Radio Girls by Sarah-Jane Stratford: A Book Review Even Though I Haven’t Finished It
I told you I title things like FOB songs.
Maisie Musgrave has come to England because she wants to disappear into the Old World tradition. She is trying to find work but is hoping she just ends up getting married so she can be taken care of, and have a family, something she never really had.
The office that finally takes her is the British Broadcasting Company, encouraging the ‘Radio fad’ that is starting in England. Maisie works and keeps her head down, doing everything perfectly and praying no one except Mr. Right notices her. Instead, the director of the Talks department, Hilda Matheson, notices her and begins prodding Maisie, trying to ask her questions and teach her to search deeper. Maisie responds in kind and begins suggesting ideas for talks. This results in Maisie becoming interested in international politics and the beginnings of nazi Germany (not in a pro-nazi way but like a ‘what’s going on’ kind of way). Hilda and Maisie are working to unearth what English companies are connected to the nazi party, and if it’s purely for profit or a matter of principle. I haven’t finished the book, and I’m trying not to spoil too much so this may sound disjointed but it’s a super good book!!
This book has been so awesome. It isn’t that long but it has so much content and it’s GREAT! Definitely a girl power book, but it shows the growth of the main character from ‘don’t rock the boat’ to ‘I want to vote and wow I’m a feminist now.’
It’s a great book about seeing a woman make her way in a rapidly changing time period and everything she learns along the way. Identities are misconstrued and discovered, mystery, excitement, a little bit of romance. It’s a great read and I’m so excited to find out the end. Happy reading!
