When We Had Wings

De: Ariel Lawhon, Kristina McMorris, Susan Meissner

Narrado por: Saskia Maarleveld

From three bestselling authors comes an interwoven tale about a trio of World War II nurses stationed in the South Pacific who wage their own battle for freedom and survival.

The Philippines, 1941. When U.S. Navy nurse Eleanor Lindstrom, U.S. Army nurse Penny Franklin, and Filipina nurse Lita Capel forge a friendship at the Army Navy Club in Manila, they believe they’re living a paradise assignment. All three are seeking a way to escape their pasts, but soon the beauty and promise of their surroundings give way to the heavy mantle of war.

Caught in the crosshairs of a fight between the U.S. military and the Imperial Japanese Army for control of the Philippine Islands, the nurses are forced to serve under combat conditions and, ultimately, endure captivity as the first female prisoners of the Second World War. As their resiliency is tested in the face of squalid living arrangements, food shortages, and the enemy's blatant disregard for the articles of the Geneva Convention, the women strive to keep their hope—and their fellow inmates—alive, though not without great cost.

In this sweeping story based on the true experiences of nurses dubbed "the Angels of Bataan," three women shift in and out of each other's lives through the darkest days of the war, buoyed by their unwavering friendship and distant dreams of liberation.

"A novel rich in historical detail that immerses readers in the dangers and deprivation WWII nurses suffered in the Pacific, wrapped up with a hopeful ending."—Booklist

©2022 Ariel Lawhon, Kristina McMorris, and Susan Meissner (P)2022 Harper Muse

Wonderful as always!

Ariel Lawhon is one of my favorite historical fiction authors and for good reason. If you enjoy historical fiction, in particular, WWII stories, you will enjoy this. It was a nice departure from the typical ones based in England or France. I also learned a lot. Can’t wait to see what’s next!

WWII from Japanese POW perspective

Excellent book. It’s a perspective that’s not written on as often. I love WWII books and really enjoyed this! Towards the end, I cried because I was so moved.

More love story than anything

Why do these historical female POW’s need love interests in this novel? They are enough themselves.

My Mother was interned at Santo Thomas

I only wish my mother was still alive to share further her story. If it was as written, my Mother was an amazing woman who worked in the TB Ward.

I loved the resilience & intelligence of the 3 women

Adjectives used in descriptions of the women were simplistic & predictable, trite, overused. But the story needs to be told!

Historical fiction

Love the characters, the history and understanding the horrible truth of POW’s. So grateful for the silent generation!

Daring

Loved the tale of these friends, engaging, and endearing with a flashlight on the terrors of war.

Outstanding

Masterfully written, engaging, and inspiring. The women’s stories were magically interwoven and well developed. Indeed they were angels.

Amazing story

Just so inspiring to know women like this existed. A true heroine. Highly recommend this book.

The strength of friendship and resolve to aurvive

since my dad was a Navy pilot during WW 2, this story was even more meaningful to me. This is one of the best books I have listened to from Audible . It is gripping, heart rending, and hard to believe what many had to endure during the war.