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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A well-written, historical fiction novel that outlines the experience of the “Hello, Girls” of WW1. There are also themes of growing up in the Gilded Age and the Suffragette Movement.
I didn’t personally connect with the story all that well, but that’s a me thing.
I didn’t personally connect with the story all that well, but that’s a me thing.
Aimie K. Runyan has weaved another amazing story with Girls on the Line. These ladies were not in my history books, and I was so glad to learn of their existence. I love the amount of research the author puts into developing her books. Her characters are wonderful and her writing is so easy to read. I so look forward to reading more books from her.
3.5 I really liked the idea of a book about women switchboard operators during World War I and the author did an OK job of covering the subject. I wish she would’ve gone more into depth about what they did and I felt like the horrors of World War I weren’t really touched upon in a realistic way. However, it was a nice read and I always like a happy ending.
Summary: After Ruby Wagner’s brother is killed in one of the earliest battles in World War I, she decides to follow in his footsteps and aid her country in the war effort. She reads a notice that the Army Signal Corps is looking for female switchboard operators.
Ruby currently works as a switchboard operator for the local telephone company in Philadelphia. Thanks to her upwardly mobile mother, Ruby is also fluent in French and has excellent elocution. Ruby takes the exams and passes with flying colors. Much to her parents’ dismay, Ruby heads near the front lines in France, connecting calls and translating messages between Generals. She is also assigned to be the leader of her group, sometimes making difficult decisions as she balances duty with the women’s personal needs.
As part of the Main Line in Philadelphia, Ruby’s life was mapped out for her by her parents. They encouraged an engagement to a suitable young man and Ruby feels duty-bound to see the marriage through if they both survive the war. But the social changes brought about by the war, her new-found inner strength and her relationship with a young medic make her question the path she was expected to follow.
Comments: When I picked up Girls on the Line , I didn’t have high expectations, despite the glowing reviews on Amazon. And indeed, for the first few chapters of the book, the story seemed a bit simplistic and predictable. I was also put off by the narrator’s clipped tones. But as I got into the story, I not only came to feel deeply for the characters, but I also learned a lot.
My schooling rather breezed through World War I, and being a child of the 60’s, I wasn’t taught about women’s accomplishments. I’d never heard of the Hello Girls, the group of women on which this novel was based. The author does a credible job of bringing their experiences to life and it is obvious she did a lot of research. In the afterward, Runyan discusses some of the material she had access to as she wrote their story.
Highly recommended for readers of Historical Fiction, especially novels concentrating on World War I.
Ruby currently works as a switchboard operator for the local telephone company in Philadelphia. Thanks to her upwardly mobile mother, Ruby is also fluent in French and has excellent elocution. Ruby takes the exams and passes with flying colors. Much to her parents’ dismay, Ruby heads near the front lines in France, connecting calls and translating messages between Generals. She is also assigned to be the leader of her group, sometimes making difficult decisions as she balances duty with the women’s personal needs.
As part of the Main Line in Philadelphia, Ruby’s life was mapped out for her by her parents. They encouraged an engagement to a suitable young man and Ruby feels duty-bound to see the marriage through if they both survive the war. But the social changes brought about by the war, her new-found inner strength and her relationship with a young medic make her question the path she was expected to follow.
Comments: When I picked up Girls on the Line , I didn’t have high expectations, despite the glowing reviews on Amazon. And indeed, for the first few chapters of the book, the story seemed a bit simplistic and predictable. I was also put off by the narrator’s clipped tones. But as I got into the story, I not only came to feel deeply for the characters, but I also learned a lot.
My schooling rather breezed through World War I, and being a child of the 60’s, I wasn’t taught about women’s accomplishments. I’d never heard of the Hello Girls, the group of women on which this novel was based. The author does a credible job of bringing their experiences to life and it is obvious she did a lot of research. In the afterward, Runyan discusses some of the material she had access to as she wrote their story.
Highly recommended for readers of Historical Fiction, especially novels concentrating on World War I.
I loved everything about this book. Fantastic start to finish!
I took nearly thirty pages of notes on this one. There are so many things I could say, but I won't. I want you to experience it and draw all that richness out for yourself.
Instead, here are my thoughts based on my overall four key areas that I look for when reading a book:
1. Prose: This delightful gem has all the flowery language that I so live for. The problem is those deliciously fragrant words often lack simplicity and can make the writing feel clunky at times. 3.5/5
2. Characters: I listened to parts of this on audiobook. Because of this, I feel like the characters lost a lot of their dimension. The narrator wasn't spicy enough to truly capture the grit in these darling women. It was much more enjoyable to read than to listen. So, I don't fault the author for this, but I still have to rate based on my experience. 3/5
3. Style: There were so many moments that I highlighted, so many nuggets of wisdom woven into this story. The story never seemed to lag. I was engaged throughout, even when I was listening to the audio. 3/5
4. Plot: In the end, the plot was predictable. She fell in love with the less affluent soldier and broke free from the Main Line. I would have loved to see more of her mother in the epilogue/chapter after she leaves Philadelphia. To me, her mom's growth and her willingness to accept her daughter despite it all was one of the strongest parts of the story.
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
This book made me question things about women, history, and my place as a woman in history. It was the perfect read leading up to a hostile election. And, it is definitely one of the best things I've read this year.
Instead, here are my thoughts based on my overall four key areas that I look for when reading a book:
1. Prose: This delightful gem has all the flowery language that I so live for. The problem is those deliciously fragrant words often lack simplicity and can make the writing feel clunky at times. 3.5/5
2. Characters: I listened to parts of this on audiobook. Because of this, I feel like the characters lost a lot of their dimension. The narrator wasn't spicy enough to truly capture the grit in these darling women. It was much more enjoyable to read than to listen. So, I don't fault the author for this, but I still have to rate based on my experience. 3/5
3. Style: There were so many moments that I highlighted, so many nuggets of wisdom woven into this story. The story never seemed to lag. I was engaged throughout, even when I was listening to the audio. 3/5
4. Plot: In the end, the plot was predictable. She fell in love with the less affluent soldier and broke free from the Main Line. I would have loved to see more of her mother in the epilogue/chapter after she leaves Philadelphia. To me, her mom's growth and her willingness to accept her daughter despite it all was one of the strongest parts of the story.
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
This book made me question things about women, history, and my place as a woman in history. It was the perfect read leading up to a hostile election. And, it is definitely one of the best things I've read this year.
This book is amazing, well written, and a portion of women’s military history I knew nothing about. Highly recommend!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-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:
Complicated
Adored this book. I love this time period and this book was a fabulous and quick read!
Reread June 2022: still love this book as much as the first time
Reread June 2022: still love this book as much as the first time
A good story, based on true stories, of the women who served in the Signal Corps during World War I.
My biggest problem with the book is that the main character, Ruby, automatically becomes the best at everything. Like, she’s not just a telephone operator, she’s the BEST ONE WHO EVER LIVED. She’s not just a supervisor, she’s the GREATEST SUPERVISOR IN ALL HISTORY. etc etc etc. Like, literally zero faults in her.
My second biggest problem with the book is the same one I have with a bunch of historical fiction, which is that the story of a woman’s contribution to society can be told without the addition of a romance. Let a girl go to war without also making her find a man, geez.
I listened on audible and hated the narrator.
My biggest problem with the book is that the main character, Ruby, automatically becomes the best at everything. Like, she’s not just a telephone operator, she’s the BEST ONE WHO EVER LIVED. She’s not just a supervisor, she’s the GREATEST SUPERVISOR IN ALL HISTORY. etc etc etc. Like, literally zero faults in her.
My second biggest problem with the book is the same one I have with a bunch of historical fiction, which is that the story of a woman’s contribution to society can be told without the addition of a romance. Let a girl go to war without also making her find a man, geez.
I listened on audible and hated the narrator.