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When the Hipchicks Went to War
The sixties are in full swing and going to a war is the last thing on Kathy's mind.
For sixteen-year-old Kathy, it's all about miniskirts, the Beatles, discos and her fab new boots! The world is rapidly changing, her brother is fighting in the Vietnam War and her best friend is protesting against it. Kathy simply wants to live life and experience a world beyond her suburban existence. So when the chance comes for her to dance with an entertainment troop in Vietnam, she slips on her boots, walks away from her convent school and heads off to war.
But Kathy soon finds the reality of war is no song and dance. This go-go girl will never be the same again...
For sixteen-year-old Kathy, it's all about miniskirts, the Beatles, discos and her fab new boots! The world is rapidly changing, her brother is fighting in the Vietnam War and her best friend is protesting against it. Kathy simply wants to live life and experience a world beyond her suburban existence. So when the chance comes for her to dance with an entertainment troop in Vietnam, she slips on her boots, walks away from her convent school and heads off to war.
But Kathy soon finds the reality of war is no song and dance. This go-go girl will never be the same again...
257 pages, Paperback
First published February 26, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 9, 2010
This is a lovely, thought provoking book about a 16 year old girl who goes to Vietnam in a trio of dancers/singers to entertain the troops. As well as giving some great context about the war and the reactions in Australia, it's a very personal and believable tale about a young girl growing up.
As the author's note mentions, there were many women who went to Vietnam in the war, as journalists, nurses, entertainers, so this story isn't as unrealistic as it first sounds. Rushby touches on some pretty universal issues as well: relationships, abuse, effects of war, family and protesting.
Recommended for teens and adults alike.
As the author's note mentions, there were many women who went to Vietnam in the war, as journalists, nurses, entertainers, so this story isn't as unrealistic as it first sounds. Rushby touches on some pretty universal issues as well: relationships, abuse, effects of war, family and protesting.
Recommended for teens and adults alike.
October 3, 2009
I don't do many reviews anymore because of a lack of time. But I simply HAD to write about this book. It was absolutely wonderful.
The way in which the writer portrayed Kathy's progression into the realities of war was done so naturally, it was completely believable. Her characters were real and heart-felt. Pamela Rushton made the reality of the Vietnam war come alive. My heart and my eyes became accustomed to Kathy's reality along side of the character. Their was no telling of the story, it was as if I shared the story. Amazing.
I had a grandfather who fought in the second world war, so I have always had empathy towards soldiers and their families, even when I think the war they have to fight is wrong. This story, though, gave me an ever deeper feeling for the Vietnam vets.
It is really and truly unbelievable that soldiers who fight for their country, who dedicate their lives to defending beliefs held by nations and who often pay the ultimate price with their lives, can be so wholeheartedly disregarded and disrespected.
This is a wonderful book which I read in almost one entire sitting. This made me laugh and made me cry and most importantly made me think.
Highly recommended.
The way in which the writer portrayed Kathy's progression into the realities of war was done so naturally, it was completely believable. Her characters were real and heart-felt. Pamela Rushton made the reality of the Vietnam war come alive. My heart and my eyes became accustomed to Kathy's reality along side of the character. Their was no telling of the story, it was as if I shared the story. Amazing.
I had a grandfather who fought in the second world war, so I have always had empathy towards soldiers and their families, even when I think the war they have to fight is wrong. This story, though, gave me an ever deeper feeling for the Vietnam vets.
It is really and truly unbelievable that soldiers who fight for their country, who dedicate their lives to defending beliefs held by nations and who often pay the ultimate price with their lives, can be so wholeheartedly disregarded and disrespected.
This is a wonderful book which I read in almost one entire sitting. This made me laugh and made me cry and most importantly made me think.
Highly recommended.
March 28, 2013
I have wanted to read this book for some time. The cover always jumped out at me when it was on display and I heard that the author was from Brisbane. It also appealed to me because it was set during the Vietnam War and told of a woman's experience during the war.
This story is narrated by the feisty Kathy who joins a troupe to head to Vietnam as an entertainer. She is sixteen and equipped with some boots, miniskirts and bikinis, she heads over to a war zone to sing and dance with the Hipchicks consisting of herself and two newly acquired friends, Gaynor and Layla.
They face the challenges of weather, terrain, disorganised agents, performing for maimed and disillusioned soldiers, unwanted sexual advances in a male dominated arena and the ever-present threat of gunfire.
