiping women. William Curry's despair has meant that Ruby has no choice but to run the business. This brings about changes in the men's attitude to her and they give her the respect she deserves.
Jimmy returns badly wounded, losing the use of his right arm and hand. His trauma is not isolated to his own wounds but to the entire war. He suffers from nightmares and obvious post traumatic stress which in this war is not recognised as such. Jimmy like many returned soldiers are suspicious of their women and so it is for Ruby with Jimmy questioning everything that she does. Life for her is now even more difficult with the added responsibility of her wounded husband who treats her badly. A terrible turn of events follows when Jimmy doesn't return home, however with help from others all ends well.
November 15, 2015
The Soldiers Wife is the 28th novel from Australian author Pamela Hart who has written under pseudonyms and in different genres but this is the first time I have heard of this author. Both the title and the blurb appealed to me and I was keen to see what kind of writing style Pamela has.
Inspired by a true story The Soldiers Wife is set during World War Two. You may think you have read so many books set during this period and need a change, I admit this is what I thought but when I noticed this book was set in Sydney it seemed to be different and would hopefully prove a refreshing change. I have read numerous books of the war from the British side and how events in France and Germany panned out. But what about the Australians who also made their own sacrifices during this time of upheaval and destruction that touched every corner of the world? Overall the book was generally good, I'll readily admit it wasn't the best book set during this period that I have read but still I was glad to have given it a chance. I found it a light and easy read despite some of the experiences the characters go through. There were scenes and plot lines that tugged at the heartstrings but I didn't care for one particular character and maybe that is why I didn't feel the depth and emotion the author wanted us to.
Ruby is newly married to Jimmy Hawkins and hopes her marriage will be long and fruitful. The shadow of war in Europe is ever present and after a week's honeymoon Jimmy is off to join the Expeditionary Team and fight for his country and to save millions of people around the world. Ruby finds herself alone and adrift and decides to move to Sydney from the small outback town of Bourke where she had worked in the family drapery business. Her father is dead, her sister married so all who remains is her mother. Ruby needs a change or else she will be forever enshrined in the small town mentality. She can't sit and pine for Jimmy while he is away, waiting on that next letter or god forbid the dreaded telegram everyone woman at the time feared. Fair play to Ruby she knew what she wanted in life it was almost as if she knew if anything happened to Jimmy and she had remained in Bourke that was where she would stay forever. She realised she had ambition and a steely determination and she was set on putting her life on the right track. Ruby soon finds lodgings with Maree Hannah and her young son. Maree's husband Theo is away fighting. So the two woman share a connection.Maree was a super character slowly she opened up to Ruby and an everlasting bond was formed. She was a staunch supporter of Ruby and was always there to offer advice and support. Her son stole the scenes he was mentioned in and his innocence at what was going on in the world around him was captured perfectly throughout.
Ruby clearly grew as a person throughout the story, her strength and true character shone through. She acquires a job in Curry and Sons Timber Merchants working as the book keeper. Clearly this is a male dominated world where it is believed a woman's place is firmly in the home - housekeeping and rearing the children. To say Ruby comes up against opposition is an understatement but she is willing to forge on and break down those barriers which really shouldn't have been there in the first place. She forms a special bond with Mr. Curry whose son is away fighting in the same regiment as Jimmy. Their relationship is not conventional and Mr. Curry resists at every opportunity as Ruby tries to get through and reach the inner spirit and crack the shell that he has built around himself. I did feel very sorry for what happens to Mr. Curry and believe without the help of Ruby his business would have gone bankrupt and he would have remained locked away from the world forever.
Interspersed throughout the book are letters from Jimmy sent from where he is fighting. They give us a brief flavour as to what he is experiencing. Personally I would have liked some chapters from his viewpoint as I feel for most of the book I didn't know enough about his character and when he arrives home it was too late to get to know him despite what he goes through. I realise the author for part one might have wanted just the letters used as a means of communication between Jimmy and Ruby but I felt it wasn't enough.
Part one of the book meandered along at a slow and steady pace with plenty of repetition. It did help us familiarise ourselves with Ruby's period of adjustment and how she develops a routine, friendships and a firm solid position in her job but to me it became boring. I felt like elements of this had been done before in previous books I had read. Part two did pick up the story a bit more as Jimmy returns home wounded and unable to rejoin his unit. Ruby's freedom is now curtailed. She had longed for the safe return of her husband but I sensed she had enjoyed parts of her life more or less as a single woman. Now that the love of her life was back albeit a changed man she would once again have to get to know again. Jimmy had clearly been through a lot and returns home with both physical and mental injuries. He is not the same person he once was and both Ruby and Jimmy will have to fight through a lot in order to come out the other side if they wish their marriage to survive. Jimmy came across as selfish and ungrateful towards Ruby especially as she was doing her best to give Jimmy a normal routine and some stability after all he had witnessed and survived. Nowadays we would understand what Jimmy was going through and would have a name and treatment and support for it but in those days it was just a very steep learning curve. 'All he wanted was a version of the girl she had been in Bourke, and that girl was long gone'. Both parties need to comprehend that war alters everything not just the day to day routines.
