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White Feathers: Love against all odds and political defiance
"Anti-war and anti-patriarchy without ever saying so - a bravura performance of effortless elegance" - Irish Echo in Australia
SHORTLISTED FOR THE ROMANTIC NOVEL OF THE YEAR AWARD 2015
In 1913, Irish emigrée Eva Downey receives a bequest from an elderly suffragette to attend a finishing school. There she finds friendship and, eventually, love. But when war looms and he refuses to enlist, Eva is under family and social pressure to give the man she loves a white feather of cowardice. The decision she eventually makes will have lasting consequences for her and everyone around her.
Journey with Eva as she battles through a hostile social order and endeavours to resist it at every turn.
SHORTLISTED FOR THE ROMANTIC NOVEL OF THE YEAR AWARD 2015
In 1913, Irish emigrée Eva Downey receives a bequest from an elderly suffragette to attend a finishing school. There she finds friendship and, eventually, love. But when war looms and he refuses to enlist, Eva is under family and social pressure to give the man she loves a white feather of cowardice. The decision she eventually makes will have lasting consequences for her and everyone around her.
Journey with Eva as she battles through a hostile social order and endeavours to resist it at every turn.
396 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 2014
3 people are currently reading
624 people want to read
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September 19, 2015
So historical fiction then. Not my favourite. Except on occasion – this being one of those occasions. Absolutely enthralling.
Susan Lanigan has a great depth of literary styling that puts you bang into the era she is re-creating here. The anchor to the tale, that of the giving of white feathers to those refusing to fight in the war, is a very intriguing one – the prejudices if you like of a time now past, this is the state of play Ms Lanigan draws from to write this very emotional and addictive story.
Eva is a fascinating and well drawn character, her terrible choices stark and unrelenting, the knock on effects of which will be long reaching…the sense you get of an independently minded woman back in the age when women were not allowed to be such things is really well done and kept me turning the pages. The backdrop, that of the first world war is authentic and obviously well researched.
A really beautifully written story that encompasses not only Eva’s story but that of women in general at the time – the challenges and problems they faced in what was already a difficult and traumatic period in history. If you love Historical fiction you will definitely want to take a look at “White Feathers” and if you are not, then this is perhaps the novel I would point you towards if you wanted to take a stroll out of your comfort reading zone.
Really good. Really very good.
Happy Reading Folks!
Susan Lanigan has a great depth of literary styling that puts you bang into the era she is re-creating here. The anchor to the tale, that of the giving of white feathers to those refusing to fight in the war, is a very intriguing one – the prejudices if you like of a time now past, this is the state of play Ms Lanigan draws from to write this very emotional and addictive story.
Eva is a fascinating and well drawn character, her terrible choices stark and unrelenting, the knock on effects of which will be long reaching…the sense you get of an independently minded woman back in the age when women were not allowed to be such things is really well done and kept me turning the pages. The backdrop, that of the first world war is authentic and obviously well researched.
A really beautifully written story that encompasses not only Eva’s story but that of women in general at the time – the challenges and problems they faced in what was already a difficult and traumatic period in history. If you love Historical fiction you will definitely want to take a look at “White Feathers” and if you are not, then this is perhaps the novel I would point you towards if you wanted to take a stroll out of your comfort reading zone.
Really good. Really very good.
Happy Reading Folks!
July 25, 2015
1913 and War hovers, as a very real possibility, in the air of London. Men are signing up. women are demanding rights and mothers all over the land fear for their young sons. The lucky ones are hidden behind the safety of their status, education or rank. An unexpected bequest means that Eva Downey, gets to escape the wrath of her stepmother and stepsister, gaining entry into an exclusive boarding school. A major change in the young girl's life, she embraces the world of learning, structure, poetry and self-improvement. She is embraced by two very different characters at the school and life takes a very different turn in her sheltered world.
1914 and Eva has a heart-wrenching decision to make. An evil twist of fate has her held hostage to this decision and the pain remains long after the deed is done. Love is pain, loss is pain and regret is pain. But how can one forget what caused the pain? How can one move on?
Written in delicate prose, in the style of the period, the first thing that appealed to me when turning the opening pages, was the fluidity of the words. They slipped across the page, like a satin scarf slipping off the back of a chair. Gliding, without any apparent effort, taking the reader along their journey. This elegance didn't fade once throughout the novel. Each chapter, each character and each sub-story, all had this unique feel. I felt like I was discovering some forgotten antiques at an old house auction, that could now be appreciated by a lover of stories.
Susan Lanigan began this book long before this years WWI centenary, but the timing of its release was impeccable. The White Feathers of the title, are all too well known for their message of cowardice, and may my children never know the impact of such a statement in their lifetime. Eva is a wonderfully drawn protagonist, one who has been dealt the bad hand but who uses this to make her a stronger person. Her father is the biggest coward in the whole tale, not the men avoiding war. A spineless, selfish man, who has hurt the ones who are closest to him, without a second thought.
Sybil, Christopher and Lucia are the Holy Trinity of Eva's new world. Unaware of how their roles will affect her, she stumbles across their company, like a moth to a flame. Their fates are aligned, both in the UK and on the fields of France and Belgium. Friendship can be a bond, hard to break and harder to forget. Even when war tears people apart, life has a way of bringing people together. Heroes, cowards, life, death, duty and honor. Fear of humiliation, nervous conditions, unplanned pregnancies, and pre-arranged marriages. This book has a bit of everything. The most powerful thing it does possess; soul. Good, old-fashioned, soul. Beautifully crafted, immaculately researched and lovingly produced. Place this novel on your best piece of furniture, as it deserves to be displayed prominently, and admired regularly.
Highly Recommended
1914 and Eva has a heart-wrenching decision to make. An evil twist of fate has her held hostage to this decision and the pain remains long after the deed is done. Love is pain, loss is pain and regret is pain. But how can one forget what caused the pain? How can one move on?
Written in delicate prose, in the style of the period, the first thing that appealed to me when turning the opening pages, was the fluidity of the words. They slipped across the page, like a satin scarf slipping off the back of a chair. Gliding, without any apparent effort, taking the reader along their journey. This elegance didn't fade once throughout the novel. Each chapter, each character and each sub-story, all had this unique feel. I felt like I was discovering some forgotten antiques at an old house auction, that could now be appreciated by a lover of stories.
Susan Lanigan began this book long before this years WWI centenary, but the timing of its release was impeccable. The White Feathers of the title, are all too well known for their message of cowardice, and may my children never know the impact of such a statement in their lifetime. Eva is a wonderfully drawn protagonist, one who has been dealt the bad hand but who uses this to make her a stronger person. Her father is the biggest coward in the whole tale, not the men avoiding war. A spineless, selfish man, who has hurt the ones who are closest to him, without a second thought.
Sybil, Christopher and Lucia are the Holy Trinity of Eva's new world. Unaware of how their roles will affect her, she stumbles across their company, like a moth to a flame. Their fates are aligned, both in the UK and on the fields of France and Belgium. Friendship can be a bond, hard to break and harder to forget. Even when war tears people apart, life has a way of bringing people together. Heroes, cowards, life, death, duty and honor. Fear of humiliation, nervous conditions, unplanned pregnancies, and pre-arranged marriages. This book has a bit of everything. The most powerful thing it does possess; soul. Good, old-fashioned, soul. Beautifully crafted, immaculately researched and lovingly produced. Place this novel on your best piece of furniture, as it deserves to be displayed prominently, and admired regularly.
Highly Recommended
April 15, 2020
Review to follow
February 5, 2017
There are books we read and enjoy and there are books that take over our soul. White Feathers is a soul-occupying story. Eva Downey's life and times, told with skill, compassion, grit, determination and complete love. Susan Lanigan nails each of these with clarity, delving into every corner of Eva's journey to create this mind-blowing tale of personal triumph, although triumph is not the right word for the suffering here. If there's a book showing why we don't ever need another war, this is it. Susan's flowing, graphic descriptions of the effects of war on families, on individuals, on countries and loyalties, is unmatched. White Feathers buries deep inside you and refuses to leave. Eva's relationships are simple, yet extremely complex. Her family is intact, yet splintered. Her friends are true, yet selfish. Her love is given completely, but with reservation. Her decisions are understandable, yet perplexing. Susan Lanigan is a word artist as she winds this tale from beginning to end. I am in awe.
August 6, 2021
I won this book through a contest on the author's Twitter. I never thought that I would win and was shocked when I did! Then I realized this story was a romance leaning historical fiction and thought I wouldn't like it (I typically don't enjoy Romance novels). This book proved all my prejudgments to be wrong!
The characters and descriptions in this text pull you into the story easily within the first few paragraphs. I now greatly look forward to reading the second book!
The characters and descriptions in this text pull you into the story easily within the first few paragraphs. I now greatly look forward to reading the second book!
