From the author of The Last Garden in England and The Light Over London comes a “gripping tale by a writer at the top of her game” (Fiona Davis, author of The Chelsea Girls) following three friends who struggle to remain loyal as one of them is threatened with internment by the British government at the start of World War II. In August of 1939, as Britain watches the headlines in fear of another … Britain watches the headlines in fear of another devastating war with Germany, three childhood companions must choose between friendship and country. Erstwhile socialite Nora is determined to find her place in the Home Office’s Air Raid Precautions Department, matchmaker Hazel tries to mask two closely guarded secrets with irrepressible optimism, and German expat Marie worries that she and her family might face imprisonment in an internment camp if war is declared. When Germany invades Poland and tensions on the home front rise, Marie is labeled an enemy alien, and the three friends find themselves fighting together to keep her free at any cost.
Featuring Julia Kelly’s signature “intricate, tender, and convincing” (Publishers Weekly) prose, The Whispers of War is a moving and unforgettable tale of the power of friendship and womanhood in the midst of conflict.
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This book was refreshing in a sea of much WWII fiction. At its heart, it is the story of friendship. In this case, three women who became each other’s family and whose devotion is tested in a world changing through war and new roles for women. Heartwarming and compelling, it lifts the reader to a place of beauty and joy even as the shadows of impending war threaten to shatter life as they know it. New love, family secrets, and national loyalties shape the friendships. Though WWII fiction is a regular genre of mine, I felt that The Whispers of War elevated the human story of it in ways that felt brand new. And – as I always love to learn through historical fiction – I was pleased (and horrified) to learn about the extensiveness of internments and the darkness that fear and propaganda can harbor. Kelly touched on themes that are found throughout history, giving it a human face.
A MUCH anticipated book, the second historical fiction from Ms. Kelly. Once again, she takes a smaller, unknown story about women from World War II and brings it to life in heartbreaking and heartwarming ways. A timely book for our current times.
Julia Kelly’s story about the bonds of female friendship threatened by senseless government policies is timeless and moving, and her trio of heroines had my heart from the start. A gripping tale by a writer at the top of her game.
As I say frequently in my reviews, I am a huge fan of historical fiction books … especially if they are during WWII. This was a different aspect, however, from the books I typically read. You will learn about the internment camps in England during WWII. I was aware of camps in the U.S., but was not familiar with the ones in Europe. This is also a dual timeline book which is also a favorite for me. There are some twists and turns and two of the friends find themselves working hard to fight for the third friend’s freedom. I wish we had been given more descriptive details about the camps.
Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It gave you an idea not only the struggles that people who had German descendants who left Germany struggled after the war broke out. But how the women who worked during this time had to put up with the same prejudices only worse than the ones that women of today in the workforce. To have to lie to protect yourself and your family had to be extremely stressful. I can’t imagine living in that era! Thank you Julia for writing such a great book!
A good read about the female issues of WWII
Not quite what I was expecting, but an ok read. Needed more substance.
I had no idea that England also had camps where they locked up Germans just for being German. It haunted this woman’s life and changed it. Good book and great writing.
Just ok. Slow read.
What a great read. Literally read it in a day.
I thought that I had read enough of WWII historical fiction, and then this book comes along. It held my interest the entire way. It was well crafted, and I cared about the characters.
An excellent read with important historical information.
Three childhood friends must choose between friendship or country. Erstwhile socialite Nora is determined to find her place in the Home Office’s Air Raid Precautions Department, matchmaker Hazel tries to mask two closely guarded secrets with irrepressible optimism, and German expat Marie worries that she and her family might face imprisonment in an internment camp if war is declared. This is a page turner that I was not putting down until I was finished. I bought the paperback and am not sorry that I did. I recommend this book.
I love books written about WWII. This was a great story, it shows yet another side of the war. I can’t even imagine living during that time, I would only hope I would be strong enough to do what these woman and so many others did and I would imagine still do for the good of their friends and countries. I recommend this book for anyone who loves a good story.
Three women, who bet in boarding school, experience London during WWII. They draw their strength from each other. They learn that people are not always what they seem but some friendships last forever.
Marie (of German descent) went to Britain to attend a boarding school where she meets Nora (a tall and gangly debutant) and Hazel (the matchmaker). They become a family. Their motto, which survives forever, is “We’ll always be . . . Just us three!”
The story alternates between four POVs. Samantha (Marie’s granddaughter), Nora, Hazel, and Marie. It also splits between then (1933-1943) and now. Even so, the story flows beautifully as Julia Kelley is known to do. The emotional journey finds times of love, longing, fear, comradery, laughs and secrets. As the war gets closer, it is apparent that Marie cannot continue to live in Britain any longer. German’s are being interred and the odds are too high to ignore that she will be arrested soon. Per their absolute devotion to one ;another, all risk whatever they have accomplished and their freedom without question. That sort of loyalty is found woven throughout the pages.
I fell in love with Julia Kelly’s book with Light Over London. The Whispers of War does not disappoint. She is definitely a favorite author.
I received an ARC from Galley Books through NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book. I am submitting this review voluntarily and am under no obligation to do so.
In August of 1939 Britain three childhood friends fear the impending war with Germany is soon to come. Nora, Hazel and Marie have been friends ever since they were roomates at Ethelbrook Boarding School. Nora is determined to find her place in the Home Office’s Air Raid Precautions Department, Hazel tries to mask two closely guarded secrets with great courage and determination, and German expat Marie worries that she and her family might face imprisonment in an internment camp. When the war is declared and Germany invades Poland Marie becomes the enemy and her life will be at constant risk, but the three friends will strengthen their bond together while fighting to keep her safe at any cost.
