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When the Men Were Gone
In Marjorie Herrera Lewis’s debut historical novel the inspiring true story of high school teacher Tylene Wilson—a woman who surprises everyone as she breaks with tradition to become the first high school football coach in Texas—comes to life.
It's a man's game, until now...
Football is the heartbeat of Brownwood, Texas. Every Friday night for as long as assistant principal Tylene Wilson can remember, the entire town has gathered in the stands, cheering their boys on. Each September brings with it the hope of a good season and a sense of unity and optimism.
Now, the war has changed everything. Most of the Brownwood men over 18 and under 45 are off fighting, and in a small town the possibilities are limited. Could this mean a season without football? But no one counted on Tylene, who learned the game at her daddy’s knee. She knows more about it than most men, so she does the unthinkable, convincing the school to let her take on the job of coach.
Faced with extreme opposition—by the press, the community, rival coaches, and referees and even the players themselves—Tylene remains resolute. And when her boys rally around her, she leads the team—and the town—to a Friday night and a subsequent season they will never forget.
Based on a true story, When the Men Were Gone is a powerful and vibrant novel of perseverance and personal courage.
It's a man's game, until now...
Football is the heartbeat of Brownwood, Texas. Every Friday night for as long as assistant principal Tylene Wilson can remember, the entire town has gathered in the stands, cheering their boys on. Each September brings with it the hope of a good season and a sense of unity and optimism.
Now, the war has changed everything. Most of the Brownwood men over 18 and under 45 are off fighting, and in a small town the possibilities are limited. Could this mean a season without football? But no one counted on Tylene, who learned the game at her daddy’s knee. She knows more about it than most men, so she does the unthinkable, convincing the school to let her take on the job of coach.
Faced with extreme opposition—by the press, the community, rival coaches, and referees and even the players themselves—Tylene remains resolute. And when her boys rally around her, she leads the team—and the town—to a Friday night and a subsequent season they will never forget.
Based on a true story, When the Men Were Gone is a powerful and vibrant novel of perseverance and personal courage.
212 pages, Hardcover
First published October 2, 2018
306 people are currently reading
5691 people want to read
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January 22, 2021
Strong Female Character!
I thought that “When the Men Were Gone," was a winner of a story. It is a combination football and WWII novel about women in leadership.
The setting is in Texas during WWII. As the title indicated, the men were gone, and the high school young men were next to join in the war effort.
It was very interesting for me. I don't remember reading about what happened during this time. I knew in large cities that women worked in factories but what happened in the small towns?
This is a remarkable story of one town and one woman's battle to protect and preserve high school football. Tylene Wilson, a vice principal at the high school in Brownwood, does what no other woman at the time has done!
There are so many feelings and emotions addressed like sexual prejudice, love, providing support, pain and courage.
It is an incredibly fast read of the Brownsville football team who is in need of a coach. What should the vice principal do? Without football the seniors may be tempted to quit school and enlist. So, she carries the morale of the community on her shoulders.
A great story. I 100% recommend.
I thought that “When the Men Were Gone," was a winner of a story. It is a combination football and WWII novel about women in leadership.
The setting is in Texas during WWII. As the title indicated, the men were gone, and the high school young men were next to join in the war effort.
It was very interesting for me. I don't remember reading about what happened during this time. I knew in large cities that women worked in factories but what happened in the small towns?
This is a remarkable story of one town and one woman's battle to protect and preserve high school football. Tylene Wilson, a vice principal at the high school in Brownwood, does what no other woman at the time has done!
There are so many feelings and emotions addressed like sexual prejudice, love, providing support, pain and courage.
It is an incredibly fast read of the Brownsville football team who is in need of a coach. What should the vice principal do? Without football the seniors may be tempted to quit school and enlist. So, she carries the morale of the community on her shoulders.
A great story. I 100% recommend.
June 26, 2024
In Texas, football is sacred. Everyone knows it, including Tylene Wilson, the assistant principal of Brownwood High School. Having grown up sharing a love for football with her father, Tylene is devastated when the school begins to think about canceling the 1944 season. The truth is that there are no men in town that are willing or capable of coaching high school football; they're all off at war or struggling through injuries received overseas. Knowing that canceling the season means many boys dropping out of high school and going off to war early, Tylene convinces the school to let her try her hand at coaching, even if it means having to face prejudice from her townsfolk, students, and friends.
When the Men Were Gone is a quick read based on a real-life woman who stepped up to coach her town's high school football team during WWII. It's also a debut novel for the author, who definitely knows her stuff when it comes to sports; she's a sportswriter that worked the beat with the Dallas Cowboys, and later held a coaching position for a college team. That being said, while I feel like the book was authentic, it was far too much like an essay or a news report than a novel, and I found myself skimming a book that barely reached 200 pages--2 stars.
Honestly, my biggest issue with this book was the writing. I know that it's a debut novel, and that achievement is nothing to sneeze at. So while I respect the author for her portrayal of a real-life woman making history, I have to say that I was pretty bored throughout the majority of the novel. It definitely picked up towards the end, when the tension of Tylene's first game as coach comes to a head, but readers have to slog through 150+ pages for a mildly entertaining ending.
