Jennifer Vuletic's narration is absolutely wonderful!
The Radio Hour is the seventh historical novel by best-selling Australian author, Victoria Purman. The audio version is narrated by Jennifer Vuletic. In it, she immerses the reader in mid-nineteen-fifties Sydney, when radio, king of home entertainment for two decades, is under threat from that new phenomenon, television. And in a society where women are still very much second-class citizens, Miss Martha Berry, with twenty-four years’ experience in almost every department at the ABC, is assigned as secretary to the new young producer of “As the Sun Sets”, the soon-to-start radio drama serial with a city setting that execs hope will find equal favour with audiences as their iconic Blue Hills.

It’s quickly apparent that after smoking, long lunches, drinking, Quentin Quinn’s greatest talent is for procrastination and, if the show is to air, Martha will have to take action. But is it wise to allow him to take credit for the scripts she writes while he’s passed out after boozy lunches? Especially as he’s so dismissive of her stellar abilities and essential input. In reality, she doesn’t have a choice.

But, from her own experiences, and those of neighbours, colleagues and listeners, she crafts scripts that address issues challenging women, to the consternation of the execs, and the gratitude of loyal listeners. Her characters deal with menopause and an inappropriate employer, while also interacting with Italian immigrants setting up business in the neighbourhood.

Meticulously-researched popular culture references will likely evoke a good dose of nostalgia in readers of a certain vintage, and firmly establish the era. Purman’s depiction of the prevailing sexist attitude rings true and will certainly resonate with many women, although she’s careful not to tar all the men with the same brush, slotting several supportive males into key roles.

The issues of lower pay, menial tasks, workplace sexual harassment, feeling invisible, and being dismissed when married, all get an airing. Each chapter is prefaced with a teaser in the fashion of a radio drama episode. Funny, enthralling, heart-warming and uplifting, this is another Purman winner.

‘The Radio Hour’ by Victoria Purman is an engaging and thought-provoking historical fiction novel that delves into the challenges women faced in mid-20th century Australia, set against the backdrop of the country's public radio scene. With a richly authentic setting and well-developed characters, Purman takes readers on a journey through the professional and personal struggles of Martha Berry, a 50-something secretary working at ABC Radio in 1956.

Martha’s story is one of quiet resilience in the face of systemic misogyny and gender inequality. She has spent over two decades working at ABC Radio, floating between different shows and producers without ever receiving the recognition she deserves. That is, until she's assigned to the young, egotistical, and underqualified producer Quentin Quinn. As the production of ‘As the Sun Sets’ flounders under Quinn’s incompetence and drunkenness, Martha decides to step in and take control, secretly ghostwriting the show to keep it afloat. Her decision is both brave and risky, as she knows that if her secret is discovered, she risks losing her job — a job that provides for both her and her widowed mother in a time when women had little professional security.

Purman expertly weaves together themes of gender inequality, sexism, and the struggle for recognition. Martha's quiet rebellion in writing the scripts for Quinn, while he takes all the credit, is immensely satisfying but also infuriating, as it highlights how often women's contributions were overlooked or appropriated by men. The tension between Martha and Quinn adds a layer of drama to the story, and readers will be on the edge of their seats, wondering if Martha’s secret will be exposed.

The novel also explores the broader societal context of post-war Australia. Purman touches on the arrival of new immigrants, the challenges women faced in terms of limited educational opportunities, and the societal attitudes toward women’s health and ageing. One of the most poignant and timely aspects of the story is Martha’s handling of a plotline involving menopause — an issue that was taboo in the 1950s but one that Martha insists on addressing in the show. Her bravery in doing so, despite the risk it poses to her career, offers a subtle yet powerful commentary on women's health and autonomy.

Overall, ‘The Radio Hour’ is a rich and rewarding read. Purman’s attention to historical detail and her ability to create relatable, authentic characters make this a standout novel. The book not only shines a light on the struggles women faced during this era but also offers an inspiring story of a woman who, against all odds, takes control of her destiny in a world that continually seeks to hold her back. With its compelling narrative and complex themes, ‘The Radio Hour’ is a must-read for anyone interested in stories of resilience, empowerment, and the fight for equality.

With thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks for the alc.

