Scan barcode
trudyd's review
5.0
The Call of the Wrens was so much more than I expected. I had expected a quick, short read. Boy, was i wrong!!!
The story was very detailed, incorporating three time periods--early 1900's, World War One and World War Two. Marion and Eddie grow up in an orphanage.
The author gives a heartbreaking story of how Marion and Eddie survive in the orphanage. It was a definite eye opener on to the way things were for the lost children. As WW1 comes to England, more and more children are needing beds. When Marion ages out at age eighteen she must go.
Her job opportunities are few with WW1 influencing life in England. She joins the Wrens with hopes of being a dispatch rider. Eddie doesn't want Marion to go off without him. With false papers, he joins the Royal Navy with his motorcycle, all but guaranteeing him a dispatch rider position.
The author weaves a tale of adventure, romance alongside the horrors of World War One. Her words brought tears, smiles and so much more. The ugly crying was real. I would have given up just as Marion had; if the author hadn't given me hope for a better life in the future. Marion had lost enough.
Marion's friend, Sara, hasn't forgotten Marion in her suffering. With World War Two, Marion is needed to help her country. Sara discovers something that Marion will want to know. Marion will be motivated by her past.
As a reader, I learned so much about the importance of those traveling the streets of London and Europe. They risked their lives to save others. Our Education System has done them a disservice by not putting them in our textbooks, by not flooding documentaries with their supporting role in so many of the actions that were taken.
I hope people will pick up this book, fall in love with the characters. They will close the book knowing so much more than they did before reading The Call of the Wrens.
The story was very detailed, incorporating three time periods--early 1900's, World War One and World War Two. Marion and Eddie grow up in an orphanage.
The author gives a heartbreaking story of how Marion and Eddie survive in the orphanage. It was a definite eye opener on to the way things were for the lost children. As WW1 comes to England, more and more children are needing beds. When Marion ages out at age eighteen she must go.
Her job opportunities are few with WW1 influencing life in England. She joins the Wrens with hopes of being a dispatch rider. Eddie doesn't want Marion to go off without him. With false papers, he joins the Royal Navy with his motorcycle, all but guaranteeing him a dispatch rider position.
The author weaves a tale of adventure, romance alongside the horrors of World War One. Her words brought tears, smiles and so much more. The ugly crying was real. I would have given up just as Marion had; if the author hadn't given me hope for a better life in the future. Marion had lost enough.
Marion's friend, Sara, hasn't forgotten Marion in her suffering. With World War Two, Marion is needed to help her country. Sara discovers something that Marion will want to know. Marion will be motivated by her past.
As a reader, I learned so much about the importance of those traveling the streets of London and Europe. They risked their lives to save others. Our Education System has done them a disservice by not putting them in our textbooks, by not flooding documentaries with their supporting role in so many of the actions that were taken.
I hope people will pick up this book, fall in love with the characters. They will close the book knowing so much more than they did before reading The Call of the Wrens.
isa_reader's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
darrenstj's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
chick's review against another edition
3.0
Women motorcycle dispatch riders are certainly interesting.
But everything else was just kinda fine
But everything else was just kinda fine
sarahbeth621's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
deedralapray's review against another edition
5.0
Book #52 of 2022. The book that met my 2022 Reading Challenge. The BEST BOOK I’VE READ ALL YEAR!
First, I didn’t not know about the Wrens, although admittedly, I am not a big history or historical fiction buff. Their contributions to the war efforts in both World Wars were astounding.
The novel follows storylines from 2 different Wrens in two different wars. In the first storyline, we meet Marion, a girl who grew up in orphanages with selective mutism. The second storyline involves a privileged girl who grew up with her own set of challenges, including a Club foot at birth.
Although I figured out the connection fairly early about how these two storylines would converge, besides the fact that they were both Wrens, it did not make it any less impactful.
My goodness, what a book! If you like Kristen Hannah, you must read this one!
First, I didn’t not know about the Wrens, although admittedly, I am not a big history or historical fiction buff. Their contributions to the war efforts in both World Wars were astounding.
The novel follows storylines from 2 different Wrens in two different wars. In the first storyline, we meet Marion, a girl who grew up in orphanages with selective mutism. The second storyline involves a privileged girl who grew up with her own set of challenges, including a Club foot at birth.