There's a strong difference between newswriting and creative writing, which might seem obvious. But I'll go ahead and break it down, anyway: Newswriting is all about the facts, no embellishments, no bells and whistles. Creative writing is the complete opposite. It lives on details and foreshadowing and elusive plot points. And, to me, this book read more like a news report than a novel. It was too much tell and not enough show. Every single thing is told to us, even things that aren't important for the story at all. Take this random paragraph, for example:
That's literally the end of the scene. It skips to a different scene after. It's completely unimportant and has no lead-off to the next scene/chapter. Much of the book is written in this way. There's even a paragraph about how Tylene's husband likes his soup. It's overwhelmingly inconsequential to the actual story, and it ends up making this short novel even more of a pain to get through.
What it boils down to is this: too much research; or, a physical representation of the need to be an overachiever--a roundabout Look, I did my research! for any who doubted the novel's veracity. It seems like a strange claim--how can a novel based on a true story, on history, be bogged down by actual events? Excellent question.
The novel covers the course of a little over one week, up to the season's first Friday night game (don't even get me started on how sudden that ending was.) The story is constantly stalled so that the backstories of minor characters can be regurgitated for readers who don't actually need the info. For example, an entire page is dedicated to the backstory of one of the school's employees, and it doesn't really matter. The character is not important to the novel; if he's mentioned more than just in this singular interaction I completely glossed over it. And unfortunately, this same method applies to a lot of the side characters.
So while I appreciate the fact that the author wanted to bring a little-known story to the masses, I don't think that the execution of this book lived up to the hype. I went in expecting a feel-good sports movie (Remember the Titans, Rudy, The Blind Side? Anyone?) in book form. But that's not what happened. Unfortunately, I'm left a little wanting with this one.
When the Men Were Gone is a quick read based on a real-life woman who stepped up to coach her town's high school football team during WWII. It's also a debut novel for the author, who definitely knows her stuff when it comes to sports; she's a sportswriter that worked the beat with the Dallas Cowboys, and later held a coaching position for a college team. That being said, while I feel like the book was authentic, it was far too much like an essay or a news report than a novel, and I found myself skimming a book that barely reached 200 pages--2 stars.
I wanted to sit for a moment. To imagine the boys preparing for the season. To deal with my emotions of fear and uncertainty--without a football season to look forward to, sixteen- and seventeen-year-old boys may prematurely go off to war.
Honestly, my biggest issue with this book was the writing. I know that it's a debut novel, and that achievement is nothing to sneeze at. So while I respect the author for her portrayal of a real-life woman making history, I have to say that I was pretty bored throughout the majority of the novel. It definitely picked up towards the end, when the tension of Tylene's first game as coach comes to a head, but readers have to slog through 150+ pages for a mildly entertaining ending.
During the week, neighbors might be fierce competitors in business and classmates may jockey for grades, but not on those Friday nights, when the worries of life are washed away come kickoff.
There's a strong difference between newswriting and creative writing, which might seem obvious. But I'll go ahead and break it down, anyway: Newswriting is all about the facts, no embellishments, no bells and whistles. Creative writing is the complete opposite. It lives on details and foreshadowing and elusive plot points. And, to me, this book read more like a news report than a novel. It was too much tell and not enough show. Every single thing is told to us, even things that aren't important for the story at all. Take this random paragraph, for example:
We began to part ways. Bobby Ray told me he'd planned to meet up with two of his buddies, seniors Roger Duenkler and Kevin Mutz, but hadn't seen them. He asked if I had. I hadn't.
That's literally the end of the scene. It skips to a different scene after. It's completely unimportant and has no lead-off to the next scene/chapter. Much of the book is written in this way. There's even a paragraph about how Tylene's husband likes his soup. It's overwhelmingly inconsequential to the actual story, and it ends up making this short novel even more of a pain to get through.
What it boils down to is this: too much research; or, a physical representation of the need to be an overachiever--a roundabout Look, I did my research! for any who doubted the novel's veracity. It seems like a strange claim--how can a novel based on a true story, on history, be bogged down by actual events? Excellent question.
The novel covers the course of a little over one week, up to the season's first Friday night game (don't even get me started on how sudden that ending was.) The story is constantly stalled so that the backstories of minor characters can be regurgitated for readers who don't actually need the info. For example, an entire page is dedicated to the backstory of one of the school's employees, and it doesn't really matter. The character is not important to the novel; if he's mentioned more than just in this singular interaction I completely glossed over it. And unfortunately, this same method applies to a lot of the side characters.
So while I appreciate the fact that the author wanted to bring a little-known story to the masses, I don't think that the execution of this book lived up to the hype. I went in expecting a feel-good sports movie (Remember the Titans, Rudy, The Blind Side? Anyone?) in book form. But that's not what happened. Unfortunately, I'm left a little wanting with this one.
September 30, 2018
First off I received this book as a giveaway from William Morrow. And for that I say thank you.
I am not a big fan of American Football, but I still enjoyed this story that was based on a real person. And this story was very faith based, so it crosses genres over into Christian Fiction.
The main character of this story had many obstacles to overcome and she did it with her best face forward.
This story also makes for a good North American fall read. Especially since it is set during High School football season.
I am not a big fan of American Football, but I still enjoyed this story that was based on a real person. And this story was very faith based, so it crosses genres over into Christian Fiction.
The main character of this story had many obstacles to overcome and she did it with her best face forward.
This story also makes for a good North American fall read. Especially since it is set during High School football season.
