Good Night, Irene

A Novel

De: Luis Alberto Urrea

Narrado por: Barrie Kreinik, Luis Alberto Urrea

This New York Times bestselling novel tells an exhilarating World War II epic that chronicles an extraordinary young woman’s heroic frontline service in the Red Cross.

“Urrea’s touch is sure, his exuberance carries you through . . . He is a generous writer, not just in his approach to his craft but in the broader sense of what he feels necessary to capture about life itself.” —Financial Times

In 1943, Irene Woodward abandons an abusive fiancé in New York to enlist with the Red Cross and head to Europe. She makes fast friends in training with Dorothy Dunford, a towering Midwesterner with a ferocious wit. Together they are part of an elite group of women, nicknamed Donut Dollies, who command military vehicles called Clubmobiles at the front line, providing camaraderie and a taste of home that may be the only solace before troops head into battle.

After D-Day, these two intrepid friends join the Allied soldiers streaming into France. Their time in Europe will see them embroiled in danger, from the Battle of the Bulge to the liberation of Buchenwald. Through her friendship with Dorothy, and a love affair with a courageous American fighter pilot named Hans, Irene learns to trust again. Her most fervent hope, which becomes more precarious by the day, is for all three of them to survive the war intact.

Taking as inspiration his mother’s own Red Cross service, Luis Alberto Urrea has delivered an overlooked story of women’s heroism in World War II. With its affecting and uplifting portrait of friendship and valor in harrowing circumstances, Good Night, Irene powerfully demonstrates yet again that Urrea’s “gifts as a storyteller are prodigious” (NPR).

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Luis Alberto Urrea (P)2023 Little, Brown & Company

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Good Night, Irene is a beautiful, heartfelt novel that celebrates the intense power and durability of female friendship while shining a light on one of the fascinating lost women’s stories of World War II. Inspired by his own family history—and his mother’s heroism as a Red Cross volunteer during the war—Luis Urrea has created an indelible portrait of women’s courage under extreme adversity. Powerful, uplifting, and deeply personal, Good Night, Irene is a story of survival, camaraderie, and courage on the front line.”—Kristin Hannah, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Nightingale and The Four Winds"

,"“Every once in a while the universe opens its heart and pulls out a book like this novel, gifting it to the cosmos. In Good Night, Irene, a new element has been created, and the literary world is reborn in the image of Luis Alberto Urrea. His voice comes alive on every page of this magnificent novel.”—Jamie Ford, New York Times bestselling author of The Many Daughters of Afong Moy and Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Swee

A heart-wrenching wartime drama, a rich portrait of friendship, and an exploration of the trials and triumphs of the human spirit, Good Night, Irene is historical fiction at its finest. Using the little-known true story of women who worked behind the front lines for the Red Cross during World War II, Luis Alberto Urrea weaves a novel about the enduring bonds, devastating losses, and heroism of ordinary people who put their lives on the line for freedom. This is a story that needed to be told and remembered.” —Christina Baker Kline, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Orphan Train and The Exiles

Loved it!

It was a great story. I found myself googling the donut girls!!
Amazing to think they sent women out to do that!

Wonderful historical fiction

The author takes us to Red Cross Donut Ladies during the second world war. I knew nothing about these women. The story is exciting, beautiful, and also heart breaking at times within the backdrop of war. It is well written, and I highly recommend!

Wonderful and important

Such a wonderful book that pulls away the myths about what it means to have a life that matters and takes the reader into the lives of two women serving hope in war with donuts and coffee and smiles and humor… courageous women have been doing that in all kinds of situations forever and Urrea makes one remember how truly important that is.

A Gripping Story

I loved learning about WWII from the perspective of these heroic Red Cross women. A great tribute.

What a great book!

Over all excellent! I laughed and I cried! It is a wonderful story. I recommend it to anyone.

Interesting history

I especially enjoyed hearing the backstory! Nice to learn about interesting history I wasn’t aware of!

Not just a one time read.

So many reviewers said they didn’t want this story to end and I couldn’t agree more. The narration was top notch, the writing, research and characters all combined to deliver a truly unforgettable experience. I love Urrea’s novels. They always leave me feeling like something sort of magical just happened. Do yourself a favor and let this book take you away. Irene and Dorothy will haunt me. Thank you to everyone who had a part in its creation.

Wow. Just wow!

Excellent writing! Story plot, and characters are heartfelt. How it’s all pulled together is amazing!

The BEST

This has to be the absolute BEST book I’ve ever read! I definitely recommend this book!

A story of women never told!

It is an amazing book. It is fiction, but draws you to a moment of women’s history. Irene’s mother describes the attitude towards women’s history as, “What do you have to be sad about you served coffee and donuts?!” We as women always do amazing things behind the scenes, and remembered only by the ones who lived it. History stamped as unimportant.