The Soldier's Wife as I have mentioned is a good read but I wouldn't have it in my top reads for the year. Pamela Hart has done a satisfactory job of portraying life in Australia during World War Two. There is a good basic storyline here and I did love Ruby and Maree as characters but overall the first half of the story was dragged out and part two felt too rushed as if the author knew she had to warp up the book within a certain word count. She did touch on all aspects associated with the war - the loneliness, terror, heartache, upheaval and disruption to name but a few but the book didn't fully hit right where it matters straight to the heart. As for the ending I didn't feel it was the right ending for this book especially reading of Ruby's feelings in part two. I do think there are plenty of people who would enjoy this read curled up on the couch on a cold winters afternoon. But for die hard fans of historical fiction set during World War Two maybe stick to something else.
Inspired by a true story The Soldiers Wife is set during World War Two. You may think you have read so many books set during this period and need a change, I admit this is what I thought but when I noticed this book was set in Sydney it seemed to be different and would hopefully prove a refreshing change. I have read numerous books of the war from the British side and how events in France and Germany panned out. But what about the Australians who also made their own sacrifices during this time of upheaval and destruction that touched every corner of the world? Overall the book was generally good, I'll readily admit it wasn't the best book set during this period that I have read but still I was glad to have given it a chance. I found it a light and easy read despite some of the experiences the characters go through. There were scenes and plot lines that tugged at the heartstrings but I didn't care for one particular character and maybe that is why I didn't feel the depth and emotion the author wanted us to.
Ruby is newly married to Jimmy Hawkins and hopes her marriage will be long and fruitful. The shadow of war in Europe is ever present and after a week's honeymoon Jimmy is off to join the Expeditionary Team and fight for his country and to save millions of people around the world. Ruby finds herself alone and adrift and decides to move to Sydney from the small outback town of Bourke where she had worked in the family drapery business. Her father is dead, her sister married so all who remains is her mother. Ruby needs a change or else she will be forever enshrined in the small town mentality. She can't sit and pine for Jimmy while he is away, waiting on that next letter or god forbid the dreaded telegram everyone woman at the time feared. Fair play to Ruby she knew what she wanted in life it was almost as if she knew if anything happened to Jimmy and she had remained in Bourke that was where she would stay forever. She realised she had ambition and a steely determination and she was set on putting her life on the right track. Ruby soon finds lodgings with Maree Hannah and her young son. Maree's husband Theo is away fighting. So the two woman share a connection.Maree was a super character slowly she opened up to Ruby and an everlasting bond was formed. She was a staunch supporter of Ruby and was always there to offer advice and support. Her son stole the scenes he was mentioned in and his innocence at what was going on in the world around him was captured perfectly throughout.
Ruby clearly grew as a person throughout the story, her strength and true character shone through. She acquires a job in Curry and Sons Timber Merchants working as the book keeper. Clearly this is a male dominated world where it is believed a woman's place is firmly in the home - housekeeping and rearing the children. To say Ruby comes up against opposition is an understatement but she is willing to forge on and break down those barriers which really shouldn't have been there in the first place. She forms a special bond with Mr. Curry whose son is away fighting in the same regiment as Jimmy. Their relationship is not conventional and Mr. Curry resists at every opportunity as Ruby tries to get through and reach the inner spirit and crack the shell that he has built around himself. I did feel very sorry for what happens to Mr. Curry and believe without the help of Ruby his business would have gone bankrupt and he would have remained locked away from the world forever.
Interspersed throughout the book are letters from Jimmy sent from where he is fighting. They give us a brief flavour as to what he is experiencing. Personally I would have liked some chapters from his viewpoint as I feel for most of the book I didn't know enough about his character and when he arrives home it was too late to get to know him despite what he goes through. I realise the author for part one might have wanted just the letters used as a means of communication between Jimmy and Ruby but I felt it wasn't enough.
