I was excited to receive a review copy of Susan Lanigan's new novel, White Feathers. White Feathers is set before and during World War I. It is an emotional read, so have some tissues close to hand. If you would like to read my thoughts, then scroll down to my review.
In 1913, Irish emigrée Eva Downey receives a bequest from an elderly suffragette to attend a finishing school. There she finds friendship and, eventually, love. But when war looms and he refuses to enlist, Eva is under family and social pressure to give the man she loves a white feather of cowardice. The decision she eventually makes will have lasting consequences for her and everyone around her.
Journey with Eva as she battles through a hostile social order and endeavours to resist it at every turn.
📚📚📚📚📚⭐ = A book in a million
📚📚📚📚📚 = I could not put this book down. I Highly Recommend it.
📚📚📚📚 = A really great read.
📚📚📚 = It was enjoyable.
📚📚 = It was okay.
📚 = Um...! 😕
This novel is a gripping tale of family dysfunction, forbidden love, and a woman's strength to carry on.
Eva Downey may have caused some controversy in her family by writing for “A Jolly Night Out Hiding from the Census Man,” but because of this article, Eva inherited a small amount of money, enough to put her through a first-class education at the Links School for Young Ladies.
Without the influence of her family, Eva begins to shine. However, she is not as wealthy as some of the other students although she outshines them all with her intelligence and her kindness. She soon becomes fast friends with Sybil and settles into her new life. But for some reason, her English teacher, Mr Shandlin seems to have taken a dislike to her, but then to her shock she discovers that her teacher has feelings for her, and she finds herself receptive. However, it is not just the teacher-student or the age difference that would keep them apart, Mr Shandlin was a conscientious objector.
This story is a very emotional read, not only does Eva suffer terrible abuse at home, and she finds a haven in the finishing school. But this too is short-lived, because Mr Shandlin has fallen for her and he seemingly hates her for it.
In every situation, Eva is always the one to blame and at times this makes for some very traumatic scenes, especially as Eva is so incredibly nice. And despite everything she goes through, despite all the heartache and abuse, she still manages to get up in the morning and carry on, even when her heart is breaking.
I thought this novel painted a vivid picture of the era, especially the devastation that these ominous white feathers meant to the men who were given them. The white feather is a sign of cowardice, and no one wants to be accused of that.
The characters are very well depicted, and although there are many characters I disliked, there are others that truly captured my heart, such as Eve and Sybil.
At times the story is quite brutal in the telling, and some scenes may well turn the reader's stomach, such as the war and a late-term abortion. This story does come with trigger warnings, which means I was prepared for some of the topics depicted.
This book is a very emotional journey, and for those who love a good cry when reading, then this book comes recommended!
