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War Girls
As featured on BBC Radio 4's Woman's war has broken out across Europe and beyond. Nothing will ever be the same again for those caught up in the conflict. This collection of short stories explores how the First World War changed and shaped the lives of women forever. A courageous nurse risks her life at the Front Line; a young woman discovers independence and intrigue in wartime London; and a grief-stricken widow defends her homeland amidst the destruction of war. Through these and other tales, War Girls presents a moving portrait of loss and grief, and of hope overcoming terrible odds.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 5, 2014
14 people are currently reading
867 people want to read
About the author
Adèle Geras
190 books137 followersAdèle Geras FRSL (born 15 March 1944) is an English writer for young children, teens and adults. Her husband was the Marxist academic Norman Geras and their daughter Sophie Hannah is also a novelist and poet.
Geras was born in Jerusalem, British Mandatory Palestine. Her father was in the Colonial Service and she had a varied childhood, living in countries such as Nigeria, Cyprus, Tanzania, Gambia and British North Borneo in a short span of time. She attended Roedean School in Brighton and then graduated from St Hilda's College, Oxford with a degree in Modern Languages. She was known for her stage and vocal talents, but decided instead to become a full-time writer.
Geras's first book was Tea at Mrs Manderby's, which was published in 1976. Her first full-length novel was The Girls in the Velvet Frame. She has written more than 95 books for children, young adults, and adults. Her best-known books are Troy (shortlisted for the Whitbread Prize and Highly Commended for the Carnegie Medal) Ithaka, Happy Ever After (previously published as the Egerton Hall Trilogy), Silent Snow, Secret Snow, and A Thousand Yards of Sea.
Her novels for adults include: Facing the Light, Hester's Story, Made in Heaven, and A Hidden Life.
Geras won two prizes in the United States, one the Sydney Taylor Book Award for the My Grandmother's Stories and the National Jewish Book Award for Golden Windows. She has also won prizes for her poetry and was a joint winner of the Smith Doorstop Poetry Pamphlet Award, offered by the publisher of that name.
(from Wikipedia)
Geras was born in Jerusalem, British Mandatory Palestine. Her father was in the Colonial Service and she had a varied childhood, living in countries such as Nigeria, Cyprus, Tanzania, Gambia and British North Borneo in a short span of time. She attended Roedean School in Brighton and then graduated from St Hilda's College, Oxford with a degree in Modern Languages. She was known for her stage and vocal talents, but decided instead to become a full-time writer.
Geras's first book was Tea at Mrs Manderby's, which was published in 1976. Her first full-length novel was The Girls in the Velvet Frame. She has written more than 95 books for children, young adults, and adults. Her best-known books are Troy (shortlisted for the Whitbread Prize and Highly Commended for the Carnegie Medal) Ithaka, Happy Ever After (previously published as the Egerton Hall Trilogy), Silent Snow, Secret Snow, and A Thousand Yards of Sea.
Her novels for adults include: Facing the Light, Hester's Story, Made in Heaven, and A Hidden Life.
Geras won two prizes in the United States, one the Sydney Taylor Book Award for the My Grandmother's Stories and the National Jewish Book Award for Golden Windows. She has also won prizes for her poetry and was a joint winner of the Smith Doorstop Poetry Pamphlet Award, offered by the publisher of that name.
(from Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
March 16, 2018
Lovely book read in in a day. Highly recommended.
January 28, 2021
For the men leaving for the Front, there were really only two options: kill, or be killed. For the women left behind, things were a bit more uncertain.
War Girls is a charming collection of their stories, some more absorbing than others. My particular favourites, as always, were those that explored untold facets of the war; rumoured female snipers at Gallipoli, the origins of the notorious Spanish influenza, and catching German spies in London.
One or two of the contributions were a little uninspired, both in plot and language choice, but the stories do hang together as an effective collection. There are some real gems in here, my favourite being the finale, Sally Nicholls’s Going Spare which explores the aftermath of the war, the implications for the ‘spare’ women, and all the amazing things they achieved in spite of them.
A quaint collection, but (ironically) I prefer accounts that are somewhat more harrowing.
War Girls is a charming collection of their stories, some more absorbing than others. My particular favourites, as always, were those that explored untold facets of the war; rumoured female snipers at Gallipoli, the origins of the notorious Spanish influenza, and catching German spies in London.
One or two of the contributions were a little uninspired, both in plot and language choice, but the stories do hang together as an effective collection. There are some real gems in here, my favourite being the finale, Sally Nicholls’s Going Spare which explores the aftermath of the war, the implications for the ‘spare’ women, and all the amazing things they achieved in spite of them.
A quaint collection, but (ironically) I prefer accounts that are somewhat more harrowing.
July 27, 2014
5 Words: A mini review for each.
This is a collection of stories, which I knew from the moment I found out about it that I had to get my hands on it. Not only are a host of my favourite UKYA authors contributors, but the subject itself and how the stories are told through different eyes made this a must read.
