Think of Scarlet O'Hara and Rhett Butler
embracing passionately as Atlanta burns in the background. Margaret
Mitchell's Gone With the Wind is probably the best-known novel
combining war and romance, and it's hard to imagine anyone unmoved by that
unforgettable image. Fiction and film provide us with many such enduring and
inspiring portrayals of wartime romances that effectively contrast the
passion of love with the passion of patriotism.
What's The Appeal?
The theme strikes a universal chord because nearly everyone has been
affected by war in some way, most often through a family member or friend
who fought for his country or someone who made sacrifices at home. In
wartime, the possibility of death is made very real, and life normally taken
for granted becomes suddenly precious.
It is this contrast between
love and war, life and death, that makes these books so enthralling and
unique, as we see characters we care about seize the opportunity for
happiness…or hesitate and lose it forever.
It is especially
interesting to see how women's war efforts have changed over time. Unless
the heroine is a sword-wielding warrior, her role in many historicals is as
chatelaine of a busy household, an essential role maintaining her husband's
estates as well as the morale of his dependents in his absence, and many
writers have handled this skillfully.
There are also memorable books
where the heroine is a nurse or a spy—important activities regardless
of setting. Later, particularly in books set in the 20th century, women
begin to contribute visibly to the war effort in many other ways, sometimes
working in factories, sometimes working on farms as "land girls," and
sometimes for the government. I know that secretly, I have always envisioned
myself as a WREN during WWII, helping the Navy decipher mysterious codes to
prevent the invasion of England.
After their involvement with WWII
industries, some women, having taken over key roles while the men fought
overseas, had a hard time coping emotionally and financially afterwards when
expected to resume "traditional" female duties. While it is not easy to go
to war, there are no simple answers for those left behind.
Authors' Thoughts...
Millie Criswell:
"The appeal is in the unknown. Will lovers who
are torn apart by different ideologies and war be able to unite once again
and find happiness, overcoming all obstacles thrown before them?" Millie¼s
recommendation? Gone with the Wind, of course!
Susan Krinard:
Susan recommends Shadow of the Moon, by
M.M. Kaye. "Like The Far Pavilions, it's a wonderful story of
the British Raj in India that captures the Western fascination with India,
and follows a love that struggles through the clash of cultures, war and
reconciliation."
Tracy Grant:
"Something about the combination of a strong love
story and a realistic depiction of warfare throws into relief both the stark
brutality of war and the transcendent power of love." Tracy recommends
Georgette Heyer's An Infamous Army.
Your favorites came in all historical settings, but it seems that the Civil
War and Second World War have the most devoted fans, judging from the
suggestions received. Some of these books are still in print and others will
require a trip to the library or a search on the Internet. I think this list
will make it clear there are dozens of ways to keep the home fires
burning…and romance kindled!
-Constance Martin
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