Canary Girls: A Novel

by Jennifer Chiaverini

Rosie the Riveter meets A League of Their Own in New York Times  bestselling novelist Jennifer Chiaverini’s lively and illuminating novel about the “munitionettes” who built bombs in Britain’s arsenals during World War I, risking their lives for the war effort and discovering camaraderie and courage on the soccer pitch. Early in the Great War, men left Britain’s factories in droves to enlist. Struggling to keep up production, arsenals hired women to build the weapons the military urgently needed. “Be the Girl Behind the Man Behind the Gun,” the recruitment posters beckoned. Thousands of women—cooks, maids, shopgirls, and housewives—answered their nation’s call. These “munitionettes” worked grueling shifts often seven days a week, handling TNT and other explosives with little protective gear. Among them is nineteen-year-old former housemaid April Tipton. Impressed by her friend Marjorie’s descriptions of higher wages, plentiful meals, and comfortable lodgings, she takes a job at Thornshire Arsenal near London, filling shells in the Danger Building—difficult, dangerous, and absolutely essential work. Joining them is Lucy Dempsey, wife of Daniel Dempsey, Olympic gold medalist and star forward of Tottenham Hotspur. With Daniel away serving in the Footballers’ Battalion, Lucy resolves to do her bit to hasten the end of the war. When her coworkers learn she is a footballer’s wife, they invite her to join the arsenal ladies’ football club, the Thornshire Canaries. The Canaries soon acquire an unexpected fan in the boss’s wife, Helen Purcell, who is deeply troubled by reports that Danger Building workers suffer from serious, unexplained illnesses. One common symptom, the lurid yellow hue of their skin, earns them the nickname “canary girls.” Suspecting a connection between the canary girls’ maladies and the chemicals they handle, Helen joins the arsenal administration as their staunchest, though often unappreciated, advocate. The football pitch is the one place where class distinctions and fears for their men fall away. As the war grinds on and tragedy takes its toll, the Canary Girls persist despite the dangers, proud to serve, determined to outlive the war and rejoice in victory and peace.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Audiobook, Historical, World War I, Book Club, War

432 pages, Paperback

First published August 8, 2023

About the author

Jennifer Chiaverini is the New York Times bestselling author of thirty-three novels, including acclaimed historical fiction and the beloved Elm Creek Quilts series. She has also written seven quilt pattern books inspired by her novels. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the University of Chicago, she lives with her husband and two sons in Madison, Wisconsin. About her historical fiction, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes, "In addition to simply being fascinating stories, these novels go a long way in capturing the texture of life for women, rich and poor, black and white, in those perilous years."

Reviews

[Taury · Rating 3 out of 5]

Canary Girls by Jennifer Chiaverini. The Canary Girls was a name dubbed to the ladies that worked in the mutations factory during WW1. The breathed in the yellow die in the chemicals causing a yellow hue in their skin and hair. It was an okay book. Interesting but slow and a bit boring.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an entertaining, well-written, historical fiction novel which is based on actual events. It has likable female protagonists and vividly depicts the lives and bravery of female munitions workers during WWI. It has camaraderie, female empowerment, football, tragedy, and a touch of romance. The author's notes are interesting and informative, and are truly appreciated. I listened to the audio version of this novel, which was wonderfully performed by the truly talented and dulcette voiced Ms. Saskia Maarleveld.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always enjoyed Chiaverini's historical fiction works, and this one is no exception. If you liked The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women, this might be right up your alley. This story takes place in London during World War I. Men are enlisting right and left, and munitions plants are desperate for women workers to “Be the Girl Behind the Man Behind the Gun,” a glaring plea touted in recruitment posters throughout England. In Canary Girls, the lives of three women unfold in alternating chapters. Lucy is the wife of the famous footballer (soccer to us Americans) and Olympian, Daniel Dempsey. Daniel is compelled to join his fellow footballers in a special battalion of the English army, leaving Lucy and their two sons behind in London. April Tipton is a young woman who has just taken an insufferable job as a domestic at a prestigious English countryside estate. Helen Purcell is a young Suffragette who has to be rescued from jail by a family friend and admirer, who quickly becomes her husband.

As the war rages on, Lucy and April seek work at a munitions plant, Thornshire Arsenal, where they are exposed to toxic levels of TNT that causes their skin to turn canary yellow while also causing other ailments, including respiratory disease. Helen is employed by her then-husband, the director of the plant, as an advocate and welfare sponsor for the "Canary Girls." These women's lives are intertwined with other “munitionettes” who strive to help end the war as quickly as possible and resume life outside of the Danger Building of the TNT plant. To help pass the time, the women form a football team during their breaks challenging women in other plants to skirmishes that bring fans and donations for war causes.

