Library favourite returns

Bestselling author Victoria Purman returns to the Mount Gambier Library on Wednesday, May 15, at 7pm to launch her latest release, The Radio Hour.

The Radio Hour explores the golden years of radio broadcasting in post-war Australia, celebrating the extraordinary unseen women who wrote the radio plays that held a nation captive.

Manager library and community development Georgina Davison said the library has had the pleasure of hosting Victoria Purman on previous occasions, presenting her recent titles such as The Nurses’ War, The Women’s Pages, and last year’s enthralling novel, A Woman’s Work.

“With her engaging warmth and captivating storytelling, Victoria Purman never fails to leave our audience entertained,” Ms Davison said.

“Victoria Purman’s novels seamlessly blend fact and fiction, offering readers an immersive journey through moments in Australian history. Her latest release, The Radio Hour, will captivate and inspire audiences of all ages.”

The Radio Hour follows Martha Berry, a fifty year old spinster and one of an army of polite and invisible women in 1956 Sydney who go to work each day and get things done without fuss, fanfare or reward.

Working at the country’s national broadcaster, she is sent to work as a secretary on a brand-new radio serial.

She finds herself at the mercy of an egotistical and erratic young producer without a clue, a conservative broadcaster frightened by the word ‘pregnant’ and a motley cast of actors with ideas of their own about their roles in the show.

When Martha is forced to step in to rescue the serial from impending cancellation, she ends up secretly ghost-writing scripts.

She can’t keep her secret forever and when she’s threatened with exposure, Martha has to decide if she wants to remain in the shadows or to finally step into the spotlight.

With almost 25 books published since 2013, Victoria Purman has established herself as a leading voice in wartime and post-war Australian fiction.

As an Australian top 10 and USA Today bestselling author, Purman is a sought-after guest at writers’ festivals, a dedicated mentor and workshop presenter, and a respected literary judge.

This is a free event with supper supplied and books available for sale and signing on the night. Bookings are required. Contact Mount Gambier Library on (08)8721 2540 or book online at www.mountgambier.sa.gov.au/library under ‘Programs and Events’.