What do you think?
Rate this book
Flora's War
It's 1915 and sixteen-year-old Australian, Flora Wentworth, is visiting Cairo with her archaeologist father. She watches with growing alarm as first a trickle and then a flood of wounded soldiers are shipped into the city from Gallipoli.
Flora's comfortable life is turned upside down when a hospital visit thrusts her into the realities of World War 1. She is soon transporting injured soldiers and helping out exhausted nurses – managing to fall in love along the way.
As Flora battles to save lives and find her own, a tragic misunderstanding changes everything
Flora's comfortable life is turned upside down when a hospital visit thrusts her into the realities of World War 1. She is soon transporting injured soldiers and helping out exhausted nurses – managing to fall in love along the way.
As Flora battles to save lives and find her own, a tragic misunderstanding changes everything
306 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2013
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 7, 2013
I really like reading historical fiction, especially when it is Australian. I love when the author throws the facts in with the fiction so you are not sure what is what. With Flora’s War the facts were however, a bit more obvious. After having visited both Cairo and Gallipoli I found it easy to get swept away in the story. Rushby’s descriptions easily tugged on my memories and the things I learnt whilst visiting both places.
I loved how Flora and her best friend Gwen thought of themselves as ‘modern’ girls. The introduction to their lifestyle was endearing. Especially 100 years after their ideas were considered modern! It set the story up beautifully though for the sharp contrast of lifestyle once the wounded began to arrive in Cairo.
The journey 16 year old Flora goes on as she witnesses the horror of war could easily have changed her into a completely different character. I was glad for the changes that Rushby allowed. I was thankful they weren’t overdone. The wounds and injuries were another part of the story that could have been written with more gore for effect. However Rushby wrote just enough to allow the reader to try and imagine the horror and challenges faced.
1915 is hard enough for anyone, let alone a teenager to imagine. To be 16, in war time and having to assist as Flora does is almost incomprehensible. Flora’s War gives the modern teenager a glimpse into life back then. It pays respect to all the doctors, nurses and ordinary people doing extraordinary things for the war efforts. But most of all it gives life to the sacrifices made by so many during the Gallipoli campaign. A terrific read that will make you want to learn more.
I loved how Flora and her best friend Gwen thought of themselves as ‘modern’ girls. The introduction to their lifestyle was endearing. Especially 100 years after their ideas were considered modern! It set the story up beautifully though for the sharp contrast of lifestyle once the wounded began to arrive in Cairo.
The journey 16 year old Flora goes on as she witnesses the horror of war could easily have changed her into a completely different character. I was glad for the changes that Rushby allowed. I was thankful they weren’t overdone. The wounds and injuries were another part of the story that could have been written with more gore for effect. However Rushby wrote just enough to allow the reader to try and imagine the horror and challenges faced.
1915 is hard enough for anyone, let alone a teenager to imagine. To be 16, in war time and having to assist as Flora does is almost incomprehensible. Flora’s War gives the modern teenager a glimpse into life back then. It pays respect to all the doctors, nurses and ordinary people doing extraordinary things for the war efforts. But most of all it gives life to the sacrifices made by so many during the Gallipoli campaign. A terrific read that will make you want to learn more.
August 25, 2013
I absolutely loved Flora’s War!!
Flora’s War for me is filled with so much detail and history. Pamela has written a book full of great power. For me reading about how civilian’s helped out in World War 1 was inspiring and I never imagined how much young women actually did during the war.
It’s a book aimed at young girls and to teach about how civilians, especially women, helped during the First War.
I highly recommend every grade 10 student should read Flora’s War as it really shows the War in a new way. I believe I would have gained more reading this in grade 10 or even grade 6 when we learnt about World War 1 because there was so much depth in the story.
It shows how before the ANZAC’s first went to battle that there wasn’t much for the nurses to do but then once they did enter into the battle so many young men came back injured, diseased or died from their injuries or the diseases they caught.
