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The Leonard Girls
Rowie's pro-war, her sister Jo's a protester. And they're both in Vietnam. The compelling new novel from the bestselling author of From the Ashes
In 1969, at the height of the Vietnam war, nurse Rowie Leonard is serving a 12-month tour of duty. She supports the war and is committed to caring for wounded New Zealand and Australian troops. After a few months, however, she realises that nothing at all about the conflict is as clear-cut as she'd assumed.
Her younger sister, Jo, is the opposite - a student at Auckland University, a folk singer and a fervent anti-war protestor. But when Jo falls for professional soldier Sam Apanui, home on leave to visit his ill father, she finds herself torn between her feelings and her convictions.
As the three of them grapple with love, loss, and the stresses and sorrows of war, each will be forced to confront and question everything they believed.
Praise for Deborah Challinor:
'Challinor is a good storyteller ... seamlessly joining fact and fiction and creating a convincing, atmospheric yarn' Bookseller and Publisher
'The perfect blend of fact and fiction' NZ Herald
In 1969, at the height of the Vietnam war, nurse Rowie Leonard is serving a 12-month tour of duty. She supports the war and is committed to caring for wounded New Zealand and Australian troops. After a few months, however, she realises that nothing at all about the conflict is as clear-cut as she'd assumed.
Her younger sister, Jo, is the opposite - a student at Auckland University, a folk singer and a fervent anti-war protestor. But when Jo falls for professional soldier Sam Apanui, home on leave to visit his ill father, she finds herself torn between her feelings and her convictions.
As the three of them grapple with love, loss, and the stresses and sorrows of war, each will be forced to confront and question everything they believed.
Praise for Deborah Challinor:
'Challinor is a good storyteller ... seamlessly joining fact and fiction and creating a convincing, atmospheric yarn' Bookseller and Publisher
'The perfect blend of fact and fiction' NZ Herald
416 pages, Paperback
Published March 30, 2022
24 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Challinor
24 books245 followersBorn in Huntly, she holds a PhD in New Zealand history from the University of Waikato. Challinor has worked as a fulltime writer and historian since 2000.
Primarily known for her historical novels, Deborah Challinor’s first published books were non-fiction history books, including the best-selling Grey Ghosts: New Zealand Vietnam Vets Talk About Their War (Hodder Moa Beckett, 1998).
Her first historical novel, Tamar, was published in 2002 and has been reprinted six times. Tamar is set in Auckland, Hawke’s Bay and South Africa and covers the period from 1879 until the Boer War. The series continues with White Feathers (2003) and Blue Smoke (2004).
Union Belle (2005) tells the love story of a young woman caught up in the 1951 waterfront strike, and Kitty (2006) is set in the Bay of Islands in nineteenth century New Zealand. Both novels have been at the top of the New Zealand fiction bestseller list.
Attention to historical detail is an important part of writing for Challinor. ‘I base my novels on actual historical events, and it’s very important to me to research those events in depth and to present them accurately,’ she says.
Reviewing Union Belle in North and South magazine in April 2005, Warwick Roger commented that: ‘You can smell the beer and cigarette smoke in the public bar of the Huntly Hotel, hear the band at the Saturday night dances at the miner’s hall … it’s a book I kept sneaking back to whenever I had a spare quarter hour, eager to advance the story.’
Fire (HarperCollins, 2007), Challinor's seventh novel, is set in Auckland during the hype leading up to the royal visit of 1953, but is based on the Ballantyne’s department store fire of 1947 in Christchurch. A powerful and dramatic story of passion, ambition and greed, it became a number one bestseller.
Amber, the sequel to Kitty, was published later in 2007 and also became a bestseller. Amber opens in New Zealand in 1945, on the eve of the Northern War in the Bay of Islands, in which Kitty is caught up. Sent to Auckland away from the fighting, Kitty encounters an orphaned part-Maori girl she names Amber. Together they return to the Bay of Islands, where both Kitty must risk her own life to save Amber’s.
Isle of Tears (HarperCollins NZ Ltd, 2009) is a story about 14-year-old Scottish immigrant Isla McKinnon and her younger brothers and sister. When they are orphaned they are adopted by Taranaki Maori and become caught up in the wars in Taranaki, the Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.
A revised edition of Challinor’s Grey Ghosts (HarperCollins NZ) was published in 2009. This edition included a new chapter on how the New Zealand Vietnam veteran community has fared since the book was first published in 1998.
Primarily known for her historical novels, Deborah Challinor’s first published books were non-fiction history books, including the best-selling Grey Ghosts: New Zealand Vietnam Vets Talk About Their War (Hodder Moa Beckett, 1998).
Her first historical novel, Tamar, was published in 2002 and has been reprinted six times. Tamar is set in Auckland, Hawke’s Bay and South Africa and covers the period from 1879 until the Boer War. The series continues with White Feathers (2003) and Blue Smoke (2004).
Union Belle (2005) tells the love story of a young woman caught up in the 1951 waterfront strike, and Kitty (2006) is set in the Bay of Islands in nineteenth century New Zealand. Both novels have been at the top of the New Zealand fiction bestseller list.
Attention to historical detail is an important part of writing for Challinor. ‘I base my novels on actual historical events, and it’s very important to me to research those events in depth and to present them accurately,’ she says.
