Scan barcode
A review by readbooks_fightpatriarchy
Fall of Poppies: Stories of Love and the Great War by Beatriz Williams, Heather Webb, Hazel Gaynor
5.0
I got this book on the release date after attending a panel with six of the authors. It's always nice when the authors you like turn out to be super nice in person as well! I was a previous fan of Lauren Willig and Jennifer Robson, and am excited to now read more by the other authors.
This book centers around the Armistice at the end of the First World War. I liked how each author covered such different experiences and in different ways- from women who were inhabitants of war zones to those who were on the home front, from the Easter Rising to the dance clubs of Paris, and two stories were even written from the male perspective. Topics covered included mask making for injured soldiers, the experiences of a person who was a former citizen of a country her new country was at war with, the experiences of pilots who were not expected to survive very long, and pretty much every topic you did or didn't know about the First World War.
I liked the fact that Evangeline Holland's story was unlike any other that I've read about WWI. I enjoyed Jessica Brockmole's use of letters between characters to progress the story. Having read Jennifer Robson's other books, I enjoyed learning more about a familiar character's story. Lauren Willig's story went back and forth between 1980 and the end of the war, and it provided a very interesting angle- how we remember things versus how they really were. Marci Jefferson's story kept me on my toes as I couldn't guess what would happen next! Heather Webb's story was really moving for such a short piece. Kate Kerrigan's story was not only compelling, but it made me want to learn more and do some further research. Beatriz Williams' story is an intro to her upcoming novel, which I will be sure to check out. Hazel Gaynor's story I thought was wonderful at connecting yet contrasting the people at home to those on the battlefield.
Sorry if I seem a little vague, but I didn't want to reveal any spoilers. I really liked this book, and look forward to reading more by the authors I was unfamiliar with.
This book centers around the Armistice at the end of the First World War. I liked how each author covered such different experiences and in different ways- from women who were inhabitants of war zones to those who were on the home front, from the Easter Rising to the dance clubs of Paris, and two stories were even written from the male perspective. Topics covered included mask making for injured soldiers, the experiences of a person who was a former citizen of a country her new country was at war with, the experiences of pilots who were not expected to survive very long, and pretty much every topic you did or didn't know about the First World War.
I liked the fact that Evangeline Holland's story was unlike any other that I've read about WWI. I enjoyed Jessica Brockmole's use of letters between characters to progress the story. Having read Jennifer Robson's other books, I enjoyed learning more about a familiar character's story. Lauren Willig's story went back and forth between 1980 and the end of the war, and it provided a very interesting angle- how we remember things versus how they really were. Marci Jefferson's story kept me on my toes as I couldn't guess what would happen next! Heather Webb's story was really moving for such a short piece. Kate Kerrigan's story was not only compelling, but it made me want to learn more and do some further research. Beatriz Williams' story is an intro to her upcoming novel, which I will be sure to check out. Hazel Gaynor's story I thought was wonderful at connecting yet contrasting the people at home to those on the battlefield.
Sorry if I seem a little vague, but I didn't want to reveal any spoilers. I really liked this book, and look forward to reading more by the authors I was unfamiliar with.