''The Women in Black'' is a 1993 novel by Australian author Madeleine St John. It is her first novel, and is the only one she set in Australia.
Plot summary
The novel tells the story of a group of department store employees in 1959 Sydney. It is set primarily during the Christmas rush period when young school leaver, Lisa, joins the women.
Adaptations
In 2015, the novel was adapted to a stage musical, re-titled '' Ladies in Black'', by Carolyn Burns with music and lyrics by
Tim Finn
Brian Timothy Finn (born 25 June 1952) is a New Zealand singer and musician. His musical career includes forming 1970s and 1980s New Zealand rock group Split Enz, a number of solo albums, temporary membership in his brother Neil's band Crowde ...
.
The novel was also adapted into a movie in 2018, titled '' Ladies in Black'', and directed by Australian film director
Bruce Beresford
Bruce Beresford (; born 16 August 1940) is an Australian film director who has made more than 30 feature films over a 50-year career, both locally and internationally in the United States.
Beresford's notable films he has directed include ''Br ...
. Beresford spent some 25 years trying to raise the money to make this film after securing the rights from St John, whom he'd known at Sydney University in the 1960s. He reconnected with her after their mutual friend
Clive James
Clive James (born Vivian Leopold James; 7 October 1939 – 24 November 2019) was an Australian critic, journalist, broadcaster, writer and lyricist who lived and worked in the United Kingdom from 1962 until his death in 2019.