Search - War Brides

I enjoyed this book and three women from Austrailia - "war brides" who are the main characters. It is good for anyone who is interested in womens' stories during the war or post-war.

I found the story interesting, but it wasn't all I'd hoped. It was a wonderful detailed picture of three women and their personal struggles that happened to have occured just after WWII. I'd hoped for more history and social commentary, but the story revolved around the women and told little of the political situation that brought them to America. That said, it was well written and had beautiful imagry.

Very realistic view of the War Bride experience; married, in most cases after a very short acquaintance, expecting to come to America and live the "American Dream" as portrayed in the movies, when the reality was that the men they had married were coming home to a country that had changed in their absence; with housing shortages; men returning to college on the VA Bill without the true means to support a family; and the men themselves -- displaced, not always prepared or able to support a family. Meanwhile, the war brides faced loneliness, suspicion and resentment -- they too were faced with finding their way in a new country often with a virtual near-stranger for a husband. Wonderful insights into the experience, filled with joys and sorrows, but most often sorrows. Recommend this book to anyone interested in this aspect of the WWII experience. Well written and an enjoyable, quick read.

Dull, dull, dull...

While I have enjoyed some of Battle's other books and thought this one would be no exception, I found the characters stiff and unlikeable.