Pamela you have really made me see the War in a new way and how women young and old did a lot more during the war than I ever first thought.
Thank you for such a beautifully written story. I hope one day to share it with my children as to me it’s more than just a story, it tells of something that happened almost 100 years ago.
Such a fitting tribute for all the young women such as Flora who did so much during World War 1 in Cairo.
Flora’s War for me is filled with so much detail and history. Pamela has written a book full of great power. For me reading about how civilian’s helped out in World War 1 was inspiring and I never imagined how much young women actually did during the war.
It’s a book aimed at young girls and to teach about how civilians, especially women, helped during the First War.
I highly recommend every grade 10 student should read Flora’s War as it really shows the War in a new way. I believe I would have gained more reading this in grade 10 or even grade 6 when we learnt about World War 1 because there was so much depth in the story.
It shows how before the ANZAC’s first went to battle that there wasn’t much for the nurses to do but then once they did enter into the battle so many young men came back injured, diseased or died from their injuries or the diseases they caught.
Pamela you have really made me see the War in a new way and how women young and old did a lot more during the war than I ever first thought.
Thank you for such a beautifully written story. I hope one day to share it with my children as to me it’s more than just a story, it tells of something that happened almost 100 years ago.
Such a fitting tribute for all the young women such as Flora who did so much during World War 1 in Cairo.
July 10, 2016
I finished this book pretty quick, but it wasn't very good. If anything it was boring. It was a slow start and even the middle wasn't that good. It was a huge let down for me because I normally LOVE books on war, but this one was pretty bad! I don't recommend it to anyone, and I hope to never see it again!
September 21, 2016
This novel is almost two parts, Flora's life in Cairo before and then during the Gallipoli campaign. I really enjoyed the details that have gone into this plot. The story about Flora and her archaeologist father was engaging. The story of Flora and her friend Gwen and how they assisted injured soldiers then brought home the realities of war and the affects it has on people and their lives.
July 16, 2013
Flora’s War by Pamela Rushby
Ford Street Publishing
Ages: 11+ PB Price: AUD $18.95
ISBN: 9781921665961
Reviewer: Jenny Mounfield
‘Cairo, 1915
We can always smell them before we see them.
Today it’s bad, really bad, but not as bad as the first time, because then we had no conception of just what we’d see when the wooden doors of the train slid back.’
When I read the blurb for this book my first thought was, Oh, not historical fiction! But on reading the opening lines above, how could I not want to know more? What follows is Flora’s story: how she came to be in Cairo with her father in 1915 as the city filled with soldiers preparing for war; the friendships she formed and ultimately how her dreams of glittering parties and fun were replaced by train-loads of wounded and dying men fresh from the shattered shores of Gallipoli.
“Much later, after everyone had gone, Gwen and I were in my room.
‘And just what was going on with the debonair William?’ I demanded.
‘We-e-e-e-ll.’ Gwen looked at me, eyes sparkling.
‘Gwen! You didn’t! Did you? Did you actually kiss him?’
Gwen nodded.
‘You did? Really? So what was it like? Was it wonderful? Tell me!’
‘What was it like?’ Gwen pretended to think about it. ‘Well, to tell you the truth, it was just sort of prickly. William has a moustache, you see.’
‘Prickly? Is that all?’ I was horribly disappointed.”
While Flora’s War is set in a time of war and documents Flora’s volunteer work with soldiers, at its core it is a coming of age story. It’s a story about a girl on the brink of womanhood learning the value and commitment of friendship and love, as well as other important life lessons, such as the paradoxical nature of human kind. It is also very much a story about Egypt. Through Flora’s eyes, readers see her father’s archeological dig, are led through the shadowy corridors of her opulent and somewhat mysterious rented home and are taken into Cairo’s maze of back streets. Rushby has done her research so thoroughly that even now, a day after finishing this book, I can still see the pyramids pressed against an endless heat-hazed sky and smell the dry earthiness of sunbaked stone.