Very enjoyable book about women working for the Australian Broadcasting Service in the post WWII era. The main character, Martha, is a middle-aged woman who has worked for the ABS her entire career. She has never married, never been promoted, never been given much responsibility. Meanwhile, a twenty year old guy who is a stereotypical complete jerk is given an entire new show to produce, despite having no experience whatsoever. This novel portrays the glass ceiling moments so many women have experienced in their careers, especially in the years when women first entered the work force. The author did a particularly good job of showing several different possible responses women made to this discrimination, some effective and some only sabotaging their own careers.

I read this in the audio edition, and it was interesting, relaxing fiction that also made me think and reflect. I also quite enjoyed learning more about Australia during the years after WWII.

Excellent book!

I absolutely adored this book. Its interesting characters and historical subject matter captivated me the entire time.

We have come a long way since 1956. Imagine having to give up your job if you got married. That was the law in Australia until 1966, called the marriage bar, particularly in public service jobs. Imagine having to put up with 'handsy' employers because it was just an accepted behaviour. Imagine doing all the work for your boss (practically running departments) on a pittance wage while he arrives late and goes on long lunches. These topics (and many more) are woven into this storyline. That it is based on real dilemmas faced by our mothers/grandmothers makes it absolutely fascinating.

It's beautifully written, with all the characters capturing your heart (or wanting to throat punch them) and touching on subjects for young and old at the time. Having it set in Australia is the icing on the cake for me. Hearing the Aussie accent by wonderful narrator, Jennifer Vuletic, is always heartwarming. She did an amazing job with an array of voices - young, old, men, women, sweet and gruff. She made an already perfect book outstanding.

I enjoyed the audio version of "The Radio Hour" by Victoria Purman and brilliantly narrated by Jennifer Vuletic so much that I have a sneaking suspicion it might become one of my favorite books of 2025. The story follows fifty-year-old Martha Berry, a talented secretary to a never-ending wave of incompetent and arrogant men at the national broadcasting network whose talent is overlooked and who has never once received a pay raise. When Quentin Quinn, an unqualified drunk is assigned to write and produce a brand-new radio program, Martha realizes quickly that if she doesn’t step in and do something, the program is doomed. Of course, Quentin takes full credit for everything as long as praise for the program keeps rolling in.

The story has a bit of a 2025 telling to it. But that’s okay because I suspect many women in the 1950s didn’t have the concrete means to point out the prevalent sexism of the times or even address so-called shameful issues of being a woman (e.g. menopause, unwed mothers, etc). It must’ve seemed so natural and a part of life to be completely under the thumb of men. But for women today, this is just another example of how far women have come in both their personal and professional lives in less than 100 years.

I’m grateful for Net Galley and the publisher for receiving an ARC of this great book. My opinions are my own.

Thank you, Net Galley, for the advanced audio of THE RADIO HOUR by Victoria Purman. This novel tells the story of a middle-aged spinster, Martha Berry, and her job in radio in 1956 Australia. She is working as a secretary and ends up being the unacknowledged write of a popular new program. Because of her age and life experiences, she writes some controversial episodes that the assumed writer has no recollection of writing and is offended by the topic, but it turns out that a majority of listeners loved it and couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen (I could hardly wait either). The characters in this novel were so likable (except for the producer) and down to earth, worrying about their job security and trouble with bosses, Even though it dealt with taboo topics from 70 years ago it was still relevant, though not as taboo in today's culture. The narrator was excellent.

Yesterday, Victoria Purman‘s novel The Radio Hour got its US release (less than a year after its original publication in Australia). Set in Sydney in 1956, it follows fifty-year-old Martha Berry and her unexpected and ultimately impactful role in radio broadcasting. This novel highlights women’s rights and how “it’s never too late to be what you might have been.”

Why I Chose This Book:
I love the subject of radio broadcasting and storytelling through such a medium. When I was in college, one of my two majors was Communication, so reading about broadcasting is always interesting for me. The Radio Hour also caught my attention for its focus on working women in 1950s Australia.

