In Love and War

In Love and War follows three Australian nursing Sisters during and after World War II. Their paths cross at a hospital in Italy in 1943, leading to a friendship that spans decades. The narrative moves between wartime Italy and contemporary Australia, tracing how the war impacts the women throughout their lives. The story centers on their shared experiences, personal choices, and the ways they each process trauma and loss. Three distinct perspectives explore life on hospital wards, coping with danger during bombing raids, and navigating relationships in a time of conflict. The story tracks their transitions back to civilian life and the weight of their wartime memories. The novel examines how extraordinary circumstances shape ordinary lives, while raising questions about the price of survival and the nature of healing. Through its focus on nurses rather than soldiers, it offers an alternative lens on the lasting reverberations of war.

Readers appreciate Byrski's complex portrayal of how past trauma impacts long-term relationships. Multiple reviewers note her skill in balancing multiple character perspectives and interweaving historical elements with contemporary storylines. Readers highlighted: - Authentic depiction of aging characters dealing with unresolved issues - Rich descriptions of both Australian and London settings - Thoughtful handling of PTSD and war's lasting effects Common criticisms: - Pacing described as slow in the middle sections - Some found the resolution rushed - Secondary characters feel underdeveloped Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (173 ratings) Amazon AU: 4.2/5 (38 reviews) "The author treats difficult subjects with sensitivity while avoiding melodrama" - Goodreads reviewer "The middle section drags but the ending makes up for it" - Amazon reviewer "Characters feel real and flawed in a way that keeps you invested" - Better Reading review

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🔹 Author Liz Byrski drew inspiration from her own experiences of being evacuated as a child during WWII from London to Leicestershire, weaving personal understanding into her narrative. 🔹 The novel explores the lasting impact of wartime evacuation on children, a program that relocated more than 3.5 million British children to safer areas between 1939 and 1945. 🔹 Characters in the book journey to the English countryside, specifically Sussex and Cornwall, regions that historically hosted thousands of evacuees during WWII. 🔹 Byrski is known for writing complex women's fiction focusing on mature characters, making this book part of a larger body of work that challenges ageism in literature. 🔹 The book bridges two time periods - the 1940s and the present day - examining how wartime trauma can echo through generations of families.