Lovely War

By: Julie Berry

Narrated by: Jayne Entwistle, Allan Corduner, Julie Berry, Dion Graham, Fiona Hardingham, John Lee, Nathaniel Parker, Steve West

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Perfect for fans of Divine Rivals, a critically acclaimed, multi-layered romance set in the perilous days of World Wars I and II, where gods hold the fates--and the hearts--of four mortals in their hands.

"Pick an adjective—sweeping, sprawling, epic, Olympian—and yet none quite conveys the emotional width and depth of Julie Berry’s brilliant novel."—The Washington Post

They are Hazel, James, Aubrey, and Colette. A classical pianist from London, a British would-be architect-turned-soldier, a Harlem-born ragtime genius in the U.S. Army, and a Belgian orphan with a gorgeous voice and a devastating past. Their story, as told by goddess Aphrodite, who must spin the tale or face judgment on Mount Olympus, is filled with hope and heartbreak, prejudice and passion, and reveals that, though War is a formidable force, it's no match for the transcendent power of Love.

Hailed by critics, Lovely War has received seven starred reviews and is an indie bestseller. Author Julie Berry has been called "a modern master of historical fiction" by Bookpage and "a celestially inspired storyteller" by the New York Times, and Lovely War is truly her masterwork.

Lovely Story, Beautifully told!

This historical fiction, like all of Julie Berry's books is beautifully written. It tells the story of two couples through the Great War through the eyes of the Greek gods. It is a creative literary tool to share the horrors of and opportunities in war. I love Berry's prose and the way she captures her characters with clarity and affection.

Excellent, across the board!

This book accompanied me on a well-traveled 16 hour road trip and though I’d driven it for years, I was so captivated by it, that I missed an exit I’ve taken dozens of times. It made me laugh and get teary-eyed and desperately hate the heartache and challenges. This is a listen not to be missed. What a gift to my ears and heart. A literary joy.

Top of the Best

This read/listen totaly captured my wife and myself. It brought to light a personal side of the average people who were the players in WW1.
The performance was very good we loved multiple readers.
Using the Greek Gods as catalyst to move the story is interesting.

Layered stories

The author seamlessly integrates the mythological storyline with the real world narrative as well as the character development within the love stories alongside the Great War setting.

Lovely account of men, women, and racial experiences in WW1

Many books I’ve read about WW1 and WW2 have been focused on women OR men. This novel creates a full picture of the war’s effects on women, men, race, and nationalism. Rarely has PTS(D) been introduced as a result of service, so that was nice to see included in the broader look at war. It’s not a gory book but I would have liked a little more of a detailed account of James’s battles. Overall, if war novels are your jam and you’re not looking for something like The Nightingale or Unbroken, then this romantic version is a light and fun read/listen. The narrators are also fantastic.