I’m delighted to receive a review from Pip Griffin, poet, and fellow member of the Society Women Writers NSW. It is always such a thrill to see that my work has been read in depth and left an impression. Also wonderful to note that Pip has picked up on the research and taken the time to highlight areas that resonated for her.

Take a look for yourself and see what you think:

I highly recommend ‘Louisa’ to readers looking for a very well written, briskly-paced page turner. A young English woman (inspired by the author’s research into her great-grandmother) escapes Victorian England and begins a new life, alone, in Australia.
The plot is absorbing and convincing, with many twists and no holds barred. All the characters are convincing too – the good, the bad and the ugly! Louisa is full of passion and determination to hold to her late father’s exhortation: ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged’, in the face of much hardship and extraordinary challenges. Some of her choices are questionable and put her in very difficult situations however her great strength and resilience carry her through.
I particularly enjoyed Gwen’s meticulously-researched historic depictions that give the novel atmosphere and authenticity: outback life, the Depression, heat and humidity and Surry Hills and Central Railway scenes. I was fascinated to read her description of the original location of the David Jones store and about a steam train in George Street. She has a talent for bringing history alive.
Congratulations, Gwen, for giving us a very good read indeed. I can’t wait for the release of the sequel, ‘Florence and Lucy’!

Pip Griffin, Goodreads 22nd July 2026

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Close on the heels of this review came a note from another friend and fellow SWW member, emerging writer Virginia King. She wrote: “I have finished Louisa and very much enjoyed it. It had me hooked all the way through, even though I found myself getting anxious at times. It is really outrageous how women were treated in those days, especially without a ‘protector’… I wonder if those who ridicule and push back against feminism today have any idea how far we have come, and what feminists have done to improve the lives and lot of younger women. I will try to encourage my young granddaughter to read it.”

(Virginia also had thoughts about the fictional Louisa’s choice of men which I won’t repeat here.)

Please keep the feedback coming!

Or leave a review on Goodreads, link here.

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About Pip Griffin

Pip Griffin is a widely published poet whose work appears in numerous journals and anthologies. Her latest work: Landfall in New Zealand: Mary Jane Cooper Malcolm and Harriet Webb: two narratives in verse is about to be released. Some other works include: 

• Opus: a life with music (Ginninderra Press, 2023).
• Virginia & Katherine: The Secret Diaries (Pohutukawa Press, 2022)
• The Climb Back: poems for Ted (Ginninderra Press, 2021)
• Margaret Caro: the extraordinary life of a pioneering dentist (Pohutukawa Press, 2020)
• Mood Indigo (Picaro Poets, 2019), co‑authored with Colleen Keating

Together, these works trace a poet with a sustained, diverse, and recognised contribution to Australian literature.