Reviewing Union Belle in North and South magazine in April 2005, Warwick Roger commented that: ‘You can smell the beer and cigarette smoke in the public bar of the Huntly Hotel, hear the band at the Saturday night dances at the miner’s hall … it’s a book I kept sneaking back to whenever I had a spare quarter hour, eager to advance the story.’
Fire (HarperCollins, 2007), Challinor's seventh novel, is set in Auckland during the hype leading up to the royal visit of 1953, but is based on the Ballantyne’s department store fire of 1947 in Christchurch. A powerful and dramatic story of passion, ambition and greed, it became a number one bestseller.
Amber, the sequel to Kitty, was published later in 2007 and also became a bestseller. Amber opens in New Zealand in 1945, on the eve of the Northern War in the Bay of Islands, in which Kitty is caught up. Sent to Auckland away from the fighting, Kitty encounters an orphaned part-Maori girl she names Amber. Together they return to the Bay of Islands, where both Kitty must risk her own life to save Amber’s.
Isle of Tears (HarperCollins NZ Ltd, 2009) is a story about 14-year-old Scottish immigrant Isla McKinnon and her younger brothers and sister. When they are orphaned they are adopted by Taranaki Maori and become caught up in the wars in Taranaki, the Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.
A revised edition of Challinor’s Grey Ghosts (HarperCollins NZ) was published in 2009. This edition included a new chapter on how the New Zealand Vietnam veteran community has fared since the book was first published in 1998.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
April 20, 2022
I preface my review by saying that I'm not a Deborah Challinor fan and only picked this up because my favourite beach was on the cover (more on that later in my review).
At it's heart, this is an enjoyable tale of boy meets girl / girl meets boy complicated by the fact that the boy is a soldier heading off to Vietnam and the girl is an anti-war protestor and student. There are interesting appearances from other members of their respective families but it is clear where the plot is going from the start. What sets this story apart from other romance stories is how the plot unfurls against New Zealand's response to the Vietnam War and the war itself. This is no doubt the result of Challinor's history PhD investigating oral histories of New Zealand's experience of the Vietnam War.
While I enjoyed the story, it suffers from a lack of depth. Issues and matters are raised where I would appreciate further discussion - the "unfortunate experiment" on cervical cancer patients at Greenlane Hospital was thrown in at the end and in a short two paragraphs we learn one of the characters was the result of incest and her mother a recovered heroin addict. This didn't really add anything to the characterisation (a congential heart issue need not be explained by incest) of Polly and Gina so why raise it all? In a previous Challinor novel, I recall the issue of interracial marriage between Māori and Pākehā in 1950s New Zealand being raised but treated without a critical lens. While other readers may be fine with the lack of depth, I found it frustrating. Why raise a matter if not to explore it further.
I am also wary of Pākehā writing about Māori - however, I will leave that aspect for someone better qualified to comment. I will note that for a book published in New Zealand, it is a bit amiss to leave off macrons of reo Māori words.
Oh and that picture of Piha on the cover - Piha is not mentioned at all in the book. Did the publishers and cover designer really think we would mistake Piha for Vietnam? The girl in the hat evokes sunny, fun, relaxing days at the beach which again are not in the book. I would have given this three stars as it was an enjoyable read apart from the out of place book cover.
At it's heart, this is an enjoyable tale of boy meets girl / girl meets boy complicated by the fact that the boy is a soldier heading off to Vietnam and the girl is an anti-war protestor and student. There are interesting appearances from other members of their respective families but it is clear where the plot is going from the start. What sets this story apart from other romance stories is how the plot unfurls against New Zealand's response to the Vietnam War and the war itself. This is no doubt the result of Challinor's history PhD investigating oral histories of New Zealand's experience of the Vietnam War.
While I enjoyed the story, it suffers from a lack of depth. Issues and matters are raised where I would appreciate further discussion - the "unfortunate experiment" on cervical cancer patients at Greenlane Hospital was thrown in at the end and in a short two paragraphs we learn one of the characters was the result of incest and her mother a recovered heroin addict. This didn't really add anything to the characterisation (a congential heart issue need not be explained by incest) of Polly and Gina so why raise it all? In a previous Challinor novel, I recall the issue of interracial marriage between Māori and Pākehā in 1950s New Zealand being raised but treated without a critical lens. While other readers may be fine with the lack of depth, I found it frustrating. Why raise a matter if not to explore it further.
I am also wary of Pākehā writing about Māori - however, I will leave that aspect for someone better qualified to comment. I will note that for a book published in New Zealand, it is a bit amiss to leave off macrons of reo Māori words.
Oh and that picture of Piha on the cover - Piha is not mentioned at all in the book. Did the publishers and cover designer really think we would mistake Piha for Vietnam? The girl in the hat evokes sunny, fun, relaxing days at the beach which again are not in the book. I would have given this three stars as it was an enjoyable read apart from the out of place book cover.
January 6, 2023
I am a Deborah Challinor fan and have read her previous books where we are introduced to a lot of the characters. I was looking forward to learning more about the Vietnam war through this book. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and did learn more about the Vietnam war although a little light in detail.
April 27, 2022
Set in 1969 during the Vietnam War, we meet two very different kiwi sisters Jo and Rowie. Jo is a university student who spends her free time marching and protesting the war, she strongly believes the New Zealand soldiers should not be sent to Vietnam, as it is not their battle. Rowie on the other hand is not pro war, but believes what the New Zealand soldiers are doing is heroic. Thinking she needs to help the soldiers in their battle, she travels to Vietnam to work as a nurse.
