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A War of Her Own
A War of Her Own is a compelling World War II historical novel, set in Orange, Texas, in 1943, about a Texas version of Rosie the Riveter in search of happiness. In the summer of 1943, Orange, Texas, is a sleepy little town overrun with tens of thousands of new workers. With jobs galore at the wartime shipyards, the workers are rich with cash and looking for a good time. Bea Meade, mother of an infant son, finds her life shattered when her philandering husband announces he is leaving her for another woman. To make ends meet, Bea takes a job at a shipyard as a riveter. Meanwhile, she searches for the love missing in her life. Life is good for everyone in Orange--except Bea, who has to fight her own battles against a no-good husband, the prejudice facing women in the workplace, and the mysteries of her own past. Bea's journey to discover who she really is, a vibrant woman of her times, serves up an entertaining story of the World War II homefront you'll remember long after the final pages.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
275 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2010
About the author
Sylvia Dickey Smith
26 books27 followersSylvia Dickey Smith was born and reared in exotic southeast Texas, the land of Cajuns, cowboys, pirates and Paleo-Indians. She came into this world feet-first, and spent the first half of her life making it up to her mother. After marriage, she lived on the Caribbean island of Trinidad for seven years before returning to Texas. At 41 she took her first freshman class and fought her way to a BA in Sociology and a Masters in Educational Psychology while raising four children. After that, she worked with non-profit and for-profit organizations within the human services field before embarking on a career as a novelist. All three books in her debut mystery/suspense series, The Third Eye, have achieved winner status in writers contests.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 25, 2015
I confess I am stymied by the 4 and 5 star reviews of this book. I expected a captivating story that took me to the WWII era (a time period I am very interested in), and engrossed me in a time and place with rich period detail - similar to the novels of Kristina McMorris.
Instead, I found the novel to be fairly sappy, with amateurish writing, and a story that didn't really go anywhere. Incidents happened that had little impact on the story at all, which puzzled me as to why they were included. And in my opinion, the novel did not feel evocative of the WWII period at all - change a detail here and there, and it could've taken place during any time period, pre-feminism.
Disappointed; I'd give it between 1 and 2 stars.
Instead, I found the novel to be fairly sappy, with amateurish writing, and a story that didn't really go anywhere. Incidents happened that had little impact on the story at all, which puzzled me as to why they were included. And in my opinion, the novel did not feel evocative of the WWII period at all - change a detail here and there, and it could've taken place during any time period, pre-feminism.
Disappointed; I'd give it between 1 and 2 stars.
March 21, 2017
This is a solid book. I think there were simply too many little subplots, they all felt rushed. Otherwise, I have no complaints. I enjoyed watching the protagonist grow...even though she was pushed into it. An interesting look at World War II in Orange, Texas and the role that women played in the war effort.
March 14, 2011
In the summer of 1943, life was good for the people of Orange, Texas. With plenty of jobs to go around, thousands of desperate workers flocked to the wooded patch of northeast Texas to take on jobs as wartime shipbuilders. With extra cash in their pockets and steady jobs, the town’s residents were finally getting a taste of the good life. But in the midst of the excitement, Bea Meade’s world shatters to pieces after her no-good husband leaves her and their newborn baby to shack up with his pregnant mistress.
With no other choice but to take on a ”man’s job” at the shipyard, Bea doubts she has what it takes –mentally or physically – to make it on her own. But with some help from her next-door neighbors and her feisty big sister, she puts on her big-girl pants and takes on a rigorous night job. In defiance of the constant catcalls and insults from her fellow workers, Bea works her way up in the ranks and lands a coveted position as a riveter. Discovering skills she never knew she had, she realizes she can do so much more than cook and clean after a no-good husband.
As the young mother begins to embrace her newfound independence, she no longer feels a need for a man in her life. That is until she meets Oskar Eichel, a mysterious blond stranger who came to Orange in search of his missing brother. Unable to resist the inexplicable pull he has on her, Bea discovers a fire in her belly she never knew existed.
But for everything that’s changed, some things remain the same. Even with her philandering husband out of her life, she still cries herself to sleep at night. What is it about the dark and solitude that drives her unstoppable tears? Why does she still feel so alone?