Shadow and Light by Theresa Breslin ☆☆☆☆
This is the first story in the book, and despite being only thirty pages long made me feel like crying. The main character, Merle, has a clear and distinctive voice that I could happily read more of. She's smart, well educated, and insanely talented and creative, and she's a generous character donating her time to the Red Cross at a time of war, risking her own life to help others. This story is sweet and beautifully written.
This is a collection of stories, which I knew from the moment I found out about it that I had to get my hands on it. Not only are a host of my favourite UKYA authors contributors, but the subject itself and how the stories are told through different eyes made this a must read.
Shadow and Light by Theresa Breslin ☆☆☆☆
This is the first story in the book, and despite being only thirty pages long made me feel like crying. The main character, Merle, has a clear and distinctive voice that I could happily read more of. She's smart, well educated, and insanely talented and creative, and she's a generous character donating her time to the Red Cross at a time of war, risking her own life to help others. This story is sweet and beautifully written.
June 15, 2014
I first came across War Girls when my friend Jim asked me to be part of Countdown to 5th June – an epic month-long blog tour celebrating June releases – and I saw that it was one of the books published on that date. I had the opportunity to interview the lovely Sally Nicholls, author of Going Spare, as part of the tour, so definitely check that out!
War Girls is a collection of nine short stories that tackle a fascinating part of history – the women who were directly involved in the First World War and the women who stayed behind, left to live among poverty, fear and grief. I find that although there's plenty of young adult (and children's) literature on the Second World War, there's not as much on the First, so I think it's fantastic that publishers haven't given up on bringing this still relevant piece of history to young people. War Girls' authors include Adèle Geras, Melvin Burgess, Berlie Doherty, Mary Hooper, Anne Fine, Matt Whyman, Theresa Breslin, Sally Nicholls, and Rowena House – an incredible array of talent – and it provides something a little different for the centenary of the First World War, which began 100 years ago in July 1914.
I've mentioned before that my relationship with short stories is a strained one, but surprisingly for me, I enjoyed every story in War Girls. They are all wonderfully diverse, well-written and each tell a different side of the First World War. We think of certain images when we think of the World War I, but it's easy to forget that there was no universal experience except for grief and loss. War Girls delves into the lives of all very different women of varied backgrounds and who occupy different places on the social hierarchy, from the farmer girl who will do everything she can to stop her land being taken – and what this has to do with the Spanish Flu – to 16-year-old who begins her new job – when women weren't previously encouraged to – as a waitress on London's Strand, only to discover that she has a much bigger job to do. We meet Merle and Grace as they fight for the right to be taken seriously and a woman who has nothing else to lose amidst the Battle of Gallipoli.
If you've yet to read much young adult literature on the First World War – or if you're in the mood to head back to the past – pick up War Girls this July!
Thank you to the publisher for providing this book for review!
I also reviewed this book over on Pretty Books.
War Girls is a collection of nine short stories that tackle a fascinating part of history – the women who were directly involved in the First World War and the women who stayed behind, left to live among poverty, fear and grief. I find that although there's plenty of young adult (and children's) literature on the Second World War, there's not as much on the First, so I think it's fantastic that publishers haven't given up on bringing this still relevant piece of history to young people. War Girls' authors include Adèle Geras, Melvin Burgess, Berlie Doherty, Mary Hooper, Anne Fine, Matt Whyman, Theresa Breslin, Sally Nicholls, and Rowena House – an incredible array of talent – and it provides something a little different for the centenary of the First World War, which began 100 years ago in July 1914.
I've mentioned before that my relationship with short stories is a strained one, but surprisingly for me, I enjoyed every story in War Girls. They are all wonderfully diverse, well-written and each tell a different side of the First World War. We think of certain images when we think of the World War I, but it's easy to forget that there was no universal experience except for grief and loss. War Girls delves into the lives of all very different women of varied backgrounds and who occupy different places on the social hierarchy, from the farmer girl who will do everything she can to stop her land being taken – and what this has to do with the Spanish Flu – to 16-year-old who begins her new job – when women weren't previously encouraged to – as a waitress on London's Strand, only to discover that she has a much bigger job to do. We meet Merle and Grace as they fight for the right to be taken seriously and a woman who has nothing else to lose amidst the Battle of Gallipoli.
If you've yet to read much young adult literature on the First World War – or if you're in the mood to head back to the past – pick up War Girls this July!
Thank you to the publisher for providing this book for review!
I also reviewed this book over on Pretty Books.
September 29, 2024
Not only a great line up of authors but a fantastic compilation of some amazing and really inspiring, heartbreaking but raw stories.