Throughout this novel we see the sisters struggle and fight to keep their once strong beliefs of pro/anti war the same. Battling to remain an anti war protestor, Jo finds love with soldier Sam and learns there’s so much more to this war then she had believed. As Rowie works around the clock as a war nurse she slowly starts to break, unable to face another death she threatens to fly home.
What captivated me the most with this novel was the incredible character progression between both Jo and Rowie. Each fighting their own internal battles, it takes being in Vietnam for them both to find new perspectives.
The Leonard Girls provides the readers with romance and history, as we (the audience) are thrown into the perspectives of soldiers, singers and nurses in the Vietnam war. Deborah Challinor’s historical background will captivate you, as she brings insight, real experiences and emotions to the novel. Deborah’s writing is also incredibly free flowing and very typically kiwi which makes it so easy to read, I especially loved the kiwi slang that was thrown in the novel.
Overall I enjoyed this novel, finding it captivating and insightful. I’ve come away from this book knowing more about the Vietnam War, from the different perspectives of people it has affected. However, I do so wish there was more on Rowie throughout this novel. I feel there is so much more to learn about Rowie and how nursing affected her during the war, and her life post war.
Throughout this novel we see the sisters struggle and fight to keep their once strong beliefs of pro/anti war the same. Battling to remain an anti war protestor, Jo finds love with soldier Sam and learns there’s so much more to this war then she had believed. As Rowie works around the clock as a war nurse she slowly starts to break, unable to face another death she threatens to fly home.
What captivated me the most with this novel was the incredible character progression between both Jo and Rowie. Each fighting their own internal battles, it takes being in Vietnam for them both to find new perspectives.
The Leonard Girls provides the readers with romance and history, as we (the audience) are thrown into the perspectives of soldiers, singers and nurses in the Vietnam war. Deborah Challinor’s historical background will captivate you, as she brings insight, real experiences and emotions to the novel. Deborah’s writing is also incredibly free flowing and very typically kiwi which makes it so easy to read, I especially loved the kiwi slang that was thrown in the novel.
Overall I enjoyed this novel, finding it captivating and insightful. I’ve come away from this book knowing more about the Vietnam War, from the different perspectives of people it has affected. However, I do so wish there was more on Rowie throughout this novel. I feel there is so much more to learn about Rowie and how nursing affected her during the war, and her life post war.
April 12, 2022
DNFed at 50%. Too many POV without any previous context, I went into this without having read any of her other works due to a Tandem readalong. Because of all of the POVs I felt the story wasn't moving along
October 11, 2022
I was looking forward to the history and love historical fiction , but the writing style is simplistic and storyline lacks depth so I was a bit underwhelmed. It’s just Ok, but if you have other choices give this a miss
April 9, 2022
Wow, what a story of emotions, family and whanau and life in the late 1960’s! Deborah Challinor has given her readers a well-researched book set during the time of the war in Vietnam and I am so pleased I have been a part of the readalong as I truly enjoyed the families, and discovering more about the American War in Vietnam. The era was fun to read too, with the music and fashion of the 1960s taking a big role in The Leonard Girls.
1969, Auckland New Zealand and two sisters Jo and Rowie Leonard have opposing feelings about the war in Vietnam. Protests are common occurrences, yet the ANZAC troops are still being deployed. Rowie is heading to Vietnam as a military nurse for a 12 month stint, while Jo, a university student and folk singer, is out protesting. That is until she meets Sam Apanaui, a family friend and soldier with the NZ Army, and her feelings ever so slowly start to change.
Sam and his cousin Eddie are together fighting the war in Vietnam. Their relationship is strong, you can tell they really are best mates with their camaraderie and banter as well as their fierce loyalty to one another. I loved reading about their down time in Vietnam, as well as out in the field, it felt right that they each had the other with them.
Rowie, oh Rowie - definitely one I wanted more of as I felt her emotions in each of her chapters, her anticipation, her weariness as the reality of nursing during a war sunk in, as well as her joy and sadness. I’m glad we got to read a little bit more of her life in the epilogue. I would have liked to have more of Rowie’s story, especially her time in more depth just after the war.
Jo grew on me more as the book advanced and I’m glad to see she found her way, even if at times she seemed highly strung and acting on impulse. The letters her and Sam wrote to one another were a part of the story I enjoyed and it gave an insight into each other’s character.
Overall, I enjoyed The Leonard Girls, thanks for the gifted copy Harper Collins NZ and Tandem Collective.
1969, Auckland New Zealand and two sisters Jo and Rowie Leonard have opposing feelings about the war in Vietnam. Protests are common occurrences, yet the ANZAC troops are still being deployed. Rowie is heading to Vietnam as a military nurse for a 12 month stint, while Jo, a university student and folk singer, is out protesting. That is until she meets Sam Apanaui, a family friend and soldier with the NZ Army, and her feelings ever so slowly start to change.
Sam and his cousin Eddie are together fighting the war in Vietnam. Their relationship is strong, you can tell they really are best mates with their camaraderie and banter as well as their fierce loyalty to one another. I loved reading about their down time in Vietnam, as well as out in the field, it felt right that they each had the other with them.
