Lovely War Hardcover – March 5, 2019

I skimmed a brief but favorable review of “A Lovely War” (LW) by Julie Berry, and now regret that I did not check it out more thoroughly. I imagine some readers will find it more enjoyable than did I, but LW certainly didn’t meet my expectations. I thought I would be reading about a war-time romance (WWll) between two young people in England. From the review, I noted that some Greek gods would be watching over things in the background, and I also picked up on a secondary romance with another couple, a subplot of sorts. I also noticed that while the book was not labeled “young adult”, it was suitable for 12 year olds. Aha, perhaps another “ Eleanor and Park” I hoped. Not so.The main characters, Hazel and James, get off to a very nice, very romantic start, but before long, Aphrodite. Hades and Ares pop up, as well as some of their other friends. Not for a comment or two, but pages and pages. Turns out they are going to interject themselves every so often, unbeknownst to Hazel and James, and keep the path of true love straight and narrow or something. Anyway, the gods did not work for me. I clearly missed some grand point the author was trying to make; the only thing I got out of the gods’ contribution was boredom. Lots of boredom.As for the Colette/Aubrey romance, thumbs down. Aubrey did not seem like a real WWll African American soldier to me, he seemed more 2019. I don’t believe the story truly reflects relationships of seventy-five years ago. Even in France, even in wartime. Their story led to lots of pages dealing with racism, discrimination, and other social issues. Important issues. I don’t know that they should be interwoven with Greek gods arguing about the fate of Hazel and James and their romance. So to put it in more 1940’s cinematic terms, the book started very Frank Capraesque then turned into a Bette Davis film. I love both, but I don’t think Bette ever starred in a Capra movie.So, “A Lovely War” is not for me. Wouldn’t recommend it to my 13 year old grand-daughter, nor to my 75 year old friends.

I liked the author's writing style and the two storylines about Hazel & James and Aubrey & Colette set in the complex backdrop of World War I England and France. However, I disliked the inclusion of the Greek gods as a narrative technique to tell readers about love and war. I found the Greek gods to be distracting and confusing -- and frankly, unnecessary. Too many elements that diluted the storylines for me.

This may not be your normal review. I’m just gonna tell it like it is. I’ve been waiting for this book with an unhealthy amount of anticipation. Since the moment I pre-ordered it on Amazon, I’ve been stalking its delivery like a total weirdo. My UPS man already thinks I’m crazy, so whatever. When I first heard the premise of Lovely War—Greeks Gods and World Wars I and II—I impulsively clapped my hands because I knew Julie Berry would do something incredible with this. And people, it is incredible! Lovely War is that reading experience we readers crave like a drug. It only takes a few pages—a few lines, really—and you’re standing next to the characters. You see their eyes blink, their hands twitch, a drop of sweat run down their neck. And then it happens—we step into their skin and feel their pain and their joy. We get to feel everything. Lovely War is 468 pages of this. And then there’s Aphrodite. She’s the one telling the story. We get to be in her head. What Julie Berry did with the voice that is Aphrodite is pure magic. I never thought I could love a character who was at the same time so iconically perfect and heart-breakingly flawed as Aphrodite, but I do. I want to be her friend in real life. I want to follow her around and hear all her thoughts and witty asides, especially when she thinks no one is listening. You need Aphrodite in your life. You need Lovely War. Go buy it and read it. You’ll see what I mean. In the meantime, I’ll be out buying a pink coat (reference “weirdo” comment above).

I'd read a number of glowing reviews of this book, and anything involving Greek gods will generally get my attention. However, the Greek gods are present only as narrators, with a silly, thin plot providing the excuse for their narration.As for the tale itself, despite what some reviewers may say, it is not really for adults. "Lovely War" is YA fiction about star-crossed lovers dealing with the violence of WWI and racism in our military (and our society) during that conflict. Ms. Berry's goals are noble, and it's a very easy read, but it's entirely predictable and not even slightly thought provoking for an adult. I believe my point is proven by an historical afterward that simplistically describes the origins of the war, racism, and the treatment of women; few sentient adults, if any, need that background.I can't really comment on it's quality or merit as a YA novel, because I am about as far from being a YA as it gets, but I'll give Ms. Berry credit for writing a readable work that may in fact help our young people to understand that the struggles we continue to deal with are not new.

