Good Night Irene
By Luis Alberto Urrea
399 pages
What’s it about?
It is 1943 and the war is dragging on. The Red Cross decides that the boys fighting could use some American encouragement. The Red Cross creates a group of women who will follow behind the front lines and cheer the men up with donuts, coffee, and a taste of home. When Irene and Dorothy meet at training they become fast friends. This is their story.What did it make me think about?
I never had any concept women (other than nurses) were involved in the war effort and that close to the action. This was a really fascinating piece of history that is never talked about. Should I read it? So I loved learning about this group of women. The story was just a little long for me but I did enjoy it. This will appeal to all the Historical Fiction fans out there. Readers who loved “The Nightingale” will be drawn to this book as well. It is very well done.Quote-
“This skinny, awkward, redheaded jug-eared boy with freckles, Irene realized it was every G.I. she and Dorothy had sworn to serve and support. In the end, they were all scared lonely boys lost in the world that they had not created, trying so hard to be a man, often broken by horrors they’d never imagine. Sometimes their only succor was a kind smile, a cup of coffee, a doughnut.”What’s it about?
It is 1943 and the war is dragging on. The Red Cross decides that the boys fighting could use some American encouragement. The Red Cross creates a group of women who will follow behind the front lines and cheer the men up with donuts, coffee, and a taste of home. When Irene and Dorothy meet at training they become fast friends. This is their story.
What did it make me think about?
I never had any concept women (other than nurses) were involved in the war effort and that close to the action. This was a really fascinating piece of history that is never talked about.
Should I read it?
So I loved learning about this group of women. The story was just a little long for me but I did enjoy it. This will appeal to all the Historical Fiction fans out there. Readers who loved “The Nightingale” will be drawn to this book as well. It is very well done.
Quote-
“This skinny, awkward, redheaded jug-eared boy with freckles, Irene realized it was every G.I. she and Dorothy had sworn to serve and support. In the end, they were all scared lonely boys lost in the world that they had not created, trying so hard to be a man, often broken by horrors they’d never imagine. Sometimes their only succor was a kind smile, a cup of coffee, a doughnut.”