April 15, 2019
If the Hallmark Channel wrote a love note to Texas women and football, it would be this book.
TX, WWII. Brownwood needs a football coach; the last 2 went to war and one came back dead. If the boys don’t have football, they’ll also go to war and they’ll also die. So it’s up to the super-capable, ridiculously perfect Tylene Wilson, born 1900 and indoctrinated to her love of football in 1905, to step in.
I was disappointed in how saccharine this story is. Tylene is far too perfect, the town is far too perfect, the mens' outrage at the idea of a lady coach is painfully trite, it’s all so fake. I feel like this is the America some people are trying to make Great Again, like this is what they may think we're going back to - a time when women worked a woman's job, got home and made dinner, then coached football in 1-inch heels and pearls but only out of necessity and pure altruism. Bonus: Racism didn't exist, at least not in this town, and sexism was rampant but ignorable.
Our hero, Tylene, who battles against the tide of unpopular opinion in order to keep the high school seniors safe from enlisting for one more year, likes to tell stories. She hearkens back to times past on the regular so the reader can get a constant supply of backstory. Sometimes, she does this to explain why she loves football, other times she does this to explain to people suffering from PTSD that everyone has known trauma so WW2 vets really ought to put their pain into perspective.
I don't know how factual this story about a person who really lived and coached in Brownwood, TX, was. I mean, I assume her records were searched and the facts of her life (parents, rickets, tornadoes, the football team and who they played and the coaches who went to war, etc) were accurate but I question that because Tylene calls her parents "Mom" and "Dad." I do not know a single grownass proud born-n-bred Texan woman who calls her parents Mom and Dad. They all use Mama/Mother and Daddy. If they have been relocated to other places, they may refer to their parents as Mom and Dad to fit in but when they're on the phone to home, they use Mama/Mother and Daddy. With that in mind, who even knows how accurate this is. I mean, I could find out but I don't really want to spend that much time researching a woman who was made so painfully boring in this story.
1.5 stars
TX, WWII. Brownwood needs a football coach; the last 2 went to war and one came back dead. If the boys don’t have football, they’ll also go to war and they’ll also die. So it’s up to the super-capable, ridiculously perfect Tylene Wilson, born 1900 and indoctrinated to her love of football in 1905, to step in.
I was disappointed in how saccharine this story is. Tylene is far too perfect, the town is far too perfect, the mens' outrage at the idea of a lady coach is painfully trite, it’s all so fake. I feel like this is the America some people are trying to make Great Again, like this is what they may think we're going back to - a time when women worked a woman's job, got home and made dinner, then coached football in 1-inch heels and pearls but only out of necessity and pure altruism. Bonus: Racism didn't exist, at least not in this town, and sexism was rampant but ignorable.
Our hero, Tylene, who battles against the tide of unpopular opinion in order to keep the high school seniors safe from enlisting for one more year, likes to tell stories. She hearkens back to times past on the regular so the reader can get a constant supply of backstory. Sometimes, she does this to explain why she loves football, other times she does this to explain to people suffering from PTSD that everyone has known trauma so WW2 vets really ought to put their pain into perspective.
I don't know how factual this story about a person who really lived and coached in Brownwood, TX, was. I mean, I assume her records were searched and the facts of her life (parents, rickets, tornadoes, the football team and who they played and the coaches who went to war, etc) were accurate but I question that because Tylene calls her parents "Mom" and "Dad." I do not know a single grownass proud born-n-bred Texan woman who calls her parents Mom and Dad. They all use Mama/Mother and Daddy. If they have been relocated to other places, they may refer to their parents as Mom and Dad to fit in but when they're on the phone to home, they use Mama/Mother and Daddy. With that in mind, who even knows how accurate this is. I mean, I could find out but I don't really want to spend that much time researching a woman who was made so painfully boring in this story.
1.5 stars
March 15, 2019
Based on the true story of Tylene Wilson, a woman who stepped in to coach the high school football team in the early 1940s. Set in Brownwood, Texas where football reigns supreme. As a young girl, Tylene spent time with her father tossing the football, and the two rarely missed a Friday night Brownwood game. She developed a passion for the game and could diagram plays to rival those of the coach. So when their current football coach, along with most of the eligible men, was off fighting in WWII, Tylene feared her senior boys would enlist early if she couldn't find a solution to not allow the season to be cancelled. She has the support of the principal, but the townspeople, the press, the other coaches, the refs, and even some of the players are in opposition to Tylene coaching. Can Tylene overcome these obstacles to save the season?
A great story about a woman making her mark in a male dominanted sport, and breaking the glass ceiling for future generations of women.
A great story about a woman making her mark in a male dominanted sport, and breaking the glass ceiling for future generations of women.
November 9, 2018
This is a debut Historical Fiction novel based on a true story set during WWII in the heart of Texas. This was a quick, light and fun read. It was character driven. The characters were very detailed. They were likable and they all had purpose with their own story to tell. There wasn't much world building other than what came through from all of the characters....their thoughts, actions, emotion, etc. But that was okay...not a deal breaker.
A vice principal steps up to coach the high school football team because there is no one else who can or will do it....but it turns out that the vice principal is a woman. The community is in a bit of a snit that a woman is stepping out of 'her place'. If she didn't step forward, the football program would have been cancelled and these boys might be off to war sooner than later. Overall, this was a little predictable, but there was enough drama that moved at a nice pace that kept me hooked....so 4 stars.