I would recommend this book to any student studying the Vietnam War as it provides an insight into the conditions of war and the Australian psyche at the time. Through Kathy's experiences both in Brisbane and abroad, we get a real feeling for the effect of the war, conscription and the backlash and protests on those who returned from performing an often involuntary but also courageous duty.
This story is narrated by the feisty Kathy who joins a troupe to head to Vietnam as an entertainer. She is sixteen and equipped with some boots, miniskirts and bikinis, she heads over to a war zone to sing and dance with the Hipchicks consisting of herself and two newly acquired friends, Gaynor and Layla.
They face the challenges of weather, terrain, disorganised agents, performing for maimed and disillusioned soldiers, unwanted sexual advances in a male dominated arena and the ever-present threat of gunfire.
I would recommend this book to any student studying the Vietnam War as it provides an insight into the conditions of war and the Australian psyche at the time. Through Kathy's experiences both in Brisbane and abroad, we get a real feeling for the effect of the war, conscription and the backlash and protests on those who returned from performing an often involuntary but also courageous duty.
January 20, 2014
When I reread a book, one of two things happen. I either go, "What did I see in this the first time?" Or "OH, THE FEELS!" This is an "Oh, the feels" one.
I have a slight criticism that the writing wasn't the world's best. Honestly, this could have been a 4-star because the writing isn't perfection, it's not the only story with a plot like this (Hello, The Sapphires!), Kathy can be just a teeny bit unlikable sometimes... but if a book makes me feel, cry, laugh my head off... if it sticks in my mind after I finish, then five stars all the way.
Sometimes I forget plots of books, and that's why I reread them... I reread this book because I remembered the plot and wanted to live it again. I like the way that it feels realistic. The reactions, for the most part seem just plain right. I don't really know why I like this book so much. It's just plain interesting, with an ending that really shocked me the first time I read it.
I have a slight criticism that the writing wasn't the world's best. Honestly, this could have been a 4-star because the writing isn't perfection, it's not the only story with a plot like this (Hello, The Sapphires!), Kathy can be just a teeny bit unlikable sometimes... but if a book makes me feel, cry, laugh my head off... if it sticks in my mind after I finish, then five stars all the way.
Sometimes I forget plots of books, and that's why I reread them... I reread this book because I remembered the plot and wanted to live it again. I like the way that it feels realistic. The reactions, for the most part seem just plain right. I don't really know why I like this book so much. It's just plain interesting, with an ending that really shocked me the first time I read it.
April 25, 2011
I loved this book. It is the story of three young, naive, Australian girls who head of to the Vietnam War as entertainers, thinking it is going to be glamorous and exciting. Very quickly, the girls come face-to-face with the realities of war and realise they have absolutely no idea what awaits them. They see up-close and personal the real trauma of war and their lives are changed forever. Based on a variety of actual events, this is the portrayal of war from a very different perspective. Ages 13+
December 29, 2019
I really enjoyed this book! I was surprised to find a different perspective to the Vietnam war than what I've read before. I never expected such a young, innocent voice. The writing was really excellent, fresh and never flat, and the story was just enough. I absolutely loved this, and definitely would seek out more from this author. Five stars.
August 15, 2020
Last year the wife and I were on our first trip to the ACT to visit the Australian War Memorial. While checking out the gift shop I picked up the last copy of this book on a table. The title and back cover overview looked interesting as I had been in Vietnam and remembered seeing one or two entertainment shows. I thought it amazing that young women came to a war zone to entertain us. It happened in WWII but there were defining lines of "us" and "them" but in Nam it was much like what the lads and lasses are up against in Iraq & Afghanistan today. Very risky business.
When I got home I started reading Pamela's book and found it to be an exceptionally thoughtful and fairly accurate (although fictional) story. It reminded me of what many took for granted; the risk many took to show us some form of normality in a crazy situation. I enjoyed the way the author starts with a story and develops it into a novel of depth and emotion. An excellent book for those wanting to get an idea of this aspect of the Vietnam war theatre. It hits the spot as a great little novel. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommended. Lest we forget.
When I got home I started reading Pamela's book and found it to be an exceptionally thoughtful and fairly accurate (although fictional) story. It reminded me of what many took for granted; the risk many took to show us some form of normality in a crazy situation. I enjoyed the way the author starts with a story and develops it into a novel of depth and emotion. An excellent book for those wanting to get an idea of this aspect of the Vietnam war theatre. It hits the spot as a great little novel. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommended. Lest we forget.