Some were heartfelt elated victories, incredibly powerful and eye opening stories and some that left me astounded and in awe of both not only the amazing writing but the fact that they did so much justice to the horrors of war, the differing experiences of so many and the perspectives from humble farm owners to nurses out on the front line.
My only caveat is I got so drawn into some of the stories, I was so sad to see them end and wanted to read on for longer!
Every short story was truly just, wow. I can’t even think of the words to sum some of them up and have been left in awe of the strength and resilience that those during the war were forced to possess to survive. It was an incredibly powerful read and one I’m grateful to have picked up.
Thank you to the authors and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest opinion and review
Some were heartfelt elated victories, incredibly powerful and eye opening stories and some that left me astounded and in awe of both not only the amazing writing but the fact that they did so much justice to the horrors of war, the differing experiences of so many and the perspectives from humble farm owners to nurses out on the front line.
My only caveat is I got so drawn into some of the stories, I was so sad to see them end and wanted to read on for longer!
Every short story was truly just, wow. I can’t even think of the words to sum some of them up and have been left in awe of the strength and resilience that those during the war were forced to possess to survive. It was an incredibly powerful read and one I’m grateful to have picked up.
Thank you to the authors and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest opinion and review
October 18, 2014
I begin this review by telling you that this compilation, this collection of stories about World War One is one of the better (if not the best) book I have read this year and I am greedy for more.
The authors that have contributed include: Melvin Burgess, Mary Hooper, Theresa Breslin, Sally Nicholls and Adele Geras. In addition to them we have Berlie Doherty, Anne Fine, Matt Whyman and Rowena House.
There are authors in that list who could sell me a trip to the dentist should it come with the promise of more of their writing.
So we begin with Theresa Breslin and her story: Shadow and Light. It is a story which is searing, as so many of them are, and made me breathless and cry and fall in love. It is the story of Merle, an artist, and to give you any more information would be to do a disservice to this great and awful story. It's so good. Really. And it sets the tone for a collection full of grace and awe and heartache.
To highlight a few other joys (painful, painful joys) in this collection: Mary Hooper's tearoom saga is a thing of loveliness, and something I would welcome so much more of. There's an immense story here that fits into the short story form beautifully but god, I want more but I think that's always the way when I read Mary Hooper.
I also loved Adele Geras' contribution but I think I will always love how she writes romance. She catches it so gracefully, that moment where something innocent and unexpected turns into something great and blinding ("Blindly, like a plant in search of light, I turn my face up, and his lips are there, on my lips, and my senses and my heart and my body, every part of me, all my love, everything is drawn into the sweetness of his mouth")
Whilst it feels odd to highlight only a few stories in a collection where they are all so hugely good, the last one I want to mention is Melvin Burgess' story: Mother and Mrs Everington. Searing. Scarring. And full of a rage that we rarely see in stories of this nature. It is outstanding. Awful. A voice that spills from the pages and burns, burns, burns.
I love this collection. I love how contrary it is. It's rather quietly designed, rather gently put together, and it's only when you hold it and get to know itt that it explodes into vicious and powerful life. Rather metaphorical, really. Rather wonderful. A brilliant thing, this book. Don't let it not be read.
The authors that have contributed include: Melvin Burgess, Mary Hooper, Theresa Breslin, Sally Nicholls and Adele Geras. In addition to them we have Berlie Doherty, Anne Fine, Matt Whyman and Rowena House.
There are authors in that list who could sell me a trip to the dentist should it come with the promise of more of their writing.
So we begin with Theresa Breslin and her story: Shadow and Light. It is a story which is searing, as so many of them are, and made me breathless and cry and fall in love. It is the story of Merle, an artist, and to give you any more information would be to do a disservice to this great and awful story. It's so good. Really. And it sets the tone for a collection full of grace and awe and heartache.
To highlight a few other joys (painful, painful joys) in this collection: Mary Hooper's tearoom saga is a thing of loveliness, and something I would welcome so much more of. There's an immense story here that fits into the short story form beautifully but god, I want more but I think that's always the way when I read Mary Hooper.
I also loved Adele Geras' contribution but I think I will always love how she writes romance. She catches it so gracefully, that moment where something innocent and unexpected turns into something great and blinding ("Blindly, like a plant in search of light, I turn my face up, and his lips are there, on my lips, and my senses and my heart and my body, every part of me, all my love, everything is drawn into the sweetness of his mouth")
Whilst it feels odd to highlight only a few stories in a collection where they are all so hugely good, the last one I want to mention is Melvin Burgess' story: Mother and Mrs Everington. Searing. Scarring. And full of a rage that we rarely see in stories of this nature. It is outstanding. Awful. A voice that spills from the pages and burns, burns, burns.
I love this collection. I love how contrary it is. It's rather quietly designed, rather gently put together, and it's only when you hold it and get to know itt that it explodes into vicious and powerful life. Rather metaphorical, really. Rather wonderful. A brilliant thing, this book. Don't let it not be read.