January 10, 2015
Eva Downey's stepmother hates her and the same goes for her stepsister Grace, together they're trying to make Eva's life as difficult as possible. Eva's father doesn't care much about his two other daughters, he's too preoccupied with work and his wife. Eva's sister Imelda's health has been an issue all of her life and she isn't feeling very well when Eva finally has the chance to leave her much hated home. She's received a scholarship to go to finishing school. As an Irish girl in England it isn't always easy to make friends, especially not when you're also the smartest one there, but Eva manages to befriend a very popular and rich girl. She's having the best time studying and all of her teachers encourage her, but there's one in particular, Christopher Shandlin. Soon Christopher and Eva discover that they have a lot in common and they start to become something more than teacher and pupil.
Eva's not allowed to finish her time at school as her family manages to find a way to make her come home again. Imelda needs her and Eva is a loving and dutiful sister, so she doesn't complain, but she also doesn't have much of a choice. After a few hurdles she and Christopher are getting back in touch. Her stepmother wants Eva to marry a horrible man, but Eva has other plans. Their country is at war and Grace is handing out white feathers to men who don't want to fight. Eva doesn't like this behavior at all, which is the perfect reason for Grace to make her life a living hell. She forces Eva to choose between her lover and her sister. Grace has the family money and enough funds to pay for Imelda's treatment, but she will only do that under one condition. The decision Eva has to make will have grave consequences and she will never be the same again.
Eva's family members are cruel. Her father is indifferent, his wife hates Eva and she and Grace can do anything they like to her as he won't do anything to protect his daughter. That was heartbreaking to read about. White Feathers is a beautiful story about a difficult love that keeps burning strong even though there are so many obstacles. The question is if these obstacles can be overcome. I couldn't stop reading until I knew what would happen to both Eva and Christopher. They each have a place in my heart. They're such endearing main characters, who simply aren't able to win every battle that comes their way. Eva is smart and she has great ideas, but she knows she has to give up her dreams as she isn't strong enough to stand up to her stepmother and stepsister all by herself. Friendhip and love are keeping her alive during everything she's going through and that makes this novel so romantic and hopeful. I loved this story and can't praise it enough, it's really fantastic.
Eva's not allowed to finish her time at school as her family manages to find a way to make her come home again. Imelda needs her and Eva is a loving and dutiful sister, so she doesn't complain, but she also doesn't have much of a choice. After a few hurdles she and Christopher are getting back in touch. Her stepmother wants Eva to marry a horrible man, but Eva has other plans. Their country is at war and Grace is handing out white feathers to men who don't want to fight. Eva doesn't like this behavior at all, which is the perfect reason for Grace to make her life a living hell. She forces Eva to choose between her lover and her sister. Grace has the family money and enough funds to pay for Imelda's treatment, but she will only do that under one condition. The decision Eva has to make will have grave consequences and she will never be the same again.
Eva's family members are cruel. Her father is indifferent, his wife hates Eva and she and Grace can do anything they like to her as he won't do anything to protect his daughter. That was heartbreaking to read about. White Feathers is a beautiful story about a difficult love that keeps burning strong even though there are so many obstacles. The question is if these obstacles can be overcome. I couldn't stop reading until I knew what would happen to both Eva and Christopher. They each have a place in my heart. They're such endearing main characters, who simply aren't able to win every battle that comes their way. Eva is smart and she has great ideas, but she knows she has to give up her dreams as she isn't strong enough to stand up to her stepmother and stepsister all by herself. Friendhip and love are keeping her alive during everything she's going through and that makes this novel so romantic and hopeful. I loved this story and can't praise it enough, it's really fantastic.
May 19, 2016
As a reader of mainly crime fiction I stepped out of my reading comfort zone with White Feathers, and I'm glad I did. I won a copy of this book on Twitter, otherwise I may not have ever chosen to read it. Hard to believe this is a debut novel as it is so well written, intelligent, and obviously well researched. I was rooting for spirited Eva Downey from the start, who was trying to assert herself and make her way through life, against all the obstacles that she had to face.
If you enjoy historical fiction then I would urge you pick this book up. I can imagine that someone who does usually read that genre, might easily give this book five stars.
If you enjoy historical fiction then I would urge you pick this book up. I can imagine that someone who does usually read that genre, might easily give this book five stars.
October 10, 2015
It's about a year since I read this book and it's stayed with me. Lanigan tells a cracking story, with passion and skill. You care about the characters (so much so that I live tweeted my reactions to events, no spoilers) and the surprises and twists are deftly handled. The subject matter is dark, but the writing a joy. If you like a good story with heart, give this a try.
March 5, 2025
“Why do you think I didn’t tell my mother some girl gave me a white feather?”
A white feather, a symbol of disgrace and cowardness, is given to those not in uniform, regardless of their beliefs and health. There were so many feathers and so many men who went to war because of them.
Eva Downey is not like the rest of her family. She is honest, vulnerable, and in love. But one little white feather sets off a chain of events that will alter not only her life, but those she loves, forever.
Unforgettable characters and masterful storytelling make Susan Lanigan’s “White Feathers” a captivating historical romance encompassing the full spectrum of human emotion. Set against the backdrop of World War I, this novel is so engrossing that you’ll stay up all night to finish it.
The reader first meets Eva Downey as she is on her way to the prestigious Links School for Young Ladies. She’s recently inherited a remarkable legacy from Lady Elizabeth Jenkins, who had once been described as “The New Feminist”, with whom she had met and subsequently wrote an article for entitled, “A Jolly Night Out Hiding from the Census Man.” This unexpected windfall not only promises to alter her future but also ignites a fierce conflict within her family. Her self-centred and abusive stepmother, Catherine, views the money as a personal insult, especially since her own daughter, Grace, cannot attend the school due to financial constraints. The tumultuous clashes with her domineering stepmother and scheming stepsister throughout this book immerse Eva in a world of emotional turmoil, causing a profound sense of distress and altering the trajectory of her life in a way she could never have anticipated. Her father always sides with Catherine just to keep the peace, and the reader cannot help but despise him for his cowardness. Ironically, if anyone was deserving of a white feather, it would be him. Eva’s sister, Imelda, is the only member of her family in which she has any sort of normal relationship with. As the narrative unfolds, Eva finds herself continually faced with a relentless barrage from members of her family that are not only abusive, both emotionally and physically, but challenges her resilience. Blackmail is not above her stepmother and stepsister, and Eva really struggles to balance what she wants with what her stepmother and stepsister does.
Eva’s character resonates deeply with readers, creating an almost physical connection. Initially, she appears resilient. However, hidden behind her brave exterior is a deep longing for love. It is a yearning that unexpectedly leads her to find it. Her beau, while captivating in his own way, brings with him an unsettling power imbalance and a tempest of uncontrolled emotions. The dynamic of subtle emotional abuse manifests with Eva suffering the consequences of his frustrations. His inability to manage his feelings spills over, casting a shadow over the tenderness she craves. Eva, tragically accustomed to blame, accepts this unjust guilt unquestioningly. Eva’s naivety and inexperience with love leave her incredibly vulnerable, making readers desperately hope his feelings for her are genuine. As their relationship evolves, a delicate bond begins to blossom, revealing layers of connection that defy their difference, particularly their age gap and how they met. Their intertwined lives, full of tension and warmth, pull readers into the complexities of their love story. The reader intuitively understands that, regardless of their affection, this love will inevitably lead to greater pain for both of them. Despite its poignant beauty, their flawed love story is ultimately overshadowed by the harsh realities of the world in which they live in.
Sybil is the one true constant in Eva’s life. Having met at Links School for Young Ladies, their relationship soon develops into a profound friendship. Sybil’s heart is rooted in kindness and compassion. When Eva does not have a dress to wear to a ball, Sybil makes one. She possesses an innate desire to guide her friend, gently steering Eva toward the paths that lead to her best self. The story shows Sybil’s evolution from school friend to confidante, steadfastly supporting Eva without judgment. In times of uncertainty, she offers comforting reassurance, gently reminding the reader that love comes in many forms. Despite her serene demeanour, Sybil’s life story is one of profound challenges and heartache. She is not immune from abuse, either. This discovery highlights a painful truth that money can’t buy happiness or remove pain, contradicting the belief that it solves all problems. Together, Eva and Sybil navigate their intertwined journeys, finding solace in their friendship as they confront the complexities of their lives.
The theme of cowardness is explored time and time again, throughout this novel. The symbolism of the white feather becomes something more than a symbol. It is a cohesive use of persuasion. No man wants to be tarnished with the word coward, no matter what their circumstances. Catherine and Grace are caught up in the whirlwind of judgment and condemnation, and the white feather allows them to act in public as they do inside their own home. Grace, in particular, uses the white feather as a form of blackmail to get what she wants, although the readers often question why she is so desperate to achieve her aims. Is it just pure vindictiveness, or is it something else? The symbolism then carries forward to the war itself, where carrier pigeons are the unsung heroes of the war, despite their feathers.
