Maybe it's that most heroines I've encountered don't have their adventures with two kids in tow.
That's a good point!
I didn't feel that Eileen was reduced to being a mother
I didn't mean to imply that Eileen was reduced in any way, but rather point out that she became defined as a character by a very traditional role in society. There seems to be such a tension about how the ideal heroine in fiction... too bad ass, and she's a man with boobs, but too feminine and she's a stereotype. Finding that middle is hard, and I found it disconcerting, especially in comparison to Polly the love interest, that Eileen was also defined by a traditional feminine role. If Polly also hadn't been defined by a traditional feminine role, I don't think I would've noticed!
Still, I loved Eileen's arc the most, so it's more observation than criticism. And both women are also defined by their heroic moments. :)
I guess I read Eileen's story more as a coming of age (and yes, children figured into that) but it interested me that she was also the youngest and most inexperienced of the historians, but in the end, I felt, made the most mature choices.
Yes, she did. :)
And I'd love to go to a Willis event, but I doubt any will be my way any time ever, since I'm in East TN (where no one comes!). But thanks for the head's up. If I'm ever able to attend one, I'll be happy to do so!
I would like to ask: you said you're a sucker for the WWII homefront, does that mean you're well versed in its history or you enjoy reading its fiction or both?
That's a good point!
I didn't feel that Eileen was reduced to being a mother
I didn't mean to imply that Eileen was reduced in any way, but rather point out that she became defined as a character by a very traditional role in society. There seems to be such a tension about how the ideal heroine in fiction... too bad ass, and she's a man with boobs, but too feminine and she's a stereotype. Finding that middle is hard, and I found it disconcerting, especially in comparison to Polly the love interest, that Eileen was also defined by a traditional feminine role. If Polly also hadn't been defined by a traditional feminine role, I don't think I would've noticed!
Still, I loved Eileen's arc the most, so it's more observation than criticism. And both women are also defined by their heroic moments. :)
I guess I read Eileen's story more as a coming of age (and yes, children figured into that) but it interested me that she was also the youngest and most inexperienced of the historians, but in the end, I felt, made the most mature choices.
Yes, she did. :)
And I'd love to go to a Willis event, but I doubt any will be my way any time ever, since I'm in East TN (where no one comes!). But thanks for the head's up. If I'm ever able to attend one, I'll be happy to do so!
I would like to ask: you said you're a sucker for the WWII homefront, does that mean you're well versed in its history or you enjoy reading its fiction or both?
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