Enjoyed reading about the struggles of women over generations, and how this impacted Spence’s view of what a woman’s role can be, rather than what should be.
Feature image credit: Wakefield Press
In her third book Cold War in a Hot Kitchen, author Margaret Ann Spence describes her childhood growing up in Melbourne, Australia, where the tensions of the household were largely shaped by the changing roles of women, the choices they made, and the wider societal and political shifts of the time.
Her writing is easy to follow, and she consistently maintains that perfect amount of descriptive text – enough to form pictures and imagine the atmosphere (emotional or environmental) but not so much that it feels excessive. The way she describes characters, by comparing their similarities and differences, gives a clear sense of who each person is, why they are the way they are, and what they stand for, particularly when it comes to what they value.
This depth is slowly unpacked throughout the novel from her perspective as an adult but also combined with the feelings and observations she had as a child, especially when reflecting on her parents and her mother-in-law. The story gives full depth to all its central figures, with a focus on the contrasting roles of the women in her life, each of whom she perceived as being “trapped” by the societal expectations of their era, despite following different paths in life.
Spence did a wonderful job of describing the evolving role of women across generations. I found it refreshing that she didn’t judge them. She eloquently explored how adoption was common, and how each generation, from her ancestors to her own, approached womanhood. She contrasted her grandparents’ generation’s experience with her parents’ generation’s rebellious one, and toward the end, her own — though this reflection on her role felt somewhat rushed and came quite late in the book.
The narrative included many people, which was at times confusing, but I appreciated the detailed background. One thing I would have preferred is the inclusion of a family tree. For multigenerational autobiographical books like this, I think it’s really useful — especially if you don’t read every day or sometimes find yourself getting lost in the details. While I managed to understand most of it and it didn’t detract much from the feel of the story, I found myself lost at times when names and stories piled up. This occurred more so in the latter part of the novel. Having a family tree to refer to would have made it a bit easier to stay fully connected to the narrative.
That said, Spence thoughtfully included maps of the mines where her paternal grandparents and father grew up, family photos, and an excellent list of notes and resources for each chapter, giving me a real sense of the time and place within Australia’s history in which this autobiography is set. This is a brilliant book for readers from all walks of life, but especially for women experiencing changes in their roles, and in turn, navigating the evolving sense of identity that comes with them.
Reviewed by Rebecca Wu
The views expressed in this review belong to the author and not Glam Adelaide, its affiliates, or employees.
Distributed by: Wakefield Press
Released: September 2024
RRP: $34.95
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