Lovely War by Julie Berry Summary

Lovely War by Julie Berry is a historical romance novel set during World War I that follows two couples whose lives intertwine amid the chaos of war. The story is framed by Greek goddess Aphrodite narrating these love stories to her husband Hephaestus and lover Ares in a 1940s Manhattan hotel, exploring why Love and War are eternally connected. The novel weaves together themes of prejudice, trauma, music, and the enduring power of love against the backdrop of the Great War.

Julie Berry is a New York Times bestselling author who won the 2020 NCTE Walden Award and SCBWI Golden Kite Award for Lovely War. She holds a BS from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in communication and an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts in writing for children and young adults. Berry has also received a Printz Honor, and her works have been shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal, Edgar Award, and Los Angeles Times Book Prize.

Lovely War appeals to young adult readers who enjoy historical fiction blended with mythology and romance. The book is ideal for fans of sweeping wartime love stories, Greek mythology retellings, and narratives that address serious themes like racial prejudice and war trauma. Readers interested in WWI history, music (jazz and classical piano), and multi-layered storytelling with diverse perspectives will find Lovely War particularly engaging.

Lovely War is widely acclaimed as an emotional, refreshing, and unique reading experience that stands apart from typical historical fiction. The novel won multiple prestigious awards including the NCTE Walden Award and SCBWI Golden Kite Award. Critics praise Julie Berry's innovative frame narrative using Greek gods, the book's handling of difficult topics like prejudice and trauma, and its powerful message that love ultimately triumphs over war's destruction.

Lovely War uses a distinctive frame narrative where Greek goddess Aphrodite recounts the stories of four WWI lovers to her husband Hephaestus and her lover Ares in a Manhattan hotel during World War II. This framing device occurs after Hephaestus catches Aphrodite and Ares together in a compromising situation, trapping them in a golden net. Aphrodite tells these stories to defend her actions and answer why Love and War are perpetually drawn to each other, creating a trial-like setting that adds mythological depth.

Lovely War follows two romantic couples:

• Hazel, a shy, talented pianist from London, and James, a British soldier with architectural dreams
• Aubrey Edwards, a gifted African-American ragtime musician from Harlem who played Carnegie Hall and serves in the 15th New York Infantry, and Colette Fournier, a Belgian singer who survived German atrocities

Each character brings unique perspectives on war, love, music, and survival, with their interconnected fates revealing broader themes of prejudice and resilience.

Lovely War tackles racial prejudice through Aubrey Edwards's experience as a Black soldier in the all-African-American 15th New York Infantry regiment during World War I. The novel explores the discrimination faced by Black soldiers who fought for their country while experiencing systemic racism. Julie Berry doesn't shy away from depicting the harsh realities of prejudice during wartime, making Aubrey's story a powerful examination of courage and dignity in the face of injustice.

Music serves as a central motif connecting all four protagonists in Lovely War. Hazel is a classically trained pianist, James appreciates music deeply, Aubrey Edwards is dubbed the "King of American Ragtime" after performing at Carnegie Hall, and Colette Fournier is a chanteuse whose voice is described as a gift from the Muses. The novel uses music as a universal language that transcends war's destruction, symbolizing beauty, connection, and humanity's enduring creative spirit amid chaos.

The Greek gods in Lovely War serve as both narrators and thematic embodiments of universal forces. Aphrodite (goddess of love) defends love's power, Ares (god of war) represents conflict and destruction, and Hephaestus (god of fire and forging) acts as judge. Their divine perspectives frame mortal love stories, allowing Julie Berry to explore philosophical questions about fate, passion, and war's impact on human relationships while adding mythological grandeur to historical events.

Lovely War primarily takes place in 1917 during World War I's peak, following the four protagonists through wartime experiences in London, France, and Belgium. The story is narrated thirty years later in the 1940s during World War II, when Aphrodite recounts these events to Hephaestus and Ares in Manhattan. This dual timeline allows Julie Berry to examine how love stories endure across decades and connect two devastating global conflicts.

Lovely War examines the eternal attraction between Love and War through Aphrodite's central question: why are these opposing forces perpetually drawn together? The novel reveals that while war brings destruction and trauma, love provides healing, hope, and meaning. Julie Berry demonstrates that love flourishes even in war's darkest moments, offering soldiers reasons to survive and fight, ultimately concluding that love's power exceeds war's devastation.

Lovely War won the 2020 NCTE Walden Award and the SCBWI Golden Kite Award, establishing it as a critically acclaimed young adult novel. These prestigious honors recognize the book's literary excellence, innovative storytelling, and meaningful contribution to young adult literature. The awards affirm Julie Berry's skill in blending historical fiction with mythology while addressing complex themes like war, prejudice, and enduring love.