January 3, 2022
I wanted to give these stories 3.5 stars really - there is some inconsistency in the quality of the writing, as is common in anthologies of this type, but there are also some real hidden gems in here. I have chosen three of the stories to use as part of an accompanying scheme of work for Year 9 who are looking at war poetry this term.
These stories showcasing female voices and perspectives will provide an interesting counterpoint for students and hopefully allow us to enrich and deepen background knowledge and cultural capital - particularly in the context of their wider humanities learning on the emancipation of women in the 20th century.
These stories showcasing female voices and perspectives will provide an interesting counterpoint for students and hopefully allow us to enrich and deepen background knowledge and cultural capital - particularly in the context of their wider humanities learning on the emancipation of women in the 20th century.
August 7, 2022
This book was a fantastic read composed of 9 stories of women in the first world war. I enjoyed this book so much as I learned a lot about what life was like during the war and how women changed the world. It was the perfect balance between fiction and nonfiction and I would recommend to everyone!!
This is also my first review so let’s pretend i don’t sound so awkward. :)
This is also my first review so let’s pretend i don’t sound so awkward. :)
April 20, 2023
I really liked the range of different stories and perspectivies in this collection, and here's my rating for each one:
Shadow and Light: 5/5
Ghost Story: 4/5
Storm in a Teashop: 5/5
The Marshalling of Angélique's Geese: 5/5
Mother and Mrs Everington: 4/5
Sky Dancer: 3.5/5 (I loved it until the end, which I felt was quite anti climatic)
Piercing the Veil: 3/5
The Green Behind the Glass: 3/5
Going Spare: 5/5
Overall 4/5 :)
Shadow and Light: 5/5
Ghost Story: 4/5
Storm in a Teashop: 5/5
The Marshalling of Angélique's Geese: 5/5
Mother and Mrs Everington: 4/5
Sky Dancer: 3.5/5 (I loved it until the end, which I felt was quite anti climatic)
Piercing the Veil: 3/5
The Green Behind the Glass: 3/5
Going Spare: 5/5
Overall 4/5 :)
September 20, 2019
great collection of stories. very insightful into the experiences of various women during and post-world war one.
May 10, 2021
The stories I liked best in this collection were
Mother and Mrs Everington by Melvin Burgess, Going Spare by Sally Nicholls, and The Marshalling of Angélique’s Geese.
Mother and Mrs Everington by Melvin Burgess, Going Spare by Sally Nicholls, and The Marshalling of Angélique’s Geese.
March 22, 2016
A great little YA book written to mark the centenary since WW1. These short stories written by prestigious writers depict an image of what World War One might have been like for young women of the time.
My favourite of the nine was Storm in a Teashop by Mary Hopper, a story of a young waitress whom does her bit for the country in a unique way.
I gave enjoyed this book very much and I will defiantly be sharing this book with my children.
I won this book through goodreads first-reads.
My favourite of the nine was Storm in a Teashop by Mary Hopper, a story of a young waitress whom does her bit for the country in a unique way.
I gave enjoyed this book very much and I will defiantly be sharing this book with my children.
I won this book through goodreads first-reads.
August 31, 2015
I don't tend to read too many short story compilations but the premise of this - young women in WWI - was too good to miss out on. Also I can never say no to a signed book so I had to buy it at Cheltenham Literature Festival after listening to some of the authors give a talk. I think my favourite was Mother and Mrs Everington, shortly followed by The Marshalling of Angelique's Geese. All the stories combined helped show a different side of the war while never forgetting the tragedy of it.
February 6, 2016
ww1 short story collection about young women and how ww1 impacted life for ever more. Each story has an entirely different view point of the war that changed women's life for ever. The stand out tales for me were the marshalling of angeliques geese, mother and mrs everington and sky dancer. the courage and strength of people is detailed throughout the collection- it is unbelievable the suffering and hardship experienced by all - this collection is an eye opener truly worthy of a read.
September 21, 2017
*Has spoilers*
The short stories included in this book are as follows:
Shadow and Light by Theresa Breslin
(I absolutely loved this story of the war through a strong female character who drives an ambulance
and faces a very opinionated Captain)
Ghost Story by Matt Whyman
(It took me a while to see this in a female point of view of snipers, but it does bring a tear to your
eye of the lost ones)
Storm in a Teashop by Mary Hooper
(A girl working in a café sees a beautiful woman and man conversing through letters in poems.