Eva’s life is marked by repeated setbacks, culminating in her fleeing her reality by becoming a nurse in the war. Lanigan fearlessly delves into humanity’s shadows, crafting an atmosphere thick with pressure, grimness, and quiet despair. As the country becomes embroiled in war, the harsh realities of the conflict are depicted with historical accuracy, skill, and diligence to the era. The fear faced by soldiers as they attempt to cross “no man’s land”, along with the dire consequences if they refuse to go, is portrayed with painful clarity. Similarly, the experience of working in a field hospital is illustrated with masterful detail. The long hours filled with waiting and listening to the sounds of battle, all while knowing that soon the wards will be overwhelmed with wounded and dying men, certainly made for a compelling, if not disturbing, read. Descriptions of suffering, death, and the relentless workload for nurses and doctors evoke a sense of bleakness and despair, raising the question: Why are men repeatedly sent “over the top” when the results are always the same? Lanigan also demonstrates a clear understanding of mental health issues, particularly shell shock, which modern readers would recognise as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The characters in this novel respond differently to how they process the horrific events and the deaths of their friends. While some characters rely on humour to cope with trauma, others take practical steps, whereas the unfortunate get trapped in relentless flashbacks and fear, reliving their most horrific moments over and over again. The plot grows more complex with figures such as Brigadier McCrum, who shows complete indifference toward Osborne House patients and their mental health. In his mind, he holds vengeful thoughts, and he behaves in a physically brutal manner. He has never seen the atrocities the patients experienced but orders them to return to combat immediately, even when they remain unfit for duty. Through his actions, the book prompts readers to reflect on the true enemy while questioning why these young men were used as mere cannon fodder.
With its captivating storyline and immersive setting, “White Feathers” by Susan Lanigan comes highly recommended to fans of World War I historical romance and historical fiction.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde
The Coffee Pot Book Club
A white feather, a symbol of disgrace and cowardness, is given to those not in uniform, regardless of their beliefs and health. There were so many feathers and so many men who went to war because of them.
Eva Downey is not like the rest of her family. She is honest, vulnerable, and in love. But one little white feather sets off a chain of events that will alter not only her life, but those she loves, forever.
Unforgettable characters and masterful storytelling make Susan Lanigan’s “White Feathers” a captivating historical romance encompassing the full spectrum of human emotion. Set against the backdrop of World War I, this novel is so engrossing that you’ll stay up all night to finish it.
The reader first meets Eva Downey as she is on her way to the prestigious Links School for Young Ladies. She’s recently inherited a remarkable legacy from Lady Elizabeth Jenkins, who had once been described as “The New Feminist”, with whom she had met and subsequently wrote an article for entitled, “A Jolly Night Out Hiding from the Census Man.” This unexpected windfall not only promises to alter her future but also ignites a fierce conflict within her family. Her self-centred and abusive stepmother, Catherine, views the money as a personal insult, especially since her own daughter, Grace, cannot attend the school due to financial constraints. The tumultuous clashes with her domineering stepmother and scheming stepsister throughout this book immerse Eva in a world of emotional turmoil, causing a profound sense of distress and altering the trajectory of her life in a way she could never have anticipated. Her father always sides with Catherine just to keep the peace, and the reader cannot help but despise him for his cowardness. Ironically, if anyone was deserving of a white feather, it would be him. Eva’s sister, Imelda, is the only member of her family in which she has any sort of normal relationship with. As the narrative unfolds, Eva finds herself continually faced with a relentless barrage from members of her family that are not only abusive, both emotionally and physically, but challenges her resilience. Blackmail is not above her stepmother and stepsister, and Eva really struggles to balance what she wants with what her stepmother and stepsister does.
Eva’s character resonates deeply with readers, creating an almost physical connection. Initially, she appears resilient. However, hidden behind her brave exterior is a deep longing for love. It is a yearning that unexpectedly leads her to find it. Her beau, while captivating in his own way, brings with him an unsettling power imbalance and a tempest of uncontrolled emotions. The dynamic of subtle emotional abuse manifests with Eva suffering the consequences of his frustrations. His inability to manage his feelings spills over, casting a shadow over the tenderness she craves. Eva, tragically accustomed to blame, accepts this unjust guilt unquestioningly. Eva’s naivety and inexperience with love leave her incredibly vulnerable, making readers desperately hope his feelings for her are genuine. As their relationship evolves, a delicate bond begins to blossom, revealing layers of connection that defy their difference, particularly their age gap and how they met. Their intertwined lives, full of tension and warmth, pull readers into the complexities of their love story. The reader intuitively understands that, regardless of their affection, this love will inevitably lead to greater pain for both of them. Despite its poignant beauty, their flawed love story is ultimately overshadowed by the harsh realities of the world in which they live in.
Sybil is the one true constant in Eva’s life. Having met at Links School for Young Ladies, their relationship soon develops into a profound friendship. Sybil’s heart is rooted in kindness and compassion. When Eva does not have a dress to wear to a ball, Sybil makes one. She possesses an innate desire to guide her friend, gently steering Eva toward the paths that lead to her best self. The story shows Sybil’s evolution from school friend to confidante, steadfastly supporting Eva without judgment. In times of uncertainty, she offers comforting reassurance, gently reminding the reader that love comes in many forms. Despite her serene demeanour, Sybil’s life story is one of profound challenges and heartache. She is not immune from abuse, either. This discovery highlights a painful truth that money can’t buy happiness or remove pain, contradicting the belief that it solves all problems. Together, Eva and Sybil navigate their intertwined journeys, finding solace in their friendship as they confront the complexities of their lives.
The theme of cowardness is explored time and time again, throughout this novel. The symbolism of the white feather becomes something more than a symbol. It is a cohesive use of persuasion. No man wants to be tarnished with the word coward, no matter what their circumstances. Catherine and Grace are caught up in the whirlwind of judgment and condemnation, and the white feather allows them to act in public as they do inside their own home. Grace, in particular, uses the white feather as a form of blackmail to get what she wants, although the readers often question why she is so desperate to achieve her aims. Is it just pure vindictiveness, or is it something else? The symbolism then carries forward to the war itself, where carrier pigeons are the unsung heroes of the war, despite their feathers.
Eva’s life is marked by repeated setbacks, culminating in her fleeing her reality by becoming a nurse in the war. Lanigan fearlessly delves into humanity’s shadows, crafting an atmosphere thick with pressure, grimness, and quiet despair. As the country becomes embroiled in war, the harsh realities of the conflict are depicted with historical accuracy, skill, and diligence to the era. The fear faced by soldiers as they attempt to cross “no man’s land”, along with the dire consequences if they refuse to go, is portrayed with painful clarity. Similarly, the experience of working in a field hospital is illustrated with masterful detail. The long hours filled with waiting and listening to the sounds of battle, all while knowing that soon the wards will be overwhelmed with wounded and dying men, certainly made for a compelling, if not disturbing, read. Descriptions of suffering, death, and the relentless workload for nurses and doctors evoke a sense of bleakness and despair, raising the question: Why are men repeatedly sent “over the top” when the results are always the same? Lanigan also demonstrates a clear understanding of mental health issues, particularly shell shock, which modern readers would recognise as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The characters in this novel respond differently to how they process the horrific events and the deaths of their friends. While some characters rely on humour to cope with trauma, others take practical steps, whereas the unfortunate get trapped in relentless flashbacks and fear, reliving their most horrific moments over and over again. The plot grows more complex with figures such as Brigadier McCrum, who shows complete indifference toward Osborne House patients and their mental health. In his mind, he holds vengeful thoughts, and he behaves in a physically brutal manner. He has never seen the atrocities the patients experienced but orders them to return to combat immediately, even when they remain unfit for duty. Through his actions, the book prompts readers to reflect on the true enemy while questioning why these young men were used as mere cannon fodder.
With its captivating storyline and immersive setting, “White Feathers” by Susan Lanigan comes highly recommended to fans of World War I historical romance and historical fiction.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde
The Coffee Pot Book Club
April 18, 2025
An incredibly beautiful novel! I am not one to read romantic novels (apart from the classic ones such as Cyrano de Bergerac or Wuthering Heights), but if I know Susan Lanigan wrote one, it must be good. And it is. The brillance lies in her characters, their dialogues and the relationships between them which are so vividly real! Not only one sees them, but also one hears them. They have a demanding, deep and wonderfully human presence (I loved Sybil and Lucia whom I remembered from the author's novel "Lucia's War"). The storyline is tearfully emotional reflecting the social hypocrisy of the times. The reader lives the plot along its characters, fully immersed. A beautiful novel which I highly recommend.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.
April 17, 2025
Set just prior and during World War One, this story takes an in-depth look at the challenges faced by young women at this time. Often denied education, a choice in their future happiness, the opportunity to vote, the author brings all these challenges for women to light in the telling Eva’s story.
There are few happy endings….so if you’re hoping for a “happily ever after”, this isn’t for you. It does, however, give the reader hope that strong women can and will prevail.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
There are few happy endings….so if you’re hoping for a “happily ever after”, this isn’t for you. It does, however, give the reader hope that strong women can and will prevail.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 7, 2014
In this centenary year of the start of WW1 there have been lots of tempting books on offer, which give voice to many stories which sum up the effects of war on a generation of young people.The story opens in 1913 as Eva Downey, a young Irish immigrant, learns that an unexpected legacy gives her the means of escape from a remote father and hostile stepmother. Attending finishing school in Eastbourne gives Eva the means to escape from her family circumstances and allows her a little freedom. Whilst at The Links, she meets and falls in love with her teacher, Christopher Shandlin, who is an admirable man with strong principles. However, as England is poised on the brink of war, strong beliefs do not meet the exacting standards of a nation who are sending hundreds of young men out to fight a war. Forced into to giving her sweetheart a white feather to denote his opposition to fighting, Eva must live with the consequences of her actions.
The book is a beautifully written, with strong attention to detail and there is a real authenticity to the storyline which is maintained throughout the whole of the novel. The troubled early years of the war is recreated in intimate detail, made all the more shocking by the real ethical and moral dilemma faced, not just by Eva and Christopher but by the country as a whole. I empathised greatly with Eva and understood just how difficult life was during this awful time.
The emotional journey of the story is really hard hitting at times, and the book seems to cover an awful lot of ground, not just about the war itself, but also about the women’s movement, suffragettes, conscientious objectors, burgeoning sexuality and marital infidelity, but it’s all remarkably well done and it soon becomes a real page turner of a story.
There is no doubt that this is a really good debut novel from a talented new author and I’m sure that White Feathers will stand out from the crowd of WW1 novels in this centenary year.
My thanks to Real Readers and O’Brien for my review copy of this book.
The book is a beautifully written, with strong attention to detail and there is a real authenticity to the storyline which is maintained throughout the whole of the novel. The troubled early years of the war is recreated in intimate detail, made all the more shocking by the real ethical and moral dilemma faced, not just by Eva and Christopher but by the country as a whole. I empathised greatly with Eva and understood just how difficult life was during this awful time.
The emotional journey of the story is really hard hitting at times, and the book seems to cover an awful lot of ground, not just about the war itself, but also about the women’s movement, suffragettes, conscientious objectors, burgeoning sexuality and marital infidelity, but it’s all remarkably well done and it soon becomes a real page turner of a story.
There is no doubt that this is a really good debut novel from a talented new author and I’m sure that White Feathers will stand out from the crowd of WW1 novels in this centenary year.
My thanks to Real Readers and O’Brien for my review copy of this book.
September 16, 2014
Eva lives an unhappy life with her father, sister Imelda and step-mother and sister who both despise her. When she is offered a place at finishing school she jumps at the chance to leave her miserable life behind. At school she meets Mr Shandlin, who acknowledges her intellect and encourages her to write and express herself. Eva and Mr Shandlin form a very strong bond and fall in love but when news that her sister Imelda's health has taken a turn to the worse she must return home. Mr Shandlin pursues Eva and the relationship angers her step-sister, who in the eve of World War I is fanatical about men going to war to defend their country.
Eva must make the toughest choice: to save her love for Mr Shandlin, who refuses to go to war, or to give him a white feather of cowardice in order to secure the funds to save her sister from a life threatening illness. Eva's decision will have terrible consequences for both herself and Mr Shandlin and will haunt her for the rest of her life.
White Feathers is a very believable novel with realistic characters which draw you into the story and take you on an emotional journey through World War I. It is an absolute page-turner which deals with hard issues like family, honour, valour, war, class, race, sexual orientation and women's issues like the right to vote and their role in marriage. I was immersed in Eva's life and could not put the book down until the journey was over.
The middle of the book reminded me of the wonderful BBC drama The Crimson Field and it made Eva even more believable and human. Susan Lanigan expertly brings war to life and gives us a detailed account of the raw emotions felt by both the nurses in the field and the soldiers fighting in it. This story touches very raw emotions and realities of war and how it changes people's lives.
This is a superb debut novel which promises many great things from Susan Lanigan
Eva must make the toughest choice: to save her love for Mr Shandlin, who refuses to go to war, or to give him a white feather of cowardice in order to secure the funds to save her sister from a life threatening illness. Eva's decision will have terrible consequences for both herself and Mr Shandlin and will haunt her for the rest of her life.
White Feathers is a very believable novel with realistic characters which draw you into the story and take you on an emotional journey through World War I. It is an absolute page-turner which deals with hard issues like family, honour, valour, war, class, race, sexual orientation and women's issues like the right to vote and their role in marriage. I was immersed in Eva's life and could not put the book down until the journey was over.
The middle of the book reminded me of the wonderful BBC drama The Crimson Field and it made Eva even more believable and human. Susan Lanigan expertly brings war to life and gives us a detailed account of the raw emotions felt by both the nurses in the field and the soldiers fighting in it. This story touches very raw emotions and realities of war and how it changes people's lives.
This is a superb debut novel which promises many great things from Susan Lanigan
October 6, 2014
This is a great book!
Set in the early 1900's and encompassing the First World War, it is the story of Eva Downey and her love for Christopher Shandlin, her teacher, whom she meets while at finishing school.
Amid the destructive and corrosive family dynamics between Eva, her stepmother and her step sister, Eva is emotionally blackmailed into publicly giving Christopher a white feather when he refuses to enlist. The ramifications of this act of betrayal are set to be shocking and far reaching - and Eva has little idea how much this act will alter the course of their lives forever.
The story deftly covers the sensitive and highly charged issues of that era - conscientious objection, sexuality, infidelity, shell shock, votes for women and the marital role of women.
My only negative comment about this book would have to be about the ending which I thought disappointing. The book seemed to end somewhat abruptly and all of a sudden when I felt the plot had lots more to deliver. Having said that, this in no way detracted any enjoyment from this brilliant debut novel. At times hard hitting and brutally traumatic but always vibrant and riveting, its characters credible and three dimensional.
Great story, brilliant plot and an excellent read! Highly recommended.
Set in the early 1900's and encompassing the First World War, it is the story of Eva Downey and her love for Christopher Shandlin, her teacher, whom she meets while at finishing school.
Amid the destructive and corrosive family dynamics between Eva, her stepmother and her step sister, Eva is emotionally blackmailed into publicly giving Christopher a white feather when he refuses to enlist. The ramifications of this act of betrayal are set to be shocking and far reaching - and Eva has little idea how much this act will alter the course of their lives forever.
The story deftly covers the sensitive and highly charged issues of that era - conscientious objection, sexuality, infidelity, shell shock, votes for women and the marital role of women.
My only negative comment about this book would have to be about the ending which I thought disappointing. The book seemed to end somewhat abruptly and all of a sudden when I felt the plot had lots more to deliver. Having said that, this in no way detracted any enjoyment from this brilliant debut novel. At times hard hitting and brutally traumatic but always vibrant and riveting, its characters credible and three dimensional.
Great story, brilliant plot and an excellent read! Highly recommended.
January 5, 2017
This was an okay read. I don't know much about the author. If this was her first book then I think it was a good effort. For a seasoned author though, it would count as a dismal effort.
THE PLOT: it's your basic Cinderella story with a bit of offscreen rape, onscreen girl-on-girl time and a world war thrown in for good measure. Maybe that's a cruel summarisation, but you get the gist.
THE CHARACTERS: try as I might, I cannot like Eva. Surrounded by pain, and death and misery, it would take a unique person to worry about their own love life. Her disdain for the Irish also goes sorely against the grain for me ( doesn't the author have Irish roots???). She sticks to the typical stereotypes of booze loving, coarse, crude religious nutters. It's quite offensive.
The father is a poorly drawn character with no explanations for his actions provided. Even the big 'twist' near the end sheds no light on his banal cruelty.
Sybil is perhaps the one likeable character in the entire tale.
Shandlin too I enjoyed, if only due to his frequent literary references.
THE PLOT: it's your basic Cinderella story with a bit of offscreen rape, onscreen girl-on-girl time and a world war thrown in for good measure. Maybe that's a cruel summarisation, but you get the gist.
THE CHARACTERS: try as I might, I cannot like Eva. Surrounded by pain, and death and misery, it would take a unique person to worry about their own love life. Her disdain for the Irish also goes sorely against the grain for me ( doesn't the author have Irish roots???). She sticks to the typical stereotypes of booze loving, coarse, crude religious nutters. It's quite offensive.
