War Girls: A Collection of First World War Stories Through the Eyes of Young Women

How did I get the book?  StorytellerInc Book Club

Genre: Historical Fiction

Authors: Adèle Geras, Melvin Burgess, Berlie Doherty, Mary Hooper, Anne Fine, Matt Whyman, Theresa Breslin, Sally Nicholls, Rowena House

Synopsis: 1914: war has broken out across Europe and beyond. Nothing will ever be the same again for those caught up in the conflict.

This collection of short stories explores how the First World War changed and shaped the lives of women forever. A courageous nurse risks her life at the Front Line; a young woman discovers independence and intrigue in wartime London; and a grief-stricken widow defends her homeland amidst the destruction of war.

Through these and other tales, War Girls presents a moving portrait of loss and grief, and of hope overcoming terrible odds.

200words (or less) review: I’m not a huge fan of short story collection but War Girls is the first one that didn’t have a single story I didn’t like.

Because of the authors involved it’s no surprise that each of these stories is well written but given the short amount of time it’s impressive how each story has fully developed characters. I loved how varied the collection is and that it’s not just about women in Great Britain.

There were 3 stories that really stood out; Mother and Mrs Everington by Melvin Burgess, Sky Dancer by Berlie Doherty & Going Spare by Sally Nicholls. I was actually reading Mother and Mrs Everington in the canteen at work and remember trying not to cry.

I don’t think I’ll forget these quotes:

“It’s because I longer particularly care who wins this bloody war. I no longer care, because whoever is proclaimed the victor, I am sure of only one thing – we will have all lost.”
– Mother and Mrs Everington by Melvin Burgess

“They didn’t just do nothing,” I said. “All those women. They changed the world.”
– Going Spare by Sally Nicholls

Recommend it?

Absolutely