Rowie, oh Rowie - definitely one I wanted more of as I felt her emotions in each of her chapters, her anticipation, her weariness as the reality of nursing during a war sunk in, as well as her joy and sadness. I’m glad we got to read a little bit more of her life in the epilogue. I would have liked to have more of Rowie’s story, especially her time in more depth just after the war.
Jo grew on me more as the book advanced and I’m glad to see she found her way, even if at times she seemed highly strung and acting on impulse. The letters her and Sam wrote to one another were a part of the story I enjoyed and it gave an insight into each other’s character.
Overall, I enjoyed The Leonard Girls, thanks for the gifted copy Harper Collins NZ and Tandem Collective.
April 11, 2022
Set during the Vietnam War, we follow sisters Rowie, a nurse caring for the wounded ANZAC's and Jo, an anti-war protester and uni student, who falls for Sam, a soldier who is home on leave visiting his family.
Jo and Sam's budding romance takes center stage of this book, and there are an array of side characters who we meet as well. Soldiers, nurses, family, musicians, and of course, the horrors that happen in a war zone.
The Leonard Girls is perfect for anyone who enjoys historical novels, and have an interest in war stories.
Jo and Sam's budding romance takes center stage of this book, and there are an array of side characters who we meet as well. Soldiers, nurses, family, musicians, and of course, the horrors that happen in a war zone.
The Leonard Girls is perfect for anyone who enjoys historical novels, and have an interest in war stories.
April 5, 2022
3.5 Stars
April 14, 2022
I was very fortunate to receive a gifted copy of this book from the author, the publisher (Harper Collins) and also Tandem Collective. I also was fortunate to take part in a read along with a group of lovely kiwi ladies.
First off I want to say that I have never read a book by this author and I can honestly now say I’m a fan of her writing.
I really enjoyed this story a lot, I used to read a lot of historical books when I was younger so it was really nice to step back in. I enjoyed the pace of the book, I found myself just flicking through the pages and had read a hundred pages more than I thought I had at one point because it just kept me wanting to read more. It is a really easy enjoyable read with a great storyline. Some characters I enjoyed more than others, but as the story progressed we saw why certain people acted the way that they did and saw that perhaps they were struggling with finding who they are.
I didn’t really know much about this war going in to this book but it has definitely shown me more of what happened during this time and how awful it was.
Great read, definitely recommended.
First off I want to say that I have never read a book by this author and I can honestly now say I’m a fan of her writing.
I really enjoyed this story a lot, I used to read a lot of historical books when I was younger so it was really nice to step back in. I enjoyed the pace of the book, I found myself just flicking through the pages and had read a hundred pages more than I thought I had at one point because it just kept me wanting to read more. It is a really easy enjoyable read with a great storyline. Some characters I enjoyed more than others, but as the story progressed we saw why certain people acted the way that they did and saw that perhaps they were struggling with finding who they are.
I didn’t really know much about this war going in to this book but it has definitely shown me more of what happened during this time and how awful it was.
Great read, definitely recommended.
March 31, 2022
Yet another great book from this author that I struggled to put down. Very gracefully addressed the opinions of the time of what was a very controversial conflict.
April 22, 2022
"He was wrong, her father, about Vietnam, but he wasn’t rabidly wrong. He was really only guilty of thinking the same way just about the whole country had thought about war in the past, when he’d been a younger man. He was old now, fifty, and it probably was a lot to expect him to change the way he thought about things at his age. It wouldn’t stop her arguing with him, though."
Rowie and Jo are sisters torn by differing views of the American War in Vietnam. Rowie, nurse trained, joins the military to provide her skills to the wounded ANZAC soldiers in the sweltering heat of this worn-torn country. Jo is a university student who reviles everything about the war, who actively participates in anti-war protests. Then Jo meets Sam, a soldier on a brief sabbatical back in NZ after his father is in a horrific accident, and a human face and heart is given to the war she despises. Both sisters will face a tumultuous road ahead as they work through the complexity of the war narrative (propoganda) compared to their actual lived and breathed experiences.
Well, Jo certainly had to grow on me. Although, ironically, I did see a lot of myself in her. Convictions so easily held when sitting in the safety of a university cafeteria. Jo definitely goes on an extensive journey of personal growth and in a way, the ending surprised me as a part of me still saw a lot of her thoughts as rather shallow (although she was extremely reflective and aware). Rowie deserved maybe a bit more - Jo was mostly the leading lady, but the glimpses of the true horrors of war were really captured in some of Rowies experiences - her growth was particularly heart wrenching, and continued into the epilogue. Sam and Eddie (Sam's cousin) really are the human faces of the men who went to war.
In terms of the plot I thought the juxtaposition with the home situation was quite clever. This story also includes the stories of a number of "minor" characters and it is hard not to just end up thinking, life is just bloody tough and unfair sometimes isn't it. But also, there is lots of love and hope to be found - with whanau and friends. This book was probably a little light on action for me, but made up for the fact I love historical fiction and knew very little about what happened in Vietnam (and at home). I felt like I came out with a wealth of new knowledge, which I am appreciative of.