The father is a poorly drawn character with no explanations for his actions provided. Even the big 'twist' near the end sheds no light on his banal cruelty.
Sybil is perhaps the one likeable character in the entire tale.
Shandlin too I enjoyed, if only due to his frequent literary references.
May 18, 2025
Well, I've said it before, and I'll say it again – reading historical fiction teaches you things you never knew. White Feathers is no exception.
I'd never heard of the rather aggressive action of pinning a white feather to a man's lapel during World War I, to mark him publicly as a coward. To our modern sensitivities, it's nothing but bullying. These men may have had important jobs in the country, or they may have been ill. I suppose the women who did this didn't care enough.
But White Feathers is more than a reminder of a dark era, and how women were manipulated (by men in charge, obviously) to do their bidding. It is a story about a young woman, Eva Downey, who received a donation to go to finishing school because she'd written a scathing piece about being at a protest to avoid taking part in the census – something her family blamed her for. Especially her step-mother, Catherine, and her half-sister, Grace, rally against everything Eva does. Only her elder sister, Imelda, is on her side, but in poor health.
So off goes 17-year-old Eva, to be 'finished' in the same way upper-class girls were. Of course, just like at home, she finds herself the odd one out. She knows their fate �� bagging a well-off suitor and living a life of society events – isn't hers. She's not from a rich family, but from Irish stock. In time, she realises that she has a soft spot for poetry and literature, thanks to her English Literature teacher, Christopher Shandlin.
They grow closer, in secret, and Eva discovers a side of life she'd never imagined. Here was someone who valued her opinion, treating her as an equal, unlike at home.
When Eva is recalled home, they lose contact, but her best friend Sybil – the niece of her benefactor – gives him her details, and they begin to meet. Much to the annoyance of Catherine and Grace, who consider him a coward for not signing up.
Their meetings are awkward in that Eva has a chaperone, but still, they make plans to meet regularly.
These plans are in array when Imelda takes a turn for the worse, and needs to go to Switzerland for treatment. Only Grace has that kind of money – her dowry, which contains part of Eva's – so her devious half-sister sets Eva an ultimatum: Imelda or Christopher.
Eva's decision has wide-ranging effects she never anticipated. Will Imelda get healthy again? And will there be a future for her and Christopher? Well, you should really read the book!
White Feathers is an incredible novel: evocative, tragic, and revealing. So much happens to poor Eva, and around her, that I'm surprised how she copes with it all. Well, mostly.
One can't help but feel sorry for her. In our days, when young women can determine their own future, we tend to have little sympathy for the plight of women just 100 years ago. (We may be on our way there again in some places, but I digress...) But if we switch to Eva's era, with its social upheaval, a brutal war, and the resulting manipulation of the masses, we can see why she comes to the decisions she makes.
Eva is a strong character, but limited in financial means and completely dependent on her family's goodwill. With her step-mother being such an evil witch (the reasons for which are revealed later in the book), she has no choice but to comply. Strangely, the war gives her the space to do something different, when she becomes a nurse, and is sent to France.
We may or may not agree with all her actions (trigger alert!), but they are a reflection of the times, and I found them completely believable.
I thought Eva is a brave young woman, having to grow up really fast. Her love for her sister, Imelda, marks her as caring and selfless. The difference in social standing between her and her friend Sybil is telling, but neither escapes without scars. I thought Sybil's story was fascinating, and it added an extra layer I found interesting, against the backdrop of social norms. And then there's Lucia...
White Feathers is a remarkable novel, very well researched, and mostly told through Eva's eyes, with the occasional additional character giving us a glimpse from the outside.
The plot really packs a punch. It doesn't shy away from addressing uncomfortable issues – always in context and never judging. Apart from the tragic romance between Eva and Christopher, we read about social restrictions, racial discrimination, gritty (but not gratuitous) events of war, soldiers with PTSD and mental health concerns, bullying officers, but especially a personal vindictiveness that goes beyond everything normal. I found it particularly revealing how the women's causes were hijacked by those (men) in power, with their efforts cleverly diverted from their original issues. It's ironic, somehow.
Eva's father is the weakest of all characters. He fails to stand up for his own daughter, just to keep the peace, which is the cause of her trouble, in my view. Had he put his foot down (ironically), then matters may have worked out differently. But he is completely under the thumb of his second wife, Catherine.
Christopher, on the other hand, is an intriguing man. Highly intelligent, opposed to war and the manipulation of the masses by uncaring leaders, well-read, and sensitive. He's everything those upper class senior officers (many of whom would not see the front, but happily send others there) are not. I'm not surprised Eva falls for him.
White Feathers is a novel that leaves you thinking about it, and about the circumstances the characters found themselves in, for a long time. There's a lot going on, but that's to be expected in an era of great change. It is a riveting story about an incredible young woman, in difficult circumstances, who eventually finds her own voice. A romantic historical adventure that covers a wide range of utterly fascinating topics, making it unputdownable.
I, for one, was enthralled by the story. White Feathers is a novel to remember.
Highly recommended.
I'd never heard of the rather aggressive action of pinning a white feather to a man's lapel during World War I, to mark him publicly as a coward. To our modern sensitivities, it's nothing but bullying. These men may have had important jobs in the country, or they may have been ill. I suppose the women who did this didn't care enough.
But White Feathers is more than a reminder of a dark era, and how women were manipulated (by men in charge, obviously) to do their bidding. It is a story about a young woman, Eva Downey, who received a donation to go to finishing school because she'd written a scathing piece about being at a protest to avoid taking part in the census – something her family blamed her for. Especially her step-mother, Catherine, and her half-sister, Grace, rally against everything Eva does. Only her elder sister, Imelda, is on her side, but in poor health.
So off goes 17-year-old Eva, to be 'finished' in the same way upper-class girls were. Of course, just like at home, she finds herself the odd one out. She knows their fate �� bagging a well-off suitor and living a life of society events – isn't hers. She's not from a rich family, but from Irish stock. In time, she realises that she has a soft spot for poetry and literature, thanks to her English Literature teacher, Christopher Shandlin.
They grow closer, in secret, and Eva discovers a side of life she'd never imagined. Here was someone who valued her opinion, treating her as an equal, unlike at home.
When Eva is recalled home, they lose contact, but her best friend Sybil – the niece of her benefactor – gives him her details, and they begin to meet. Much to the annoyance of Catherine and Grace, who consider him a coward for not signing up.
Their meetings are awkward in that Eva has a chaperone, but still, they make plans to meet regularly.
These plans are in array when Imelda takes a turn for the worse, and needs to go to Switzerland for treatment. Only Grace has that kind of money – her dowry, which contains part of Eva's – so her devious half-sister sets Eva an ultimatum: Imelda or Christopher.
Eva's decision has wide-ranging effects she never anticipated. Will Imelda get healthy again? And will there be a future for her and Christopher? Well, you should really read the book!
White Feathers is an incredible novel: evocative, tragic, and revealing. So much happens to poor Eva, and around her, that I'm surprised how she copes with it all. Well, mostly.
One can't help but feel sorry for her. In our days, when young women can determine their own future, we tend to have little sympathy for the plight of women just 100 years ago. (We may be on our way there again in some places, but I digress...) But if we switch to Eva's era, with its social upheaval, a brutal war, and the resulting manipulation of the masses, we can see why she comes to the decisions she makes.
Eva is a strong character, but limited in financial means and completely dependent on her family's goodwill. With her step-mother being such an evil witch (the reasons for which are revealed later in the book), she has no choice but to comply. Strangely, the war gives her the space to do something different, when she becomes a nurse, and is sent to France.
We may or may not agree with all her actions (trigger alert!), but they are a reflection of the times, and I found them completely believable.
I thought Eva is a brave young woman, having to grow up really fast. Her love for her sister, Imelda, marks her as caring and selfless. The difference in social standing between her and her friend Sybil is telling, but neither escapes without scars. I thought Sybil's story was fascinating, and it added an extra layer I found interesting, against the backdrop of social norms. And then there's Lucia...
White Feathers is a remarkable novel, very well researched, and mostly told through Eva's eyes, with the occasional additional character giving us a glimpse from the outside.
The plot really packs a punch. It doesn't shy away from addressing uncomfortable issues – always in context and never judging. Apart from the tragic romance between Eva and Christopher, we read about social restrictions, racial discrimination, gritty (but not gratuitous) events of war, soldiers with PTSD and mental health concerns, bullying officers, but especially a personal vindictiveness that goes beyond everything normal. I found it particularly revealing how the women's causes were hijacked by those (men) in power, with their efforts cleverly diverted from their original issues. It's ironic, somehow.
Eva's father is the weakest of all characters. He fails to stand up for his own daughter, just to keep the peace, which is the cause of her trouble, in my view. Had he put his foot down (ironically), then matters may have worked out differently. But he is completely under the thumb of his second wife, Catherine.
Christopher, on the other hand, is an intriguing man. Highly intelligent, opposed to war and the manipulation of the masses by uncaring leaders, well-read, and sensitive. He's everything those upper class senior officers (many of whom would not see the front, but happily send others there) are not. I'm not surprised Eva falls for him.
White Feathers is a novel that leaves you thinking about it, and about the circumstances the characters found themselves in, for a long time. There's a lot going on, but that's to be expected in an era of great change. It is a riveting story about an incredible young woman, in difficult circumstances, who eventually finds her own voice. A romantic historical adventure that covers a wide range of utterly fascinating topics, making it unputdownable.
I, for one, was enthralled by the story. White Feathers is a novel to remember.
Highly recommended.
August 23, 2016
This is a very good debut book. A great writing style makes it very easy to read. But the time required to tell this interesting story and to set the immense historical backdrop required, comes at the expense of the characters. Some of these feel superficial and a few could be done without entirely. As a result, it is difficult to empathise with either their personal tragedies, or those of WWI in general. A huge task undertaken with a good result for a first novel.
November 26, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. So much happens and Eva is an extremely compelling protagonist. I was really rooting for her and Christopher throughout and was riveted by the complications in their way. So much happens and my only disappointment came from the fact more didn't happen. I look forward to reading more from Susan Lanigan in the future.
October 5, 2014
A hugely entertaining read, beautifully written and passionate. Loved it.
April 18, 2025
When Eva Downey receives a more than generous inheritance from Lady Elizabeth Jenkins, whom she had once written an article for, her life changes forever. However, her family are not happy about the inheritance, as her step-sister can’t go to finishing school because of money troubles, but the inheritance would allow Eva to go.
Leaving her family behind and making her own way in life, Eva finds herself finally finding friendship, finding love. Even still, her situation isn’t secure. She is never truly free from her family’s manipulation and her situation becomes more desperate when she meets Mr Shandlin, her teacher. As a person in a position of authority Mr Shandlin, should have left Eva alone, but he finds himself drawn to her. However, it is difficult to figure out whether or not he truly does love Eva, for he appears to care for her, but his inability to control his emotions, choosing to blame things on her, made me very conflicted on whether or not to like him. Eva is such a lovely person, she is so easy to fall in love with while you read, and it is heartbreaking how much she puts up with because she doesn’t know any better. All you want to do is to protect her, but rather, you have to sit back and let her find her own way, and cross your fingers that it will all be okay.
I did really like Sybil. She becomes Eva’s friend at finishing school, and almost becomes like a sister to Eva. She is very kind, and helps to lead Eva through social situations she doesn’t understand. When Eva needs someone, Sybil is always here, and together they seem able to face anything. Like Eva, Sybil finds herself in an abusive relationship. The theme of trying to move past abusive people crops up time and again in this book, and the characters doing so appear so strong to be able to pick themselves up and keep trying. It is a difficult topic, but this book handles it well. It does break your heart to read about though, especially since Eva and Sybil are such lovely people, you don’t want anything bad to ever happen to them.
This book is set during the first world war, and after finishing school, Eva becomes a nurse, looking after the soldiers injured in battle. For many, their outcomes seem bleak, especially since those who do start to recover are sent back to duty, even before they are able. If they were lucky enough to survive the first injuries, their luck surely couldn’t hold out a second time. This is another matter where your heart breaks while reading for those involved, lying in the beds wondering if they are going to die or be sent back again. The horrors those soldiers have faced is atrocious, and the men in charge of where they will be sent next truly don’t understand just how horrific the things these men have seen really are, have never felt that fear, for they are not alongside them, fighting in the trenches.
The white feather is an interesting addition to this story – of course it is an important one, being the book’s title. To be handed a white feather is to be labelled a coward, and it is certainly used for more than that. It is used for blackmail, emotional manipulation, for no one wants to be called a coward, and handing someone a feather is an incredibly simple thing to do. It doesn’t take much for the title to be bestowed upon you. This certainly helps to drive the story forwards, as in a time of war, to be a coward is to be shunned, and many would do anything to make sure they are never handed a white feather.
Although a very emotional story, making a box of tissues a necessity while reading, this is an incredibly captivating read. You truly feel like you are in the story with the characters, and it is very easy to fall in love with them. I haven’t read many World War One books, but this book certainly makes me want to read more.
Leaving her family behind and making her own way in life, Eva finds herself finally finding friendship, finding love. Even still, her situation isn’t secure. She is never truly free from her family’s manipulation and her situation becomes more desperate when she meets Mr Shandlin, her teacher. As a person in a position of authority Mr Shandlin, should have left Eva alone, but he finds himself drawn to her. However, it is difficult to figure out whether or not he truly does love Eva, for he appears to care for her, but his inability to control his emotions, choosing to blame things on her, made me very conflicted on whether or not to like him. Eva is such a lovely person, she is so easy to fall in love with while you read, and it is heartbreaking how much she puts up with because she doesn’t know any better. All you want to do is to protect her, but rather, you have to sit back and let her find her own way, and cross your fingers that it will all be okay.
I did really like Sybil. She becomes Eva’s friend at finishing school, and almost becomes like a sister to Eva. She is very kind, and helps to lead Eva through social situations she doesn’t understand. When Eva needs someone, Sybil is always here, and together they seem able to face anything. Like Eva, Sybil finds herself in an abusive relationship. The theme of trying to move past abusive people crops up time and again in this book, and the characters doing so appear so strong to be able to pick themselves up and keep trying. It is a difficult topic, but this book handles it well. It does break your heart to read about though, especially since Eva and Sybil are such lovely people, you don’t want anything bad to ever happen to them.
This book is set during the first world war, and after finishing school, Eva becomes a nurse, looking after the soldiers injured in battle. For many, their outcomes seem bleak, especially since those who do start to recover are sent back to duty, even before they are able. If they were lucky enough to survive the first injuries, their luck surely couldn’t hold out a second time. This is another matter where your heart breaks while reading for those involved, lying in the beds wondering if they are going to die or be sent back again. The horrors those soldiers have faced is atrocious, and the men in charge of where they will be sent next truly don’t understand just how horrific the things these men have seen really are, have never felt that fear, for they are not alongside them, fighting in the trenches.
The white feather is an interesting addition to this story – of course it is an important one, being the book’s title. To be handed a white feather is to be labelled a coward, and it is certainly used for more than that. It is used for blackmail, emotional manipulation, for no one wants to be called a coward, and handing someone a feather is an incredibly simple thing to do. It doesn’t take much for the title to be bestowed upon you. This certainly helps to drive the story forwards, as in a time of war, to be a coward is to be shunned, and many would do anything to make sure they are never handed a white feather.
Although a very emotional story, making a box of tissues a necessity while reading, this is an incredibly captivating read. You truly feel like you are in the story with the characters, and it is very easy to fall in love with them. I haven’t read many World War One books, but this book certainly makes me want to read more.
May 2, 2025
Book Review
White Feathers
📚📚📚📚 = A really great read.
This novel is a gripping tale of family dysfunction, forbidden love, and a woman's strength to carry on.
Eva Downey may have caused some controversy in her family by writing for “A Jolly Night Out Hiding from the Census Man,” but because of this article, Eva inherited a small amount of money, enough to put her through a first-class education at the Links School for Young Ladies.
Without the influence of her family, Eva begins to shine. However, she is not as wealthy as some of the other students although she outshines them all with her intelligence and her kindness. She soon becomes fast friends with Sybil and settles into her new life. But for some reason, her English teacher, Mr Shandlin seems to have taken a dislike to her, but then to her shock she discovers that her teacher has feelings for her, and she finds herself receptive. However, it is not just the teacher-student or the age difference that would keep them apart, Mr Shandlin was a conscientious objector.
This story is a very emotional read, not only does Eva suffer terrible abuse at home, and she finds a haven in the finishing school. But this too is short-lived, because Mr Shandlin has fallen for her and he seemingly hates her for it.
In every situation, Eva is always the one to blame and at times this makes for some very traumatic scenes, especially as Eva is so incredibly nice. And despite everything she goes through, despite all the heartache and abuse, she still manages to get up in the morning and carry on, even when her heart is breaking.
I thought this novel painted a vivid picture of the era, especially the devastation that these ominous white feathers meant to the men who were given them. The white feather is a sign of cowardice, and no one wants to be accused of that.
The characters are very well depicted, and although there are many characters I disliked, there are others that truly captured my heart, such as Eve and Sybil.
At times the story is quite brutal in the telling, and some scenes may well turn the reader's stomach, such as the war and a late-term abortion. This story does come with trigger warnings, which means I was prepared for some of the topics depicted.
This book is a very emotional journey, and for those who love a good cry when reading, then this book comes recommended!