Part one of the book meandered along at a slow and steady pace with plenty of repetition. It did help us familiarise ourselves with Ruby's period of adjustment and how she develops a routine, friendships and a firm solid position in her job but to me it became boring. I felt like elements of this had been done before in previous books I had read. Part two did pick up the story a bit more as Jimmy returns home wounded and unable to rejoin his unit. Ruby's freedom is now curtailed. She had longed for the safe return of her husband but I sensed she had enjoyed parts of her life more or less as a single woman. Now that the love of her life was back albeit a changed man she would once again have to get to know again. Jimmy had clearly been through a lot and returns home with both physical and mental injuries. He is not the same person he once was and both Ruby and Jimmy will have to fight through a lot in order to come out the other side if they wish their marriage to survive. Jimmy came across as selfish and ungrateful towards Ruby especially as she was doing her best to give Jimmy a normal routine and some stability after all he had witnessed and survived. Nowadays we would understand what Jimmy was going through and would have a name and treatment and support for it but in those days it was just a very steep learning curve. 'All he wanted was a version of the girl she had been in Bourke, and that girl was long gone'. Both parties need to comprehend that war alters everything not just the day to day routines.
The Soldier's Wife as I have mentioned is a good read but I wouldn't have it in my top reads for the year. Pamela Hart has done a satisfactory job of portraying life in Australia during World War Two. There is a good basic storyline here and I did love Ruby and Maree as characters but overall the first half of the story was dragged out and part two felt too rushed as if the author knew she had to warp up the book within a certain word count. She did touch on all aspects associated with the war - the loneliness, terror, heartache, upheaval and disruption to name but a few but the book didn't fully hit right where it matters straight to the heart. As for the ending I didn't feel it was the right ending for this book especially reading of Ruby's feelings in part two. I do think there are plenty of people who would enjoy this read curled up on the couch on a cold winters afternoon. But for die hard fans of historical fiction set during World War Two maybe stick to something else.
February 23, 2019
With my New Year’s Resolution being to pick books from the bottom of my TBR, The Soldiers Wife was next in my quest of books that had been waiting and waiting for me. And so far I have really enjoyed doing this, although there are some books at the top of the pile that are calling to me! I truly enjoyed this beautifully written story about a time period we have read a lot about but still totally immersible. Ruby, as a newly wed, left in Sydney Australia to make her own way while her husband goes to fight in WWI, finds a job in a local timber mill as a book keeper and has to find her way in a mans’ world and fight her own battles in a world where men believe she should be staying at home. Fabulous characters, captivating storyline and a setting that felt I was walking along the street with her to her new job! Great read.
November 13, 2021
3.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Judged this book extremely hard by its cover and title but it surprised me. I had a great time reading it and really felt something for most of the characters. The first half was a lot better than the second half and I thought the ending was very abrupt.
Judged this book extremely hard by its cover and title but it surprised me. I had a great time reading it and really felt something for most of the characters. The first half was a lot better than the second half and I thought the ending was very abrupt.
March 21, 2020
The Soldier's Wife is a poignant and engaging depiction of the life of a young Australian WWI war bride, uprooted from her rural roots to Sydney during her husband's deployment. The story follows Ruby as she learns to fend for herself in the city, and winds up fending for her employer, her returning spouse, and their future life together.
I loved this book, could hardly put it down, and look forward to reading much more of Pamela Hart's work.
I loved this book, could hardly put it down, and look forward to reading much more of Pamela Hart's work.
October 14, 2015
‘The Soldier’s Wife’ take place in Australia, in 1915 when the world was in chaos due to the first world war. Ruby and Jimmy Hawkins are newlyweds and madly in love with each other. When the war takes Jimmy away to fight in the battle of Gallipoli, both Ruby and Jimmy are sure that their love will survive the war and al the tragedies it entails.
While Jimmy is away he writes love letters to Ruby, telling her about his dreams and the life he knows they will have when the war is over. Ruby is at home in Sydney and reads all his beautiful letters. But after the first view weeks have past, Ruby is forced to go on with her own life. And what she needs is money. Money to life, and to build a future for when Jimmy returns. But 1915 isn’t an easy time for woman to make their own money. And Ruby is forced to fight for her rights in a world were woman are considered less.
Not only the cover of this book is beautiful, but the story itself is even more beautiful. I normally don’t read much books about world war I and II. Stories about the war always make me feel so sad and even a little scared about the future. But ever since I read this books description, I knew I had to read it. And yes, it is a sad story, but above all it is a story about love, passion, and the strength people have when they need to survive. It’s also about what war does to people who fight it, and who are left behind.
‘The Soldier’s Wife’ is definitely a book I will remember. It’s so beautiful!! I loved the way Ruby fought for herself and how she conquered all odds in a men’s world who really didn’t want her there. While reading this book I felt like I was standing right next to Ruby and fighting beside her. Fighting off all those prejudices and old habits.
