Fall
of Poppies is an anthology that has settings and writings
related to World War I. These historical fiction stories delve
into unique experiences that are told from both the female
and male point of view. Nine authors share stories of hope,
strength, and renewal. The plots are insightful and interesting.
Readers get a glimpse in understanding what the civilian and
military population had to endure.
Heather Webb, the editor and brainchild behind this anthology,
described the process she went through. "As a former
teacher it was a natural skill for me to keep people on tab.
It started out with a brainstorm about Armistice Day, the
idea that tied all the stories together. The guidelines were
any country touched by WWI with the time period either beginning
on Armistice Day or ending on it. I contacted authors I knew
who either wrote about this era or were interested in it,
and they joyfully came on board. Anyone who loves history
will find this time period perfect to explore."
One of the most gripping stories is "All For The Love
Of You" by Jennifer Robson. Through a heartwarming plot,
she describes what an American Captain had to endure when
his cheekbones were shattered and right eye lost. He was able
to have a mask fitted by the American Red Cross Studio for
Portrait Masks, a civilian based organization that allowed
wounded warriors to get fulfillment, flickers of hope, and
protection from those who might react negatively to the deformities.
But it is also a love story, which emphasizes the importance
of a person's inner beauty, rather than their physical appearance.
Another
wonderful story that also shows how facial prosthetics gave
a wounded warrior confidence to venture outside again is "The
Record Set Straight" by Lauren Willig. Inspired by the
pioneering aviator, Denys Finch-Hatton, Willig writes the
character, Nicholas Frobisher, an "Aviator with the Iran
Mask." This story examines how two brothers react to
losing a part of themselves, Nicholas his face, and Edward
his leg. With the help of his friend, who became his wife,
Nicholas was able to realize his worth and regain a sense
of purpose. The theme emphasizes how peoples' personal life
is tested during war, and the realities they must live with
as peace arrives.
Willig
commented, "The tin masks were designed for the maimed
soldiers so they would not have to go out in the world and
be thought of as freaks. For me, this was the birth of organizations
that pioneered reconstructive technologies. I thought how
today's society is isolated from this current war and compared
that to England during WWI where most everyone was touched
in some way. Many of us have less understanding of our soldiers
because we are removed and do not comprehend the day to day
challenges those fighting must face."
Readers
will also be drawn to the Gone With The Wind comparisons.
Willig took that story and beautifully applied it to the World
War I time period. There are many of the same elements: an
epic war, soldier casualties, and a love triangle where the
female lead is in love with one person, but marries someone
else. It also has the Carrington house that becomes a central
theme to the plot as the classic book does with Tara.
Another
notable chapter, "An American Airman In Paris" by
Beatriz Williams, brings to life an American pilot, Octavian.
Her fans should appreciate how she delved into writing a story
that takes place during wartime. Through her characters, people
come to understand the effect World War I had on those who
fought it. Readers get into the pilot's mindset and can relate
to his struggles. As with all of her books, Williams explores
the historical significance of the era, showing how this war,
unlike WWII, did not have stand out heroes or villains amongst
the leadership. In addition, she always centers the plot around
an object, in this case, a photograph. This story highlights
how the effect of WWI brought about the loss of innocence.
According
to Williams, the photograph represents "Octavian's childhood,
his emotional purity and naivety. Just as he loses that photograph,
all of this is lost in the war, when his ideals were crushed.
This included the romantic notion that the war could enable
someone rather than debase them, when in actuality it was
just the opposite."
One of
the most relatable stories to today's world is "Hour
of the Bells" by Heather Webb. There are a lot of time
metaphors as this author plays off the famous quote, "On
the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month...November
11, 1918." But more powerful is how she speaks for the
military families and the effect the war had on one in particular.
Having lost a husband and a son to the brutality of the Germans,
Beatrix Joubert allows her grief to turn into a desire for
revenge. This story has a woman seeking retaliation against
the Germans who she sees as having no moral backbone. She
decides to become a suicide bomber to blow up those that killed
her family.
Webb
noted, "I hoped to communicate how warfare in the past
does relate to the present. I wanted to tap into and draw
a parallel between something that happened a hundred years
ago and what is happening today within an intense story. I
wanted to focus on a woman who was completely devastated,
but instead of becoming down trodden, she turns her emotions
of grief into anger."
Fall
of Poppies has riveting stories related to World War
I. This anthology of historical short stories allows readers
to gain an understanding of the war, its aftermath, and how
those on the front lines along with the civilians in harm's
way deal with loss, hope, and reconnecting in what appeared
to be a new world.
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