White Feathers
📚📚📚📚 = A really great read.
This novel is a gripping tale of family dysfunction, forbidden love, and a woman's strength to carry on.
Eva Downey may have caused some controversy in her family by writing for “A Jolly Night Out Hiding from the Census Man,” but because of this article, Eva inherited a small amount of money, enough to put her through a first-class education at the Links School for Young Ladies.
Without the influence of her family, Eva begins to shine. However, she is not as wealthy as some of the other students although she outshines them all with her intelligence and her kindness. She soon becomes fast friends with Sybil and settles into her new life. But for some reason, her English teacher, Mr Shandlin seems to have taken a dislike to her, but then to her shock she discovers that her teacher has feelings for her, and she finds herself receptive. However, it is not just the teacher-student or the age difference that would keep them apart, Mr Shandlin was a conscientious objector.
This story is a very emotional read, not only does Eva suffer terrible abuse at home, and she finds a haven in the finishing school. But this too is short-lived, because Mr Shandlin has fallen for her and he seemingly hates her for it.
In every situation, Eva is always the one to blame and at times this makes for some very traumatic scenes, especially as Eva is so incredibly nice. And despite everything she goes through, despite all the heartache and abuse, she still manages to get up in the morning and carry on, even when her heart is breaking.
I thought this novel painted a vivid picture of the era, especially the devastation that these ominous white feathers meant to the men who were given them. The white feather is a sign of cowardice, and no one wants to be accused of that.
The characters are very well depicted, and although there are many characters I disliked, there are others that truly captured my heart, such as Eve and Sybil.
At times the story is quite brutal in the telling, and some scenes may well turn the reader's stomach, such as the war and a late-term abortion. This story does come with trigger warnings, which means I was prepared for some of the topics depicted.
This book is a very emotional journey, and for those who love a good cry when reading, then this book comes recommended!
March 28, 2025
White Feathers by Susan Lanigan, is the story of the relationship between Eva Downey and Christopher Shandlin, set to the backdrop of the suffragette movement and World War 1.
White Feathers is an historical novel that pulls no punches and his an emotional rollercoaster throughout however I am not sure if the story is able to fully fulfil the aims of the writer Susan Lanigan.
The story centers around Eva Downey who was born in Ireland which at the time was fully part of the UK. but after he mothers death moves to live in England with her father and sister along with a step mother and step sister.
At the start of the novel Eva has been left the money to go to a finishing school, from someone who she met while camping out on the night of the 2011 census.
This sets off a chain of events were she has a deep connection with the English teacher, a Cristopher Shandlin, who she ends up giving a White Feather to.
The White Feather was given to males of fighting age who were seen as cowards if they did not enlist at the start of world war 1.
While it is mentioned later in the novel about soldiers' opinion on the topic of this practice by women as the story is seen only through Eva’s point of view.
While the stor
y did touch on the issues arising from the war, in casualties, soldiers shot at dawn and the mental health of soldiers, it was always written from a micro perspective.
Although this is inevitable with like the discussion about the principle of the white feathers, the story is only ever told through one girls perspective,
While the story does show that both the system and the family are against her, there are times when Eva is as bad as the system on an individual level. Though the book is very kind to her and makes her actions about circumstances rather than nature.
While I have seen the story stated to be a romance while the story does have romance elements in it, White Feathers as a reader felt like an historical Woman’s story. With young adults as the main protagonist.
Having said this White Feathers by Susan Lanigan, is still well with reading as a story of a young Woman coming of age during World War 1
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
White Feathers is an historical novel that pulls no punches and his an emotional rollercoaster throughout however I am not sure if the story is able to fully fulfil the aims of the writer Susan Lanigan.
The story centers around Eva Downey who was born in Ireland which at the time was fully part of the UK. but after he mothers death moves to live in England with her father and sister along with a step mother and step sister.
At the start of the novel Eva has been left the money to go to a finishing school, from someone who she met while camping out on the night of the 2011 census.
This sets off a chain of events were she has a deep connection with the English teacher, a Cristopher Shandlin, who she ends up giving a White Feather to.
The White Feather was given to males of fighting age who were seen as cowards if they did not enlist at the start of world war 1.
While it is mentioned later in the novel about soldiers' opinion on the topic of this practice by women as the story is seen only through Eva’s point of view.
While the stor
y did touch on the issues arising from the war, in casualties, soldiers shot at dawn and the mental health of soldiers, it was always written from a micro perspective.
Although this is inevitable with like the discussion about the principle of the white feathers, the story is only ever told through one girls perspective,
While the story does show that both the system and the family are against her, there are times when Eva is as bad as the system on an individual level. Though the book is very kind to her and makes her actions about circumstances rather than nature.
While I have seen the story stated to be a romance while the story does have romance elements in it, White Feathers as a reader felt like an historical Woman’s story. With young adults as the main protagonist.
Having said this White Feathers by Susan Lanigan, is still well with reading as a story of a young Woman coming of age during World War 1
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 2, 2025
Set during World War One, this tenderly insightful book couldn’t be more relevant to our world today. With beautifully crafted and relatable characters, Susan Lanigan tells the story of Eva Downey, an intelligent woman in a world that doesn’t value women. The suffragettes hope to change that, and Eva is drawn to their cause. When her stepmother discovers that Eva has an article published about evading the census, she breaks Eva’s arm in a fit of fury. However, a benefactor, impressed by Eva’s article, pays for her to attend a finishing school. Eva yearns for the sweet, caring mother she lost at the age of five and, in an emotional moment, reveals this to her teacher, Mr Christopher Shandlin. A bond is forged between them based on a love of poetry, shared intellect and mutual respect that soon blossoms into love. As war looms, Eva’s stepmother forces Eva to not only reject Shandlin’s offer of marriage but coerces Eva, drug-addled and despairing, to present Shandlin, a pacifist, with a white feather of cowardice.
But the war claims all, even those who don’t want to fight, and as our star-crossed lovers are drawn into the fray, Lanigan pulls no punches in this un-put-downable account of the horrors, futility and waste of war. A multidimensional story that dynamically portrays life for women in the early twentieth century, Lanigan is a masterful storyteller, presenting a conflict that happened over a hundred years ago as a fresh, urgent warning to us today, hammering home the message that there are no winners in war. Intense and engaging, “White Feathers” is a book that you will be thinking about for a long time after you’ve read the final page.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am happy to voluntarily leave this review highly recommending this book.
But the war claims all, even those who don’t want to fight, and as our star-crossed lovers are drawn into the fray, Lanigan pulls no punches in this un-put-downable account of the horrors, futility and waste of war. A multidimensional story that dynamically portrays life for women in the early twentieth century, Lanigan is a masterful storyteller, presenting a conflict that happened over a hundred years ago as a fresh, urgent warning to us today, hammering home the message that there are no winners in war. Intense and engaging, “White Feathers” is a book that you will be thinking about for a long time after you’ve read the final page.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am happy to voluntarily leave this review highly recommending this book.
February 10, 2025
Susan Lanigan’s White Feathers is a tour de force in historical fiction, seamlessly blending the emotive intensity of Charlotte Brontë with the meticulously researched period detail of Julie Klassen. Set against the tumultuous backdrop of World War I, this novel is more than a romance—it is a profound exploration of love, courage, and societal constraints, interwoven with mystery, sharp social critique, and deeply nuanced character development.
From the outset, we are drawn into the world of Eva Downey, a young woman whose journey from timidity to resilience is compelling and beautifully rendered. Lanigan crafts an immersive period setting, rendering dialogue, dress, and cultural mores with extraordinary precision. Her characters are layered and emotionally resonant. We are drawn to Eva, whose transformation from a hesitant young woman to a determined force is striking.
The novel dissects the complex moral dilemmas of the era with a scalpel, particularly in its portrayal of the White Feather campaign, which shamed men into enlisting. Lanigan pulls no punches in exposing the hypocrisies of war-era patriotism and the devastating cost of social conformity. Catherine, Eva’s manipulative stepmother, is a chilling antagonist, a woman whose cruelty is even more effective for its realism.
The prose is richly descriptive, sometimes poetic through letter writing, with memorable turns of phrase (“a face like a gate”). The pacing is deliberate, unfolding Eva and Chris’s relationship with a slow-burn intensity, though moments of high drama and intrigue keep the tension taut. While romance remains central, this is as much a novel of social commentary as it is of love.
White Feathers is an emotionally charged novel, blending meticulous historical details with timeless themes of love, loss, and resilience.
From the outset, we are drawn into the world of Eva Downey, a young woman whose journey from timidity to resilience is compelling and beautifully rendered. Lanigan crafts an immersive period setting, rendering dialogue, dress, and cultural mores with extraordinary precision. Her characters are layered and emotionally resonant. We are drawn to Eva, whose transformation from a hesitant young woman to a determined force is striking.