Turns out someone is a spy)
The Marshalling of Angelique's Geese by Rowena House
(A young girl who lives on a farm with her mother is frightened of losing her house and farm to her dead
fathers debt, her brother has signed up to the war and her uncle helps her transfer her geese to the
French General to secure her brothers safe return but they lose the geese to the 'avian flu' or
Spanish influenza. )
Mother and Mrs Everington by Melvin Burgess
(A young girl doesn't want to be knitting for the war effort like her mother, she wants to be an ambulance
driver on the Front, her brother lied about his age to get into the war, he comes back full of shock and
PTSD, the young girl decides to follow a suffragette onto the Front and helping the soldiers, proving that
she has a stronger mind then her brother. She comes home no better off than her brother)
Sky Dancer by Berlie Doherty
(I absolutely loved this short story proper love story. a shy girl is encouraged to unleash her beautiful
singing voice in a duet with a guy the same age, they share a kiss as she finds out he's joined the war
effort as a flyer, they converse through letters until the letters dwindle when he gets to france. The girl
finds her love has fallen and possibly died she then decides to go on with a concert partie to entertain
the forces in france, she wants to see where her love has been, she gets closer and closer to the front and
she sings everywhere, the last time she sings in a hospital a gent hums along with her, she finds its her love,
she stays with him and he passes away with her there. )
Piercing the Veil by Anne Fine
(A young girl's father is a Reverend who doesn't believe the neighbour heard her dead son calling her as he
died the same night of her hearing him, the girl believes in giving hope to the women who have lost loved
ones and gives a lady a glimpse of hope that her dead son is around her always, her dads hope and her
hope meant different things)
The Green Behind The Glass by Adèle Geras
(Girl and guy get forced together young by parents, with planned engagement when they get older
guy falls in love with the younger sister, goes to war and continues writing to his love and his betrothed
but dies before telling his betrothed that he loved her sister and not her)
Going Spare by Sally Nicholls
(Based in the 70's of a young girl asking her 70 year old neighbour why she didn't have a husband and
what she did as a single woman in the war effort)
I thoroughly enjoyed some of the short stories in this book, only two of these stories did I not thoroughly
enjoy which were 'Ghost Story' and 'The Marshalling of Angelique's Geese'
The short stories included in this book are as follows:
Shadow and Light by Theresa Breslin
(I absolutely loved this story of the war through a strong female character who drives an ambulance
and faces a very opinionated Captain)
Ghost Story by Matt Whyman
(It took me a while to see this in a female point of view of snipers, but it does bring a tear to your
eye of the lost ones)
Storm in a Teashop by Mary Hooper
(A girl working in a café sees a beautiful woman and man conversing through letters in poems.
Turns out someone is a spy)
The Marshalling of Angelique's Geese by Rowena House
(A young girl who lives on a farm with her mother is frightened of losing her house and farm to her dead
fathers debt, her brother has signed up to the war and her uncle helps her transfer her geese to the
French General to secure her brothers safe return but they lose the geese to the 'avian flu' or
Spanish influenza. )
Mother and Mrs Everington by Melvin Burgess
(A young girl doesn't want to be knitting for the war effort like her mother, she wants to be an ambulance
driver on the Front, her brother lied about his age to get into the war, he comes back full of shock and
PTSD, the young girl decides to follow a suffragette onto the Front and helping the soldiers, proving that
she has a stronger mind then her brother. She comes home no better off than her brother)
Sky Dancer by Berlie Doherty
(I absolutely loved this short story proper love story. a shy girl is encouraged to unleash her beautiful
singing voice in a duet with a guy the same age, they share a kiss as she finds out he's joined the war
effort as a flyer, they converse through letters until the letters dwindle when he gets to france. The girl
finds her love has fallen and possibly died she then decides to go on with a concert partie to entertain
the forces in france, she wants to see where her love has been, she gets closer and closer to the front and
she sings everywhere, the last time she sings in a hospital a gent hums along with her, she finds its her love,
she stays with him and he passes away with her there. )
Piercing the Veil by Anne Fine
(A young girl's father is a Reverend who doesn't believe the neighbour heard her dead son calling her as he
died the same night of her hearing him, the girl believes in giving hope to the women who have lost loved
ones and gives a lady a glimpse of hope that her dead son is around her always, her dads hope and her
hope meant different things)
The Green Behind The Glass by Adèle Geras
(Girl and guy get forced together young by parents, with planned engagement when they get older
guy falls in love with the younger sister, goes to war and continues writing to his love and his betrothed
but dies before telling his betrothed that he loved her sister and not her)
Going Spare by Sally Nicholls
(Based in the 70's of a young girl asking her 70 year old neighbour why she didn't have a husband and
what she did as a single woman in the war effort)
I thoroughly enjoyed some of the short stories in this book, only two of these stories did I not thoroughly
enjoy which were 'Ghost Story' and 'The Marshalling of Angelique's Geese'
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2017
This is an impressive collection of short stories, aimed at the “Young Adult” market, about the impact on young women of the First World War. Each of these well-written, engaging and thought-provoking stories was written by well-known authors, including Anne Fine, Adele Geras, Sally Nicholls and Melvin Burgess, with various themes offering very different slant on the impact the war had on women’s lives. The norm is for the war to be written about from the point of view of the suffering endured by men and the bravery they displayed during this period of conflict. However, this glimpse into the lives of what young women endured, of the actions some of them took to play a more active part in the war, of their day to day persistence and courage, creates a vivid picture of the contributions so many of them made, as well as the courage and bravery they too displayed. These are stories about spies, nurses, shop-girls, farm-workersThe young women portrayed come from a range of backgrounds but what all have in common is a desire not only to “do their bit”, but also to use their experiences to achieve a greater independence than they would otherwise have been able to. I particularly enjoyed the way in which the stories portrayed the huge social upheaval which came about as a result of the war and explored both the immediate, and the long-term implications this had on communities.
