September 2010 - The Women in Black by Madeline St John (chosen by Ca)

Madeleine St John was born in Sydney.  She graduated from Sydney University in 1963.  She lived and worked in London until her death in 2006. The Women in Black was her first novel. She also wrote A Pure Clear Light, 1996, The Essence of the Thing, 1997, which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize, and Stairway to Paradise, 1999.

There was unanimous agreement that this was a lovely, light and charming read.  We hadn't heard of the author before but the book was a delight and we enjoyed her writing style. We discussed her life and then went through most of the discussion questions found in the pdf below.

We looked at pictures of old David Jones  (one of the pictures of trams operating at the intersection of Barrack Street and George Street, Sydney - showing the David Jones Barrack Street store dated: 1950s ... see below) ...... 

Barrack Street and George Street Sydney David Jones Barrack Street Store 1950s(Photo from Alistair Paterson)

We noted the use of the foot x-ray machine that was for fitting shoes in the store at that time. Information on the fluoroscope and a picture can be seen here

We looked at books on everyday objects, items, furniture etc that were used in Australia in the 1960's, to give us a feel of the time. We also looked up the dress designers (eg Sir Norman Hartnell, Jacques Fath, Charles James)  mentioned in the book and found some examples of the designer gowns that were typical of the time.  The gowns that we looked at were absolutely amazing!!

Plans are being made for the book to be made into a film Get it at Goode's, directed by Bruce Beresford, staring Monica Bellucci, Guy Pearce and Miranda Otto.

Reviews and discussion questions:

The Women in Black - Reading Group Notes [pdf that we used for discussion - Bookclub notes from the Text publishing.]

Text publishing - Women in Black  [Besides the pdf link above, there are also links to reviews from The Age , Bruce Beresford, Good Reading and Phinney Books in Seattle. Thank you Text publishing!]

smh book review  (by Helen Elliot and reviewer)

Library Thing link   [Note Jawin's entry]

The Independant  [Madeline St John's orbituary by Christopher Potter from the Orbituaries Australia Website)

The Story of David Jones (David Jones website)

Jacques Fath - (From Fashionencyclopedia)

Jacques Fath Couture (collectionby ChantduCygne - pinterest)

Charles James Couture (collection by Linda Wasson - pinterest)

Sir Norman Hartnell (collection by Tracy Mead - pinterest)