Chiaverini does a wonderful job of bringing these women to life. All of them are fictional characters based on an amalgamation of real-life Canary Girls and women footballers that risked their lives during World War I to pack explosive munitions for the war effort. The women had men in their lives fighting in the war in some capacity, giving them the motive to endure the dangerous work and exposure to toxic chemicals that they faced every day. Every air raid and telegram that comes in from the frontline gives further ammunition to spur the women on as they bond at work and on the football pitch. While the circumstances that these women endure were at times horrifying, the book ends on a happy and hopeful note that brings the women's stories full circle.

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Jennifer Chiaverini’s writing; her stories draw me in with lovable characters, interesting settings, and well-researched stories. I was disappointed, then, to find that I didn’t connect with any of these characters at all and that the story seemed to drag. I barely made it through the first part of the book and ended up not finishing this at about 25%. It wasn’t the research; again, this was impeccably done and really brought you into the story. I think it was the characters themselves that lacked the draw that I am used to in her books. I may try this again another time but for now, it was not my favorite.

[Mariam Salahudeen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the story informative, especially as it relates to the women who worked with munition and were called "canary girls" due to the effects of the chemical they came in to contact with.
But the story was just not interesting enough to keep me glued to the pages. While the horrors described during WW1 are heartbreaking, I didn't feel a connection to the characters.

[Hallie Winchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy from NetGalley.com, and in exchange for a fair review. I am a fan of Jennifer Chiaverini, and I had high hopes for this new novel after reading "Switchboard Soldiers" last year, which was exceptional. However, this novel was not as engaging as I was hoping it would be. The protagonists weren't compelling enough, despite consistently reading the first 20% of the novel, it kept losing my attention and although I wanted to like these women, they weren't as captivating as I would have liked.

I read more than 50% of this novel, and although it definitely improved as the plot shifted the characters to working at the manufacturing facility for shells, but I personally preferred the "Switchboard Soldiers" to this one. I rate this novel 3 stars out of 5.

[Desiree Reads · Rating 1 out of 5]

Always read the end notes first.

Acknowledgements on page 415: "I wrote Canary Girls at my home in Dane County, Wisconsin, which I acknowledge as the ancestral homeland of the Ho-Chunk Nation."

So... Are you going to give it back? And are they going to give it back to whomever they took it from? Or, wait... do humans even have the right to claim any earth as their own? 🤷‍♀️🤦‍♀️ 🙄

#FlagrantVirtueSignalling

#ImOut 🪂

[Lisa Burgos · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never heard of the Canary Girls from World War I before reading this book. It was enjoyable learning about the contributions they made during the war. The many sacrifices they endured for their country. I also enjoyed learning about the women football leagues, and how they defied the gender bias of that era.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book shares the hardship of women munition workers in England during World War I.

Historical fiction is my usual jam, but by the halfway mark of this book I found my attention to be wandering. While it was interesting to learn about the Canary Girls, I didn't connect with the characters and the football matches were a bit too many for my personal taste. Perhaps a sports fan would appreciate the football scenes more than I did.

I received a free copy of the book by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book bored the pants off of me. It should have been cut by a good 100 pages. The main story started out slow, was good for a bit in the middle and then faded off into tedium.

[Blake]

I’ve realized I have very specific historical fiction requirements in my books. A big one- NO MORE WW1 or WW2 in any form. I’m a history major. I understand and support history being accessible and available to everyone. Study history so it doesn’t repeat itself! But…. This market for fiction is way over saturated.
I can’t rate this because it’s not that I loved or hated this book, it’s just not for me. End of rant.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only thing worse than watching a soccer game is reading about them over and over again. 👎🏼

[Louisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a longtime fan of Jennifer Chiaverini’s writing, and found myself unwilling to put down this book for mundane tasks. Until I read this, I had never thought about who makes weapons during a war or how toxic that work can be. Although I know that opportunities opened up for women during both World Wars, and how most gains in womens’ rights and status were negated when the men returned home at each war’s conclusion, I hadn’t made the connection that women’s suffrage rights were tied to their wartime contributions. Chiaverini’s research is extensive and her ability to tell a story of strength in sisterhood is superb, as demonstrated here, in Switchboard Soldiers, and Resistance Women. I look forward to her next historical novel!

[Lisa M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have loved the other books by Jennifer Chiaverini so I had high hopes for this one. But it didn't quite hold my interest as much as I would have liked. I had known about the Radium Girls story, but I wasn't familiar with the Canary Girls story. This is a time in history with the women in the factories that should get a lot more attention when talking about the war and how we were able to be so successful.

this book is focused on three main characters--April, Lucy, and Helen--each from a different level of class and how they all ended up in the same factory working different things. They each have a different view of the war and their jobs. Behind all of this is the initiation of Women's Football (US Soccer) to England at its earliest stages. So you will also learn about the matches of that time between the factory workers. And stages of women's suffrage.