There wasn’t one of these stories which failed to move me but three stand out as exceptional in their capacity to engage me on an intensely emotional level – Mother and Mrs Everington, which captured, in a very powerful way, all the rage, outrage, horrors faced, absolute bravery and compassion of a young woman who put herself in danger at the Front; The Marshalling of Angelique’s Geese, about a young woman in France who was desperate to keep the family farm going (this also offered an insight into theory behind the origins of the Spanish ‘Flu epidemic) and Going Spare which highlighted the plight of women in the aftermath of a war which killed so many young men, thus making marriage and children an almost impossible dream.
A quote from Going Spare, by Sally Nicholl’s – “They didn’t just do nothing,” ….. “All those women. They changed the world.” seems to me to sum up why I think it is worth reading this collection of thought-provoking, poignant and moving stories.
There wasn’t one of these stories which failed to move me but three stand out as exceptional in their capacity to engage me on an intensely emotional level – Mother and Mrs Everington, which captured, in a very powerful way, all the rage, outrage, horrors faced, absolute bravery and compassion of a young woman who put herself in danger at the Front; The Marshalling of Angelique’s Geese, about a young woman in France who was desperate to keep the family farm going (this also offered an insight into theory behind the origins of the Spanish ‘Flu epidemic) and Going Spare which highlighted the plight of women in the aftermath of a war which killed so many young men, thus making marriage and children an almost impossible dream.
A quote from Going Spare, by Sally Nicholl’s – “They didn’t just do nothing,” ….. “All those women. They changed the world.” seems to me to sum up why I think it is worth reading this collection of thought-provoking, poignant and moving stories.
December 8, 2021
1914: war has broken out across Europe and beyond. Nothing will ever be the same again for those caught up in the conflict.
This collection of short stories explores how the First World War changed and shaped the lives of women forever. A courageous nurse risks her life at the Front Line; a young woman discovers independence and intrigue in wartime London; and a grief-stricken widow defends her homeland amidst the destruction of war.
Through these and other tales, War Girls presents a moving portrait of loss and grief, and of hope overcoming terrible odds.
The First World War brought many changes in the lives of women. It is often represented as having had a wholly positive impact, opening up new opportunities in the world of work and strengthening their case for the right to vote.
The reality is more complex. Not all of the opportunities the war provided to women were entirely positive or long lasting.
However,even before the formation of the women’s services, some pioneering women made their own way to the front to help the war effort. In 1914, when the War Office turned down an offer of help from Scottish doctor Elsie Inglis with the words, ‘My good lady, go home and sit still’, she set up the Scottish Women’s Hospitals on the fighting fronts.
At the time - and in subsequent years - it was felt that the losses amounted to a 'lost generation' of young men. During the 1920s, newspaper headlines talked of 'surplus' women who would never find husbands. While many middle class women did remain unmarried due to the lack of available men in the relatively narrow social sphere in which they moved, some women in this period remained single by choice or by financial necessity.Women in World War I were mobilized in unprecedented numbers on all sides. The vast majority of these women were drafted into the civilian work force to replace conscripted men or work in greatly expanded munitions factories. Thousands served in the military in support roles, but in Turkey, Russia, Germany and other countries many saw combat as well.
This collection of short stories explores how the First World War changed and shaped the lives of women forever. A courageous nurse risks her life at the Front Line; a young woman discovers independence and intrigue in wartime London; and a grief-stricken widow defends her homeland amidst the destruction of war.
Through these and other tales, War Girls presents a moving portrait of loss and grief, and of hope overcoming terrible odds.
The First World War brought many changes in the lives of women. It is often represented as having had a wholly positive impact, opening up new opportunities in the world of work and strengthening their case for the right to vote.
The reality is more complex. Not all of the opportunities the war provided to women were entirely positive or long lasting.
However,even before the formation of the women’s services, some pioneering women made their own way to the front to help the war effort. In 1914, when the War Office turned down an offer of help from Scottish doctor Elsie Inglis with the words, ‘My good lady, go home and sit still’, she set up the Scottish Women’s Hospitals on the fighting fronts.
