⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Jennifer Chiaverini’s Canary Girls shines a spotlight on a little-known chapter of World War I history—the British “munitionettes” who risked their lives making bombs while their brothers, husbands, and sweethearts fought on the front lines. Through the perspectives of three women from different walks of life—April, a former housemaid; Lucy, the wife of a football star; and Helen, the boss’s socially conscious wife—the novel captures both the camaraderie and the danger of working in the factories. The women’s skin literally turns yellow from handling TNT, earning them the nickname “canary girls,” yet they persist, fueled by patriotism and the fellowship they find on the soccer pitch.
Chiaverini blends historical fact with fictional drama in a way that is both engaging and educational. The soccer subplot adds a fun “A League of Their Own” flavor, balancing the darker realities of workplace hazards and wartime loss. At times, the pacing slows with detailed exposition, but the characters’ grit and resilience keep the story moving.
Canary Girls is a lively, heartfelt tribute to unsung heroines who showed that courage doesn’t always come with a rifle in hand—it can also come with yellow-stained skin and muddy football boots.
Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the advance copy. Opinions are my own.