Friday, July 11, 2014

A Rose for the Anzac Boys...

"It's hard to be a girl sometimes, stuck at school when there is such a great cause to fight for. We do first aid training here every Saturday and Wednesday, and bandage rolling Tuesdays, and making baby clothes for refugees on Friday afternoons. But it isn't like DOING something; it isn't glory or adventure." --Midge Macpherson

 With both of her brothers fighting in World War I, Midge wants to do more than study French verbs and embroidery in school. So when her two friends, Anne and Ethel, decide to start a canteen in France to serve cocoa and bread to the soldiers shipping out there, she goes with them. Together they offer a few comforts of home, and a smile, to tens of thousands of English, Australian, and French soldiers. It's not much. And, as Midge soon discovers, it's not an exciting adventure like she thought it would be. It's hard work, heartbreak, and loss. (And also love.)

Jackie French offers a view of World War I from the perspective of the girls who volunteered and fought and served alongside the men. There wasn't much glory in this war, but there were plenty of brave young men and women, each with a story to tell. This book is a tribute to them. As French writes in her author's notes: "This is not a true book, but it is made of true things...Every episode and character in this book is based on the words of those who were there, taken from their letters, diaries, the oral history collected years later...Midge's, Anne's and Ethel's stories are based on the tale of four schoolgirls who really did open a canteen in France."

This book doesn't take place on the front lines; it focuses on the aftermath. It's heartbreaking. And sad. But somehow still hopeful. Ethel, Anne, and Midge are great characters. It's mostly Midge's story, full of the letters she receives from her brothers, from her aunt who's working as a nurse tending to the wounded, and from the young Australian soldiers she meets at the canteen. I loved the way this story was told, even when it made me cry. (And it did make me cry--several times.) This novel is an excellent complement to all the other books written about this stupid and senseless war.

(Special thanks to Brona's Books for recommending this book. I'm so glad I read it!)

7 comments:

  1. This sounds really interesting! I don't think I've read many books that focus on the war/aftermath of the war from a female perspective.

    Gemma

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    1. That's what I appreciated the most about this book; most war books are from a soldier's POV, but this one gives you an up close look at those women serving behind the lines. It felt very authentic and true.

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  2. This is definately going on my list, it looks like it is a beautiful story, and indeed an interesting one because it is from the female perspective. I especially like that is is based on true events and people. Thanks for the tip!

    Kind regards,

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    1. Everything the author wrote she drew from actual events, which made it a much more powerful story. I hope you enjoy reading it.

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  3. This reminds me of Dorothy Fisher's story, about an American woman who did something similar. It sounds like a very good book, and I hope I can find a copy. I am determined to read more about the Great War, with the centennial starting.

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    1. This is an excellent book to start with; I had to get my copy through inter-library loan. I hope you can find a copy because it's definitely a book worth reading.

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  4. Thanks for the review. I might have to give this one a try. I like books that are set in war time but deal more with the non-military aspects, and this sounds like a good one.

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