At the time - and in subsequent years - it was felt that the losses amounted to a 'lost generation' of young men. During the 1920s, newspaper headlines talked of 'surplus' women who would never find husbands. While many middle class women did remain unmarried due to the lack of available men in the relatively narrow social sphere in which they moved, some women in this period remained single by choice or by financial necessity.Women in World War I were mobilized in unprecedented numbers on all sides. The vast majority of these women were drafted into the civilian work force to replace conscripted men or work in greatly expanded munitions factories. Thousands served in the military in support roles, but in Turkey, Russia, Germany and other countries many saw combat as well.
March 29, 2020
I'm not usually a fan of short stories, but I loved every one of these! These stories of young women during WWI were long enough that you came to know the characters and really feel their loss and heartache, but not so long that you start to lose interest.
There are 9 stories in this collection, and while all are good, a few stand out.
Storm in a Teashop - This was a wonderful story about a young waitress who becomes dazzled by a beautiful young woman who frequents the tea shop where she works. However, she soon learns not all things are how they appear.
Mother and Mrs. Everington - About a young woman whose brother returns injured from the front lines. She finds herself judging his inability to cope with the things he's seen until she herself is sent to the front lines as an ambulance driver and she finally realizes there's only so much the human mind and spirit can take before it starts to crack.
Going Spare - This was my favorite story in the entire book. A young girl in 1977 gets piano lessons from her elderly spinster neighbor upstairs. Most people write these unmarried women off as quiet and sad, but we learn, along with our young narrator, that while Miss Frobisher may be unmarried, her life has been anything BUT quiet and sad.
Overall, I absolutely recommend this book. Especially for anyone with an interest in women during the war years. It's a super-fast read and it really brings to mind an awful war that irreversibly changed an entire generation.
There are 9 stories in this collection, and while all are good, a few stand out.
Storm in a Teashop - This was a wonderful story about a young waitress who becomes dazzled by a beautiful young woman who frequents the tea shop where she works. However, she soon learns not all things are how they appear.
Mother and Mrs. Everington - About a young woman whose brother returns injured from the front lines. She finds herself judging his inability to cope with the things he's seen until she herself is sent to the front lines as an ambulance driver and she finally realizes there's only so much the human mind and spirit can take before it starts to crack.
Going Spare - This was my favorite story in the entire book. A young girl in 1977 gets piano lessons from her elderly spinster neighbor upstairs. Most people write these unmarried women off as quiet and sad, but we learn, along with our young narrator, that while Miss Frobisher may be unmarried, her life has been anything BUT quiet and sad.
Overall, I absolutely recommend this book. Especially for anyone with an interest in women during the war years. It's a super-fast read and it really brings to mind an awful war that irreversibly changed an entire generation.
October 28, 2018
"'Don't they teach you that at school?' She said.
'No,' I said. The first World War at school was almost entirely poets and poppies and dead archdukes. And trenches.'
This conversation, taken from the last short story in the collection 'Going Spare', really encapsulates why this was such an refreshingly interesting read. Having the entire collection of short stories told from a female perspective on women's efforts during WWI was a unique approach on this subject. I learnt a lot too about the diversity of women's roles during the war but also how war paved the way for women's rights that we still fight to uphold today.
'No,' I said. The first World War at school was almost entirely poets and poppies and dead archdukes. And trenches.'
This conversation, taken from the last short story in the collection 'Going Spare', really encapsulates why this was such an refreshingly interesting read. Having the entire collection of short stories told from a female perspective on women's efforts during WWI was a unique approach on this subject. I learnt a lot too about the diversity of women's roles during the war but also how war paved the way for women's rights that we still fight to uphold today.
October 25, 2018
"'Don't they teach you that at school?' She said.
'No,' I said. The First World War at school was almost entirely poets and poppies and dead archdukes. And trenches."
This conversation taken from the last short story in the collection, Going Spare, really encapsulates why this is such a great read. Having the entire collection of short stories told from a female perspective on womens' efforts in WWI was really interesting. I learnt a lot too about women's roles during the war but also how war paved the way for women's rights that we still fight for today.
'No,' I said. The First World War at school was almost entirely poets and poppies and dead archdukes. And trenches."
This conversation taken from the last short story in the collection, Going Spare, really encapsulates why this is such a great read. Having the entire collection of short stories told from a female perspective on womens' efforts in WWI was really interesting. I learnt a lot too about women's roles during the war but also how war paved the way for women's rights that we still fight for today.
March 8, 2021
I've learned a lot, and I think it's fair to say this book was written for that purpose. The actual short stories as such left much to be desired, with one or maybe two exemptions.
(that said: my 12 y/o has started reading it, and seems to genuinely like it)
(that said: my 12 y/o has started reading it, and seems to genuinely like it)
May 4, 2021
Absolutely loved the book, love how it is a fictional story but gives you a feeling of what women would have felt at the time. Love that the book is a series of small stories so that there is variety
September 5, 2017
A wonderful collections of stories from women living through WW1 whether nurses, entertainers or those living with the effects of war- highly recommend!