I also loved reading Jimmy’s letters, to Ruby. They were so sweet and they really brought me to tears. Jimmy loved Ruby so much and he really wanted to take care of her, and grow old with her. The letters were really heartbreaking to read at times.. But above all beautiful.
In the end I cried. I cried because of how it ended, because of the way this book had made me feel and because of what was lost, and above all because it ended. I wasn’t ready to let Ruby and Jimmy go.. And even almost twenty four hours after I finished this book, I still think about ‘The Soldier’s Wife’ and Ruby and Jimmy. This book is definitely one of my favorites this year!! It’s so good!! I really recommend this book.
While Jimmy is away he writes love letters to Ruby, telling her about his dreams and the life he knows they will have when the war is over. Ruby is at home in Sydney and reads all his beautiful letters. But after the first view weeks have past, Ruby is forced to go on with her own life. And what she needs is money. Money to life, and to build a future for when Jimmy returns. But 1915 isn’t an easy time for woman to make their own money. And Ruby is forced to fight for her rights in a world were woman are considered less.
Not only the cover of this book is beautiful, but the story itself is even more beautiful. I normally don’t read much books about world war I and II. Stories about the war always make me feel so sad and even a little scared about the future. But ever since I read this books description, I knew I had to read it. And yes, it is a sad story, but above all it is a story about love, passion, and the strength people have when they need to survive. It’s also about what war does to people who fight it, and who are left behind.
‘The Soldier’s Wife’ is definitely a book I will remember. It’s so beautiful!! I loved the way Ruby fought for herself and how she conquered all odds in a men’s world who really didn’t want her there. While reading this book I felt like I was standing right next to Ruby and fighting beside her. Fighting off all those prejudices and old habits.
I also loved reading Jimmy’s letters, to Ruby. They were so sweet and they really brought me to tears. Jimmy loved Ruby so much and he really wanted to take care of her, and grow old with her. The letters were really heartbreaking to read at times.. But above all beautiful.
In the end I cried. I cried because of how it ended, because of the way this book had made me feel and because of what was lost, and above all because it ended. I wasn’t ready to let Ruby and Jimmy go.. And even almost twenty four hours after I finished this book, I still think about ‘The Soldier’s Wife’ and Ruby and Jimmy. This book is definitely one of my favorites this year!! It’s so good!! I really recommend this book.
June 28, 2015
When Ruby’s husband of 6 weeks, Jimmy, is sent off to war, Ruby is forced to move to the city from her hometown of Bourke, and create a new life for herself as she waits for news from the front of her husband.
Set in 1916, Ruby is soon faced with many challenges that are rampant for women in that era. Considered second class, stupid, and at best, a pretty ornament to adorn a mans home, Ruby pushes the boundaries as she fights for her place in society, and wants to show everyone that she’s more than just a wife, and is able to make it on her own.
Ruby is a strong willed, powerful character for someone so young. She is not overawed by the city, but rather takes it in her stride, and her narrative peeks at an understanding of what ‘proper’ women do, but also her knowledge that in her circumstances, she’s got to be shrewd in order to survive.
She takes a job as a bookkeeper at the local mill (at a significantly reduced wage – so a bargain for the mill owner), and has to manage the men, their bias, and her own self confidence in the workplace. There’s struggles with gender defined roles, but Ruby uses common sense (her mothers voice ringing in her head) and her wits in order to move past these issues.
Her lodging with another young woman with a small son, Maree, is a strange relationship. They begin in businesslike circumstances, slowly warm to each other, only to drift apart in the latter part of the novel as they rely upon their societial roles in order to navigate the hardships they face.
Ruby is working in between the two roles – female independence and the expected, well worn adage of women being less. When her boss encounters tragedy, she moves between roles, playing the fishwife, and manages the business as the boss.
When Jimmy returns to Sydney it’s clear early on that nothing will ever be as the imagined. When they parted, they had known each other for only a short time, and with the added year of independence, she is forced to show Jimmy the value of her intelligence, whilst he struggles with his reduced circumstances.
The Soldiers Wife is an Australian tale based on a well used theme. There’s not a lot of originality, but the characters are strong and the narration is great, so it’s still a wonderful book to read.
Set in 1916, Ruby is soon faced with many challenges that are rampant for women in that era. Considered second class, stupid, and at best, a pretty ornament to adorn a mans home, Ruby pushes the boundaries as she fights for her place in society, and wants to show everyone that she’s more than just a wife, and is able to make it on her own.
Ruby is a strong willed, powerful character for someone so young. She is not overawed by the city, but rather takes it in her stride, and her narrative peeks at an understanding of what ‘proper’ women do, but also her knowledge that in her circumstances, she’s got to be shrewd in order to survive.
