Stevie‘s review of Radio Girls by Sarah-Jane Stratford
Biographical Historical Fiction published by NAL 14 Jun 16
In the period between the two World Wars, the UK saw a great deal of social and political upheaval, and it was a particularly exciting time to be a young woman. Having won the vote for their older sisters and enjoyed some additional freedoms while working for the war effort, few of them were anxious to settle down again straight away, even if they dreamed of eventual marriages to one of the men that had come through the conflict relatively unscathed. Canadian-born Maisie, in particular, has no desire to return to her actress mother’s current home in New York or to her grandmother in Toronto; although with few qualifications beyond nursing skills learned in an Army Hospital – most of her knowledge was gained by voracious reading in public libraries rather than through formal schooling – finding work is proving difficult.
Maisie applies for a secretarial job at the new British Broadcasting Company (it became the Corporation somewhat later), and to her great astonishment, and intense relief – she’s down to her last pound and a few shillings – she’s appointed as assistant to, jointly, the director-general’s personal secretary and the director of Talks (a highly popular aspect of the new radio schedule, with its mix of information and entertainment): both of whom are formidable women in their own way. Although she enjoys the variety of having two jobs at first, Maisie finds Talks (with its wide range of topics and guests) as well as the down-to-earth, approachable head of that department more to her taste than the dictatorial director-general and his intimidating personal secretary.
Fortunately the Talks part of her work keeps Maisie evermore busy, although not so rushed off her feet that she doesn’t have time to make friends and go on a few dates, and eventually that becomes her sole job. Through it, Maisie meets a wide range of influential people, particularly pioneering women such as Lady Astor and Vita Sackville West – the latter of whom is especially disliked by the director-general in spite of her popularity with the listening public. When younger women are finally granted the vote, and with a general election looming, Maisie becomes involved in the instigation of a series of Talks aimed at explaining politics to women. In the background, however, darker political forces are also looming, and Maisie finds herself caught up in various conspiracies as a selection of her new friends work to thwart plans by the Nazi Party to infiltrate British institutions.
This was a gripping read, with all the real historical figures coming across as believably fleshed-out, and the fictional ones, such as Maisie, feeling just as real. I’m certainly inspired to learn more about the early days of radio as well as to seek out more novels by the author. Highly recommended.
Grade: A
Summary:
The Great War is over, and change is in the air, in this novel that brings to life the exciting days of early British radio…and one woman who finds her voice while working alongside the brilliant women and men of the BBC.
London, 1926. American-raised Maisie Musgrave is thrilled to land a job as a secretary at the upstart British Broadcasting Corporation, whose use of radio—still new, strange, and electrifying—is captivating the nation. But the hectic pace, smart young staff, and intimidating bosses only add to Maisie’s insecurity.
Soon, she is seduced by the work—gaining confidence as she arranges broadcasts by the most famous writers, scientists, and politicians in Britain. She is also caught up in a growing conflict between her two bosses, John Reith, the formidable Director-General of the BBC, and Hilda Matheson, the extraordinary director of the hugely popular Talks programming, who each have very different visions of what radio should be. Under Hilda’s tutelage, Maisie discovers her talent, passion, and ambition. But when she unearths a shocking conspiracy, she and Hilda join forces to make their voices heard both on and off the air…and then face the dangerous consequences of telling the truth for a living.
Read an excerpt.
