Be a good girl, Valerie (Marcia van Zeller, Ventura Press)

Be a good girl, Valerie by Marcia van Zeller is a quietly absorbing novel set predominantly in 2018 Perth with flashbacks to 1974 Toronto and 1978 London. It explores enduring themes of harassment and justice, female friendship and finding your voice no matter your age. Valerie is on the ‘wrong side of 60’ and might not seem like a typical heroine. Something shifts when she notices a man following a young woman on the street. That moment sparks a chain of events that pulls her back into memories of a gap year in London, where she briefly worked under Colin Howard, an influential broadcaster who sexually assaulted her. Now, decades later, he’s back in the headlines, accused by another woman. Helping others speak up encourages Valerie to confront her past. One of those women is Anna, a Gen Z colleague facing workplace harassment and unfair dismissal. Their intergenerational friendship – alongside Valerie’s longstanding bond with her Canadian friend Jeanette – forms the emotional heart of the novel. While some of the novel’s dialogue edges into exposition, and Valerie’s voice doesn’t noticeably shift between past and present despite the difference in age and life experience, these are minor drawbacks in an otherwise well-crafted novel. Van Zeller’s writing is detailed and assured, and Valerie’s character is well developed. A rewarding read for those who enjoy stories of women who refuse to stay silent, perfect for fans of Lessons in Chemistry with the spirit of Erin Brockovich.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Jess Lomas is reviews editor for Books+Publishing. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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