domid73's review
4.0
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Women of the Post is well written and informative book in which we learn of the 6888th Postal Battalion. The different POV’s of Judy, Mary Alyce and Charity allows you to immerse yourself in the very different ways these women navigated things before, during, and after the time spent in the Women’s Army Corps.
In one ordeal Judy works hard all day cleaning and at the end of the working day she is paid using her own money, which the woman stole from her(meaning she worked for free). It has been months since Judy has heard from her husband or been sent any money to survive on. Growing tired of this Judy enlist in the Women’s Army Corp (WAC).
During basic training Judy becomes friends with Stacy, Bernadette, and Mary Alyce, who only finds out she’s black when she enlists. After finishing basic training the women wait to find out where they will be sent. The army eventually decide to send them to Birmingham, England where they will be sorting the back logged mail. These women work tirelessly to get the mail out knowing that mail received serves as a boost of morale for the troops.
Thank you Hear Our Voices Tours, Park Row and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
Women of the Post is well written and informative book in which we learn of the 6888th Postal Battalion. The different POV’s of Judy, Mary Alyce and Charity allows you to immerse yourself in the very different ways these women navigated things before, during, and after the time spent in the Women’s Army Corps.
In one ordeal Judy works hard all day cleaning and at the end of the working day she is paid using her own money, which the woman stole from her(meaning she worked for free). It has been months since Judy has heard from her husband or been sent any money to survive on. Growing tired of this Judy enlist in the Women’s Army Corp (WAC).
During basic training Judy becomes friends with Stacy, Bernadette, and Mary Alyce, who only finds out she’s black when she enlists. After finishing basic training the women wait to find out where they will be sent. The army eventually decide to send them to Birmingham, England where they will be sorting the back logged mail. These women work tirelessly to get the mail out knowing that mail received serves as a boost of morale for the troops.
Thank you Hear Our Voices Tours, Park Row and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
brooke_city's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A quiet book. The driving plot is the comraderie between the women. Their conversations are natural. Humorous. Endearing. It's how we Black women talk to each other, be there and support.
I hadn't ever thought about how Black women would keep their hair up during war-time and far from home. Setting up a salon on base was a magic moment.
All of them blossomed in their own way.
Read via audiobook. Robin Miles, excellent as always.
I hadn't ever thought about how Black women would keep their hair up during war-time and far from home. Setting up a salon on base was a magic moment.
All of them blossomed in their own way.
Read via audiobook. Robin Miles, excellent as always.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexism
Minor: War and Death
heidirgorecki's review
3.0
I was really conflicted about this one.
For the positive, I’ve read about the 6888th before and was looking forward to fleshing out more of the history and little-told story of Black women serving in WW2. This book did that well, explaining a little more detail of the history than what I read before, and gave a really good look at the racism these women sadly faced. I think I would find it really hard to come back to the US after seeing such a lack of segregation and a lesser amount of racism overseas, but it’s commendable the way so many of those black women and men who came back used their experiences to push forward the Civil Rights Movement. The Bronx Slave Market was a new piece of information to me as well, and as awful as it was, I am glad to have learned of it.
I also enjoyed the look at female friendship the women in their battalion had, and it was portrayed well. Always a favorite focal point for me.
What I did not care for, was first, some of the writing style being very narrative, and at times, almost like a documentary or non-fiction book. I get that the author was trying to convey a lot of history as well as a fictional story, but it felt a bit dry or slow at times.
Mostly though, I was really annoyed at the change of Charity Adams’ - who was a very real person - character being fictionalized as a lesbian when she was not. And not just mentioned here and there as a gay person, but most of the Charity POV was primarily focused on her feelings for her friend/love interest. It’s a fictional book - it doesn’t make any sense to alter a *real* person like that just to introduce a gay perspective when there were plenty of fully fictional characters at the author’s disposal if that’s what she wanted to do, as stated in her Author’s Note. If you wouldn’t change a real historical person’s race, nationality, or gender, why would you change her sexual orientation for no real reason? It felt sensationalized, false and wrong to her memory to change her on a whim and with that much focused content if that’s not who she was.