A vice principal steps up to coach the high school football team because there is no one else who can or will do it....but it turns out that the vice principal is a woman. The community is in a bit of a snit that a woman is stepping out of 'her place'. If she didn't step forward, the football program would have been cancelled and these boys might be off to war sooner than later. Overall, this was a little predictable, but there was enough drama that moved at a nice pace that kept me hooked....so 4 stars.
June 15, 2018
I got this book as an uncorrected proof at a Book Expo.
What an uplifting, powerful, and moving book that touched on the subjects of war, loss, and hope. But what I loved most about this book was it's reminder of what life was like for women back in the '40s and the social constraints they endured because they weren't seen as equal to men.
I would recommend this book be added to a school's summer reading list as it is both entertaining and educational. And I wouldn't be surprised if it was made into a movie. I was astounded when I learned that it was based off of a real individual and I feel like this is a story, and lesson, that needs to be heard on a large scale.
What an uplifting, powerful, and moving book that touched on the subjects of war, loss, and hope. But what I loved most about this book was it's reminder of what life was like for women back in the '40s and the social constraints they endured because they weren't seen as equal to men.
I would recommend this book be added to a school's summer reading list as it is both entertaining and educational. And I wouldn't be surprised if it was made into a movie. I was astounded when I learned that it was based off of a real individual and I feel like this is a story, and lesson, that needs to be heard on a large scale.
July 3, 2021
1.5 ⭐ rounded up to 2.
Trigger warnings: sexism, bullying, depictions of war, tornado destroying a town, stroke, and one instance of child abuse (a teenage boy was switched), alcoholism, name calling
Okay. I've got a rant against this. This is nothing but sexism and bullying against a woman being a football coach. I give points in Tylene's husband supporting her, and I did like Tylene-to a point. But football is NOT more important than that of the war. I get that it was a point of team spirit and all,but most of the men in this book need a lesson in manners. I understand it's that time period, and how women were raised yet this just was not a book I enjoyed.
Tylene was brave in being the only woman football coach, yet she was also annoying af in terms of not standing up for herself and allowing them all that much power to begin with.
I may post a further review. I need a think on this one.
Trigger warnings: sexism, bullying, depictions of war, tornado destroying a town, stroke, and one instance of child abuse (a teenage boy was switched), alcoholism, name calling
Okay. I've got a rant against this. This is nothing but sexism and bullying against a woman being a football coach. I give points in Tylene's husband supporting her, and I did like Tylene-to a point. But football is NOT more important than that of the war. I get that it was a point of team spirit and all,but most of the men in this book need a lesson in manners. I understand it's that time period, and how women were raised yet this just was not a book I enjoyed.
Tylene was brave in being the only woman football coach, yet she was also annoying af in terms of not standing up for herself and allowing them all that much power to begin with.
I may post a further review. I need a think on this one.
October 22, 2018
Football was part of everyone’s life in Brownwood, Texas. The men taught their sons, the coaches led their teams, the girls cheered them on, and everyone came to the games every Friday night during football season. High school football meant everything to this town, and everyone knew their place. At least that’s the way it was until the war took the men. Now, most of the men eligle to coach the high school team were either serving overseas or had paid the ultimate price of freedom with their lives. Without a coach, the school board would have to cancel the season. Tylene Wilson, school administrator, had grown up learning about football from her dad, and knew the boys, especially the seniors, needed football as much as the town did. But when her efforts to find a male coach fell through, she decided to step up to the plate. She knew she could coach, if she were allowed to coach. But being accepted as a coach was another thing entirely. Though met with resistance from nearly every corner and everyone, she persevered. Base on a true story, this novel is a tale of one woman’s stubborn desire to do what was needed and what was right, to show “her boys” - the team - the true meaning of sportsmanship and what playing football really meant. Well written with strong characters, especially with a strong female character, author Marjorie Herrera Lewis has penned an inspirational story that has lessons for us all in its pages.
October 4, 2018
A quick read with some shining moments and spotlight on another role that women fought to fill during WWII. The coaching chapters were by far the best and incredibly interesting and easy to get caught up in.
But it also lacked plot focus in areas, with a lot of detailed filler that eventually felt unnecessary to the overall story arc (even though they were probably the factual parts of the history that the author wanted to convey). It was mostly the quick backstories on every minor character that started to stall the flow. When the author focused on Tylene’s history with her husband and parents, it felt more in tune and focused, as well as a more natural part of this story.
The dialogue was a little “made-for-tv-movie”, sort of stilted and overly optimistic and sweet. Not entirely my cup of tea, but it also didn’t completely overshadow the story the author was trying to tell. The book does have a lot of heart as well as courage in the face of adversity. It was definitely a story worth telling.
The ending wasn’t great, mainly because it seemed to cut off so abruptly. That’s where the author chose to end it, and I respect that, it was a sweet little moment that connected Tylene with her husband and reiterated why she has the passion she does for the boys she coached and not just a love of football. But it still left me wanting. I at least expected a few quick sentences for key people as an epilogue. You know, how they generally do at the end of movies that are based on true stories.
Overall, I was glad to have a little insight into this area of history, even through a fictionalization.
