The Women in Black Audiobook By Madeleine St John cover art

The Women in Black

A Novel

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The Women in Black

By: Madeleine St John
Narrated by: Deidre Rubenstein
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“The book I most often give as a gift to cheer people up.” —Hilary Mantel * “Tart, beguiling, witty and compassionate...a literary boost for the spirits.” —Maureen Corrigan, Fresh Air * “A deceptively smart comic gem.” –The New York Times Book Review * “Witty and delicious.” –People

The women in black, so named for the black frocks they wear while working at Goode’s department store, are busy selling ladies’ dresses during the holiday rush. But they somehow find time to pursue other goals…

Patty, in her mid-thirties, has been working at Goode’s for years. Her husband, Frank, eats a steak for dinner every night, watches a few minutes of TV, and then turns in. Patty yearns for a baby, but Frank is always too tired for that kind of thing.

Sweet, unlucky Fay wants to settle down with a nice man, but somehow nice men don’t see her as marriage material.

Glamorous Magda runs the high-end gowns department. A Slovenian émigré, Magda is cultured and continental and hopes to open her own boutique one day.

Lisa, a clever and shy teenager, takes a job at Goode’s during her school break. Lisa wants to go to university and dreams of becoming a poet, but her father objects to both notions.

By the time the last marked-down dress is sold, all of their lives will be forever changed.

A pitch-perfect comedy of manners set during a pivotal era, and perfect for fans of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Women in Black conjures the energy of a city on the cusp of change and is a testament to the timeless importance of female friendship. Friendship Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Women's Fiction Witty
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This book was a very nice quick read ! A little quick read with a slice of life a coming-of-age store and marital downs and ups !

Slice of life

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I chose to listen to this audiobook after watching the movie. The movie is just one of my all-time favorites. The audiobook did not disappoint. I play the audiobook when I need something uplifting. The reader is superb. She does a nice job with accents, especially the marvelous Magda. Magda’s monologue at her New Year’s Eve Party is a hoot. I highly recommend this book.

Very enjoyable slice of 50s Sydney, Australia

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Delightful! A unusual novel of good feeling read by a very enjoyable voice. Recommend to brighten your spirits!

Recommend

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Quick little story enjoyed in one afternoon while working on a puzzle. Left me smiling.

Simply delightful!

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The performance and the life of the author. A book about the author would be interesting.

The performance and the life of the author.

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