The novel dissects the complex moral dilemmas of the era with a scalpel, particularly in its portrayal of the White Feather campaign, which shamed men into enlisting. Lanigan pulls no punches in exposing the hypocrisies of war-era patriotism and the devastating cost of social conformity. Catherine, Eva’s manipulative stepmother, is a chilling antagonist, a woman whose cruelty is even more effective for its realism.
The prose is richly descriptive, sometimes poetic through letter writing, with memorable turns of phrase (“a face like a gate”). The pacing is deliberate, unfolding Eva and Chris’s relationship with a slow-burn intensity, though moments of high drama and intrigue keep the tension taut. While romance remains central, this is as much a novel of social commentary as it is of love.
White Feathers is an emotionally charged novel, blending meticulous historical details with timeless themes of love, loss, and resilience.
April 1, 2025
Early 1900's, suffragette movement in England, beginning of WWI, a young Irish woman who has been given the opportunity to best herself in a posh boarding school in spite the contempt and opposition of her family, this is the beginning of the story on this book.
Eva has been given the opportunity to attend a boarding school and leave behind the unhappiness and nastiness of her stepmother and stepsister actions against her, and the indifference towards her by her father. But also means leaving her very sick sister behind.
At the school she meets a young Mr. Shandling, a young professor, who actually sees her intelligence and potential, they fall in love, even though neither one wants to admit it.
Eva is called back home to care for her sister and her life turns of the worse when she's forced to choose between the cure for her sister and her love for Mr. Shandling.
She's forced to give him a white feather showing his cowardice to the world by not enlisting to fight in the war. This action bring a lot of reactions that brings the beginning of the end, not only of their relationship but also of her family situation and her life as she knows it.
There's a lot of heartbreak in this book, but there's also resilience, self advancement, personal triumph, forgiveness and love. all of this in very well developed characters, an engaging plot, and extraordinary writing with an eye to details and a lot of research, this book is extraordinary.
Eva has been given the opportunity to attend a boarding school and leave behind the unhappiness and nastiness of her stepmother and stepsister actions against her, and the indifference towards her by her father. But also means leaving her very sick sister behind.
At the school she meets a young Mr. Shandling, a young professor, who actually sees her intelligence and potential, they fall in love, even though neither one wants to admit it.
Eva is called back home to care for her sister and her life turns of the worse when she's forced to choose between the cure for her sister and her love for Mr. Shandling.
She's forced to give him a white feather showing his cowardice to the world by not enlisting to fight in the war. This action bring a lot of reactions that brings the beginning of the end, not only of their relationship but also of her family situation and her life as she knows it.
There's a lot of heartbreak in this book, but there's also resilience, self advancement, personal triumph, forgiveness and love. all of this in very well developed characters, an engaging plot, and extraordinary writing with an eye to details and a lot of research, this book is extraordinary.
May 4, 2025
My 2025 colour challenge for March was white:
1913, Eva is sent away to school on a scholarship and falls in love with one of her teachers. Mistreated by her stepmother, she finds happiness and friendship, possibly even love...
White Feathers is an historical novel set as WW1 looms.
Eva has lost her mother and is struggling to find her place in her new blended family. She is sent away to school and finally settles there before being urgently recalled home to care for her sick sister.
I felt so sorry for Eva putting her life and happiness on hold for the sake of her family. This situation is exacerbated by her other sister who is an ardent suffragette and blackmails her into presenting her lover with a white feather for cowardice.
I felt soooo sorry for Eva as she is given the terrible ultimatum to save her sister so she must give up the man she loves. I thought that the era has been well researched and didn't shy away from the difficult and unpleasant reality of the white feathers to shame men who didn’t enlist for WW1.
The cruelty that characters show to each other is heartbreaking but this is balanced by the support and care shown by others. Many difficult subjects are dealt with including abortion but I thought they were handled sensitively.
White Feathers is a vivid depiction of one family's response to war.
1913, Eva is sent away to school on a scholarship and falls in love with one of her teachers. Mistreated by her stepmother, she finds happiness and friendship, possibly even love...
White Feathers is an historical novel set as WW1 looms.
Eva has lost her mother and is struggling to find her place in her new blended family. She is sent away to school and finally settles there before being urgently recalled home to care for her sick sister.
I felt so sorry for Eva putting her life and happiness on hold for the sake of her family. This situation is exacerbated by her other sister who is an ardent suffragette and blackmails her into presenting her lover with a white feather for cowardice.
I felt soooo sorry for Eva as she is given the terrible ultimatum to save her sister so she must give up the man she loves. I thought that the era has been well researched and didn't shy away from the difficult and unpleasant reality of the white feathers to shame men who didn’t enlist for WW1.
The cruelty that characters show to each other is heartbreaking but this is balanced by the support and care shown by others. Many difficult subjects are dealt with including abortion but I thought they were handled sensitively.
White Feathers is a vivid depiction of one family's response to war.
February 11, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
This is one of those rare books that stays with you long after the final page.
What is more important the ties of family or love? When Eva must make the choice between her sisters potentially life saving treatment and giving her love a white feather branding him a coward for not enlisting in WW1 she must choose the path of fate of not one but many. After this excruciating choice is made it is only the beginning of the spiral of decisions Eva must make.
Following the time line of WW1 Susan Lanigan brings to light the many struggles of the women of the period. Addressing things such as the women's suffrage movement, marriage, and the struggle of being a strong women in an age where it was scandalous to have an opinion.
Overall a beautifully written book that had me emotionally attached to some characters and hating others with just as much passion.
This is one of those rare books that stays with you long after the final page.
What is more important the ties of family or love? When Eva must make the choice between her sisters potentially life saving treatment and giving her love a white feather branding him a coward for not enlisting in WW1 she must choose the path of fate of not one but many. After this excruciating choice is made it is only the beginning of the spiral of decisions Eva must make.
Following the time line of WW1 Susan Lanigan brings to light the many struggles of the women of the period. Addressing things such as the women's suffrage movement, marriage, and the struggle of being a strong women in an age where it was scandalous to have an opinion.
Overall a beautifully written book that had me emotionally attached to some characters and hating others with just as much passion.
February 11, 2025
I'm glad I chose to read this book as it describes the practice of women presenting men with white feathers as a symbol of cowardice, to shame men into enlisting to fight during WW1. Although I've read historical world war novels before and seen mention of this practice, I haven't read a novel that focused on this as a catalyst and the consequences. This novel was detailed, explored a number of complex themes, and was most definitely a compelling read. The description of war was shocking, and I felt a rollercoaster of emotions that caused me to sighed out loud. I look forward to the next instalment as I've become invested in the characters and look forward to further character development. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 28, 2025
Historical events seems accurate. Social constructs acceptable now not accepted then not quite as accurate. (Yes some happened then too) Some sexual scences both BG and GG not to in depth. Not steamy but not clean)
Story draws you in and is well written. Girls life a trainwreck. Somewhat unbelievable yet I myself know sometimes truth worse than fiction so pass. It's sad. Cried more than once only to be relieved briefly and cry again.
If above doesn't bother you you'll love the book. If some of the above does you'll be like me. Somewhat drawn to it but at the same time what to say it's too sad... or? May rating varies from a 3-4.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Story draws you in and is well written. Girls life a trainwreck. Somewhat unbelievable yet I myself know sometimes truth worse than fiction so pass. It's sad. Cried more than once only to be relieved briefly and cry again.
If above doesn't bother you you'll love the book. If some of the above does you'll be like me. Somewhat drawn to it but at the same time what to say it's too sad... or? May rating varies from a 3-4.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 11, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
This is one of those rare books that stays with you long after the final page.
What is more important the ties of family or love? When Eva must make the choice between her sisters potentially life saving treatment and giving her love a white feather branding him a coward for not enlisting in WW1 she must choose the path of fate of not one but many. After this excruciating choice is made it is only the beginning of the spiral of decisions Eva must make.
Following the time line of WW1 Susan Lanigan brings to light the many struggles of the women of the period. Addressing things such as the women's suffrage movement, marriage, and the struggle of being a strong women in an age where it was scandalous to have an opinion.
Overall a beautifully written book that had me emotionally attached to some characters and hating others with just as much passion.
This is one of those rare books that stays with you long after the final page.
What is more important the ties of family or love? When Eva must make the choice between her sisters potentially life saving treatment and giving her love a white feather branding him a coward for not enlisting in WW1 she must choose the path of fate of not one but many. After this excruciating choice is made it is only the beginning of the spiral of decisions Eva must make.
Following the time line of WW1 Susan Lanigan brings to light the many struggles of the women of the period. Addressing things such as the women's suffrage movement, marriage, and the struggle of being a strong women in an age where it was scandalous to have an opinion.
Overall a beautifully written book that had me emotionally attached to some characters and hating others with just as much passion.
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