***I won this book from Library Thing as part of the Early Reviewers program. It is a book of short stories that take place during WWI and the impact of Armistice Day, November 11, 1918 on the troops of both sides and the families awaiting the return of their loved ones. There are many similarities linking the stories which will surely lend themselves to discussion for book groups about such topics as the meaning of Armistice Day, the devastation war leaves in its wake, the effects of devastating injuries on the victims and loved ones, the life awaiting returning soldiers who are forever changed, dealing with the reality of the danger of war as opposed to what may seem like the glory and romance of war, finding courage in the face of peril, the rise of wanton behavior during times of great danger, and the effect of the war and the loss on those back home. All of the stories share common themes like loss, fear, courage, and danger, but the main ideas running through all are loneliness, romance and love.
The first story, “The Daughter of Belgium” by Marci Jefferson takes place in Belgium which has been occupied by Germans. It details the atrocities committed by marauding soldiers against those perceived as their enemies, even though they may be innocent civilians. Amelie witnessed the death of her parents because of her anti-war activities. She has been hidden by nuns. Working in their hospital, she learns how to nurse the victims of the war. When she is charged with caring for a German soldier, she balks, but does her duty. As they discover more about each other, love blooms.
In the second story, “The Record Set Right” by Lauren Willigs, a young girl is adopted by relatives after the death of her parents. Camilla is only 9 when she arrives at Carrington Cross, England, and immediately falls in love with her cousin Edward. She also admires her cousin Nicholas, but discovers that too late. After Edward returns from the war with devastating facial injuries and Nicholas returns missing a limb all of their lives take a surprising turn.
In the third story, “All For the Love of You” by Jennifer Robinson, soldiers returning to Paris, from the front, with devastating facial injuries are provided with excellent portrait masks at a studio supported by funds from The Red Cross. They were so realistic that they stopped the stares of passersby before they started. Daisy Fields worked there as a volunteer and it was there that she met Captain Mancuso and fell in love with him. Both were Americans in Paris. Before he left for America, Daisy fell gravely ill and never heard from him again. Although she asked her father to help her find him, he refused. This is their story.
In the fourth story, “After You’ve Gone”, by Evangeline Holland, Morven, a professional dancer is leaving Paris. It is Armistice Day. Her husband Charles was killed in action forcing her to make a living in a disreputable way. In a strange set of circumstances, she is confronted by a man named Sidney Mercer who recognizes her. He turns out to be a relative of her husband. He is quite good looking, and although at first she rebuffs him, the two are taken with each other. Sidney wants to open a nightclub in Europe where people of color are more easily accepted. His dad is a fire and brimstone preacher who wanted Sidney to follow in his footsteps, but he chose to be a jazz musician instead. He hopes Morven will dance there. However, Morven goes to America, and Sidney goes back to serve his country until he is discharged. As secrets are revealed, the lives of Morven and Sidney find a direction.
In the fifth story, “Something Worth Landing For”, by Jessica Brockmole, A young soldier, Wes, who is about to ship out to the front, performs an act of extreme kindness for a strange woman, Victoire. He spies her crying, and although she is abrupt with him, when he discovers she is in a family way, he chooses to rescue her, thinking he will probably die at the front anyway. This is the tender love story of Wes and Victoire.
In the “Hour of the Bells”, by Heather Webb, we meet Beatrix. The war has taken one of her sons and her husband. When her youngest son decides to enlist, she begs him to stay home. She was of German background and there was a backlash against her and her son, Antoine. When told of her youngest son’s death, she gathers her husband’s dynamite and sets off to avenge both of their murders. As the bells toll signifying the end of the war, a miracle occurs and saves her from committing a violent act.
In the 7th story “An American Airman in Paris”, by Beatriz Williams, the stupidity and mistakes of war are highlighted as the reader witnesses the effects of the war on its victims who have suffered loss and deprivation. They hunger for love.
The 8th story veers into a different direction although it is in the same time frame. It is about a family about to attend a ceremony to honor an aunt who fought in the Irish Rebellion. Behind a photograph of Aunt Eileen is a picture of a British soldier, Thomas Postlethwaite. He was not sent to the front, but rather he was sent to Dublin to defend England against the rebels. This is a story that tries to confront the prejudices that existed then in order to correct them now.
In the 9th story, “Hush”, by Hazel Gaynor, it is Armistice Day, and a nurse is delivering a baby. When the baby refuses to breathe, she pleads with the baby to live. At the same time, her son was injured when a shell exploded and trapped him under the debris. He, too, was unable to breathe. This story has a mystical quality which connects both the newborn child and her son.
Although I found the stories interesting, I also found them to be a bit like fairytales. Some of the loves stories seemed contrived and some of the endings seemed to stretch credulity. Still, the selections truly highlighted the futility of war and its terrible cost to the victims, the families and the soldiers