Overall, a read I could not put down, but was missing a little sometimes in terms of authentic conversations and while I love a good epilogue (actually I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with them - they need to be done well), I still found the ending a bit flat. I loved the historical fiction aspect, and I can't help but like pretty much all the characters in this war drama narrative - I did have to remind myself what it was like to be a 20 year old, and that when I was 20 I wasn't shooting at people in another country. Highly recommend if you want a glimpse into the New Zealand's past through the eyes of fictional young people, who are overall quite likeable.
"One bullet and his life has changed forever."
Thank you to Harper Collins for the novel in exchange for an honest review.
Rowie and Jo are sisters torn by differing views of the American War in Vietnam. Rowie, nurse trained, joins the military to provide her skills to the wounded ANZAC soldiers in the sweltering heat of this worn-torn country. Jo is a university student who reviles everything about the war, who actively participates in anti-war protests. Then Jo meets Sam, a soldier on a brief sabbatical back in NZ after his father is in a horrific accident, and a human face and heart is given to the war she despises. Both sisters will face a tumultuous road ahead as they work through the complexity of the war narrative (propoganda) compared to their actual lived and breathed experiences.
Well, Jo certainly had to grow on me. Although, ironically, I did see a lot of myself in her. Convictions so easily held when sitting in the safety of a university cafeteria. Jo definitely goes on an extensive journey of personal growth and in a way, the ending surprised me as a part of me still saw a lot of her thoughts as rather shallow (although she was extremely reflective and aware). Rowie deserved maybe a bit more - Jo was mostly the leading lady, but the glimpses of the true horrors of war were really captured in some of Rowies experiences - her growth was particularly heart wrenching, and continued into the epilogue. Sam and Eddie (Sam's cousin) really are the human faces of the men who went to war.
In terms of the plot I thought the juxtaposition with the home situation was quite clever. This story also includes the stories of a number of "minor" characters and it is hard not to just end up thinking, life is just bloody tough and unfair sometimes isn't it. But also, there is lots of love and hope to be found - with whanau and friends. This book was probably a little light on action for me, but made up for the fact I love historical fiction and knew very little about what happened in Vietnam (and at home). I felt like I came out with a wealth of new knowledge, which I am appreciative of.
Overall, a read I could not put down, but was missing a little sometimes in terms of authentic conversations and while I love a good epilogue (actually I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with them - they need to be done well), I still found the ending a bit flat. I loved the historical fiction aspect, and I can't help but like pretty much all the characters in this war drama narrative - I did have to remind myself what it was like to be a 20 year old, and that when I was 20 I wasn't shooting at people in another country. Highly recommend if you want a glimpse into the New Zealand's past through the eyes of fictional young people, who are overall quite likeable.
"One bullet and his life has changed forever."
Thank you to Harper Collins for the novel in exchange for an honest review.
July 24, 2022
In 1969, at the height of the Vietnam war, nurse Rowie Leonard is serving a 12-month tour of duty. She supports the war and is committed to caring for wounded New Zealand and Australian troops. After a few months, however, she realises that nothing at all about the conflict is as clear-cut as she'd assumed.
Her younger sister, Jo, is the opposite - a student at Auckland University, a folk singer and a fervent anti-war protestor. But when Jo falls for professional soldier Sam Apanui, home on leave to visit his ill father, she finds herself torn between her feelings and her convictions.
As the three of them grapple with love, loss, and the stresses and sorrows of war, each will be forced to confront and question everything they believed.
New Zealand had military camps in Linton,Hopuhopu,Papakura,Trentham,Waiouru and Burnham.New Zealand's involvement in the Vietnam War(1964-1972) was highly controversial,sparking widespread protest at home from anti-Vietnam War movements modelled on their American counterparts.This conflict was also the first in which New Zealand did not fight alongside the UK,instead following the loyalties of the ANZUS Treaty.Prime Minister Keith Holyoake decided to keep New Zealand involvement in Vietnam at the minimum level deemed necessary to meet allied expectations.Instead in April 1963 NZ confined its assistance to sending a civilian surgical team.They remained in the country until 1975.The doctors and nurses who worked there were all volunteers from NZ hospitals.The team worked for civilians at the Binh Dinh Province Hospital,in Qui Nhon.The men of "V"(Victor) and "W"(Whiskey) companies were regular soldiers,the majority having had operational experience in the jungles of Malaya and Borneo.Other roles during the war included duties such as Nursing,Flying,Fire Support Coordination and employment in Logistic units.
New Zealand Vietnam War veterans claimed that they and their descendants had suffered serious harm as a result of exposure to Agent Orange.In June 1964,24 Army Engineer Detachment personnel arrived in South Vietnam.The Sappers worked on civil aid projects such as bridges.
Her younger sister, Jo, is the opposite - a student at Auckland University, a folk singer and a fervent anti-war protestor. But when Jo falls for professional soldier Sam Apanui, home on leave to visit his ill father, she finds herself torn between her feelings and her convictions.
As the three of them grapple with love, loss, and the stresses and sorrows of war, each will be forced to confront and question everything they believed.
