Florence James (1902–1993)

This is a wonderful piece of Australian literature. It captures the lived experience of Sydney and the "American Occupation" during the Second World War, bringing to life the social history I studied in one of Joan Beaumont's classes at Deakin University. I am rediscovering Australian literature that for some reason is hidden behind the cultural cringe. This 1953 version of the work is apparently heavily abridged, and a later version edited from the original manuscript includes the parts show more about rape, prostitution, and abortion that were not allowed to be published when first released in 1951. I enjoy discovering great literature at bric-a-brac stores, but it really makes we wonder how such gems escape the Australian education system. The tales of tragedy, glamour, despair, and comeuppance, following the lives of a handful of young women in 1940s Sydney, expose a reality that was well-hidden by my great-grandparents and their facade of morality. Maybe this is why the work has not had its proper place in Australian literature, despite a television series based on the book that seems to have also disappeared into history. show less

Come in Spinner centres on three women who work in the Marie Antoinette salon in an upmarket hotel in Sydney over a single week. World War 2 is drawing to a close, the six o’ clock swill is in force, the Yanks are spending big and the men are returning home.

Each of the women faces unique challenges. Claire and her partner want a 1000 pounds so they can open a pub and are on lucky streak with the cards and the track. Deb is married and her partner is overseas and about to return. He has show more told her to quit her city job so they can run a farm, but Deb has met another man who is offering money and security. Her family expects her to return to her husband and live his life, but she now wants something more. Guinea is a beauty and quite an independent woman. She is courted by many, is showered in gifts and is offered two proposals of marriage. It is not all plain sailing as Guinea has to rescue her sister Monnie, who has been lured into prostitution.

It is a long week for the three women as the journey they go on is breathtaking. Not only do they have their own personal issues they have to provide a quality service to the posh women of Sydney. Setting the novel in the salon captures the breadth of women’s experiences and the expectations set upon them.

Cusack and James do not sugar coat the trials and tribulations of anyone is this novel. The authors are vicious, kind and exacting of the characters they have crafted on the page. There is larrikin humour in abundance and the slang is divine.

Originally published in 1953 as an abridged version due to the complex and challenging topics such as adultery, abortion, rape, prostitution, the black market, poverty, gambling and criminal activities that are explored. I believe it was not until 1998 that the original novel was made available.

Come in Spinner is a marvellous slice of the life of working Australian women and resonates even today. show less