Although I figured out the connection fairly early about how these two storylines would converge, besides the fact that they were both Wrens, it did not make it any less impactful.
My goodness, what a book! If you like Kristen Hannah, you must read this one!
farmfreshlisa's review against another edition
4.0
This is a book that bridges two wars with the same organization. You will meet a 40 year Marion at the cusp of WW2, and then journey back with her to her past as a teenager and then leading into WW1 at the age of 19 when she decides reluctantly to join the *WRENS*. The women's branch of the Royal Navy in Britain. Her story from teenager to young adult and then the 40 yearold Marion will be interspersed with Evelyn's story. A young woman (handicapped with a club foot) debutante who is tired of being told her limitations and seeks after the rush of speed with cars and motorcycles. When WW2 breaks--she runs away from home to join the WRENs to work in dispatch. The two women's path crosses during WW2 and they learn how linked they actually are.
I think the narratives were well done--I had never really thought about how those who were young adults in WW1 would still be serving in WW2 in their early 40s. I guess they seem further apart than that. But I appreciated learning a bit more about the WRENS.
This story is clean--and no swearing either. A rarity it seems these days.
I give it a solid 4 stars.
Lisa’s Ratings
5⭐ = Unforgettable. Make me FEEL emotions. I laughed or cried. I didn't want to put it down or let it end. They became my friends. A personal favorite.
4⭐ = Excellent read. Couldn’t put it down. Will recommend to others. But I didn't *feel* anything.
3⭐ = Liked it. Glad I read it. Engaging/entertaining/interesting. But nothing stellar or unforgettable. Not sure I will recommend it.
2⭐ = The book was tolerable, but I almost didn't like it.
1⭐ = For whatever reason, I didn’t like it and can’t recommend it.
I think the narratives were well done--I had never really thought about how those who were young adults in WW1 would still be serving in WW2 in their early 40s. I guess they seem further apart than that. But I appreciated learning a bit more about the WRENS.
This story is clean--and no swearing either. A rarity it seems these days.
I give it a solid 4 stars.
Lisa’s Ratings
5⭐ = Unforgettable. Make me FEEL emotions. I laughed or cried. I didn't want to put it down or let it end. They became my friends. A personal favorite.
4⭐ = Excellent read. Couldn’t put it down. Will recommend to others. But I didn't *feel* anything.
3⭐ = Liked it. Glad I read it. Engaging/entertaining/interesting. But nothing stellar or unforgettable. Not sure I will recommend it.
2⭐ = The book was tolerable, but I almost didn't like it.
1⭐ = For whatever reason, I didn’t like it and can’t recommend it.
kudragrace's review against another edition
3.75
Stories of 2 women who serve in the Wrens during the world wars and the secret that connects them. Liked it overall but would have liked more about the wrens and less personal drama. I did like the comparison between the wars and how the world as a whole changed for women.
abby_augustine's review against another edition
5.0
Historical fiction at its best! The Call Of The Wrens features the work that the brave women of the Women’s Royal Naval Service (otherwise know as WRNS or Wrens) did in WWI and WWII. This is a dual narrative, following two fierce female characters and their stories are intertwined in the best way. It was so fascinating learning about the Wrens and the support they provided during these wars and beyond. These specific characters, Marion and Evelyn, are both motorcycle dispatchers who receive and transport important messages from the front lines, sometimes with the help from pigeons which they personally trained to deliver messages to them.
I LOVE that the many women who were vital parts to the war are finally receiving the wide acclaim they deserve and their stories are being told and recognized.
You’re going to want to read this one! I flew through it!
I LOVE that the many women who were vital parts to the war are finally receiving the wide acclaim they deserve and their stories are being told and recognized.
You’re going to want to read this one! I flew through it!
cimorene1558's review against another edition
This is not a will-resume I wanted, but having borrowed my library's copy, I got to what was clearly going to be the most important event in the book, only to discover that 30 pages of another book were bound into the copy, instead of the important-thing pages.
So I guess I'm waiting for a copy from TPL, the library whose boundaries I live in, rather than the one I work at. Or else for my library to get a replacement.
So I guess I'm waiting for a copy from TPL, the library whose boundaries I live in, rather than the one I work at. Or else for my library to get a replacement.