New Zealand had military camps in Linton,Hopuhopu,Papakura,Trentham,Waiouru and Burnham.New Zealand's involvement in the Vietnam War(1964-1972) was highly controversial,sparking widespread protest at home from anti-Vietnam War movements modelled on their American counterparts.This conflict was also the first in which New Zealand did not fight alongside the UK,instead following the loyalties of the ANZUS Treaty.Prime Minister Keith Holyoake decided to keep New Zealand involvement in Vietnam at the minimum level deemed necessary to meet allied expectations.Instead in April 1963 NZ confined its assistance to sending a civilian surgical team.They remained in the country until 1975.The doctors and nurses who worked there were all volunteers from NZ hospitals.The team worked for civilians at the Binh Dinh Province Hospital,in Qui Nhon.The men of "V"(Victor) and "W"(Whiskey) companies were regular soldiers,the majority having had operational experience in the jungles of Malaya and Borneo.Other roles during the war included duties such as Nursing,Flying,Fire Support Coordination and employment in Logistic units.
New Zealand Vietnam War veterans claimed that they and their descendants had suffered serious harm as a result of exposure to Agent Orange.In June 1964,24 Army Engineer Detachment personnel arrived in South Vietnam.The Sappers worked on civil aid projects such as bridges.
April 11, 2022
Thank you to Tandem collectiveglobal and Harpercollins NZ for this review copy of The Leonard girls by Kiwi author Deborah Challinor.
The book is New Zealand historical fiction set in New Zealand, Sydney and Vietnam in 1969 during the Vietnam War focusing on the two Leonard sisters Rowie, a military nurse in Vietnam and her younger sister Jo, a student and singer who is very anti war but chooses to go on a tour of a Vietnam as the lead singer of a band to entertain the troops. The third main character in the novel is New Zealand soldier Sam who is on his second tour of Vietnam.
As well as the main characters there are also a large supporting cast of family members and friends many of these characters will be familiar from the authors earlier novels in The Restless years series.
I have seen several films about American soldiers in Vietnam but had never read a novel set during this war. I wasn't even aware that New Zealand had sent troops to Vietnam so it was interesting seeing it from a local (NZ) point of view.
The novel features a fair bit of New Zealand lingo and several mentions of some quintessential Kiwi food (mmmm baking). I found it interesting seeing a snap shot of what New Zealand life and politics was like when my parents were in their early 30's (well before my time).
There is also a lot of references to the music of the time and I was constantly humming as I read along and as I discussed with the awesome bunch of Kiwi bookworms in our Tandem readalong group. My own personal theme song for this book was "War (What is it good for)
The story has some heartbreaking moments and it depicts some of the long reaching after effects of the Vietnam conflict both of the Vietnamese citizens & on those who served in the War.
I have previously read three of the authors novels set in the 1840s & am now keen to read them all & revisit some of the characters from The Leonard girls.
The book is New Zealand historical fiction set in New Zealand, Sydney and Vietnam in 1969 during the Vietnam War focusing on the two Leonard sisters Rowie, a military nurse in Vietnam and her younger sister Jo, a student and singer who is very anti war but chooses to go on a tour of a Vietnam as the lead singer of a band to entertain the troops. The third main character in the novel is New Zealand soldier Sam who is on his second tour of Vietnam.
As well as the main characters there are also a large supporting cast of family members and friends many of these characters will be familiar from the authors earlier novels in The Restless years series.
I have seen several films about American soldiers in Vietnam but had never read a novel set during this war. I wasn't even aware that New Zealand had sent troops to Vietnam so it was interesting seeing it from a local (NZ) point of view.
The novel features a fair bit of New Zealand lingo and several mentions of some quintessential Kiwi food (mmmm baking). I found it interesting seeing a snap shot of what New Zealand life and politics was like when my parents were in their early 30's (well before my time).
There is also a lot of references to the music of the time and I was constantly humming as I read along and as I discussed with the awesome bunch of Kiwi bookworms in our Tandem readalong group. My own personal theme song for this book was "War (What is it good for)
The story has some heartbreaking moments and it depicts some of the long reaching after effects of the Vietnam conflict both of the Vietnamese citizens & on those who served in the War.
I have previously read three of the authors novels set in the 1840s & am now keen to read them all & revisit some of the characters from The Leonard girls.
April 6, 2022
The two Leonard girls had very differing views on the Vietnam War in 1969 , with Rowie joining the Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps to ensure there were Kiwi nurses to look after New Zealand soldiers .
However her younger sister Jo, a University student spent a lot of time protesting against the war which she felt was immoral and evil .
Deborah Challinor writes graphically about life in the war zone in Vietnam for the Victor 4 Company in which Sam Apanui and his cousin Eddie Irwin were non- commissioned officers. The reader can feel the heat , humidity and danger which the soldiers faced in the jungle conditions, as the author's descriptive writing tells the horrific scenes they encounter.
This is a work of fiction but the historical detail about the war conditions took me back in years as I recalled the war on television in the 1960/70s. It was the first time I remember seeing such details of war on TV and the horrors of the affects of the defoliants sprayed is a lasting memory.
But The Leonard Girls is not all about the horrors of war, there is love amongst the loss , and as the sisters continue to contribute to the war effort they also question some of the earlier decisions they made.
The author portrays the value of close family ties in her latest book , and how people cope with tragedy , disabilities and love, amongst war as well as life back home .
Another great read by Deborah Challinor , she was able to draw me in to the atmosphere of the war zone as well as the agony of a family supporting a family member after a workplace accident back home .
Thanks to Harper Collins NZ for a copy to read and review .
However her younger sister Jo, a University student spent a lot of time protesting against the war which she felt was immoral and evil .