She takes a job as a bookkeeper at the local mill (at a significantly reduced wage – so a bargain for the mill owner), and has to manage the men, their bias, and her own self confidence in the workplace. There’s struggles with gender defined roles, but Ruby uses common sense (her mothers voice ringing in her head) and her wits in order to move past these issues.
Her lodging with another young woman with a small son, Maree, is a strange relationship. They begin in businesslike circumstances, slowly warm to each other, only to drift apart in the latter part of the novel as they rely upon their societial roles in order to navigate the hardships they face.
Ruby is working in between the two roles – female independence and the expected, well worn adage of women being less. When her boss encounters tragedy, she moves between roles, playing the fishwife, and manages the business as the boss.
When Jimmy returns to Sydney it’s clear early on that nothing will ever be as the imagined. When they parted, they had known each other for only a short time, and with the added year of independence, she is forced to show Jimmy the value of her intelligence, whilst he struggles with his reduced circumstances.
The Soldiers Wife is an Australian tale based on a well used theme. There’s not a lot of originality, but the characters are strong and the narration is great, so it’s still a wonderful book to read.
April 27, 2015
I just finished reading this amazing new Australian historical fiction book. With the recent 100th anniversary celebrations of Anzac Cove in Gallipoli, this book helps us to remember all those soldiers who perished in war so we could have a better world to live in.
Set in 1915, Ruby marries Jimmy Hawkins after a whirlwind romance. After a short honeymoon, Jimmy is shipped out with his battalion to go to war in Gallipoli and later France. Left behind, Ruby finds works as a bookkeeper at a saw mill to keep herself busy and to earn some extra money. Letters of love and hope for the future are sent back and forth until one day her boss receives the dreaded telegram announcing the death of his son. As Ruby's husband was in the same battalion as her bosses son, she lives in dread of receiving a telegram too. One day she receives a telegram advising her that her husband has been badly injured.
Emotions are raw in the story and I became engrossed in the feelings of grief and of the unknown. Eventually Jimmy comes home and he has to learn how to accept being disabled and has to swallow his pride to have his wife working and bringing in money. Ruby wants to work as she feels it helps to define her as a productive and capable woman but she constantly has to fight for her rights as she works in a man's world. With the advent of war, many women took on men's jobs and it wasn't so much the words of the suffragists and the issues of women's rights that Ruby had to contend with but she felt it was rewarding to be good at a job that she liked.Eventually, as in most marriages, Ruby and Jimmy make a compromise for what they want out of life and as the old cliché goes, they live happily ever after.
This story has left me feeling more appreciative of the many men and women who have made sacrifices in war and for the families left behind who wait for any news of their loved ones. The story dealt with love, death, grief and hope and had the taste of Australia with its red earth and multitude of flowers. Well done Pamela Hart...you have a real flair with words and I absolutely loved this book.
Set in 1915, Ruby marries Jimmy Hawkins after a whirlwind romance. After a short honeymoon, Jimmy is shipped out with his battalion to go to war in Gallipoli and later France. Left behind, Ruby finds works as a bookkeeper at a saw mill to keep herself busy and to earn some extra money. Letters of love and hope for the future are sent back and forth until one day her boss receives the dreaded telegram announcing the death of his son. As Ruby's husband was in the same battalion as her bosses son, she lives in dread of receiving a telegram too. One day she receives a telegram advising her that her husband has been badly injured.
Emotions are raw in the story and I became engrossed in the feelings of grief and of the unknown. Eventually Jimmy comes home and he has to learn how to accept being disabled and has to swallow his pride to have his wife working and bringing in money. Ruby wants to work as she feels it helps to define her as a productive and capable woman but she constantly has to fight for her rights as she works in a man's world. With the advent of war, many women took on men's jobs and it wasn't so much the words of the suffragists and the issues of women's rights that Ruby had to contend with but she felt it was rewarding to be good at a job that she liked.Eventually, as in most marriages, Ruby and Jimmy make a compromise for what they want out of life and as the old cliché goes, they live happily ever after.
This story has left me feeling more appreciative of the many men and women who have made sacrifices in war and for the families left behind who wait for any news of their loved ones. The story dealt with love, death, grief and hope and had the taste of Australia with its red earth and multitude of flowers. Well done Pamela Hart...you have a real flair with words and I absolutely loved this book.
May 15, 2015
First, a disclaimer: I attended Pamela’s Write Your Novel program at the Australian Writers’ Centre in 2014. I consider her a friend and mentor so I might have some unintended bias — but I'll try and be as objective as I can.
