The Liberty Scarf

THE LIBERTY SCARF by Aimie K. Runyan, J'nell Ciesielski, and Rachel McMillan is a work of historical fiction set on both sides of the Atlantic during WWI. This novel has three parts and they all share the connection of a beautiful Liberty scarf. Thoughts of Liberty fabrics and the main store’s gorgeous building in London were some of the reasons I so liked this book. The heroines were strong women and self-reliant. In the first section, readers meet Iris who aspires to be a designer for Liberty, and Rex, a wounded soldier/architect. The second part is my favorite and features Geneviève Tremblay. Jenny, as she is called, is a telephone operator who faces prejudice in the States because of being a French Canadian. Ironically, it is her native language (and operator skills) which makes her especially valuable in the war effort in Europe where she meets Maxim, a vintner. The third part of the novel tells the story of Clara, a nurse, and Roman, a violinist.  The three stories connect eventually in December 2018 and combine romance and history; as the publisher says, THE LIBERTY SCARF is “a testament to the resilience of women and the enduring power of hope and unity in the harshest of times.” Emily Dickinson’s Hope is the thing with Feathers is an oft-quoted reference and there is reflection about having faith and courage to find a new path. The authors’ notes further explain their writing to celebrate unsung heroines like the telephone operators. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Ann Marie Gideon; Gary Furlong; Caroline Hewitt; and Saskia Maarleveld; I would definitely recommend.

Miss Morgan's Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles

MISS MORGAN'S BOOK BRIGADE by Janet Skeslien Charles (The Paris Library) is a work of historical fiction based on the true story of Jessie “Kit” Carson, an American librarian who worked with the American Committee for Devastated France (CARD) during and after WWI. It is a truly educational story as it explains about the CARD organization and takes place in or around an area in the north of France called the Red Zone which is still uninhabited 100 years later due in large part to the quantity of unexploded ordinance. More importantly, this story is also inspirational as Kit is exposed to wartime trauma and devastation, but finds a strong community of women who serve by providing food, clothing, furniture, ambulance rides, and so much more. The cast of characters includes nurses, fundraisers, chauffeuses, and many local villagers, each with a moving story to share. In addition, the novel shifts roughly 70 years later to when Wendy Peterson works at the NYPL and comes across archival material about the CARDs; she decides to write about them, ultimately befriending the last living CARD member. Charles clearly loves books and she cleverly intersperses some of Kit’s favorite quotes, like these from Anne of Green Gables: “Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?” And, “As Anne Shirley would say, ‘Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It's splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world.’” I am eagerly looking forward to the next “library” story which Janet Skeslien Charles chooses to tell. 

The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club

THE HAZELBOURNE LADIES MOTORCYCLE AND FLYING CLUB by Helen Simonson (Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand and The Summer before the War) is a delightful romp in the English countryside. WWI has just ended and society is still under its shadow, adjusting to the return of soldiers and changing gender and class norms. All of which provides an extraordinary setting for main characters Constance Haverhill (a young woman of limited resources who has just lost her mother) and Captain Harris Wirrall who flew planes during the war. Simonson cleverly weaves in concerns about finances, the disabled, and prejudice against women, particularly those like Poppy (Harris’ sister) and Iris (a champion racer) who have strong independent streaks, while relating the story of a fledgling title club. Poppy is trying to create an ongoing delivery and taxi business and she befriends Constance who quickly embraces the adventuresome spirit. Constance’s kindness and growing self-confidence (“I've decided that a woman should always aim to be competent rather than decorative”) allow her to confront social society’s dictates and connect with characters who are facing their own struggles (e.g., alcoholism, prejudice against Germans). Throughout the novel, hope and building community are key elements in battling adversity. As Harris reflects, “it was funny … how each person saw their own circumstances loom large, as if through a telescope, and the tribulations of others as if backwards through the small end.” One needs only to look at the other authors (e.g., Ann Napolitano with Hello Beautiful; Christina Baker Kline with Orphan Train and The Exiles; or Carol Rifka Brunt with Tell the Wolves I’m Home) promoting this book to know what an entertaining comfort it will be to read. Helen Simonson is adept at creating memorable, relatable characters and as Publishers Weekly says, “Readers are in for a treat.” Plus, Simonson recommends more enjoyment through Dave Richmond’s Motorcycle Timeline website with images and articles from the nineteenth century to today.

The White Lady by Jacqueline Winspear

THE WHITE LADY by Jacqueline Winspear is an action-packed work of historical fiction which alternates between WWI, WWII, and the immediate post war years. The main character is Elinor DeWitt/White who as a young teen helped with wartime surveillance and active resistance in Belgium during the First World War. Later, living in England, her skills were used again and she received a small “grace and favour” Kent country home in recognition of her service. It is there that she discovers an organized crime threat to her neighbors and uses her connections to combat the danger. I thought that her character was very well-developed and it was easy to empathize with her. I particularly liked the parts of the story which were set in wartime. However, I was a bit confused by the end when it seemed that her nemesis ultimately acted out of character. Perhaps I missed something? Overall, THE WHITE LADY is an excellent story by an award-winning author and received starred reviews from Booklist, Kirkus, and Library Journal. Readers will also enjoy The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn. 

All the Ways We Said Goodbye

ALL THE WAYS WE SAID GOODBYE by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White is subtitled a novel of the Ritz Paris and it is yet another collaboration (The Glass Ocean, The Forgotten Room) from these three prolific authors. This work of historical fiction centers on three women and three time periods: 1914 when Aurélie seeks to escape the Germans; 1942 with Daisy acting as a courier for forged identity documents; and 1964 when Babs is drawn into a search for a resistance fighter and possible traitor called La Fleur. Full of romance, secrets and spies, and adventure – this novel is sure to please readers of women’s fiction. 

A LibraryReads selection for January 2020, ALL THE WAYS WE SAID GOODBYE received a starred review from Library Journal.