Deborah Challinor writes graphically about life in the war zone in Vietnam for the Victor 4 Company in which Sam Apanui and his cousin Eddie Irwin were non- commissioned officers. The reader can feel the heat , humidity and danger which the soldiers faced in the jungle conditions, as the author's descriptive writing tells the horrific scenes they encounter.
This is a work of fiction but the historical detail about the war conditions took me back in years as I recalled the war on television in the 1960/70s. It was the first time I remember seeing such details of war on TV and the horrors of the affects of the defoliants sprayed is a lasting memory.
But The Leonard Girls is not all about the horrors of war, there is love amongst the loss , and as the sisters continue to contribute to the war effort they also question some of the earlier decisions they made.
The author portrays the value of close family ties in her latest book , and how people cope with tragedy , disabilities and love, amongst war as well as life back home .
Another great read by Deborah Challinor , she was able to draw me in to the atmosphere of the war zone as well as the agony of a family supporting a family member after a workplace accident back home .
Thanks to Harper Collins NZ for a copy to read and review .
October 7, 2023
The book revolves around the two Leonard sisters: Rowie (Rowena) and Jo (Joanna) in 1969 during the height of the Vietnam War. Daughters of a World War 2 veteran and kiwi girls, they have very different views. Rowie is a war nurse, she believes that she can truly help the cause of the allied soldiers against the Viet Cong. When she arrives in Vietnam, she becomes very disillusioned with everything she finds. Nothing is as clean cut as she has thought. She is shocked by what she witnesses, especially at the local orphanage. On the other hand, Jo, is a staunch anti-War protester. She studies politics at University, and attends marches. She also sings in a folk group. Until she meets Sam, who is home from Vietnam on leave. They fall in love. Along with what Rowie is saying, she begins to question everything she believes in.
This book was brilliantly written. The author used a first person perspective, but jumped from the three characters: Jo, Rowie and Sam, each living a different life and viewing Vietnam through a different lens. It was thought provoking. I learnt many things about the conflict which I did not know.
It was also interesting, as it was the final chapter in "The Restless Years" series, which I haven't read in a while, but all the characters were tied up.
I do think the end was a bit rushed. The book was well paced until the last few chapters, and the epilogue was very rushed, as though the publisher wanted it.
This book was brilliantly written. The author used a first person perspective, but jumped from the three characters: Jo, Rowie and Sam, each living a different life and viewing Vietnam through a different lens. It was thought provoking. I learnt many things about the conflict which I did not know.
It was also interesting, as it was the final chapter in "The Restless Years" series, which I haven't read in a while, but all the characters were tied up.
I do think the end was a bit rushed. The book was well paced until the last few chapters, and the epilogue was very rushed, as though the publisher wanted it.
October 24, 2025
#ReadAroundTheWorld #Vietnam
Another historical fiction by New Zealand’s famous writer and historian Deborah Challinor. This time it is set in the 1960s and features New Zealand’s involvement in the Vietnam War (or from the Vietnamese perspective the American War).
The story is about sisters Jo and Rowie Leonard who both end up in Vietnam. Rowie is a nurse and keen to go and work in Vietnam to bring comfort and care to the Kiwi soldiers there. Jo is a university student and folk singer full of opinions, protest and anti-war sentiment, that is until she finds herself falling for soldier Sam Apanui. Jo takes an opportunity to go to Vietnam to sing for the troops.
The book was well-researched and examined some of the attitudes of New Zealanders to the Vietnam war. It did however feel fairly simplistic and lacked depth and subtlety. I found Jo annoying, although I did enjoy the irony of her falling in love with a soldier and having to get off her high horse eventually. The Kiwi banter and slang probably appeal to a NZ audience. I think Challinor has better stories than this one though.
Another historical fiction by New Zealand’s famous writer and historian Deborah Challinor. This time it is set in the 1960s and features New Zealand’s involvement in the Vietnam War (or from the Vietnamese perspective the American War).
The story is about sisters Jo and Rowie Leonard who both end up in Vietnam. Rowie is a nurse and keen to go and work in Vietnam to bring comfort and care to the Kiwi soldiers there. Jo is a university student and folk singer full of opinions, protest and anti-war sentiment, that is until she finds herself falling for soldier Sam Apanui. Jo takes an opportunity to go to Vietnam to sing for the troops.
The book was well-researched and examined some of the attitudes of New Zealanders to the Vietnam war. It did however feel fairly simplistic and lacked depth and subtlety. I found Jo annoying, although I did enjoy the irony of her falling in love with a soldier and having to get off her high horse eventually. The Kiwi banter and slang probably appeal to a NZ audience. I think Challinor has better stories than this one though.
July 13, 2022
Four stars for the research and detail
Two stars for the characters and the story telling. The story feels as if it is written for the youth audience and only Rowie has any depth to her. The epilogue is unnecessary - the bits about Henry Green would be good as part of the main story, being a significant aspect of the times in relation to women’s health.
Jo seems a bit too innocent for the times and all of the characters just a little too perfect and superficially drawn.
While the Maori Pakeha relationships are useful in terms of participation the the war and illustrate some of the racist attitudes of the time the characters seem just a bit unreal.
It’s readable just a bit um, superficial, or perhaps predictable.
