Lovely War

Lovely War follows the lives of four young people during World War I, with their stories narrated by Greek gods. Two love stories emerge: one between a British pianist and an architect turned soldier, and another between an African American soldier and a Belgian singer. The Greek gods serve as both narrators and active participants, with Aphrodite defending the power of love during a trial on Mount Olympus. The novel moves between 1917 France and 1942 Manhattan, connecting the two World Wars through divine intervention. The narrative combines romance with historical events, incorporating real accounts of World War I, including the Harlem Hellfighters regiment and the influenza epidemic. Music plays a central role in the story, from classical piano to ragtime and jazz performances in military camps. Through its blend of mythology and historical fiction, the novel explores enduring questions about love, fate, and human resilience in times of war. The intersection of mortal and divine perspectives creates a meditation on how individuals maintain their humanity amid global conflict.

Readers describe Lovely War as a unique blend of Greek mythology and WWI historical fiction, with many noting the audiobook's full-cast narration enhances the experience. Readers appreciate: - The parallel love stories and their emotional depth - Historical accuracy and research - Treatment of serious themes like racism and PTSD - Integration of music throughout the narrative - The frame story involving Greek gods Common criticisms: - Pacing issues in the first third - Some find the Greek mythology framework distracting - Romance occasionally feels melodramatic - Multiple POVs can be confusing Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (41,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (1,300+ ratings) Book of the Month YA: 4.8/5 "The historical details transport you completely," notes one Amazon reviewer, while a Goodreads user writes: "The mythology framework felt unnecessary and took me out of the main story."

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★ The novel's innovative use of Greek gods as narrators was inspired by the author's fascination with how WWI-era people frequently used classical metaphors to describe the war's magnitude. ★ Aphrodite serves as the primary narrator, a clever choice as she was born from sea foam near Cyprus - an island that has historically been a crossroads of war and love, much like the story's themes. ★ The character James's experiences as an African American soldier are based on the real-life 369th Infantry Regiment, known as the "Harlem Hellfighters," who served under French command for 191 days in combat. ★ Julie Berry spent three years researching WWI, including visiting battlefield sites in France and consulting over 100 primary sources from the era to ensure historical accuracy. ★ The novel won five starred reviews from major publishing industry journals and the 2020 Golden Kite Award for Young Adult Fiction, a prize given by fellow children's book authors and illustrators.