Title: Wedded to War
Author: Jocelyn Green
Series: Heroines Behind the Lines, book 1
Major Themes: Civil War, New York, Nursing, Irish Immigrants
Synopsis: Stuck, and feeling like she’s a forgotten part of high society, Charlotte Waverly decides to step outside the social norms when the Civil War breaks out and train as a nurse to help wounded soldiers.
Jocelyn Green has been one of my favorite historical fiction authors for years now, but somehow, I never quite got around to reading her Heroines Behind the Lines series. I’ve been enjoying seeing her new “10th Anniversary Edition” covers coming out, though, and decided that it was high time to start reading through the series. I downloaded the Wedded to War audiobook, and was immediately swept away to Civil War-era New York.
Publisher’s description:
When war erupted, she traded a life of privilege for a life of significance.
When the Civil War shatters the genteel world of New York society, Charlotte Waverly dares to step beyond the drawing room and enter the chaos of war. As one of America’s first professional female nurses, and with a suitor who believes the work is beneath her, she’s combating more than just the rebellion.
Across the city but a world away, Irish immigrant Ruby O’Flannery is plunged into hardship when her husband enlists with the Union army. Her struggle to survive leads her on a rocky path that will intertwine with Charlotte’s. As their lives converge, they’ll uncover an unexpected bond forged in struggle, sacrifice, and the shared fight for dignity and purpose.
Though Wedded to War is a work of fiction, the story is inspired by real-life Civil War nurse Georgeanna Woolsey, whose letters and journals offer a thorough look at what pioneering women nurses endured.
My thoughts:
Once again, Jocelyn Green has confirmed herself as an excellent author of historical fiction. I can’t imagine the amount of research that went into this story, but Charlotte felt realistic from the first chapter, and I also connected with Ruby right away. Both of these women were from opposite ends of the societal spectrum, but in the end, there really wasn’t much difference between them. Both had to fight through expectations placed upon them by others in order to lead lives they could be proud of, or at least could be comfortable in without feeling like they were letting themselves down.
I found the descriptions of Washington at the time both fascinating and appalling. I’ve read one or two other books set at about this same time and place in history, but neither of them quite portrayed the utter wretchedness many soldiers faced as they returned wounded from battle.
It was difficult to read about the prejudice many women nurses faced when they first started trying to help in field hospitals, and I appreciated that Charlotte never became “manly” in her attempt to prove herself useful in that environment. Some of the opinions expressed in this book can come off with a somewhat feminist attitude, but I’m very grateful that women worked to be accepted in the area of healthcare, as (as this book so aptly illustrates!) gentle care is often needed in these situations, just as much as the more assertive, emotionless decision-making men can provide.
Then there’s Ruby’s story. My heart bled for her at times, as she struggled to provide for herself in unrelenting circumstances. Her story reminded me of the bits of history I’ve picked up over the years about the Irish Potato Famine, and made me want to find more books about what the Irish faced as they tried to make their way in America.
Wedded to War was an unexpected, gripping read. I wasn’t prepared for the complexity and the comparison/contrast element of Charlotte and Ruby’s stories, and then with the beginning of the Civil War in the mix, that made it that much more interesting. I was also delighted by the faith element that came through this story—and, yes, I felt like my toes were stepped on a bit when there were discussions about believing something from the Bible versus actually living it out. That part was well done. I’m looking forward to diving into book two, Widow of Gettysburg, soon. I’m sure that will be another great read!
WARNING: I listened to the audiobook and failed to take any notes, sorry! Prostitution is mentioned several times, and one character briefly gets into prostitution in order to survive. There is a rape scene somewhere around halfway through the book; you know what is going to happen because of the circumstances, but it is all off-page (nightmares associated with that, and the character’s reaction to the rapist later are talked about to some extent). A man hits a woman at one point, and there may be some minor language (I didn’t notice anything particularly strong that way). There are a few brief kisses, one dance scene, and a man is mentioned as trying to take liberties with his fiancée at one point. Near the end of the book, a man shoots a couple of people and then commits suicide. Injuries from war are described multiple times.
Age levels:
Reading Independently—Ages 15 and Above, Adults
Links to buy this book:
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle | Audible Audiobook (unabridged)
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com
