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fabianjenn's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
carollynnw's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
I loved Things Past Telling and was excited to read this book about the 6888, a unit of Black Women WACS during WW2, which the author has a family connection to. I’m glad Ms. Williams - and the two other authors - have written on this previously suppressed history.
btodd12's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
No Better Time is the perfect pick for Women’s History Month! While WWII historical fiction is my favorite niche genre, I hadn’t previously read any stories focused on Black American soldiers during the war. I learned so much from author Sheila Williams’ focus on the 6888th Battalion, which was comprised of 800 Black women sent to Europe to run the postal operations for American soldiers.
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I found the different dynamics between the women’s time at U.S. bases and their time in Europe fascinating. How sad that they were treated with racism and subjected to segregation here in the U.S. while they were welcomed into bars and social scenes in Europe. Racial issues aside, this was an easy read that I finished in two days—I only wish we were able to hear more about the women’s post-war lives instead of the short epilogue.
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I found the different dynamics between the women’s time at U.S. bases and their time in Europe fascinating. How sad that they were treated with racism and subjected to segregation here in the U.S. while they were welcomed into bars and social scenes in Europe. Racial issues aside, this was an easy read that I finished in two days—I only wish we were able to hear more about the women’s post-war lives instead of the short epilogue.
shrrawat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
After having a phase in which I consumed every piece of WW2-based historical media I could get my hands on, I have kind of gotten over most historical fiction set in that era. They tend to settle into three camps, a story about civilians in Europe hiding/smuggling Jews from the Nazis, civilians in London surviving the Blitz, or American soldiers in the European campaign. I had hoped that with its focus on a postal directory battalion, "No Better Time" would offer something more unique and valuable to these narratives. Unfortunately, I was disappointed that regard.
The book itself is fine, and tells the story of the African American WACs developed by Ms. Bethune, responsible for supporting efforts during the war such as hospital help and postal management. However, the pacing for the book is a bit off, and as a result, the "postal directory" portion of the story comes 150 pages into a 225 page book. So, there is very little opportunity to develop and underline the importance of this work.
Furthermore, the author tends to juggle a lot of characters that is hard to keep track of. Ostensibly, there are two main characters that we see closely, Dorothy and Leila, but we get pop ins of other characters that get very little backstory yet are essential to the plot/emotional heart of the story. I found myself going back and having to read who these characters were supposed to be, often denigrating them as "the musical one" or "the one that was a waitress," since that was all the description they were introduced with.
Had the author opted to flesh out this book by a couple hundred pages, had focused more on the two characters involved, or had spent more time expanding the postal work aspect and shortening the basic training or miscellaneous other duties section, I could have seen myself enjoying this book more. As it was, I did not exactly hate this book, but I also can't see myself classifying it as a memorable read among all the other WW2 historical fiction out there.
The book itself is fine, and tells the story of the African American WACs developed by Ms. Bethune, responsible for supporting efforts during the war such as hospital help and postal management. However, the pacing for the book is a bit off, and as a result, the "postal directory" portion of the story comes 150 pages into a 225 page book. So, there is very little opportunity to develop and underline the importance of this work.
Furthermore, the author tends to juggle a lot of characters that is hard to keep track of. Ostensibly, there are two main characters that we see closely, Dorothy and Leila, but we get pop ins of other characters that get very little backstory yet are essential to the plot/emotional heart of the story. I found myself going back and having to read who these characters were supposed to be, often denigrating them as "the musical one" or "the one that was a waitress," since that was all the description they were introduced with.
Had the author opted to flesh out this book by a couple hundred pages, had focused more on the two characters involved, or had spent more time expanding the postal work aspect and shortening the basic training or miscellaneous other duties section, I could have seen myself enjoying this book more. As it was, I did not exactly hate this book, but I also can't see myself classifying it as a memorable read among all the other WW2 historical fiction out there.
spongebobbiii's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
jasinbooks's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
anj_t's review
Bland writing style
I tried hard to finish but decided life is too short
I tried hard to finish but decided life is too short
dannielynnfountain's review against another edition
4.5
A beautiful and deeply moving story of the women of the 6888 Battalion. Thank you to BookSparks and the publisher for the free copy.
brooke_city's review against another edition
DNF. This was the 2nd book I picked up about Black women of the WAC. This one didn't work for me.
The story itself is interesting. But the timeline jumps around. It stops the action, like intrusive thoughts. [Instead of showing how/why they joined the WAC first. THEN, continue with them once they're stationed.]
If I may recommend, read Women of the Post by Joshunda Sanders. Robin Miles narrates that audiobook.
The story itself is interesting. But the timeline jumps around. It stops the action, like intrusive thoughts. [Instead of showing how/why they joined the WAC first. THEN, continue with them once they're stationed.]
If I may recommend, read Women of the Post by Joshunda Sanders. Robin Miles narrates that audiobook.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Sexism and Misogyny
shannanh's review against another edition
5.0
This is the third book I've enjoyed and read about the 6888, and It was just as good. This one offers a slightly different perspective on the women, but It stayed true to the story and was completely captivating. This story drew me in right from the beginning and I could not put it down. I read it in one sitting.. This was such an incredible, well written, engaging and enjoyable story. I will surely be putting this author on my list for future works as well as her blacklist. This was the first time I've read a book from this author, and after this it won't be my last.