The Soldier’s Wife has a simple premise. Ruby, only recently married, has to learn how to cope on her own as a woman in a man’s world after her husband Jimmy leaves to fight at Gallipoli. When Jimmy returns, wounded and depressed, they both have to learn how to love each other again and come to terms with how they have both changed while Jimmy was away.
It’s such a simple story that, in some ways, it’s difficult to imagine that it would make an interesting book — but Pamela has done just that. The characters are engaging and feel like real people, and as the story unfolds, you become attached to Ruby and her story. And that, for me, is always the key when I'm reading a book — I need to care about the characters to find a book interesting.
When she launched The Soldier’s Wife, Kate Forsyth mentioned how technically perfect this book is, and she’s right. Everything that Pamela taught me during the course I attended is evident in this book — structure, pacing, characterisation, plot, and theme — it’s all there. This is an excellent book for new writers to read to help them understand the craft of writing.
But as Kate also mentioned during the launch, it’s more than that. Pamela has written a realistic story about real people. These are people who laugh and cry and hurt and triumph over adversity by pulling together and helping each other. And even though I write in the speculative fiction genre, this is exactly the kind of book I want to write too.
It’s interesting to look back at Pamela’s 7-month course I attended back in 2014. She was writing and submitting this book during the duration of the course. It’s fascinating to see everything she was teaching us made manifest in her book. I was witness to the heart and soul she put into this book, and you can see it on every page of The Soldier’s Wife. Entertaining, gripping, and a pleasure to read - I can’t recommend this book highly enough.
The Soldier’s Wife has a simple premise. Ruby, only recently married, has to learn how to cope on her own as a woman in a man’s world after her husband Jimmy leaves to fight at Gallipoli. When Jimmy returns, wounded and depressed, they both have to learn how to love each other again and come to terms with how they have both changed while Jimmy was away.
It’s such a simple story that, in some ways, it’s difficult to imagine that it would make an interesting book — but Pamela has done just that. The characters are engaging and feel like real people, and as the story unfolds, you become attached to Ruby and her story. And that, for me, is always the key when I'm reading a book — I need to care about the characters to find a book interesting.
When she launched The Soldier’s Wife, Kate Forsyth mentioned how technically perfect this book is, and she’s right. Everything that Pamela taught me during the course I attended is evident in this book — structure, pacing, characterisation, plot, and theme — it’s all there. This is an excellent book for new writers to read to help them understand the craft of writing.
But as Kate also mentioned during the launch, it’s more than that. Pamela has written a realistic story about real people. These are people who laugh and cry and hurt and triumph over adversity by pulling together and helping each other. And even though I write in the speculative fiction genre, this is exactly the kind of book I want to write too.
It’s interesting to look back at Pamela’s 7-month course I attended back in 2014. She was writing and submitting this book during the duration of the course. It’s fascinating to see everything she was teaching us made manifest in her book. I was witness to the heart and soul she put into this book, and you can see it on every page of The Soldier’s Wife. Entertaining, gripping, and a pleasure to read - I can’t recommend this book highly enough.
June 22, 2015
Disclaimer: I am currently studying under the Author at The Australian Writers' Centre.
Let me begin by saying that I have a long 'want to read' list, but I did move this one up as I was one of Pamela's students at the time of the release. I hadn't read any of Pamela's work, which felt odd. I felt as though I should 'know' who is teaching me, so I read the book. And over the space of three days.
The Soldier's Wife is set in Sydney Australia during the First World War. Ruby has just seen her new husband Jimmy off to war and like many in her day, she sets out looking for work to support herself and help in anyway possible with the war effort. I won't go into the whole synopsis, there are plenty of other reviews here that do.
The main thing that struck me with the book was the way in which Pamela paints a full landscape of the story. The setting, the character, the historic elements - all beautifully illustrated in great detail, but not overdone at all. My first thoughts when I began to read, was how colourful the words felt. It was as if I were watching a movie along with the words I was reading. The picture and the characters were perfectly clear.
Her characters come alive and gently seep into your thoughts. So many times I felt as if I were actually Ruby living through her story and seeing it with my own eyes.
As another fellow classmate here said, it is a perfect novel for new writers as Pamela has got everything right - plot, storyline, pacing, characters, setting, backstory - all building seamlessly to a climactic and powerful ending.
Historical fiction isn't a genre that I often choose, but in this case it is told beautifully.
Really, there isn't much to fault in this novel (and I'm not only saying this because I was one of her students)! The only thing that I wasn't entirely engaged in was the epilogue. The book could have finished well without it, but I can see that many readers will have wanted it included as well.
The Soldier's Wife is one of those books that will stay with me for a long time, and one in which as an aspiring author has taught me so much.