For the positive, I’ve read about the 6888th before and was looking forward to fleshing out more of the history and little-told story of Black women serving in WW2. This book did that well, explaining a little more detail of the history than what I read before, and gave a really good look at the racism these women sadly faced. I think I would find it really hard to come back to the US after seeing such a lack of segregation and a lesser amount of racism overseas, but it’s commendable the way so many of those black women and men who came back used their experiences to push forward the Civil Rights Movement. The Bronx Slave Market was a new piece of information to me as well, and as awful as it was, I am glad to have learned of it.
I also enjoyed the look at female friendship the women in their battalion had, and it was portrayed well. Always a favorite focal point for me.
What I did not care for, was first, some of the writing style being very narrative, and at times, almost like a documentary or non-fiction book. I get that the author was trying to convey a lot of history as well as a fictional story, but it felt a bit dry or slow at times.
Mostly though, I was really annoyed at the change of Charity Adams’ - who was a very real person - character being fictionalized as a lesbian when she was not. And not just mentioned here and there as a gay person, but most of the Charity POV was primarily focused on her feelings for her friend/love interest. It’s a fictional book - it doesn’t make any sense to alter a *real* person like that just to introduce a gay perspective when there were plenty of fully fictional characters at the author’s disposal if that’s what she wanted to do, as stated in her Author’s Note. If you wouldn’t change a real historical person’s race, nationality, or gender, why would you change her sexual orientation for no real reason? It felt sensationalized, false and wrong to her memory to change her on a whim and with that much focused content if that’s not who she was.
katgent's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
arianashea's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
ravenclawomanistcyborgwitch's review
4.0
World War II historical fiction usually gets a pass for me. Alas, I saw this book and the author, I pursued the description, and it looked good! An all-black women's battalion during World War I. Sign me up. I am glad to read this story because I learned a lot. The Northern US at the time seemed like the "Promised Land" compared to the hellish Southern States for African-Americans. So many traveled with the hope that things would be better, life would be more accessible, and we (including myself because I am African-American) will be finally created equal. After a few days there, black people saw that the Promised Land was a fallacy. Racism was not as blatant but it was there in New York. I was seething in anger with Judy Washington because she did all that filthy, demoralizing work only to be stolen from in the end. And these black women had to do it repeatedly at the Bronx Slave Market to earn an inhumane living. I cheered for her as she stood up for herself and joined the Army to better herself and help defend the country.
When she signed up, yes, she had other motives as well, but in taking a chance and elevating her situation, she only did not change her fiscal situation. She changed her life by being part of a sisterhood that became a positive community that supported her and helped her grow. To me, the shining plot vehicle was the centering of these relationships in a historical context. You see the good, the bad, the nuance, tears, and support. Everything. The writing is cinematic but also personal at the same time. It was very vivid. I felt everything that Joshunda Sanders was writing. Black Sisterhood and Historical Fiction are a great mix in this book! I highly recommend it. Also, I liked seeing the problematic black mom here too. I related A LOT to that. Now this playlist I had to research deeply, so I hope that everyone enjoys it. Thank you, @hearourvoicestours, for letting me participate in the tour. #WomenofThePost #hearourvoicestours
When she signed up, yes, she had other motives as well, but in taking a chance and elevating her situation, she only did not change her fiscal situation. She changed her life by being part of a sisterhood that became a positive community that supported her and helped her grow. To me, the shining plot vehicle was the centering of these relationships in a historical context. You see the good, the bad, the nuance, tears, and support. Everything. The writing is cinematic but also personal at the same time. It was very vivid. I felt everything that Joshunda Sanders was writing. Black Sisterhood and Historical Fiction are a great mix in this book! I highly recommend it. Also, I liked seeing the problematic black mom here too. I related A LOT to that. Now this playlist I had to research deeply, so I hope that everyone enjoys it. Thank you, @hearourvoicestours, for letting me participate in the tour. #WomenofThePost #hearourvoicestours
linneaandspybat's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
nieceyb's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
vel629vet's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
I wanted this to be amazing, and while the context and concept was incredible, the writing was not. While the flow improved in the second half of the book, I never felt a true depth in any of the 3 heroines. Any distinguishing character traits were very circumstantial rather than fully developed.
This book did, however, peak my interest in learning more about black women who served in the world wars. Again, I loved the concept and the history. I wish I had loved the prose.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing!
This book did, however, peak my interest in learning more about black women who served in the world wars. Again, I loved the concept and the history. I wish I had loved the prose.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Homophobia, Hate crime, War, Sexism, and Death