Good Night, Irene
Women traipsing through war-torn Europe dispensing coffee and donuts out of repurposed buses? The reader is creatively immersed in a little-known aspect of the work of the American Red Cross during World War II.
Irene Woodward is bored. Her sheltered New York life seems vacuous when compared to the realities unfolding around her. In a fit of pique, she rashly joins (and is accepted into) a compact Red Cross unit specifically designed to bring some miniscule comfort to soldiers in England and later in France. These volunteers were aptly nicknamed “Donut Dollies.” Irene’s silent departure and subsequent European activities would shock her family, who wouldn’t be able to comprehend her decision to eagerly engage in perilous activities.
These women come from all segments of American life, and the adventures and dangers they face are real, especially when following the advancing troops after D-Day. Dealing with equipment breakdowns of their “Clubmobiles,” loss of direction, run-ins with retreating German soldiers, as well as the general tension of being so personally exposed in a theater of war, provide stressful situations. Further, the interpersonal relations amongst the women offer insights into the state of contemporary society in these trying times.
This is a powerfully written novel. Through the experiences of Irene and her small group of women comrades, the larger historical picture is brought to light.
