Wow! What an amazing book about a little known part of World War II history inspired by the author's own mother!
Good Night, Irene by Luis Alberto Urrea tells the story of a woman fleeing a bad romantic relationship and seeking adventure overseas as part of a new Red Cross initiative called the Clubmobile Corps. Irene and two other women drive around a truck, serving coffee and donuts to the troops.
The novel is about the relationship between Irene and her truck mate Dorothy. They call themselves Sisters and sometimes fight like sisters, too. But the book is also about wartime, and the things these women see when they're caught in battle. The unexpected atrocities they encounter and how they deal (or don't deal) with what they've seen. And the book is about how this experience affected these "Donut Dollies" even after the war ended.
I absolutely loved reading about the antics of Irene and Dorothy and all the people they met along the way. The story is heartbreaking and sweet and hopeful and sad. This would be an amazing read for a book club and for anyone who enjoys reading historical fiction about strong women.
Good Night, Irene is published by Little, Brown and Company and will be available to purchase on May 30, 2023. I received a free review copy.
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