What I Liked:
- Older main character than I usually read: she turns 50 towards the beginning of the book
- Dealing with unqualified, incompetent men…
- Finally getting more respect in the workplace (even if it is two decades late!)
- Martha steps up to write stories for a radio serial, often borrowing from her own life
- Drawing inspiration from other women who didn’t get the respect they deserved in their lifetime (including authors like George Eliot and Charlotte Brontë)
- Shining a light on women’s working rights, women’s health, workplace harassment, and immigrant lives
- Excerpts of Martha’s radio show, As the Sun Sets
- Humor (including the so-called Calendar Girls)
- “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.”

Final Thoughts
The Radio Hour unfolds layer by layer into a novel that I really loved. Martha is unlike other characters I read, both for her age (50) and the fact that she’s never married or had any romantic relationship. She’s never had significant goals, and I loved watching her blossom here, after over 20 years at her job. This novel brings readers into the world of radio broadcasting, rights and challenges women faced, and how you can find yourself at any age.

Set in Sydney, Australia during the 1950s, the book follows Martha Berry, a 50-year-old woman who has spent her working years as a secretary at the ABC. These were the years when women could only work so long as they remained single, when men held the professional roles and women were there to support them. Martha has never married and still lives with her mother, Violet for whom she cares. Martha is capable, creative, and relatively satisfied with her lot in life until she is assigned to a new scriptwriter whose only talent is drinking. He can't even be bothered to get her name right. The story progresses as Martha finds herself more and more responsible for making sure their new radio serial, As the Sun Sets actually gets written and produced. A tremendously entertaining novel ensues. Highly recommended.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for allowing me to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this was superb! Thoroughly enjoyed listening to the audiobook, narrated brilliantly by Jennifer Vuletic. I loved the whole concept, the characters and the sheer solidarity of the women. The story is lots of fun and also very representative of the zeitgeist. This is the first book I've read by Victoria Purman and I am really looking forward to sampling more of her work in future.

Title: The Radio Hour
Author: Victoria Purman
Narrated by: Jennifer Vuletic
Publisher: Harper Muse
Length: Approximately 9 hours and 59 minutes
Source: Audiobook Review Copy from NetGalley. Physical book review copy from Harper Muse as part of the Austenprose Book Tour. Thank-you!

What is your favorite TV show? I have a lot of favorites, but one of them is Only Murders in the Building. I love a good mystery that also has humor.

Martha Berry has worked in broadcasting as a secretary for twenty-four years. It’s now 1956 in Australia and television is being talked about on the horizon. While she has vast experience, she has never been promoted or seen a pay raise. She has been reassigned to a new show that will be produced by new employee, Quentin Quinn. Quentin is fresh out of school and is more interested in very long lunches that involve alcohol rather than actually working on scripts and starting the new show. Martha takes it upon herself to save the show and starts to write the scripts herself. Will Martha’s secret remain hidden?

My thoughts on this book:

• I loved this story. Martha was a great character. I loved how she is an independent woman of a certain age who has decided to take her future into her own hands.

• I also enjoyed the radio show itself. It was fun reading the different scenes of the show.

• There are also many Jane Austen references throughout the novel that I enjoyed. Martha is a fan of Austen and her works and references them often. She also references other favorite authors such as George Eliot and Charlotte Bronte.

• I loved how Martha brought daring real life scenarios into the radio screen plays such as menopause and having an Italian immigrant family as one of the main families.

• The radio broadcast has an archaic rule that if you are married, you can no longer work there. This had changed in England, but not in 1950s Australia.

• It was interesting as the book discussed how television was taking over at the time in England and the United States, but it has not yet gotten to Australia. I had not thought about how this would have changed an entire radio industry and potentially put people out of work.

• I related so much to Martha. Early in my career I had my own Quentin Quinn at work. While he enjoyed pay raises and promotions, I was doing the majority of his work while had long lunches, late starts, and would leave early. I was told, well he’s a married man. Then after I was married, well, he has a baby. It didn’t seem quite right.

• The ending was great and a real pick me up when all news seems so negative these days.

• I enjoyed the author’s note about real history in which this fictional story was set.

• There are a lot of great book club questions. This would be a great book club read!

• I loved listening to the audiobook version of this book. The narrator was wonderful, and she especially did a great job with the voices in the radio broadcasts.

Favorite Quote:
“But Martha was done with being polite. She was done with being overlooked and underestimated by men like Quentin Quinn, those young enough to be her son yet who acted as if she was the child.”

Overall, The Radio Hour by Victoria Purman is an excellent, inspirational, and intriguing historical fiction novel. Martha Berry is one of the best new characters in fiction. This was my first read of author Victoria Purman, but it won’t be my last. If you enjoyed, Lessons in Chemistry, I think you will enjoy The Radio Hour.

I absolutely loved this book! Martha Berry our main character is a single woman of a certain age, (50) the age where a women in the 1950's begin to disappear and no one really notices them anymore. Martha is a secretary for radio broadcasting and has worked nearly half her life under the direction of men. This has suited her to a point, she has been told to smile politely and not complain even when she has been wronged or taken advantage of by her bosses. But Martha has received a new boss, Quentin Quinn a drunken ill equipped puppy who has no idea how to write, create and produce the new radio program he has been hired to produce: 'As The Sun Sets'. As weeks go by Martha becomes alarmed at how little writing Quentin is producing for the new program. Martha loves her job and the actors that have been hired to read the scripts. In order to save not only her job by theirs she secretly begins writing the scripts for the radio serial and passes them off as Quentins work. As the show becomes more and more popular and Quentins head swells alarmingly with the attention and celebrity he supposably has created, Martha starts to think what it would be like to take the credit she so justly deserves for creating such a popular and loved show. Martha must make a bold decision in order to be true to her new found self. I listened to the audio version of this book and the narrator Jennifer Vuletic was absolutely perfect for this story. Every character was a delight with her voice behind it. This book was one of my favorites so far this year. Very highly recommended. 5 solid stars.

Many thanks to Net Galley and HarperCollins Focus | Harper Muse for a chance to listen/read and ARC version of this wonderful book.

Special thanks to NetGalley for the ARC audiobook!

I adored this book. I really enjoyed learning more about the behind the scenes world of radio in 1950s Australia. Martha was such a likeable character and one who you cheered on throughout the story. I loved the supporting characters too like the Calendar Girls and Mrs. Tilly, as well as the radio stars. The villain bosses were villainous, but they got what they deserved in the end. This book reminded me a lot of the Chilbury Ladies' Choir and Jennifer Ryan's historical fiction-- and interesting backdrop and time in history with a cast of colorful, smart and headstrong women.

One thing that I really love to do that helps me relax, is listen to Old Time Radio. Especially the Crimetime dramas like "Yours Truely, Johnny Dollar”, “A Man Called X”, “Nero Wolf” and “Sherlock Holmes”. Listening to the voice actors bringing the radio drama to life is wonderful.

Imagine my surprise to see that The Radio Hour is a book based upon one of my favourite pleasures.

I have been enjoying the story so much that I am going to be a little sad when it ends. The story centers around Martha, a woman who has been working at the radio station since it first begin, who doesn’t make waves and has accepted her life as a spinster.

She finds herself in a pickle when the new college hire, Quentin Quinn is hired to write a new 15min ABC drama series. She has to take matters into her hand and write the drama and give credit to her incompetent boss.

Martha has written a relateable drama, As the Sun Sets, that is loved by so many listeners. Martha showcases the limitations that had been put on women during the 1950s-60s. As the Sun Sets, touches on controversial issues like menopause, women working after wedlock, women in the workforce.

It is a great read and gives an eyeopening account of what it was like for women after the war and the harassment of men in the industry.

This is a 5 star read for those you love Australian stories and are looking for a unique story, then pick up a copy.

The audio for this book is amazing too. Well cast and narrated and worth a listen to on its own or pair it with the book.

#theradiohour #bookgram #ladysnuffy_reads #ladysnuffy #books #booknerd #endlessreading #NetGalley

This book was a delight to read. I picked it up after a particularly heavy read, and is was just the heartwarming book I needed.  Even in this day and age, most working women can identify with being overlooked or unseen in favor of a male counterpart. In 1950s Australia, women were still forced to quit work if they marry. At 50 years old, Martha Berry is still unmarried and works at the Australian Broadcasting Corp to support her widowed mother. Television hasn't quite taken off in Australia yet, so radio shows are the lifeline of entertainment. Martha is assigned as secretary to a new hire, Quentin Quinn, who is supposed to write and produce the new serial drama, As the Sun Sets. But Quentin is young and clueless. He knows nothing about producing a radio show, whereas Martha has worked in every department at the ABC. So, while Quentin disappears for long boozy lunches, Martha takes matters in hand and secretly starts writing a script and hiring actors. Quentin coolly takes the credit assuming he's a script writing genius when he's passed out drunk. As Martha starts gearing the script to the things that matter most to women, it becomes harder for Quintin to be believed.
I really enjoyed Martha as an older protagonist. She juggles work and caring for her mother, as she reflects on the things that have passed her by, such as marriage and children. She's been content to be overlooked until she realizes that her career is the one area where she can take charge and flourish. Her love of reading translates well into script writing, and she finds not only is she good at storytelling, but listeners connect with the characters she creates. The novel's other characters enhance the novel, too. I especially like how Martha mentors the young secretaries she works with, "the calendar girls," April, May, and June. As heartwarming as the novel is, it does touch on aspects of sexual harassment in the workplace, albeit in a very tactful way. Its inspiring to see Martha recognize her worth, find her voice, and turn the workplace upside down.

Wow. I loved this book! I listened to parts and read parts on my kindle, which was a fun way to experience the book. I think my favorite was listening, because this book is all about Radio Programs after World War Two in Australia. As an American reader, I found the book fascinating and entertaining, especially because Australias laws seem to differ from that of the US.

The book also has a strong feminist narrative, asserting that women often do more work than men. It’s certainly thought provoking and makes you wonder that if women had been given more opportunities in the workplace at that time, how would history be written differently.

Content warning: A pattern of workplace sexual assault is described. The description was tasteful but it did not mince words of what the women felt.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance e-copy and listener copy of this book. A review was not required.

Thank you to the publisher HarperCollins Focus/Harper Muse as well as NetGalley for the advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for a fair and honest review!

Starting this one off by saying Narrator Jennifer Vuletic is immensely talented and brought this novel to life from the beginning. Engaging, fun, and authentic voices filled each minute and helped build a strong image of the book in my mind as I listened.

Overall, I thought this was a great novel. I haven't read anything quite like it before and felt I actually learned a thing or two despite this being fiction. Prior to reading this book I hadn't heard much about Australia's golden years of radio broadcasting- this book was great insight in a creative way.

If you don't find yourself rooting for Martha by the end of this one, you probably just don't have a heart. Loved seeing her trajectory as a character and the many other characters who brought depth, fun, and warmth to the book. This was a treat to listen to and I will consider reading more by this author in the future.

The Radio Hour by AUDIO by Victoria Purman is the kind of cozy book I love. It is not a mystery, nor is it a romance. It takes place in Australia after World War II. Immigrants are moving in and women are looking for more independence. The heroine, if you will, is one Miss Martha Berry, who has worked for twenty-four years as a secretary for the public radio station in Sydney. It is the age of radio, with serials, other sorts of drama, music, and so much more. The station is launching a new serial, primarily aimed at women, which will be fifteen minutes, five days a week, twice a day: midday and evening. They have hired a new writer/producer: Quentin Quinn. Quinn is so taken with his success that he doesn’t seem to realize that work has to be done. So, rather than see the whole thing go up in flames, Miss Berry hires the actors, and starts to write the scripts herself. Fortunately Mr Quinn arrives late every day and after a prolonged lunch is too “under the weather” to remember what he has written. It is an immediate hit.

Martha, growing tired of the man-led industry starts to insert some things, subtly, into the script that are women’s issues which are never spoken about. Instead of being outraged, the audience is thrilled and responds with letters of praise, often outlining their own issues. Martha is getting stronger by the day with these successes. She has been quiet and subservient for most of her fifty years and it is growing old. With support from cast members, she grows more bold. She is a wonderfully understated character. Thankfully, most women alive to day would have trouble identifying with her, although there are definite hints of #Metoo. It is a delightful listen, with interesting characters who harken back to those in the later years of radio. A nice bit of historical fiction.

The book is narrated by Jennifer Vuletic, who does a wonderful job voicing not only Martha, to perfection, but also the other characters. She does this without depending on ridiculous voices, but still keeps them real. She is a joy to listen to.

I was invited to listen to The Radio Hour by Harper Collins Focus. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #HarperCollinsFocus # JenniferVuletic #VictoriaPurman #TheRadioHour