But it also lacked plot focus in areas, with a lot of detailed filler that eventually felt unnecessary to the overall story arc (even though they were probably the factual parts of the history that the author wanted to convey). It was mostly the quick backstories on every minor character that started to stall the flow. When the author focused on Tylene’s history with her husband and parents, it felt more in tune and focused, as well as a more natural part of this story.
The dialogue was a little “made-for-tv-movie”, sort of stilted and overly optimistic and sweet. Not entirely my cup of tea, but it also didn’t completely overshadow the story the author was trying to tell. The book does have a lot of heart as well as courage in the face of adversity. It was definitely a story worth telling.
The ending wasn’t great, mainly because it seemed to cut off so abruptly. That’s where the author chose to end it, and I respect that, it was a sweet little moment that connected Tylene with her husband and reiterated why she has the passion she does for the boys she coached and not just a love of football. But it still left me wanting. I at least expected a few quick sentences for key people as an epilogue. You know, how they generally do at the end of movies that are based on true stories.
Overall, I was glad to have a little insight into this area of history, even through a fictionalization.
August 13, 2018
Another "based on a true story" that I completely missed it was true! A very fast and easy read that at times had me saying "are you serious??" while reading. Reminding me a little bit of "Wildcats" with Goldie Hawn, 'When the Men Were Gone' was a great story about a town in Texas whose high school football season was severely affected by the war and the strong woman that stepped up and became the football coach despite the verbal and mental abuse that she was subjected to by some of the players, the parents, the townsfolk and even her close friends. While the story portrays only one game, of what I presume was a full season, that first game was intense. The amount of ridicule and mockery that Tylene Wilson (a real person!) had to endure just to provide the high school seniors one more year of 'normal' before having to be shipped off to war was inspiring and motivating that sometimes you only get one chance to do what you love, and you shouldn't let that opportunity pass you by.
April 15, 2019
My reading year isn't off to an illustrious start. I read this for my Face to Face book club (which I don't always attend, but I like to read what is suggested).
What I liked about this book is it introduced me to a woman, Tylene Wilson, that coached football in a small town in Texas during WWII. I am from Texas and I like to know about moments in Texas history. So thanks Ms. Herrera Lewis for introducing me to Tylene.
I just didn't feel the story is well developed and flushed out. The chapters are short and the writing is lacking in detail. It feels like an article, which makes sense since Herrera Lewis comes from a journalism background.
There will be points to discuss in book club, but I feel like the writing will not be highlighted also.
What I liked about this book is it introduced me to a woman, Tylene Wilson, that coached football in a small town in Texas during WWII. I am from Texas and I like to know about moments in Texas history. So thanks Ms. Herrera Lewis for introducing me to Tylene.
I just didn't feel the story is well developed and flushed out. The chapters are short and the writing is lacking in detail. It feels like an article, which makes sense since Herrera Lewis comes from a journalism background.
There will be points to discuss in book club, but I feel like the writing will not be highlighted also.
August 5, 2018
Quick read. The story had a ton of potential but the writing wasn’t quite there.
July 12, 2018
When I first saw the cover of this novel, I immediately remembered one of my favorite movies, "Summer of '42." The movie brilliantly details the adolescent lives and times of two boys too young to go off to WW II, the heartbreak of a young war widow, and how those life streams connect.
The brilliance of Marjorie's based-on-a-true-story novel is that, like the movie did, it distills the life and times of people facing far-off WW II into a local conflict that they must battle hand to hand. The primary battle is sexism: protagonist Tylene (a real person) is the best choice to be the school's football coach, but the men in the decision chain are skeptical—and her opposing coaches are rudely dismissive.
We look back through our long lenses to those days and just shake our heads today. But this was another time and place that Majorie has reborn and given life.
Tylene was a real person in the Texas school football continuum, and her "factional" depiction is fully realized as a caring, football-loving teacher and school supporter who just wants to do the best thing for everyone. She infuses even her skeptical football team with energy and directs them with skill, finally overcoming the last barrier when a teammate's brother, a former school football stand-out now injured, gives his support.
In the end, they lose the Big Game, but they are victorious in pride and self-worth.
This is "Friday Night Lights" crossed with DNA from "Summer of '42." It has a little Sisyphean top-spin, with tasks that are both laborious and futile. The coaching trials compete with Tylene's effort to rescue a former student and football star from the life-eroding effects of his war wounds; with keeping her marriage happy and functioning; and occasionally, with her own self-doubt.
This is a finely tuned, lyrical story that evokes a time long past but mostly fondly remembered, the war years when Americans all pulled together to fight the Hun while mostly ignoring the social battles on the home front because that's what they always did then. The Greatest Generation at war sometimes wasn't so great back home.
Marjorie's seminal work will one day be taught in high school English Lit classes. Full disclosure: I'm proud to say I shared an MFA program with her for a time, but it's clear she paid closer attention than I did. I'm told this story has been optioned for a movie, and that's great news.
But like one often says, the book is better.
Five Stars: One for any writer facing the anxiety of a blank page; one for an ignored story uncovered and illuminated well; one for finely drawn characters who come to life on the page and in the reader’s mind; one for a terrific cover; and one because I'm happy to think this is just the start of a wonderful career full of great reading for us all.
Strongly, unequivocally recommended.