WWII Fiction is one of my favorite genres. This is my first book by Julia Kelly and I have to say she surpassed my espectations! It’s a touching and beautiful story! I liked that it centers in the friendship of this three outstanding women, more so than on the romantic part. This three women come from families that lack of something: love, reputation, understanding of their daughters. That’s why they bond so strong, because they become family to each other. So as they grow up, they share all their happenings, dreams and fears. But when the war rages, and it threatens London too, they will all have to test their loyalty and fight their own personal battles: Nora’s career, Hazel’s fragile marriage, and Marie’s risk of deportation.
The story is beautifully told. The characters are so well developed that I instantly felt a kindredship to them, especially Marie, who had a heart of gold. But I also loved independent, corageous and outspoken Nora, and matchmaker and loyal Hazel. The dual timeline was very well done, going from Marie’s grandaughter Samantha who wants to know more about the life of this woman she so loved. The plot flows well and it never feels dragging.
This book shows aspects of the war that I saw in a new lens. The fear of deportment just because of where you were born. The cruelty of internment camps. The loyalty and humanity of so many people that went unknown, as well as the evil and deceiving. This books brings a spark of optimism through the hardship the whole story ensues. And it is the loyal friendship of this three remarkable women that will bring out the good that always comes in the midst of the bad and abhorring. It is an inspiring and realistic story.
I definitely recommend it to lovers of the historical genre. A must read!
This review is also available on my blog: Wine Cellar Library
I own every book that Julia Kelly has ever published, including those she has published under the name Julia Blake. I am very excited to have been added to Julia’s ARC team!
The Whispers of War is a World War II historical fiction novel that examines the impact of the war on a group rarely discussed in history: German immigrants living in Allied nations. As Germany was the aggressor in the conflict and responsible for heinous crimes against humanity, especially the Jewish population, few have endeavored to write a novel with a German protagonist. Julia Kelly does so in a sensitive and eloquent manner.
Marie, a German immigrant living in London, England, has lived in London since childhood. Sent away to an English boarding school by her parents, Marie decided to remain in the country with her aunt and uncle, even after graduating. When Germany invades Poland, starting the war, Marie fears for her safety and her freedom. She abhors Germany’s actions and fears the Nazi regime. In World War I, the English had rounded up all German immigrants and put them into internment camps, and Marie fears that the government may decide it is necessary to do so again with the current conflict.
The story is told in parts from four different viewpoints. I felt that this structure was effective and easy to follow. At the very beginning, we read from Samantha’s point of view in the present day. Samantha is Marie’s granddaughter, who has traveled to London to visit Marie’s dear friend Nora a year after Marie has passed away. We will hear from Samantha intermittently as Nora imparts Marie’s history, preceding each new section of the book. The first section is told from Marie’s point of view in autumn of 1939. The second section is told from Marie and Nora’s friend Hazel’s point of view, covering the winter of 1939 to 1940, and the third is told from Nora’s point of view in the spring of 1940. Experiencing Marie’s strife through each of these close friends’ points of views establishes their unwavering bond and their dedication to Marie’s safety and freedom.
I have a minor in history with a focus on World War II history, and I was never aware of the conditions that German immigrants faced living in the internment camps. In America, we hear much about the Japanese internment camps in the United States. Any mention of Germans being rounded up into camps was in passing, never being thoroughly examined. Julia Kelly shines light on a part of history that has not been widely acknowledged or taught.
For those who have read Julia Kelly/Julia Blake’s other titles, this story has minimal romance. Romance is a minor element in the book, despite Hazel’s occupation as a matchmaker. The story is more about the bond of friendship, the emerging empowerment of women of the era, and revealing the impact of this little-known historical event. Elements of xenophobia, misogyny, discrimination, and abuse of authority are powerfully yet gracefully portrayed.
My favorite sections were those of Marie, Hazel, and Nora. I felt that Samantha’s chapters could have been given a bit more attention. Things seem to move very quickly in her chapters, especially with David. Other than that, The Whispers of War was a fantastic read, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in historical fiction or women’s fiction.
Thank you to NetGalley and Julia Kelly for providing me with a free digital review copy in exchange for an honest review. Additionally, thank you to Gallery Books for providing me with a free hardcover edition, which will look absolutely stunning on my bookshelf.
#thewhispersofwar #juliakelly #netgalley #gallerybooks
Another enjoyable book by Julia Kelly. While this is considered historical fiction, the main focus in this book was the strong female bond of three friends during WWII in London. I learned a little bit about the German internment camps in London during the war. This was something I was not very familiar with and it interested me enough to do my own research and read up on that subject. That is what I love about reading historical fiction. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading future books by Julia Kelly.
I received a review copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
I am a regular reader of Julia’s books and I adored this book. It’s starts with Samantha, granddaughter to Marie, traveling to England to return a necklace per Marie’s posthumous instructions, to her friend Nora. This a dual timeline where Samantha learns more about her grandmother than anyone in the family knew, through Nora reliving and telling their life story during a period of WWII. She shares a a few months worth each day before 103 year old Nora wears out, keeping Samantha in England for five days. Nora starts the story of how they met along with Hazel completing their trio of lifelong friends starting with the boarding school. I noticed several people not liking Samantha’s part of the book but to me, it was necessary, it was part of the cycle of life and the connections we make and where they lead. You learn of the trios work, loves, and what it means to be a true friend no matter the cost. I was crying at the end of the book with happiness with its wonderful and beautiful ending.
I’ve read a lot of books (none non-fiction, so that’s on me) and watched movies and documentaries and of course took many history classes and learned of the internment’s in England that I’d never heard of from this book. It was shocking.
The Whispers of War is a beautifully told story, and a timely reminder that history works in chillingly familiar patterns. Julia Kelly writes gripping, moving historic fiction that’s not to be missed.