Seattle, Washington Larkin Bennett has always known her place, whether it’s surrounded by her loving family in the lush greenery of the Pacific Northwest or conducting a dusty patrol in Afghanistan. But all of that changed the day tragedy struck her unit and took away everything she held dear. Soon after, Larkin discovers an unexpected treasure—the diary of Emily Wilson, a young woman who … young woman who disguised herself as a man to fight for the Union in the Civil War. As Larkin struggles to heal, she finds herself drawn deeply into Emily’s life and the secrets she kept.
Indiana, 1861
The only thing more dangerous to Emily Wilson than a rebel soldier is the risk of her own comrades in the Union Army discovering her secret. But in the minds of her fellow soldiers, if it dresses like a man, swears like a man, and shoots like a man, it must be a man. As the war marches on and takes its terrible toll, Emily begins to question everything she thought she was fighting for.
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Illuminating, sympathetic and deeply human, Today We Go Home shines a much-needed light on the brave, bold women of all eras whose military service puts even more than their lives on the line.
This book has it all; mystery, romance, heart-breaking moments and adventure. Great story about amazing women and their roles in military services throughout history. The primary story is about Larkin a women who has PST and watched her best friend die in services. A diary of a woman and stories of other women who served help her heal. The ending was wonderful and fitting.
Good comparison of women’s reflections who have experienced war from the historical and present day perspectives. Doesn’t seem that much has changed. Hard to put the book down once started.
It was extremely thoughtful on being a woman in the military. Please don’t think I take away from our men, but this made me think very hard as to how women handle the same situations. It’s an excellent story from a different perspective.
This book deals with a tough subject: PTSD, both during the Civil War and in the present day. The novel weaves together the story of two heroic female soldiers. One, Emily, who disguised herself as a man so that she could fight for the Union in the Civil War. The other, Larkin, who served in Afghanistan and was recently discharged due to PTSD. This is a good read. If you’re like me, you’ll learn things you didn’t know. You won’t soon forget Emily’s and Larkin’s stories.
This is one of the most informative and interesting books to be released this year.
Larkin recently returned from servicing in Afghanistan. As a female soldier, she endures sexism, heartbreak and loss. Her PTSD is more difficult to deal with than her knee injury. Unsuccessfully trying to commit suicide, she returns home to her Gram’s house to deal with causing the death of her best friend.
In Sarah’s belonging, Larkin discovers the diary of Emily “Jesse” Wilson who joins the Civil War fight disguised as a male. She too faces prejudice, sexism, injury and loss. The details provided in her diary help to walk Larkin though the same hardships as Emily and help her to eventually start to heal.
As she reads the diary, Larkin begins to research women who served as men in U.S. wars and discovers that women have serviced in them all. Dealing with depression and flashbacks, Larkin must wade through many similar occurrences as Emily.
This is such a moving book. Either of the women’s story would be intriguing. However, the way the author weaves the two stories together in such an intricate was leaves the reader emotionally charged. I dare the reader not to be better aware of female soldiers and their plight after completing this book.
I received an ARC from Sourcebooks Landmark through NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book. I am voluntarily submitting this review.
An excellent story! This book is set in both todays world and war time 1861. Two women different time periods but so much in common. It starts out with the life of Larkin a soldier suffering from PTSD and loss. She discovers a diary written by a women called Emily back in 1861 telling her life as she disguises herself and fights in the war.. the history in this book is very well written and the subjects it covers is so true to many in this time period the devastation war can cause on the body and mind. Well worth reading.
Today We Go Home shines an illuminating light on history and the female soldiers who have served this country from the Civil War to Afghanistan today. Kelli Estes passionately brings the past to life, interweaving the story of two women from different centuries whose journey towards hope is timeless.