July 25, 2017
I liked the flow of this book and the Aussie language but at the same time I felt like it ended a bit abruptly and didn't quite tie up all the loose ends like what happened with Lloyd, Scotty, Mick etc. Despite this I still enjoyed it overall and it was a nice read.
October 24, 2022
Read it at school, entertaining and sad in spots.
June 23, 2015
When the Hipchicks went to War follows a pretty straight forward story. Kathy is sixteen, living in Brisbane, has left school and is finding herself pulled between a growing Vietnam protest movement and loyalty to her brother who has been drafted. After growing bored with her first post-school ‘career’, Kathy turns towards dancing jobs and auditions as a dancer performing for the Australians in Vietnam. However, when she gets there, she discovers it’s very different from what she expected.
I’ve read some comparisons with The Sapphires, however I felt that this was a different story with a different aim, even though there was definitely some crossover themes. Kathy is much more sheltered than the characters in The Sapphires, though – although she’s beginning to learn about the darker edges of the world, she doesn’t have the oppression or fear or sadness in her past the way the other characters do.
I have to admit that I’m an absolute sucker for Brisbane stories, and this one was completely a Brisbane story, even when it went outside Brisbane. The Brisbane of Kathy wasn’t terribly different from the Brisbane I was a young child in, and I could feel the heat, and the boredom and even the atmosphere of the early protest movement which was full of big ideas, while still being quite provincial. I often get sad that there isn’t as many Brisbane stories as stories set in other parts of Australia, so this made me happy.
Other than that, there isn’t really anything outstanding about this book. It’s a good read – fun when it needs to be, sad or suspenseful or upsetting when it needs to be. But it doesn’t really stretch beyond being ‘just a good read’ and it doesn’t really stand up against some of the more recent YA books being released in Australia and beyond. I enjoyed it, I’m glad I read it, I’ll probably seek more from the author, but it wouldn’t make my best-of list.
Originally reviewed at Subversive Reader
I’ve read some comparisons with The Sapphires, however I felt that this was a different story with a different aim, even though there was definitely some crossover themes. Kathy is much more sheltered than the characters in The Sapphires, though – although she’s beginning to learn about the darker edges of the world, she doesn’t have the oppression or fear or sadness in her past the way the other characters do.
I have to admit that I’m an absolute sucker for Brisbane stories, and this one was completely a Brisbane story, even when it went outside Brisbane. The Brisbane of Kathy wasn’t terribly different from the Brisbane I was a young child in, and I could feel the heat, and the boredom and even the atmosphere of the early protest movement which was full of big ideas, while still being quite provincial. I often get sad that there isn’t as many Brisbane stories as stories set in other parts of Australia, so this made me happy.
Other than that, there isn’t really anything outstanding about this book. It’s a good read – fun when it needs to be, sad or suspenseful or upsetting when it needs to be. But it doesn’t really stretch beyond being ‘just a good read’ and it doesn’t really stand up against some of the more recent YA books being released in Australia and beyond. I enjoyed it, I’m glad I read it, I’ll probably seek more from the author, but it wouldn’t make my best-of list.
Originally reviewed at Subversive Reader
August 4, 2013
A very good book and easy to read, about three 16 year old girls who went to Vietnam to entertain the troops.. going there was nothing like they expected, sad in parts and described very realistically how it would have been for the troops especially the wounded in hospitals over there, knowing they wouldn't make it. The ending was rather sad where one of the girls was shot accidentally by a soldier who was obviously under a lot of mental strain and he was trying to kill his sergeant but the bullet ricocheted and hit and killed her. It was a very well written book, I recommend the read...
September 11, 2010
Not the favourites of all books ever, but I shed a tear or two.
August 5, 2011
Really good. Interesting. Interestingly written. Different.
August 10, 2011
Loved it! I have been encouraging kids at my school to read it.
October 14, 2011
Great story about war and friendships. Set at All Hallows' School, the main character decides to leave and support the war cause in Vietnam as part of an entertainment troup.
December 14, 2011
A-MAZe-ING!!! it was so cool!
April 10, 2015
thoroughly enjoyed this book :)
April 19, 2015
This book was so amazing! I literally could not put it down, I read it in a morning. The story was exciting and I felt a connection with the characters. Definitely recommended.
September 20, 2015
Reminiscent of The Sapphires, good read about an extraordinary time in history
December 28, 2015
A fascinating story about a period of history fraught with disagreement and tension. An interesting insight into the teenaged girls who went to Vietnam as entertainers
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews