Scan barcode
chelsea_w's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
It has taken me almost a week to begin to process my thoughts about "Cher Ami and Major Whittlesey" by Kathleen Rooney. When I read the synopsis of the book I was certain it would be a great read. My favorite genre, historical fiction, with a bird as a main character; two of my passions in a single book! I thought I would read a book about two war time heroes that would remain in my mind for a long time. I got exactly that, but it wasn't what I expected. Rooney opened the mind of Cher Ami, a homing pigeon, and tried to provide words and feelings to her. Obviously we don't know what it's like to be a bird and creative license was clearly used, but it was a unique and believable perspective on war, and why humans strive for peace by waging war.
Without spoiling the plot of this book, both main characters are absolutely heroes by any measuring stick erected by the victors of a war. Major Whittlesey (Whit) cared deeply for the troops in his charge, and Cher Ami relayed life saving information amid a barrage of ammunition in record time to save many human lives.
Whit reasoned with his superior officers on strategies he disagreed with. When his push back was overwritten, he carried out his orders with encouragement to his troops. When casualties occurred on those missions, he held himself responsible. That burden weighed heavily on his mind until his last days. Major Whittlesey was a war time hero, but didn't see himself as such. This book is as much about heroism and courage as it is about depression, trauma, and other mental afflictions that were not properly diagnosed or treated in that era. It's a story of forbidden love and casualties of war that happen off the battlefield. There is not a happy ending in this book where the loose strings are all tied neatly in a bow. But then neither is real life especially when war is part of that life. The heroism and tragedy of this book will stay with me for a long time.
Without spoiling the plot of this book, both main characters are absolutely heroes by any measuring stick erected by the victors of a war. Major Whittlesey (Whit) cared deeply for the troops in his charge, and Cher Ami relayed life saving information amid a barrage of ammunition in record time to save many human lives.
Whit reasoned with his superior officers on strategies he disagreed with. When his push back was overwritten, he carried out his orders with encouragement to his troops. When casualties occurred on those missions, he held himself responsible. That burden weighed heavily on his mind until his last days. Major Whittlesey was a war time hero, but didn't see himself as such. This book is as much about heroism and courage as it is about depression, trauma, and other mental afflictions that were not properly diagnosed or treated in that era. It's a story of forbidden love and casualties of war that happen off the battlefield. There is not a happy ending in this book where the loose strings are all tied neatly in a bow. But then neither is real life especially when war is part of that life. The heroism and tragedy of this book will stay with me for a long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and War
Moderate: Suicide and Animal death
More...