The brilliance of Marjorie's based-on-a-true-story novel is that, like the movie did, it distills the life and times of people facing far-off WW II into a local conflict that they must battle hand to hand. The primary battle is sexism: protagonist Tylene (a real person) is the best choice to be the school's football coach, but the men in the decision chain are skeptical—and her opposing coaches are rudely dismissive.
We look back through our long lenses to those days and just shake our heads today. But this was another time and place that Majorie has reborn and given life.
Tylene was a real person in the Texas school football continuum, and her "factional" depiction is fully realized as a caring, football-loving teacher and school supporter who just wants to do the best thing for everyone. She infuses even her skeptical football team with energy and directs them with skill, finally overcoming the last barrier when a teammate's brother, a former school football stand-out now injured, gives his support.
In the end, they lose the Big Game, but they are victorious in pride and self-worth.
This is "Friday Night Lights" crossed with DNA from "Summer of '42." It has a little Sisyphean top-spin, with tasks that are both laborious and futile. The coaching trials compete with Tylene's effort to rescue a former student and football star from the life-eroding effects of his war wounds; with keeping her marriage happy and functioning; and occasionally, with her own self-doubt.
This is a finely tuned, lyrical story that evokes a time long past but mostly fondly remembered, the war years when Americans all pulled together to fight the Hun while mostly ignoring the social battles on the home front because that's what they always did then. The Greatest Generation at war sometimes wasn't so great back home.
Marjorie's seminal work will one day be taught in high school English Lit classes. Full disclosure: I'm proud to say I shared an MFA program with her for a time, but it's clear she paid closer attention than I did. I'm told this story has been optioned for a movie, and that's great news.
But like one often says, the book is better.
Five Stars: One for any writer facing the anxiety of a blank page; one for an ignored story uncovered and illuminated well; one for finely drawn characters who come to life on the page and in the reader’s mind; one for a terrific cover; and one because I'm happy to think this is just the start of a wonderful career full of great reading for us all.
Strongly, unequivocally recommended.
June 12, 2023
3.5 stars! The story was great, but the writing left something to be desired.
The true story of a woman who became the football coach to the Brownwood, TX high school team in 1944 - in the midst of WW2 and when Brownwood needed something to hope for.
It was fun to know the towns and places they went (playing Stephenville HS and eating at Underwood’s!!)
The true story of a woman who became the football coach to the Brownwood, TX high school team in 1944 - in the midst of WW2 and when Brownwood needed something to hope for.
It was fun to know the towns and places they went (playing Stephenville HS and eating at Underwood’s!!)
January 31, 2019
Thank you, Marjorie Lewis, for telling Tylene’s story! I read this book in one afternoon! I was thoroughly engrossed and moved emotionally by her story. Although the premise of this story is how a woman came to coach a high school football team in Texas during WWII, a fascinating story on its own, this book is about so much more than that. There were so many times that I wiped tears from my eyes, as the families dealt with the loss of sons and brothers during the war. Aside from football, the high school boys who played for Tylene were also playing for their present, since their future was uncertain as war waged on. This is a story which will stay in my heart for a long time.
October 9, 2018
It's Autumn 1944, and with all the young men heading off to WWII there is no one left to coach the high school football team except Assistant Principal Tylene Wilson. But not everyone is in favor of a woman taking on a man's job . . .
My review: http://perfectretort.blogspot.com/201...
My review: http://perfectretort.blogspot.com/201...
January 22, 2019
Book Club selection for February. 212 pages. One-day read. Five stars? OK, this isn't a Middlemarch kind of five-star book, but this really got the stars legitimately in my reaction. Based on a true story
--check. Set during World War II, one of my favorite periods of history--check. A feminist story without being a "feminist" story--check. A story of family, the kind you come home to and the kind you build in your community--check. A bit of a coming-of-age story (one of my favorite genres)--check. Set in Texas (not so important anymore, but when the author is Texan enough to write "Dr Pepper" with no period, I consider it worthy)--check. Add in good, clear, lyrical writing plus moving me to tears (Several times! While I sat in the chair getting a pedicure!), and I don't feel like I have compromised my degree in English literature by giving this novel its five stars.
--check. Set during World War II, one of my favorite periods of history--check. A feminist story without being a "feminist" story--check. A story of family, the kind you come home to and the kind you build in your community--check. A bit of a coming-of-age story (one of my favorite genres)--check. Set in Texas (not so important anymore, but when the author is Texan enough to write "Dr Pepper" with no period, I consider it worthy)--check. Add in good, clear, lyrical writing plus moving me to tears (Several times! While I sat in the chair getting a pedicure!), and I don't feel like I have compromised my degree in English literature by giving this novel its five stars.
June 25, 2018
Wonderful read with compelling characters that draw you in instantly and capture your heart. This is an amazing debut novel by Marjorie Herrera Lewis.
March 21, 2019
I would have preferred a non-fiction version with more information about the rest of the season and maybe what happened to some of the boys that played football that year. Were they drafted? What happened? Did any of them say she really helped them? I liked at the end of the book where the author said what was true. I also liked hearing about the author and why she wanted to right about this woman.
December 23, 2023
Friday night lights + WWII + women’s rights.
•
Based on a true story, a Texas high school football team is without a coach due to all the men enlisting to fight for the allies during WWII. Enter Tylene Wilson, school administrator and football specialist, who volunteers to coach the team.