Let me begin by saying that I have a long 'want to read' list, but I did move this one up as I was one of Pamela's students at the time of the release. I hadn't read any of Pamela's work, which felt odd. I felt as though I should 'know' who is teaching me, so I read the book. And over the space of three days.
The Soldier's Wife is set in Sydney Australia during the First World War. Ruby has just seen her new husband Jimmy off to war and like many in her day, she sets out looking for work to support herself and help in anyway possible with the war effort. I won't go into the whole synopsis, there are plenty of other reviews here that do.
The main thing that struck me with the book was the way in which Pamela paints a full landscape of the story. The setting, the character, the historic elements - all beautifully illustrated in great detail, but not overdone at all. My first thoughts when I began to read, was how colourful the words felt. It was as if I were watching a movie along with the words I was reading. The picture and the characters were perfectly clear.
Her characters come alive and gently seep into your thoughts. So many times I felt as if I were actually Ruby living through her story and seeing it with my own eyes.
As another fellow classmate here said, it is a perfect novel for new writers as Pamela has got everything right - plot, storyline, pacing, characters, setting, backstory - all building seamlessly to a climactic and powerful ending.
Historical fiction isn't a genre that I often choose, but in this case it is told beautifully.
Really, there isn't much to fault in this novel (and I'm not only saying this because I was one of her students)! The only thing that I wasn't entirely engaged in was the epilogue. The book could have finished well without it, but I can see that many readers will have wanted it included as well.
The Soldier's Wife is one of those books that will stay with me for a long time, and one in which as an aspiring author has taught me so much.
January 3, 2020
The book falls pretty much into 2 halves. Life for Ruby while Jimmy is away at war. And life when he returns.
The first half meets all expectations for historical details regarding a young country girl suddenly becoming responsible for her own future without family support. I'm glad she was given a background in her father's Drapery shop or the hiring of such a retiring, inexperienced girl would have lacked credibility. I found myself worrying that she was going to lack the strength of character to survive, and maybe lack the personal strength I would look for in a female protagonist. What gives the first half of the book emotional weight is the misery of her Boss. The superficial problem of Ruby's need to maintain her reputation bounces across the wake of the real drama: the loss of a son.
The second half of the book picks you up and carries you forward on a jet blast. You are not bouncing on top of the water in the wake of a boat anymore. You are being dragged half-drowned into 'things that really matter'.
I don't think I've read a book that really shows life after the dying and heroics are over, before this. It shows the absolute necessity of re-establishing normal domestic life when people have taken such a battering by circumstance. You realise after reading a book like this that happy endings sell you short. Somebody needs to explore the courage that is required to live with pain and damage, to make compromises, to find your own personal way to carry on. This book does that beautifully. It is not just a novel about 1915. It achieves a resonance which encompasses anyone who returns battered and storm wrecked to try to start their life again.
Be warned: read this with a sleeve handy, or, if you are are more refined - a handkerchief.
The first half meets all expectations for historical details regarding a young country girl suddenly becoming responsible for her own future without family support. I'm glad she was given a background in her father's Drapery shop or the hiring of such a retiring, inexperienced girl would have lacked credibility. I found myself worrying that she was going to lack the strength of character to survive, and maybe lack the personal strength I would look for in a female protagonist. What gives the first half of the book emotional weight is the misery of her Boss. The superficial problem of Ruby's need to maintain her reputation bounces across the wake of the real drama: the loss of a son.
The second half of the book picks you up and carries you forward on a jet blast. You are not bouncing on top of the water in the wake of a boat anymore. You are being dragged half-drowned into 'things that really matter'.
I don't think I've read a book that really shows life after the dying and heroics are over, before this. It shows the absolute necessity of re-establishing normal domestic life when people have taken such a battering by circumstance. You realise after reading a book like this that happy endings sell you short. Somebody needs to explore the courage that is required to live with pain and damage, to make compromises, to find your own personal way to carry on. This book does that beautifully. It is not just a novel about 1915. It achieves a resonance which encompasses anyone who returns battered and storm wrecked to try to start their life again.
Be warned: read this with a sleeve handy, or, if you are are more refined - a handkerchief.
September 16, 2015
Took me a little while to read this but picked it up again as my first holiday read. Quite good, really highlighted how women were viewed during wartime. They were expected to pitch in and ensure manufacturing, agriculture and industry continued and for many this opportunity, for the sake of a better word, thrived on what they could achieve. It became an interesting dilemma when their roles were expected to return back to domesticity at wars end. It was challenging on relationships on many different levels which Hart explores very well.
