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A review by 100pagesaday
Fall of Poppies: Stories of Love and the Great War by Heather Webb, Hazel Gaynor, Beatriz Williams
4.0
Fall of Poppies is a collection of nine historical fiction short stories by some of my favorite authors. Focusing on the effects of people’s lives and relationships after World War I ended, each story digs into a different aspect of love, loss and moving on. Every story brings something different and moving in subtle ways. I did wish that many of the stories were longer and I could have followed the character’s journey even longer! I did thoroughly enjoy every story in the collection, but I did have my favorites.
The Daughter of Belgium by Marci Jefferson takes on a single mom, attacked by soldiers and seeking refuge in an Institute where she is able to help patients and take care of her daughter. When the War begins to come to an end, all the patients must move, except one. Amelie is charged with Lars’ care. As she tries her best to take care of Lars, Amelie discovers strength within herself, surprising secrets about Lars and the will to continue on after the War has ended.
All for the Love of You by Jennifer Robson was the sweetest story about love lost and found. Daisy, an American living in France with her father, assists at an artist studio. After the War, the studio begins to make masks for the men with facial injuries. Daniel Mancuso comes to the studio looking for a mask for his eye. Daisy helps with the formation of the mask and even paints his eye. Daisy and Daniel fall in love, but are soon ripped apart by Daisy’s father. Years later, Daisy and Daniel get the chance to reconnect. I loved that this story explored what happened to the many men who came out of the War different than they went in and the people who helped them become whole.
The Daughter of Belgium by Marci Jefferson takes on a single mom, attacked by soldiers and seeking refuge in an Institute where she is able to help patients and take care of her daughter. When the War begins to come to an end, all the patients must move, except one. Amelie is charged with Lars’ care. As she tries her best to take care of Lars, Amelie discovers strength within herself, surprising secrets about Lars and the will to continue on after the War has ended.
All for the Love of You by Jennifer Robson was the sweetest story about love lost and found. Daisy, an American living in France with her father, assists at an artist studio. After the War, the studio begins to make masks for the men with facial injuries. Daniel Mancuso comes to the studio looking for a mask for his eye. Daisy helps with the formation of the mask and even paints his eye. Daisy and Daniel fall in love, but are soon ripped apart by Daisy’s father. Years later, Daisy and Daniel get the chance to reconnect. I loved that this story explored what happened to the many men who came out of the War different than they went in and the people who helped them become whole.