Very little of this book is focused on the war itself. The focus is on the munitionette's of the factories. You will get a peek into the danger they faced physically from the bombs to the danger to their personal health from working with the TNT powder which they welcomed because it helped them support their families with an excellent wage but also help them help their boys fight. How many suffered from severe jaundice related to the day in and out contact with the TNT powder. Babies born with jaundice from it.

For those who may want to know or care regarding anything LGBQT+: There is implication that the sister (Penelope) of Helen is gay and in a relationship with her (Penelope's) best friend...becoming her best friend's companion/secretary after the friend is married in order to maintain their relationship. It is mentioned again a couple times in the book.

All in all--this book just didn't hit for me the way previous books by the author have.

I'm going to give it 3 Stars.

[Sandy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I could not finish this book, despite great reviews. I fell asleep reading it more than once before I decided It was not for me.

[Cathie (ClassyLibrarian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it! Was not what I expected. I am surprised how much I enjoyed this book due to all the football references. Well written and made me feel many emotions.

[Emily Waits (emilylovesreading_) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Canary girls is an eye-opening and very entertaining novel about the courageous “Munitionettes” who joined the war effort in the years during the Great War to work in Great Britain’s arsenals.

I learned a great deal of history from this book and am grateful to know more about the incredible women who remained working in the arsenals, even after experiencing the complete yellowing of their skin and learning of the dangerous effects of TNT and TNT poisoning.

The story follows three women: Lucy, April, and Helen. These three women come from very different backgrounds but all end up at Thornshire Arsenal, two in the notorious Danger Building and one in a different capacity. I loved each of these characters and their stories and was sad to see the book end.

I don’t want to give too much away about this one, but I would describe this book as very moving and very informative.

Definitely recommend!

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story about women who risked their lives working in factories during ww1 making bombs and being exposed to tnt.
Unusual group of English women and how they worked and learned and got to count on each other and care for each other.

[Morgan]

After the first 20 pages I was so bored I couldn't bother to read on.

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book and learning more about important figures in history that I knew next to nothing about. I'm not sure if they're more famous in the UK, which I hope they are. I just didn't know there were all of those women working in munition factories during World War I. The name of this book comes from their nickname as working with TNT typically made their skin turn yellow and did weird things to their hair as well. Not to mention the other health concerns like coughing, fatigue, dizziness, and headaches. I was glad to see that some people were paying attention to these ailments and researched what to do to limit the workers' exposure to the chemicals as much as possible while working in the Danger Buildings. I listened to this book as an audiobook and thought the narrator did a great job, especially with differentiating voices and accents. The story was told primarily in three POV's and upon reflection, I think my favorite character was April. I felt like I was probably the most similar to her and she had an interesting story for sure. I liked Helen and Lucy, too, but honestly, when the book started with Lucy's chapter, I had some trouble getting into it. I was more interested after listening to April's chapter next and then Helen had an exciting first chapter as well. These women were fiercely patriotic and definitely deserve more recognition. They helped the war effort in countless ways. I'm glad I was able to learn more about them through this bookclub pick.

[Stephanie Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love historical novels. It’s one of my favorite genres to read because I always learn something new. I had never heard of the canary girls from World War I before reading this book, and I loved learning about the contributions they made to the war effort and the many sacrifices they endured for their country. I also enjoyed learning about the women football leagues and how they defied the gender bias of that era. This was my first time reading a Jennifer Chiaverini novel, and it reminded me a lot of Kristin Harmel’s work. You can easily tell a ton of research went into writing this story, and I admire that. The only thing I didn’t particularly care for was some of the dialogue, especially from Helen and Arthur. It was very prim and proper and felt out of place. (Words like “shan’t” and “jolly” were used quite often). Perhaps this is just how middle and upper-class British people talk, but either way it was annoying. Overall, though, I would gladly recommend this book to everyone because it has a wonderful plot and is full of interesting historical facts. I look forward to reading more of Jennifer Chiaverini‘s work in the near future.

(DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this title from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.)

