The Good War

The Good War by Elizabeth Costello is a book that grabs your attention and holds on to it throughout the story. You can’t help but feel compassion for the main character, Charlotte, who traverses her way through post-WWII years of change and growth while guiding her family along the twists and turns of life events.

There are two main characters, a mother (Louise) and a daughter (Charlotte). They each have their own time zones yet their lives intertwine. The theme is one of family relationships: mother, daughter, grandchildren, and grandmothers holding on to their relationships through the years 1948-1964.

The story is a real character study. War comes in many forms. In this book, WWII is past but Charlotte is still at war within herself. She is at odds with her past, her children, and men she’s had relationships with. Louise also struggles to become herself.

The characters are distinct. They hold up well despite what is going on around them. Watching each of them grow and change over the years can open your eyes to events in your own life.

The plot flows smoothly even though it goes back and forth over time. The author’s capable writing skills carries you along effortlessly.  Costello’s writing is clear and easy to follow as in this quote: “Perhaps she had changed. Perhaps she really believed now in unseen things. In things that could not be found with a microscope, or even explained by atomic theory.”

The Good War held my interest as I was curious as to where the story was going. It puts mother/daughter relationships under a microscope while at the same time allowing each character to grow on their own.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good read.