Two stars for the characters and the story telling. The story feels as if it is written for the youth audience and only Rowie has any depth to her. The epilogue is unnecessary - the bits about Henry Green would be good as part of the main story, being a significant aspect of the times in relation to women’s health.
Jo seems a bit too innocent for the times and all of the characters just a little too perfect and superficially drawn.
While the Maori Pakeha relationships are useful in terms of participation the the war and illustrate some of the racist attitudes of the time the characters seem just a bit unreal.
It’s readable just a bit um, superficial, or perhaps predictable.
April 3, 2023
What I appreciate so much about Deborah Challinor's books is the amount of well researched historical background she includes which, to me, always makes books more interesting. Having read most of her books now, she's at the top of my short list of favourite authors. So, what did I know about the war in Vietnam before reading The Leonard Girls? Pretty well zilch! Despite being alive when it was happening, I was too young to take much notice so really knew nothing, except later hearing reports about Agent Orange and the devastating affects it had. This book has given me an insight into the war in Vietnam in a format I can enjoy.
I also enjoyed reading more about the families I'd read about in her previous books in this series, which I always consider a bonus.😊
I also enjoyed reading more about the families I'd read about in her previous books in this series, which I always consider a bonus.😊
May 9, 2022
https://denisenewtonwrites.com/?p=3584
The journeys of the three protagonists, and their loved ones, are profound and well portrayed. This is a novel to leave the reader thinking deeply about a period of relatively recent history about which opinions can still be sharply divided.
The Leonard Girls
Deborah Challinor
The journeys of the three protagonists, and their loved ones, are profound and well portrayed. This is a novel to leave the reader thinking deeply about a period of relatively recent history about which opinions can still be sharply divided.
The Leonard Girls
Deborah Challinor
August 21, 2024
After just finishing the Jacaranda house by the same author I was really looking forward to this as I have found a love of historical fiction recently so had high hopes for this, but as I got halfway in realized it was not quite as I had anticipated.
There was not enough Character depth (and there was a lot of characters) and felt the girls both kind of flip flopped too quickly and Jo allowed a boy to influence her beliefs which I found quite childish!? (Yes, she was still in her teens though so I should have expected this)
I didn’t learn a lot from this one either- having just read Kristin Hannah’s- The Women, also set in Vietnam-and Homefront- set in Iraq- I felt there was so much more detail in these and really could paint a picture whereas this one- I wasn’t feeling the heat or able to visualize the environment.
The only plus was finding this was intertwined with the Jacaranda house characters which was a pleasant surprise.
Still a good read, but not amazing.
There was not enough Character depth (and there was a lot of characters) and felt the girls both kind of flip flopped too quickly and Jo allowed a boy to influence her beliefs which I found quite childish!? (Yes, she was still in her teens though so I should have expected this)
I didn’t learn a lot from this one either- having just read Kristin Hannah’s- The Women, also set in Vietnam-and Homefront- set in Iraq- I felt there was so much more detail in these and really could paint a picture whereas this one- I wasn’t feeling the heat or able to visualize the environment.
The only plus was finding this was intertwined with the Jacaranda house characters which was a pleasant surprise.
Still a good read, but not amazing.
April 19, 2022
Book 18. The next in the series that started with Fire. Different main characters, but related somehow. About 2 sisters, 2 cousins and their families and the affects of The Vietnam war. A very good read. Not as dark as the last one, but still about Vietnam, so not without its moments. The epilogue was good but I thought the ending wasn’t very deep. Worth reading, the Vietnam war isn’t really talked about. 📚🤓 #tsreadinglist2022 #tsrecommendations
April 23, 2022
I really enjoyed this novel. It would have been easy to go on an anti Vietnam war rant, however, this book aims to portray a range of opinions and experiences and show how perceptions can change. Obviously well researched, with believable characters and events, this made for informative and pleasurable reading.
June 11, 2022
This is probably 3.5 and would have been 4 if the epilogue hadn't read so poorly. It felt like she'd run out os steam so just wrote a couple of pages summarising what happened subsequently for the key characters. Very disappointing given how well I thought she'd told the story of New Zealand involvement in the American war in Vietnam.
October 14, 2023
Not my favourite Deborah Challinor book. The characters seemed 2 dimensional and none of them really grabbed me. It was interesting to hear a little about the mood of NZ during the Vietnam War.
I did enjoy the references to another of Deborah’s books (The Jacaranda Tree) but found myself skimming the text a lot
I did enjoy the references to another of Deborah’s books (The Jacaranda Tree) but found myself skimming the text a lot
July 11, 2022
Another great book set in Vietnam during the war. Continuation of her Restless Years series
September 4, 2022
Deborah Challinor is a great tale teller. I like the social and moral issues she raises in her books
September 23, 2023
Even though this book is fiction, it made me imagine what my Dad would have gone through while he was over in Vietnam
A few tears for sure
A few tears for sure
June 5, 2024
Loved it!!!! As a kiwi- I found the style of writing so comforting and fun with the slang and kiwi history etc. great read and great characters
October 13, 2024
3.5 🌟 wanted to like this more but never felt like I got into it, felt slow and lacked depth or something.
Read
June 1, 2025Poor editing
I'm finding this book ok. Though I'm having trouble figuring out if one of the characters is called Joseph or Joshua.
I'm finding this book ok. Though I'm having trouble figuring out if one of the characters is called Joseph or Joshua.
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