[Kim McGee · Rating 4 out of 5]

WWI has come and all over England boys and men are signing up for what they feel will be a quick war leaving women to fill in at the jobs they left open. At the same time factories are ramping up orders for machinery and munitions leaving the highest paying jobs and the most dangerous to the women. These same women are now supporting their family so these jobs were sought after. It was only later that the real dangers of ingesting TNT and other deadly powder as well as handling the very combustable bombs were realized. Hundreds of women took on a yellow hue and developed serious lung complications. On a side note, to relieve boredom and tension the women organized a football (soccer) league and played in the stadiums reserved for the men away at war. The author makes a statement about the sense of duty that demanded great sacrifices. These tough women in war developed intense friendships, support systems and took on tasks that proved just what they were capable of to themselves and the world at large. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this very well written history of the Canary Girls, i am always amazed at the strehgth and bravery of women during war times . very good read should be a school history book

[Norzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing of the three character perspective was quite light, it was almost journalistic in how it skimmed over WWI's highlights from the 4 years in the background of the characters' lives, and the foreground of the daily work was a bit dry with no huge conflict or climaxes, it just kind of bobbed along until the war ended. It didn't hugely waste my time with trite character garbage, but it didn't really spend my time that well with any rich narrative or writing either, bit of an amateur book for the genre.

I'm not sure how many historical fiction readers cross over with people interested enough in watching sports to care for the football match bits in this book, I didn't care for it and skimmed over, but it's not a huge part of the book.

Some of our bookclub readers felt this book totally missed the mark on how the strong division of classes in Britain would have produced more tension and conflict in this melting pot of classes in the factories. Specifically, the working-class characters were not written very accurately they felt.

This book did make me realize how much I don't really remember about this time period of WWI, or wasn't taught thoroughly in history class, which is why I read the genre, not necessarily for the writing but the context of the writing to educate myself.

Things kept popping up that I questioned - Russia signed a pact with Germany, weren't they on our side in WWII? Same with Italy, they were against the central powers in WWI, but with the Axis in WWII? The Americans joined WWII in the last year only? It mentions briefly the US bringing a flu with them, isn't that the Spanish flu? It made for a lot of mid-read googling to brush up, but it's really only the background to the story. Also, how much London was bombed was surprising, the war at home was certainly its own harrowing front that doesn't get talked about as much in Canadian history class as we didn't live through that.

The central story of women working in munitions to produce arms for the war was also new to me at this level of detail, and the fact that some got poisoned from the TNT and turned yellow totally new to me. The most enlightening thing I found was that it explained women's working position in society as house servants for upper class people, and how working in munitions factories completely changed the lives of women in British society. They earned 10x more in hazardous factories working long 12 hour days 6 days a week, but they were almost like slaves before at the fancy estates, earning a pittance for being given room and food and working every waking hour for no real recognition. Once the war was over, it was a big crisis of the men returning and wanting all the labour jobs again and women not really having as many opportunities, but the book ends there, so I'll not know how they resolved that labour imbalance. Another time period I know little of, the mid-war years, because history so often focuses on the conflicts not civil society.

[Aubrey Bass · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed learning more about the real ways women contributed during WW1! I had no idea about the women working in munitions factories and the sacrifices they made daily to bring their men home as quickly as possible. The canary girls was also something I knew nothing about and I was so impressed with the courage of those women. The white feather initiative was so sad to me, but I also understand that the perceived need to pressure men to fight was somewhat imperative at that time. But I hated it regardless.

This audio book was fantastic and is one of my favorite narrators! I thought the author did a great job keeping the characters different and distinct enough that the three narratives were easy to follow and differentiate as a listener.

For whatever reason, I kept comparing this book to ones by Kate Quinn, so the only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars was for the sole reason that I didn't love the writing quite as much. I can't come up with a single critique other than that. That is probably unfair, but I couldn't see myself reading it again so therefore I feel solid about four stars. But I definitely finished it feeling more educated in the women's football leagues, white feather initiative, munitions factories, TNT poisoning, and lack of equal women's rights from reading this book!

[Jody Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an thoughtful WWI historical fiction story about the women who worked in the munitions factories in London. They worked with TNT which turned their skin yellow, whitened their hair, and caused a myriad of respiratory problems. The yellowing of their skin gave them the name "Canary Girls". The women also formed football (soccer) teams and held matches to raise money for various charities. It is so interesting to read about women in the past who struggled with many of the same issues women struggle with today. It is interesting to learn how women fought and earned the right to vote (something many of us take for granted), fought for the right to work and be self sufficient, and fought to be respected. These women risked their lives for their countries and enabled England to ultimately prevail.

[Milly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a hard one to put down! I had no idea this took place during World War 1. A wonderful novel about the “munitionettes” who built bombs in Britain’s arsenals during World War I, risking their lives for the war effort.

[Alyssa C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a feel-good read; uplifting and positive feminism rooted in history and part of a war I didn’t know much about.

[Nancy Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chiaverini is one of my favorite historical fiction authors and has delivered once again. Amazing dedication and devotion to country these women showed. I always learn a lot from Chiaverini.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book that was hard to put down. It was well written and very well researched. I don't have many books about WWI, and this was a great introduction to that era. I can highly recommend this book and am looking forward to reading more from this author.