Lovely War: WWI Meets Greek Mythology

In this tale of love, hardship, and war, Greek Mythology makes a startling appearance as Aphrodite makes a case in a pseudo-court as to why no one can ever love her. Julie Berry weaves three very different stories together in this beautifully written novel set in England during World War 1.

Aphrodite and Hephaestus

As happens in Greek Mythology, Hephaestus holds a trial accusing Aphrodite of cheating on him with Ares, as Helios reported. Aphrodite, then, rather than defend herself, pleads guilty to the charge of infidelity and contempt. However, she makes a case that no human can love her as that would be worship, and no God would love her for her true self.

To prove her point she paints the tale of two of her greatest masterpieces, or love stories, that took place thirty years prior during the first World War. Both of these stories are interlaced with each other, and slowly build her argument to justify her actions. While telling these tales, she slowly gains Hephaestus's trust, and maybe also his love against all odds.

Hazel and James

This is the first tale that Aphrodite tells, set between a soldier about to leave for war, and a woman whose only salvation is her skill at the piano. Despite the many obstacles that they face throughout their story, two of the main being the great distance between them, and the fact that he risks his life every moment he is fighting on the battlefield, their love perseveres through everything no matter how giant the leap.

As Hazel volunteers to help soldiers, she makes friendships that last her a lifetime and keeps her relationship with James alive through a series of letters. These letters, both shy and romantic, keep both of them hopeful and in desperate need of a reunion. James, fighting in the trenches while facing the great horrors of war, stays afloat with the hope offered by his comrades and the letters he exchanges with Hazel.

Colette and Aubrey

Aubrey, an African-American musician who had a promising future after playing at Carnegie Hall is forced to leave behind his life to go fight in the trenches. Colette is a young woman from Belgium, and after losing her whole family in the war, has lost all hope, is surprised to find the connection she makes with Aubrey while volunteering beside Hazel.

Using their connection built on her tragic past, and the beauty of his music, they fall in love and survive all the hardships thrown at them together. As they battle the war alongside their personal demons, their relationship grows further, and they also end up moving together to the United States to be together for the rest of their lives. They never lose their grit and love for each other, even though they also face racial discrimination. Their love story is probably the strongest in the novel and always makes my heart grow.

Swoon-Worthy Quotes

“If music stops, and art ceases, and beauty fades, what have we then?”

― Julie Berry, Lovely War

“Let them start their dreadful wars, let destruction rain down, and let plague sweep through, but I will still be here, doing my work, holding humankind together with love like this.”

― Julie Berry, Lovely War

“Kisses by the billions happen every day, even in a lonely world like ours.

But this is a kiss for the ages.”

― Julie Berry, Lovely War

“It was the dimples. Empires have swiveled on less.”

― Julie Berry, Lovely War

“And when she sobbed until her eyes were bloodshot and her nose ran, he gave her a handkerchief and took advantage of nothing. Nothing but the chance to say, wordlessly, Here; you’ve been carrying that alone for a long time. Let me carry it with you awhile.”

― Julie Berry, Lovely War

“Colette,” he told her. “I can love Stéphane. I can honor his memory. I can love your parents, and your brother, your uncles, your cousin. I can love them beside you, and I will, if you let me.”

― Julie Berry, Lovely War