I have just finished a very interesting book called Alice in France* by Nancy O’Brien Wagner. It’s been a tricky one to finish, and finally review. Not because I didn’t enjoy the book, far from it. Rather, because time was against me, so I had to read in fits and starts. I would have happily set aside more time to absorb myself in this book. But even without being able to, the writings allowed for me to pick up and put down the book as needed.
The grape harvest season (the Vendange) is hotting up here in France. The weather is not cooperating either, so it keeps being put off by a few days, then a week here or there. Meanwhile the visitors to France and thus the wine regions are increasing so they too can take in the chaotic atmosphere and be here first hand to view, learn and ultimately taste the wines. My guiding days are many, and my free time almost nil. But when I did get a moment to sit still, Alice in France was a joy to pick up and take my mind away to another view of France.
Why is Alice in France?
Alice in France is a collection of letters home by Alice O’Brien. Compiled into a book by a descendant (the author Nancy O’Brien Wagner), with informational narrative in between, it tells the story of a young American woman volunteering in France during World War One. This first hand perspective gives unique insight into a world not often seen, that of the every day woman during war.
Miss O’Brien may surprise you with all she can and does accomplish, especially when one considers that this is before the vote was given to women. A young lady from a well-to-do family, she had the means to volunteer, but she also had the skills. Able to drive (remember this is 1918) as well repair and even take apart and put back together a car, she had truly useful skills to bring to war-torn France. And I hasten to add, she could also speak French.
What’s the Book About?
Women who wished to volunteer to go to France during WWI were not able to go for many reasons, especially if they had a near relative who was already fighting there. It surprised me to discover that there were in fact as many women as there were able to go when so many barriers were put in their way to get there. It took quite a lot of determination and patience to succeed.
Once there they would work with American organisations, such as the Red Cross, who would place them where they and their skills were most needed. In Alice’s case she worked as a mechanic, nurse, canteen food server and supply run chauffeur, amongst other areas. She assisted with wounded and watched men go off to and return from the front regularly. At only 26, she saw so much more than the average 20-something today should ever wish to see.
Alice documents essentially her day to day for her family, to keep them as up to date as she can with how she is doing and the state of the war. Always aware of sensors, her letters are both vague in information sometimes and other times rife with life’s details. And throughout she remains particularly up-beat.
A Worthwhile Read
I picked this book up for many reasons when I saw it. Alice is my namesake and it’s based in France (as am I). But especially because it was such a unique women’s perspective on an era of France and history that is little written about. I have read plenty about men, and women, both fiction and non-fiction, during World War Two, but never before about WWI.
I very much recommend this book as a window into another time and perspective. Of France under siege in the early 20th century and how it was viewed from a foreigners perspective. And not least of all for the writing itself. Alice never set out to be an author or tell us a tale, she was simply updating her family through letters. The simplicity of this correspondence gives a much better sense of the time period than a more dramatic voice would have done. I hope you will read it.
*Our Book Club Disclosure
For the Vive le Livre Book Club we are affiliated* with Bookshop.Org. As a great readers myself, I wanted to offer a way to purchase the books I recommend about France and French Lifestyle. I specifically chose to affiliate with Bookshop because they support independent bookshops. They are currently supporting, and you can buy from, bookshops in the UK, USA and Spain.
For this and other books I recommend in the book club, simply click on your book of choice below to read more or purchase…
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