Introduction by Geordie Williamson
The Home Girls is a collection of candid, witty stories about rural and suburban life.
Set in the mid-twentieth century, these are tales of ordinary people and domestic life. Masters was, as the Advertiser remarked, ‘a natural storyteller’.
Between the publication of The Home Girls, in 1982, and her death, Olga Masters was acclaimed as one of Australia’s finest writers. Her short stories, distinguished by their acute observation of human behaviour, drew comparison with the finest exponents of the form, such as Chekhov.
‘She can be both tender and funny, and always there is absolute authenticity of detail, a strong sense of time and place, an effortless depiction of personality.’ Judges’ Report, NBC Awards
The Home Girls
The Rages of Mrs Torrens
On the Train
Leaving Home
Passenger to Berrigo
The Done Thing
A Rat in the Building
A Dog that Squeaked
A Young Man’s Fancy
The Lang Women
The Snake and Bad Tom
A Poor Winner
Call Me Pinkie
Adams and Barker
Mrs Lister
The Creek Way
The Children Are Coming
A Good Marriage
You’ll Like It There
The Sea on a Sunday