In an engrossing read, three-time Christy Award-winner Austin (
All She Ever Wanted;
Hidden Places) explores the lives of four women in smalltown Michigan during WWII. The unlikely quartet of heroines-a mouthy Italian, a farm girl desperate to go to college, a spinster schoolteacher who's inherited a fortune, and a bored housewife-meet and become fast friends when they take Rosie the Riveter jobs at a local factory. On one level, the novel is simply about the bonds that form among the principals, recalling Whitney Otto's
How to Make an American Quilt and Lynne Hinton's
Friendship Cake. But the subtext, as the title suggests, is about gender roles. Can and should women defy their husbands- What does the Bible say about wifely obedience- Such questions present themselves urgently to each of the four protagonists (and, one imagines, to many of Austin's female evangelical readers). Austin sprinkles some lovely images throughout-a newborn's fingernails 'like drops of candle wax' -and a humorous depiction of inadvertently tipsy church ladies will have readers in stitches. All in all, Austin offers a very enjoyable journey to an earlier wartime America.(Nov.)" --
Publishers Weekly
(STARRED REVIEW) "In Christy Award winner Austin's latest...the attack on Pearl Harbor affects the lives of four diverse women. Virginia needs to find her identity beyond her family; Helen is aging but dives into a job that may be too much for her, Rosa craves freedom, and Jean is looking for a way to fulfill her dreams. These unlikely friends form a bond that helps them endure difficult times. Austin always writes with impeccable skill and careful insight; her well-drawn, multifaceted characters and a thought-provoking plot will keep readers glued to this wartime tale. Highly recommended for all collections." --Library Journal
"In a heartwarming yet wrenching story, Austin describes life in a factory, the difficulties facing women workers, and the transformations that took place during the war. Readers will be drawn immediately into this eloquent story that explores each woman's beliefs, struggles, and dearest wishes. The pages turn quickly as each character finds out what it means to be a woman in the early 1940s, how to deal with a world at war, and how to survive with their men far away. Sure to provoke a tear or two, this is a beautiful, touching read." --Historical Novels Review
"Austin takes you into the lives of these women and keeps you engrossed in their stories. Though each chapter is written from the perspective of one of the characters, their lives are intertwined. While some of the storylines were predictable, yet others were shocking. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I finished it way too soon!" --Patti Chadwick, BookBargainsandPreviews.com
"Ms. Austin does a fabulous job of balancing all four women's story, giving each of them an intriguing journey and a lesson to be learned. Ginny must learn to be strong and stand up for herself, Jean must learn that sometimes what you think you want in life is not always what will make you happy, Rosa not only finds a personal relationship with God, but also learns that love is not conditional on being perfect, and Helen finally realizes that life is unfulfilling when we keep everything at a distance, including God.
Filled with exciting, relevant conflicts, and rich historical detail, this story will teach and uplift through the lives of four very unique women, who take a stand for their beliefs, forge lasting friendships and discover lasting love.
Women will find solace and understanding between the pages of Ms. Austin's A Woman's Place, as each of these fictional women speak to different parts of a womanÃÆ'.Ã.•¬Ã.•.s heart. Inspirational, nostalgic, and captivating, A Woman's Place is a must read." --Cindy Mealer, ck2skwipsandkritques.com
"A Woman's Place is not to be confused with a simple read, heartwarming though it is. Readers will be drawn immediately into the setting by Austin's keep ability to weave story with fact, but it is the deep questions each woman must ask that will keep the pages turning." --Christian Retailing
"I found this book extremely well-written and it draws you into the lives of these four women. I found myself sympathizing with their sorrow and celebrating with their victories. Pick this book up and find out what happens when these ladies question their 'place in life.'" --Holly Bowers, 1340Mag.com
"A very compelling story, A Woman's Place has found a place on my 'keeper' shelves. The author captures the essence of each woman with astounding insight; their preconceived notions and their newfound strengths and challenges will have readers cheering them on as they each reach their potential. I was readily able to step into the time of America of the 1940's, with the country at war, and the role-reversal of men and women. The historical details were vivid and deeply researched, while the emotional upheaval of the time was graphically portrayed." --RomanceDesigns.com
"This was a very satisfying book. Lynn Austin captured the call to arms through the lives of these women who wanted to participate in the war effort. Each of their stories reflects how they faced discrimination and conflict in a time when the roles of men and women were changing." --Debra Kiefat, armchairinterviews.com
"A Woman's Place is a thought-provoking, eye-opening and worthwhile piece of World War II Americana." --Violet Nesdoly, blogcritics.org
"Three-time Christy Award winner Lynn Austin pens an engaging novel about four diverse women who become friends while working at a ship-building factory during World War II in the fictional town of Stockton, Michigan. The seemingly simple plot of relationships between women is shot through with the meaty themes of forgiveness, discovering identity, prejudice, gender roles and faith. Each of the four will fight their own battle to change their past and invent a future for themselves.
Austin is a talented writer... and some of her scenes particularly shine. A women's church meeting where the punch is inadvertently spiked provides some hilarious moments (reminiscent of the Andy Griffith episode where Aunt Bee and her friends take too much 'tonic.') Seeing the war briefly through Ginny's two young sons' eyes also provides some poignant moments. The African-American character of Thelma King gives Austin a chance to flesh out some of the issues of racial injustice of the time period.... readers will find A Woman's Place a lovely window into the WWII time period, and a nice book club read with its conversation starters about racism, gender roles, overcoming a difficult past, and forgiveness." --Cindy Crosby, faithfulreader.com
"Lynn Austin has written a beautiful novel that held my interest throughout all of its 446 pages.... The author transports you to the 1940's with relevant detail and obviously impeccable research. The prejudices these women face entering a man's world are explored as well as other issues as relevant today as they were then like racisim, prejudice, bitterness and forgiveness.
A Woman's Place is a tribute to all women who sacrificed so much while their men were sacrificing their lives during the World War II era." --Rel Mollet, relzreviews.blogspot.com