Desperate for answers, Bea probes into her past and uncovers a tangled web of family secrets. And as she puts the pieces together, she must figure out who she is, who she wants to be and how the old Bea evolved in the first place.
In this richly textured novel, Sylvia combines romance, family drama and a splash of mystery. In Bea Meade, she has created a deeply wonderful character, brave and true. Sylvia just keeps getting better and better!
With no other choice but to take on a ”man’s job” at the shipyard, Bea doubts she has what it takes –mentally or physically – to make it on her own. But with some help from her next-door neighbors and her feisty big sister, she puts on her big-girl pants and takes on a rigorous night job. In defiance of the constant catcalls and insults from her fellow workers, Bea works her way up in the ranks and lands a coveted position as a riveter. Discovering skills she never knew she had, she realizes she can do so much more than cook and clean after a no-good husband.
As the young mother begins to embrace her newfound independence, she no longer feels a need for a man in her life. That is until she meets Oskar Eichel, a mysterious blond stranger who came to Orange in search of his missing brother. Unable to resist the inexplicable pull he has on her, Bea discovers a fire in her belly she never knew existed.
But for everything that’s changed, some things remain the same. Even with her philandering husband out of her life, she still cries herself to sleep at night. What is it about the dark and solitude that drives her unstoppable tears? Why does she still feel so alone?
Desperate for answers, Bea probes into her past and uncovers a tangled web of family secrets. And as she puts the pieces together, she must figure out who she is, who she wants to be and how the old Bea evolved in the first place.
In this richly textured novel, Sylvia combines romance, family drama and a splash of mystery. In Bea Meade, she has created a deeply wonderful character, brave and true. Sylvia just keeps getting better and better!
December 29, 2010
A War of Her Own is Sylvia Dickey Smith's best effort yet. Characters are vividly drawn, and the development of Bea Meade from a submissive wife to an independent woman is well done. I hope Ms. Smith will consider a sequel detailing Bea's life as a single mother in post-World War II Texas.
May 24, 2011
Inspiring, to say the least ! Every woman must read !!!!!!!! And then pass it along to another woman !!!!!
August 9, 2020
I liked this story, but there were a lot of things that needed to be proof-read or thought over. Could've been a better book.
July 26, 2010
Summary:
A War of Her Own is a novel set during World War II in the summer of 1943 in Orange, Texas, a sleepy little town overrun with tens of thousands of new workers. With jobs galore at the wartime shipyards, the workers are rich with cash, eager for excitement, and looking for a good time.
In the midst of this, Bea Meade, mother of an infant son, finds her life shattered when her philandering husband announces he is leaving her for another woman. to make ends meet, Bea takes a job at one of the shipyards as a riveter.
Life is good for everyone in Orange---except Bea, who has to fight her battles against a no-good husband, the prejudice facing women in the workplace, and the mysteries of her past that keep her awake at night.
A War of Her Own offers a story of wartime passions on the homefront as Bea seeks to discover who she really is.
Publication Date: September 1, 2010
Publisher: Crickhollow Books
Age Group: Adult
Pages: 280
Review:
Historical fiction is my favorite genre. I am also a big fan of Sylvia Dickey Smith (Dance on His Grave, Dead Wreckoning). So it was with great excitement that I sat down to read Sylvia Dickey Smith's new novel: A War of Her Own, set in Orange, Texas in 1943.
I was expecting a story about a strong woman in that "Sylvia Dickey Smith style": lots of background information, great supporting characters, a page-turning mystery, and a woman realizing she doesn't need a man to be complete. I was not disappointed! A War of Her Own had all of those elements and more. This was my favorite Smith book to date, and the most emotional, heart-rending story I've read in a while.
Yes, this novel is set in WWII times, but this is not a "war" story---it's a story about love, family, self-discovery and self-empowerment with a war going on in the background. I can tell that Smith did a lot of research for this book. I really appreciate that, especially the attention to detail all of her books employ. I don't like a book to preach or teach to me, but I do like to learn a little bit while reading and this book does just that. I never thought about how Orange being a major shipbuilding area due to the location, and how after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the population exploded from 7,500 to over 65,000 due to the increase in shipbuilding jobs. People had money due to the good jobs, but there was nowhere to live---people were literally living in the streets due to the lack of housing! I also never thought about women taking many of those jobs since so many of the men were fighting. And these weren't "women's jobs"---women were doing heavy labor right alongside the men.
But my favorite thing about A War of Her Own was Bea's story and growth. She lives under impossible circumstances, but manages to flourish despite her hardships. I was so emotionally invested in Bea's story that I read the book in one sitting: I knew I couldn't go to bed without finding out how Bea's story ended. Below is my favorite quote from the book:
"Perhaps it was impossible not to hate or to love God, or anyone else, when you had no idea who you were."
Fans of The Help, fans of historical fiction, or people wanting to read about a strong woman will love A War of Her Own.
Just One Gripe:
I wanted more details on the love story.
The Best Thing About This Book:
I loved the character growth. Bea changes so much from the beginning of the book to the end. I loved taking that journey with her.
Appropriate for a younger audience:
Probably not.
Score:
Characters: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Setting/Imagery: 5/5
Originality: 5/5
Ending: 5/5
Total Score: 25/25
A War of Her Own is a novel set during World War II in the summer of 1943 in Orange, Texas, a sleepy little town overrun with tens of thousands of new workers. With jobs galore at the wartime shipyards, the workers are rich with cash, eager for excitement, and looking for a good time.
In the midst of this, Bea Meade, mother of an infant son, finds her life shattered when her philandering husband announces he is leaving her for another woman. to make ends meet, Bea takes a job at one of the shipyards as a riveter.
Life is good for everyone in Orange---except Bea, who has to fight her battles against a no-good husband, the prejudice facing women in the workplace, and the mysteries of her past that keep her awake at night.
A War of Her Own offers a story of wartime passions on the homefront as Bea seeks to discover who she really is.
Publication Date: September 1, 2010
Publisher: Crickhollow Books
Age Group: Adult
Pages: 280
Review:
Historical fiction is my favorite genre. I am also a big fan of Sylvia Dickey Smith (Dance on His Grave, Dead Wreckoning). So it was with great excitement that I sat down to read Sylvia Dickey Smith's new novel: A War of Her Own, set in Orange, Texas in 1943.
I was expecting a story about a strong woman in that "Sylvia Dickey Smith style": lots of background information, great supporting characters, a page-turning mystery, and a woman realizing she doesn't need a man to be complete. I was not disappointed! A War of Her Own had all of those elements and more. This was my favorite Smith book to date, and the most emotional, heart-rending story I've read in a while.
Yes, this novel is set in WWII times, but this is not a "war" story---it's a story about love, family, self-discovery and self-empowerment with a war going on in the background. I can tell that Smith did a lot of research for this book. I really appreciate that, especially the attention to detail all of her books employ. I don't like a book to preach or teach to me, but I do like to learn a little bit while reading and this book does just that. I never thought about how Orange being a major shipbuilding area due to the location, and how after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the population exploded from 7,500 to over 65,000 due to the increase in shipbuilding jobs. People had money due to the good jobs, but there was nowhere to live---people were literally living in the streets due to the lack of housing! I also never thought about women taking many of those jobs since so many of the men were fighting. And these weren't "women's jobs"---women were doing heavy labor right alongside the men.
But my favorite thing about A War of Her Own was Bea's story and growth. She lives under impossible circumstances, but manages to flourish despite her hardships. I was so emotionally invested in Bea's story that I read the book in one sitting: I knew I couldn't go to bed without finding out how Bea's story ended. Below is my favorite quote from the book:
"Perhaps it was impossible not to hate or to love God, or anyone else, when you had no idea who you were."
Fans of The Help, fans of historical fiction, or people wanting to read about a strong woman will love A War of Her Own.
Just One Gripe:
I wanted more details on the love story.
The Best Thing About This Book:
I loved the character growth. Bea changes so much from the beginning of the book to the end. I loved taking that journey with her.
Appropriate for a younger audience:
Probably not.
Score:
Characters: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Setting/Imagery: 5/5
Originality: 5/5
Ending: 5/5
Total Score: 25/25
July 27, 2011
A must read for all! Sylvia Smith takes you into the past with the daily life of an exceptional character. Brillant!
December 1, 2013
Interesting story of a woman, circa WWII, who comes into her own as a result of the challenges she faces when her husband announces he is leaving her for another woman.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews