Review of 'The Girls From Fitzroy' by Jennie Jones
Review of 'The Girls From Fitzroy' by Jennie Jones
Release date: July 31st, 2024
Publisher: HQ Fiction
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REVIEW
‘What she found on her journey was the bitter taste of poverty.’
‘Death and despair. Stigma and discrimination. They were surrounded by it.’
What a beautiful soul-stirring Australian historical novel by Jennie Jones. The Girls From Fitzroy set in the 1940s is about friendship, family, class, loss and generational expectations. Yet a time when women were branching out and doing extraordinary things, not just getting married. But the challenges were hard and change never came easy. But nonetheless it came.
This story shows us what happens when those rigid lines of tradition are crossed. When someone dares to question the way, things are. It is about two friends from the opposite ends of Fitzroy who come together and defy the class system. The north with the well to do and the south with the poor (slums). An unlikely friendship unfolds and holds like glue through many of the trials and changes that occur over the next few years.
It is 1945 and Maggie Johnson, born of upper society, is not happy with her station. She desires freedom and to make her own choices but her parents, strict in their beliefs, are determined to marry her off to someone of another high position. A list is made and some of the names on it are not very nice men and certainly not ones that Maggie would choose herself. She wants to escape these shackles of expectation and archaic demands. She wants her life to have more meaning and purpose and it seems that this is what leads her to the slums. Her heart aches for those who are destitute and she wants to help. A seed of what is to come starts sprouting in her new friendship with Lil from the poor end of Fitzroy. She offers her little gifts and finds ways to help Lil and her family who struggle to obtain the basics. A very strong bond develops between the two girls but various life events sometimes keeps them apart for periods of time. Their friendship must remain secret as the classes are not allowed to mix. But one day, when Maggie’s highly structured world falls apart, she runs to her friend for help. Many things begin to happen in the plot— some of which are heartbreaking to read. But these challenges expose Maggie’s strengths and prove she is more than kind words. She is an action girl. During this period Maggie flourishes like a rose in the desert: giving selflessly to others and making a difference in so many lives. Her new friends come to appreciate what she is trying to do and pitch in to help alleviate suffering in the slums.
Lil also makes incredible leaps and bounds with Maggie’s encouragement. She tells her to aim higher than she has ever dared before. It was a joy to watch these two friends help each other. They each get to follow their dreams. Courage blossoms in their hearts and good things happen. It was lovely to see love among those who toil together. And how they protected and supported each other through the trying times.
I particularly enjoyed Maggie and Lil’s journey, Maggie’s work at the diner, the creative ideas she put into action in helping so many people who were poor. It was also nice to see the resilience and wisdom of Gran. I chuckled at her feisty dialogue and admired her tough spirit. She was a force to be reckoned with and always got her way (as Maggie noted) but she loved her granddaughter and even learned from her. Maggie’s Mom was abused by her husband so it was nice to see her gain some happiness eventually. Norma, the maid, was an excellent friend and played an important role. The Kelly women, Jack, Vasilios and Connie from the slums were all wonderful characters. Then there were others like Alexander who fell from the lofty heights of prosperity, through no fault of his own. The trials he endured only revealed the person he was: someone Gran took an interest in. And someone Maggie discovered had a caring and honest heart.
This is a story about healing, second chances, starting fresh in new environments, love and forgiveness, equality and real joy. We see the awfulness of class division—the gulf between the rich and poor but also the beauty that is hidden in unlikely places and even in unexpected hearts. This is a marvellous historical novel that has captured the spirit of 1940s Melbourne, Australia—when that world was a very different place. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to HQ Fiction and Netgalley for a review copy.