•
Probably not a 4⭐️ book for most, but I loved it. Give me a football loving woman who drinks Dr Pepper and throw in the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, and I’m hooked.
•
Based on a true story, a Texas high school football team is without a coach due to all the men enlisting to fight for the allies during WWII. Enter Tylene Wilson, school administrator and football specialist, who volunteers to coach the team.
•
Probably not a 4⭐️ book for most, but I loved it. Give me a football loving woman who drinks Dr Pepper and throw in the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, and I’m hooked.
September 4, 2018
Something just doesn't work here. It's a good plot, so I think it's the narration. Perhaps the flat, dull tone of the narrator is typical of time and place (Texas during WWII), but it didn't make for an entertaining read.
October 18, 2018
Love the story!
Love this story about a woman who took a chance in a non female role and created a positive change in a community!
Love this story about a woman who took a chance in a non female role and created a positive change in a community!
September 29, 2018
Heavy on the football and the feminism, this is a historical fiction novel to look out for featuring a small town in Texas in 1944. Miss Tylene Wilson is the assistant principal at Brownwood High School, and she's got her work cut out for her. However, she's concerned for a new reason this season, and it's that football might be cancelled due to WWII's toll on the male population. Tylene's been an avid football fan all her life, for reasons that are more personal than she tends to let on, but as a woman she's never been able to play the game she loves so much. Without the coach there to support the senior boys, how can she keep them on the field and out of the war?
I was surprised by how fast paced this historical fiction novel centered around football was. I'm not big into football, and as a result I found I learned some basic elements of the game. Tylene's back story as to why she grew up playing football and her motivation for her continued love of the game was moving, and I appreciated how Lewis was able to tie together various tragic themes throughout the book. In the end, it seems the struggles of each of the characters was what brought them together.
This book wasn't as much a history lesson as it was a character themed story, but I was okay with that. The setting didn't feed into the plot too much other than a reason why the men were gone and an impetus for the main challenges throughout the story. It is easy to set up a basic feminist story where a woman can take the lead when men are not there. For the same reason this book was able to succeed as a feminist novel, is also where it fell short for me. The resistance of the crowd to have a female coach seemed like a tired plot point, and everyone's hesitations including Miss Tylene felt overly dramatized. Perhaps this is my own experience in reading this book, as I tend to read plenty of feminist literature. I can see this book being an excellent crossover book for someone who likes football or history looking to dip their toes into some light feminism. I can also see this being a good snapshot for high schoolers, as the subject matter is pretty mild, there is no language and no adult themes.
The other area this book was lacking was in it's world building. Lewis doesn't add many descriptions in this book, and at the same time there wasn't a lot put on the readers to imagine. Only a few scenes were described using sensory descriptions, so I have a limited picture of how the story would play out in images. This was also a bit of a drawback, as even the football scenes were hard to imagine for someone who hasn't spent much time on a field. Historical fiction have a lot to offer in terms of atmosphere, and I think Lewis could have done more exploration with her descriptions.
John and Tylene have the sweetest relationship, and they seemed so in tune with each other. They seemed to always be able to tell when the other was distracted or bothered, and they cared for each other with small sweet gestures.
Overall, this book was a quick and predictable yet satisfactory read. I enjoyed the community feelings that Lewis portrayed throughout the book. I was pleasantly surprised by how mild the overall storyline was, yet how fast paced the writing was in spite of that. Lewis definitely kept the story moving, and was quick to give respite in the form of John.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review via Harper Luxe and Edelweiss.
I was surprised by how fast paced this historical fiction novel centered around football was. I'm not big into football, and as a result I found I learned some basic elements of the game. Tylene's back story as to why she grew up playing football and her motivation for her continued love of the game was moving, and I appreciated how Lewis was able to tie together various tragic themes throughout the book. In the end, it seems the struggles of each of the characters was what brought them together.
This book wasn't as much a history lesson as it was a character themed story, but I was okay with that. The setting didn't feed into the plot too much other than a reason why the men were gone and an impetus for the main challenges throughout the story. It is easy to set up a basic feminist story where a woman can take the lead when men are not there. For the same reason this book was able to succeed as a feminist novel, is also where it fell short for me. The resistance of the crowd to have a female coach seemed like a tired plot point, and everyone's hesitations including Miss Tylene felt overly dramatized. Perhaps this is my own experience in reading this book, as I tend to read plenty of feminist literature. I can see this book being an excellent crossover book for someone who likes football or history looking to dip their toes into some light feminism. I can also see this being a good snapshot for high schoolers, as the subject matter is pretty mild, there is no language and no adult themes.
The other area this book was lacking was in it's world building. Lewis doesn't add many descriptions in this book, and at the same time there wasn't a lot put on the readers to imagine. Only a few scenes were described using sensory descriptions, so I have a limited picture of how the story would play out in images. This was also a bit of a drawback, as even the football scenes were hard to imagine for someone who hasn't spent much time on a field. Historical fiction have a lot to offer in terms of atmosphere, and I think Lewis could have done more exploration with her descriptions.
John and Tylene have the sweetest relationship, and they seemed so in tune with each other. They seemed to always be able to tell when the other was distracted or bothered, and they cared for each other with small sweet gestures.