Oh my goodness, this book! I have a new Julie Berry favorite. I love everything about LOVELY WAR. The setting was so vivid, the characters so filled with emotion, the writing so gorgeous, and the story so layered and rich and divine. Both teen and adult readers will surely be captivated by the romances (more than one!), the thrilling, terrifying battle scenes, and the deeper meaning behind it all. Historical fiction at its finest right here. I can already tell this is going to be on my "favorite books of 2019" list.

Apesar de terem me recomendado muito esse livro, apesar de eu ter amado a capa e comprado logo, por alguma razão fiquei com a impressão de que não iria gostar. Achei que seria parado, talvez pesado demais, arrastado, que seria difícil terminar de ler. Agora, eu daria qualquer coisa para ele ter mais umas quinhentas páginas ou para encontrar um outro livro como ele.São mais de quatrocentas páginas, mas eu li em duas sentadas, porque simplesmente não conseguia parar! Lovely War me surpreendeu demais! Primeiro, pela parte da história da Afrodite, que eu já conhecia por fora e que acho que terminou muito bem! Mas principalmente pelos personagens e pelo jeito que a Afrodite narra, com comentários, com a sua presença por perto! Tem capítulos narrados por outros deuses também, e essa foi a minha parte favorita! Cada um tinha a sua voz, seu tom, que coloria a narrativa do seu jeito.O romance se passa só na primeira guerra mundial, a segunda guerra é só quando a Afrodite está contando e não chega a ter uma parte relevante na história. Não é o primeiro livro sobre uma das guerras que eu leio, nem o primeiro sobre essa, mas me deixou com muita vontade de ler outros! Ainda mais se forem de romance! Os personagens desse livro são tão fofos, tão reais e interessantes, que é impossível não se encantar com eles, assim como aconteceu com a própria Afrodite! Mais encantador ainda, só o jeito que ela narra!Gostei de ver lados diferentes da guerra, gostei muito da narrativa e do enredo. Não consegui parar de pensar no livro quando não estava lendo e não conseguia parar de ler quando começava. Foram tantas emoções durante a leitura, esperança, alegria, tristeza, dor, medo, que esse livro me marcou logo no começo. Entrou de vez para os meus favoritos. Hazel, Colette, Aubrey e James também são inesquecíveis, e imaginar todas as cenas me fez sentir como se fosse a própria deusa, assistindo por perto eles passarem por tanta coisa diferente e difícil e impossível de descrever direito. Foi uma leitura absolutamente maravilhosa!Realmente queria poder ler outros livros como esse. Preciso de mais livros assim na minha vida, já fui atrás de vários outros que se passam nas guerras e algum dia vou reler Lovely War, com certeza. Recomendo demais e queria que trouxessem para o Brasil. Não é engraçado? No começo, achei que seria parado e que eu não iria gostar. Agora, já quero reler e já estou com saudades!

What a fantastic book! I haven't enjoyed a story so much for a long time. The author cleverly weaves the storytelling using narratives from the Gods and Goddesses, interspersed with dialogue from the characters. It's unlike any book you'll ever read. I only wish there was a sequel or another book in the same vein.

this book is like a big old hug. its written so beautifully and transports you to ww1. cannot recommend enough

The book came well it wasn’t damaged but the actual story was so boring it was painful to get through

The media could not be loaded.  Ainda estou em 20% do livro, então não sei dar minha opinião sobre o conteúdo em si (embora eu esteja amando muito a dinâmica dos personagens e o enredo, acho que vem aí um favorito). Porém, posso dizer sobre a qualidade do livro.Quando vi a diferença de preço entre o hardcover e o brochura, logo fui ver se a versão capa dura tinha algo de especial (algum desenho ou algo do tipo) sem ser a arte do paperback que é igual nas duas versões e... era bem normalzão kkkkkk daí como a arte é lindíssima peguei na versão brochura mesmo e não me arrependi!!! É um livro super prático de manusear e confortável, diria que a única coisa que me incomodou do brochura foi esse espaço que eles deixaram, tipo, a capa não pega a folha inteira. Mas fora esse detalhe achei que valeu muito a pena e saiu bem mais barato! É um dos livros mais bonitos que tenho aqui mesmo sendo na capa mole. Acho que se eu amar muuuuito o livro e ele me impactar demais talvez no futuro eu pegue a versão capa dura, mas para esse primeiro contato acho que essa serve muito bem e não deixa nada a desejar!