January 17, 2019
Enjoyable YA collection of stories.....
November 13, 2024
I think this is a teenagers book but it was a good read and covered different aspects for young women during the 1st WW
February 7, 2022
A beautiful collection of stories detailing the roles of women during the wars, War Girls is a wonderful book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading
August 28, 2014
I’m not a huge fan of short story collection but War Girls is the first one that didn’t have a single story I didn’t like.
Because of the authors involved it’s no surprise that each of these stories is well written but given the short amount of time it’s impressive how each story has fully developed characters. I loved how varied the collection is and that it’s not just about women in Great Britain.
There were 3 stories that really stood out; Mother and Mrs Everington by Melvin Burgess, Sky Dancer by Berlie Doherty & Going Spare by Sally Nicholls. I was actually reading Mother and Mrs Everington in the canteen at work and remember trying not to cry.
I don’t think I’ll forget these quotes:
“It’s because I longer particularly care who wins this bloody war. I no longer care, because whoever is proclaimed the victor, I am sure of only one thing – we will have all lost.”
– Mother and Mrs Everington by Melvin Burgess
“They didn’t just do nothing,” I said. “All those women. They changed the world.”
– Going Spare by Sally Nicholls
Because of the authors involved it’s no surprise that each of these stories is well written but given the short amount of time it’s impressive how each story has fully developed characters. I loved how varied the collection is and that it’s not just about women in Great Britain.
There were 3 stories that really stood out; Mother and Mrs Everington by Melvin Burgess, Sky Dancer by Berlie Doherty & Going Spare by Sally Nicholls. I was actually reading Mother and Mrs Everington in the canteen at work and remember trying not to cry.
I don’t think I’ll forget these quotes:
“It’s because I longer particularly care who wins this bloody war. I no longer care, because whoever is proclaimed the victor, I am sure of only one thing – we will have all lost.”
– Mother and Mrs Everington by Melvin Burgess
“They didn’t just do nothing,” I said. “All those women. They changed the world.”
– Going Spare by Sally Nicholls
July 15, 2014
I received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
I don't read a whole lot of young adult fiction and I usually stay away from short stories, so this book was at a bit of a disadvantage right from page 1.
I entered to win a copy because I wanted to expand my reading horizons - and I'm so glad I did!
There are 9 stories in the book, each written by one of the top authors for young adults (Theresa Breslin, Matt Whyman, Mary Hooper, Rowena House, Melvin Burgess, Berlie Doherty, Anne Fine, Adèle Geras, and Sally Nicholls).
Each of the stories is well crafted, well written, well thought out, and easily accessible far beyond the 12+ recommended reading age.
I laughed, I frowned, I wiped away a tear or two... A wonderful collection.
I would recommend this book to anyone who thinks short stories aren't for them - it's a great starting point.
I don't read a whole lot of young adult fiction and I usually stay away from short stories, so this book was at a bit of a disadvantage right from page 1.
I entered to win a copy because I wanted to expand my reading horizons - and I'm so glad I did!
There are 9 stories in the book, each written by one of the top authors for young adults (Theresa Breslin, Matt Whyman, Mary Hooper, Rowena House, Melvin Burgess, Berlie Doherty, Anne Fine, Adèle Geras, and Sally Nicholls).
Each of the stories is well crafted, well written, well thought out, and easily accessible far beyond the 12+ recommended reading age.
I laughed, I frowned, I wiped away a tear or two... A wonderful collection.
I would recommend this book to anyone who thinks short stories aren't for them - it's a great starting point.
April 16, 2014
A really interesting and moving anthology about women in WWI.
All those stories talk about women, strong or not, that fought their best during the war.
I like that all the stories were so different from each other, that we could travel with the characters, that the authors gave us a picture of the war that we generaly don't talk about.
I'm pretty sure young girls and women will love to add this anthology to their bookshelves because it is so very poignant. A message of hope and force and love through a very dark time.
A must read.
I easpecially liked Theresa's Breslin's SHADOW AND LIGHT, Melvin Burgess' MOTHER AND MRS EVERINGTON, Berlie Doherty's SKY DANCER and Sally Nicholls' GOING SPARE.
All those stories talk about women, strong or not, that fought their best during the war.
I like that all the stories were so different from each other, that we could travel with the characters, that the authors gave us a picture of the war that we generaly don't talk about.
I'm pretty sure young girls and women will love to add this anthology to their bookshelves because it is so very poignant. A message of hope and force and love through a very dark time.
A must read.
I easpecially liked Theresa's Breslin's SHADOW AND LIGHT, Melvin Burgess' MOTHER AND MRS EVERINGTON, Berlie Doherty's SKY DANCER and Sally Nicholls' GOING SPARE.
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