Courtney's War by Wilbur Smith is a novel that examines the experience of WWII from both the German and Allies perspective. There is a lot I liked about this book but there is also a lot I didn't like and in some instances I found it to be implausible.
The novel begins in Paris shortly before the main onslaught of WWII. Saffron Courtney and Gerhard von Meerbach are a couple in love but know they are about to be separated because Gerhard is German and Saffron is a South African living in England. When Gerhard returns to Germany to fight a war he doesn't believe in for a Fuhrer he despises Saffron joins the Allied forces. Proving herself more than capable to hold her own as a driver in North Africa she is recruited by the British Special Operations Executive and trains as a spy to infiltrate occupied territories and work with resistance forces. Meanwhile Gerhard has become a Luftwaffe pilot and endures the misery of the Battle of Stalingrad.
What I really liked about this book is it tells the story of the women who risked everything and operated in what had been male dominated jobs until WWII. Saffron was a strong female lead that I liked and respected.
What I didn't like is the implausible piece of the story when Saffrons on one of her father's ships when it is bombed. Her father is severely wounded, Gerhard is part of it, Saffron sees him and instead of being angry she silently celebrates the fact he is still alive. I can't believe anyone's feelings would be unchanged after that. I believe it would be an unforgivable act.
Also, I hated the ending of the book. It seemed rushed and incomplete. The reader is left wondering what happens to a couple of the villains and the future of Saffron and Gerhard is not completely explored. As the reader I felt like I was left hanging.
The storyline was well developed except for the ending and easy to follow. The book switches back and forth between Saffron and Gerhard's experiences with ease and without leaving the reader confused.
Character development was done well. I got the sense I knew who these characters were. However, I do not believe Saffron would be as forgiving of Gerhard's participation in the attack on her father's ship since it left him gravely wounded.
I would recommend this book mainly based on the history of the British SOE and the way it presents the role women played in the war. There are problems with the book but it shows a piece of the war rarely explored in other books about WWII.
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it.
The novel begins in Paris shortly before the main onslaught of WWII. Saffron Courtney and Gerhard von Meerbach are a couple in love but know they are about to be separated because Gerhard is German and Saffron is a South African living in England. When Gerhard returns to Germany to fight a war he doesn't believe in for a Fuhrer he despises Saffron joins the Allied forces. Proving herself more than capable to hold her own as a driver in North Africa she is recruited by the British Special Operations Executive and trains as a spy to infiltrate occupied territories and work with resistance forces. Meanwhile Gerhard has become a Luftwaffe pilot and endures the misery of the Battle of Stalingrad.
What I really liked about this book is it tells the story of the women who risked everything and operated in what had been male dominated jobs until WWII. Saffron was a strong female lead that I liked and respected.
What I didn't like is the implausible piece of the story when Saffrons on one of her father's ships when it is bombed. Her father is severely wounded, Gerhard is part of it, Saffron sees him and instead of being angry she silently celebrates the fact he is still alive. I can't believe anyone's feelings would be unchanged after that. I believe it would be an unforgivable act.
Also, I hated the ending of the book. It seemed rushed and incomplete. The reader is left wondering what happens to a couple of the villains and the future of Saffron and Gerhard is not completely explored. As the reader I felt like I was left hanging.
The storyline was well developed except for the ending and easy to follow. The book switches back and forth between Saffron and Gerhard's experiences with ease and without leaving the reader confused.
Character development was done well. I got the sense I knew who these characters were. However, I do not believe Saffron would be as forgiving of Gerhard's participation in the attack on her father's ship since it left him gravely wounded.
I would recommend this book mainly based on the history of the British SOE and the way it presents the role women played in the war. There are problems with the book but it shows a piece of the war rarely explored in other books about WWII.
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it.