Lovely War
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Perfect for fans of Divine Rivals, a critically acclaimed, multi-layered romance set in the perilous days of World Wars I and II, where gods hold the fates--and the hearts--of four mortals in their hands.
"Pick an adjective—sweeping, sprawling, epic, Olympian—and yet none quite conveys the emotional width and depth of Julie Berry’s brilliant novel."—The Washington Post
They are Hazel, James, Aubrey, and Colette. A classical pianist from London, a British would-be architect-turned-soldier, a Harlem-born ragtime genius in the U.S. Army, and a Belgian orphan with a gorgeous voice and a devastating past. Their story, as told by goddess Aphrodite, who must spin the tale or face judgment on Mount Olympus, is filled with hope and heartbreak, prejudice and passion, and reveals that, though War is a formidable force, it's no match for the transcendent power of Love.
Hailed by critics, Lovely War has received seven starred reviews and is an indie bestseller. Author Julie Berry has been called "a modern master of historical fiction" by Bookpage and "a celestially inspired storyteller" by the New York Times, and Lovely War is truly her masterwork.
"Pick an adjective—sweeping, sprawling, epic, Olympian—and yet none quite conveys the emotional width and depth of Julie Berry’s brilliant novel."—The Washington Post
They are Hazel, James, Aubrey, and Colette. A classical pianist from London, a British would-be architect-turned-soldier, a Harlem-born ragtime genius in the U.S. Army, and a Belgian orphan with a gorgeous voice and a devastating past. Their story, as told by goddess Aphrodite, who must spin the tale or face judgment on Mount Olympus, is filled with hope and heartbreak, prejudice and passion, and reveals that, though War is a formidable force, it's no match for the transcendent power of Love.
Hailed by critics, Lovely War has received seven starred reviews and is an indie bestseller. Author Julie Berry has been called "a modern master of historical fiction" by Bookpage and "a celestially inspired storyteller" by the New York Times, and Lovely War is truly her masterwork.
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Community Reviews
An interesting format for a historical fiction novel. The Greek goddess, Aphrodite, is accused of infidelity by her husband, Hephaestus. She speaks in her own defense by telling a story of love. This is the story she tells. Hazel meets James at a dance just before he is shipped out for WWI. They quickly fall in love and eventually she volunteers and goes over to France to be with him. Hazel befriends a Belgian woman, Collette, who meets and falls head over heels for a black serviceman, Aubrey, who faces relentless discrimination and bullying. The tale follows these two couples throughout the war and its aftermath. In the end, Aphrodite explains that she wanted to show her husband what true love looked like.
Combination of historical fiction and Greek Mythology. The audiobook is awesome - different voices for different characters!
This was the perfect twist of war, love and music. All told by four different narrators; Aphrodite, Ares, Apollo and Haphestus.
This was not at all what I was expecting at all. Of course I didn't read what the book was about the story being told by Aphrodite was such an interesting twist. I was on the edge of my seat during this. I cried, I smiled, I heavy signed and I squealed in joy. This was such a beautiful and heart wrenching story I was not ready for. I adored both the couples and reading about how their lives entwine with one another through friendship, war and love.
This was not at all what I was expecting at all. Of course I didn't read what the book was about the story being told by Aphrodite was such an interesting twist. I was on the edge of my seat during this. I cried, I smiled, I heavy signed and I squealed in joy. This was such a beautiful and heart wrenching story I was not ready for. I adored both the couples and reading about how their lives entwine with one another through friendship, war and love.
This book is exquisitely beautiful. At first I was a bit baffled by the framing device (Aphrodite is telling a story to other gods) but it tied together beautifully at the end. The writing is lovely, the prose is lush, and Lovely War explores the horrors of racism and war as well as the beauty of love. I literally finished this book in a parking lot with the car running because I meant to read "just one more chapter" and couldn't stop. This book does my heart good.
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