January 31, 2016
I enjoyed this war time fiction story - it was both well written and well researched. I wouldn't call it a 'light' read exactly, as some of the themes were quite dark, but it was very readable and Ruby was a likable and realistic character. She was modern for the times, but at no stage did I feel she was behaving in a way a woman of the 1910's would not have. I thought the depiction of Ruby's marriage once her injured and mentally unwell husband came home from the front was particularly well done.
May 2, 2015
While many stories of War are told on foreign shores, this is a story on the home front. Pamela beautifully captures life in Australia for a woman at this time and how it changed with the onset of War. The love story at the heart of this book is memorable and real and deeply emotional. It is a wonderful book, made even more so because it is partly based on family history. It is the kind of book that you can give grandma, your daughter and friends, and they will all enjoy it. Recommend.
July 9, 2020
A heart-soaring story of love and loss and learning how to live when all you hold dear is threatened.In Sydney, 1915 World War One brings tragedy and loss and sweeping change for those left at home. Newlyweds Jimmy and Ruby Hawkins, who met in their hometown of Bourke, are sure that their love will survive the trauma of war. Amid the desperate battles raging in Gallipoli, Jimmy dreams of the future they'd planned together. In Sydney, Ruby reads his letters full of love and longing. But as weeks slip into months Ruby must forge her own new life. When she takes a job at a city timber merchant's yard as a bookkeeper since she's good with numbers, she's thrown into a man's world fraught with complications of sexism. And as the lives of those around her begin to shatter, such as with her boss and her friend, Ruby must change if she is to truly find her way. Is she still the same woman Jimmy fell in love with? Can their marriage survive, or will they go their separate ways? During World War One, many men enlisted to serve their country, thereby leaving women to take up the reins in the workforce. However, even though women were becoming independent and can take care of their families, they were met with consistent skepticism as men were considered breadwinners.When surviving soldiers returned home, it was very difficult for them to find employment, coupled with the fact that they wounded in mind, body and spirit, a lot of them drank a lot and had volatile tempers and nightmares from the war. The war had changed everyone beyond recognition. Britain's demand for timber rose sharply during the First World War. Its armed forces needed wood for dug-out shelters, to provide stakes for barbed wire on the front lines, to line muddy trench floors, and to build railway ties for the transport of soldiers and equipment to the front lines. The book also highlighted the plight of war widows,as they struggled to adjust without the emotional and financial support of their spouses. The war pension wasn't enough, making them reliant on family help or charity, or finding respectable work for women like domestic help or in home based industries.
August 7, 2018
I really likes the home front focus of this book. This is traditionally a rare perspective in Australian WWI fiction (Brenda Walker's atmospheric and dark 'The Wing of Night' being a notable exception). The protagonist Ruby is thoroughly believable and we are very eager for her success. The action all occurs in the comparatively early days of the war, and deals with the dislocation of men from their home, the shock of the return as well as of the death of a loved one, and the abrupt changes in society as (middle class) women picked up employment which had been usually a male preserve - in Ruby's case, admin work at a timber mill.
Ruby has prevously worked in her family's country draper's store, so it is not work per se which is such a problem to her injured returned soldier, but the fact that she works in the city in an all-male environment - and that she is the major provider. As modern readers we may find it a bit more difficult to empathise with husband Jimmy's attitude of shame and resentment, but although it is true that he would have been confronted on a daily basis with women working in 'male' jobs, and that he could have adjusted to it, we need to take into account his traumatic experiences and his rather unrealistic expectations/dreasm about life on his return.
We're just rather sorry that at this point in history, Ruby must sacrifice her sense of self, the daily affirmation she has of running the business well, in order to preserve her precious love.
I'd be interested to see such a talented, well-informed author deal with the home front in the later years of the war as conscription debates divide the country and the appalling cost of the war becomes ever more apparent in more deaths, and more disabled returned soldiers. I'm out to pick up Pamela Hart's next book.
Ruby has prevously worked in her family's country draper's store, so it is not work per se which is such a problem to her injured returned soldier, but the fact that she works in the city in an all-male environment - and that she is the major provider. As modern readers we may find it a bit more difficult to empathise with husband Jimmy's attitude of shame and resentment, but although it is true that he would have been confronted on a daily basis with women working in 'male' jobs, and that he could have adjusted to it, we need to take into account his traumatic experiences and his rather unrealistic expectations/dreasm about life on his return.
We're just rather sorry that at this point in history, Ruby must sacrifice her sense of self, the daily affirmation she has of running the business well, in order to preserve her precious love.
I'd be interested to see such a talented, well-informed author deal with the home front in the later years of the war as conscription debates divide the country and the appalling cost of the war becomes ever more apparent in more deaths, and more disabled returned soldiers. I'm out to pick up Pamela Hart's next book.
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