The Land Girls- Victoria Purman

'The Land Girls' shows the callouses on the hands of Australian women during the Second World War and the bravery and battles faced at the Homefront.

THE BARE BONES... (a brief overview)

The Australian social landscape of 75 years ago was dramatically different of that of today. ‘The Land Girls’ follows the journey of three girls in different contexts and states of Australia as World War II gains momentum. Desperate to contribute to the fight against the enemy, and in support of their fiancés/lovers/friends/brothers at the front they join the land army, these girls aren’t happy to knit socks or organise charity events like their mothers and grandmothers. Flora, Betty and Lily strap on the overalls and face men’s jobs in country Australia to harvest flax for parachutes, crop potatoes for powdered mash and pick grapes for the juicy sultanas later savoured in the tins of the men in the trenches.

This book isn’t a paper account of the ABC series screened a few years ago. It is a beautifully descriptive portrait of war at the Homefront. It doesn’t discount the horrors of the Men’s war, but rather celebrates the real physical contribution of the 6000 or so real women serving on farms in the Australia Women’s Land Army during this time.

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FLAVOURS OF... (other books like this one)

There is a sleepy, unravelling, retro narrative in ‘The Land Girls’ that reminds me of Madeleine St John’s ‘The Women in Black’, (which was made into the film ‘Ladies in Black’ last year) another novel of female journey and triumph in the war/post war Australia.

4 out of 5 snag rating

SNAGS ON THE BARBIE (rating out of 5)

4 out of 5 snags. Like the glistening roast chicken and brimming gravy boat served with honeyed carrots and new potatoes at the celebratory dinner at the Thomas family home, ‘The Land Girls’ has comforting flavours of home, deftly presented by Purman with new discoveries and revelations of Australia's history within its pages.

“And as she thought about how to describe all of this to her parents, Betty realised she had learnt something powerful. Sometimes, it’s not telling the truth that is kinder.

She put her pencil to the page.

I’m simply having the most marvellous time imaginable out here in the country among the grapevines with the finest girls you can imagine.”