Overall, this book was a quick and predictable yet satisfactory read. I enjoyed the community feelings that Lewis portrayed throughout the book. I was pleasantly surprised by how mild the overall storyline was, yet how fast paced the writing was in spite of that. Lewis definitely kept the story moving, and was quick to give respite in the form of John.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review via Harper Luxe and Edelweiss.
July 28, 2021
Me encantó este libro. Es la historia de Tylene Wilson, una maestra que ama el football. Ella espera un día poder entrenar al equipo de su escuela. Quizás sea posible cumplir este sueño ya que muchos hombres han sido llamados a servir de en la guerra. Este libro narra la perspectiva de una mujer que vive en Texas. Me gusta que la autora haya plasmado la situación de Tylene. Además de que describe la conversación que Tylene tiene con otros habitantes del pueblo. Sin duda una historia emocionante que muestra una mujer decidida a cumplir sus sueños.
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I loved this book. It is the story of Tylene Wilson, a teacher who loves football. She hopes that one day she gets the opportunity to coach her school team. Perhaps it is possible to fulfill this dream as many men have been called to serve in war. This book tells the perspective of a woman living in Texas. I like that the author has described Tylene's situation, as well as part of her history. In addition to narrating the circumstances that people were living during that time. Without a doubt an exciting story that shows a woman determined to fulfill her dreams.
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I loved this book. It is the story of Tylene Wilson, a teacher who loves football. She hopes that one day she gets the opportunity to coach her school team. Perhaps it is possible to fulfill this dream as many men have been called to serve in war. This book tells the perspective of a woman living in Texas. I like that the author has described Tylene's situation, as well as part of her history. In addition to narrating the circumstances that people were living during that time. Without a doubt an exciting story that shows a woman determined to fulfill her dreams.
September 20, 2018
Thanks to LibraryThing and Wm. Morrow for this ARC.
I love books about strong women and this was one of them. Who would have thought in the 1940's a woman coaching a football team during the war because one coach was dead due to the war and the other was serving? Tylene who was an assistant principal and a former English teacher at this school, was determined to do so even with practically the whole town and some players against this. She grew up loving footfall and knowing much more than a lot of coaches and proved it to be sure. I won't give it away and spoil the ending or the final score. I cried a few times since she loved the game so much, and knew she could do it due to her love of the game and thanks to her father who encouraged her to play catch with him.
Didn't realize this was based on a true story until I read the questions and answers with the author.
I'd definitely read others by her. Quite a debut. A feel good book and so glad I won this.
I love books about strong women and this was one of them. Who would have thought in the 1940's a woman coaching a football team during the war because one coach was dead due to the war and the other was serving? Tylene who was an assistant principal and a former English teacher at this school, was determined to do so even with practically the whole town and some players against this. She grew up loving footfall and knowing much more than a lot of coaches and proved it to be sure. I won't give it away and spoil the ending or the final score. I cried a few times since she loved the game so much, and knew she could do it due to her love of the game and thanks to her father who encouraged her to play catch with him.
Didn't realize this was based on a true story until I read the questions and answers with the author.
I'd definitely read others by her. Quite a debut. A feel good book and so glad I won this.
May 8, 2020
A woman coaching High School football in Texas sounds pretty difficult even today- this story is about a woman facing the difficulties of doing that in 1944, after the previous coach was killed in the war and his replacement enlisted. I liked the story and the topic was interesting even tho I don't understand much American Football... I enjoy sports stories and historical fiction so a combination of those was something I was looking forward to. The writing left something to be desired; I'm not a fan of first body POV especially if they start to go all over the place like when you listen to someone talk and they start to go off topic before getting back to the point.
October 4, 2018
There is nothing about football that interests me except this book. I'm totally confounded by how Marjorie Herrera Lewis kept me enrapt in a football story. Ok, it's not really a football story. It's a story of how a woman's strength, courage, and skill prevailed against the odds.
Marjorie's story structure is a role model for establishing plot. I made note of how she added obstacle upon obstacle upon obstacle and raised the stakes for the characters. Just when you think the character's situation couldn't become more dire, it did. You go, Marjorie.
Boy, I loved that our heroine wore pearls and heels on the football field.
Marjorie's story structure is a role model for establishing plot. I made note of how she added obstacle upon obstacle upon obstacle and raised the stakes for the characters. Just when you think the character's situation couldn't become more dire, it did. You go, Marjorie.
Boy, I loved that our heroine wore pearls and heels on the football field.
October 9, 2018
A little bit Remeber the Titans and Friday Night Lights. This historical fiction read is based on a true story about a woman stepping up to coach a Texas high school football team after previous coaches were lost in WW2 action or enlisted. Her father instilled her love and knowledge of the game at a young age (like mine). But more than that her concern for the boys enlisting for war prematurely if the season was cancelled drove her determination. It was a sad time and a very different team so getting to kick off was no easy task. A wonderful debut by a former Dallas Cowboys beat reporter, and a football coach. And yep, she is a woman! Be sure to read the author Q&A.
January 7, 2019
I rarely watch football and understand only the basics of the game so those details in the book were gibberish to me, but the story was brilliant anyway. I was really rooting for Tylene, Moose and the boys. I wished there was just a little more information about the real life Tylene at the end such as how long she coached, what her win/loss record was etc. but the story as told was nicely complete.
Popsugar 2019: A novel based on a true story
Popsugar 2019: A novel based on a true story
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