Flower Shadows: A Novel

by Terry Farish

Diana, a nineteen-year-old Red Cross volunteer, survives the tragic conditions of the Vietnam War, but is forever scarred by the pain and betrayal she witnesses

213 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Terry Farish is a writer with a passion for writing the stories of people from many cultures. Her novels include THE GOOD BRAIDER, a YALSA and SLJ Best Book for young adults and EITHER THE BEGINNING OR THE END OF THE WORLD. Her picture books include LUIS PAINTS THE WORLD (Carolrhoda, 2016), illustrated by Oliver Dominguez, set in Lawrence, MA, and JOSEPH'S BIG RIDE (Annick, 2016) illustrated by Ken Daley about a boy from South Sudan. Through the New Hampshire Humanities Council, Terry leads literacy programs with refugee and immigrants. The New England Reading Association has awarded her their 2016 Special Recognition Award for Outstanding Contributions to Literacy.

Reviews

[Jimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I realized as I read this that I don't often read about the war from an American woman's perspective.

[Larry Hines]

I have not read this book, but I must point out that there were NO American Red Cross staff women serving in Vietnam during the War who were only 19;years old. We were required to have college degrees, and almost all of us were between 21 and 27 exceot for older, more senior women on ARC staffs there.

[Rose Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, haunting, and--in spite of the subject matter--fun little book set during the Vietnam War. The main character is Diana, a wholesome and spirited girl from Galveston, TX who joins the "Doughnut Dollies," a group of young Red Cross women who led social activities, games, and other diversions for soldiers overseas. Diana becomes best friends with the smart-assed and awkward Pearly and falls in love with a jaded young GI nicknamed Big Foot. The young Doughnut Dollies and soldiers have their innocence corroded by the senseless carnage they encounter. Anna Farish has a writing style that's wisecracking and no-nonsense, like her Texas roots, but also poetic and poignant. The end of the story is inspired by a true event.

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This started as a fresh voice and an intriguing hook, but eventually turned into a silly love story told in letter form. I didn't care how it turned out.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, innocent, heartbreaking woman's story of Vietnam.