One hundred years of Betty by Debra Oswald

BOOK REIVEW

Betty begins her life story on the eve of her 100th birthday party – and what a story it is.

This is the tale of one ordinary extraordinary woman living through a century of massive change, from the bestselling author of The Family Doctor.

From London to Australia and beyond, set against world events and social upheavals in history, Betty takes readers on a journey of self-discovery, love, pleasure, heartache, and everything in between.

Betty is a sassy storyteller, independent, eternally curious, vulnerable and a feminist who is phenomenally old; I loved her character.

This is very masterful writing from Debra Oswald; while reading it I felt like Betty was sitting right in front of me sharing her thoughts, memories and feelings.

Born into poverty in pre-war London, growing up fast during the Blitz, Betty grabs the chance at a bigger life by migrating to Australia.

This is the story of a strong, intelligent woman born too early in time to make the most of her talents without having to fight for everything.

It is about the defining force of motherhood, the family we make, and how the determination to live life to the hilt, with all the joy and sorrow that entails, can lead to a life beyond one’s wildest imaginings.

Betty’s story takes us to the frontlines of the anti-war protests and the women’s liberation movement of the 1970s, to the AIDS crisis during the 1980s, to living in Mexico.

Even in her 90s, Betty is still passionately engaged with the world and still surprising us.

One Hundred Years of Betty made me angry, happy, and sad at various times throughout the book.

When it came to the end of the book, I was crying and sniffling but happy at the same time; any book that manages to do that to a reader is a rare find indeed.

This is one of those rare books that you are still thinking about weeks later; it will certainly be one of my favourite books of the year.

Debra Oswald is a playwright, screenwriter and novelist with incredible research skills and most certainly deserves the 4.28 the book gets on GoodReads.

Julie Chessman