With the one-hundred year anniversary of the battle at Gallipoli less than two years away, this book will be an invaluable resource in the classroom. I can think of no better way for young adults to gain an understanding of exactly why Gallipoli is such an important part of our history than by reading Flora’s War. As for my view of historical fiction: it would appear an amendment is in order.
Pamela Rushby has written well in excess of 100 books for young people, perhaps her most notable being: When the Hiphicks Went to War (Winner, Ethel Turner Prize for young people’s literature, New South Wales Premier’s Literary Awards 2010 Notable Book, Children’s Book Council of Australia Awards 2010). Find out more about Pamela’s writing and workshops at: www.pamelarushby.com
Jenny Mounfield is the author of four titles and several short stories for kids and YAs. Her reviews have appeared both in print and online. She lives north of Brisbane with her husband and three grown children.
Ford Street Publishing
Ages: 11+ PB Price: AUD $18.95
ISBN: 9781921665961
Reviewer: Jenny Mounfield
‘Cairo, 1915
We can always smell them before we see them.
Today it’s bad, really bad, but not as bad as the first time, because then we had no conception of just what we’d see when the wooden doors of the train slid back.’
When I read the blurb for this book my first thought was, Oh, not historical fiction! But on reading the opening lines above, how could I not want to know more? What follows is Flora’s story: how she came to be in Cairo with her father in 1915 as the city filled with soldiers preparing for war; the friendships she formed and ultimately how her dreams of glittering parties and fun were replaced by train-loads of wounded and dying men fresh from the shattered shores of Gallipoli.
“Much later, after everyone had gone, Gwen and I were in my room.
‘And just what was going on with the debonair William?’ I demanded.
‘We-e-e-e-ll.’ Gwen looked at me, eyes sparkling.
‘Gwen! You didn’t! Did you? Did you actually kiss him?’
Gwen nodded.
‘You did? Really? So what was it like? Was it wonderful? Tell me!’
‘What was it like?’ Gwen pretended to think about it. ‘Well, to tell you the truth, it was just sort of prickly. William has a moustache, you see.’
‘Prickly? Is that all?’ I was horribly disappointed.”
While Flora’s War is set in a time of war and documents Flora’s volunteer work with soldiers, at its core it is a coming of age story. It’s a story about a girl on the brink of womanhood learning the value and commitment of friendship and love, as well as other important life lessons, such as the paradoxical nature of human kind. It is also very much a story about Egypt. Through Flora’s eyes, readers see her father’s archeological dig, are led through the shadowy corridors of her opulent and somewhat mysterious rented home and are taken into Cairo’s maze of back streets. Rushby has done her research so thoroughly that even now, a day after finishing this book, I can still see the pyramids pressed against an endless heat-hazed sky and smell the dry earthiness of sunbaked stone.
With the one-hundred year anniversary of the battle at Gallipoli less than two years away, this book will be an invaluable resource in the classroom. I can think of no better way for young adults to gain an understanding of exactly why Gallipoli is such an important part of our history than by reading Flora’s War. As for my view of historical fiction: it would appear an amendment is in order.
Pamela Rushby has written well in excess of 100 books for young people, perhaps her most notable being: When the Hiphicks Went to War (Winner, Ethel Turner Prize for young people’s literature, New South Wales Premier’s Literary Awards 2010 Notable Book, Children’s Book Council of Australia Awards 2010). Find out more about Pamela’s writing and workshops at: www.pamelarushby.com
Jenny Mounfield is the author of four titles and several short stories for kids and YAs. Her reviews have appeared both in print and online. She lives north of Brisbane with her husband and three grown children.
August 4, 2016
Flora’s War Pamela Rushy RRP $18.95 ISBN 9781921665981 Ford Street Publishing Reviewer: Robyn Donoghue
Flora’s War by Pamela Rushby opens with a confronting, but honest description of the stench coming off wounded soldiers transported by train from the battlefields of Gallipoli, to the city of Cairo. Through Flora we become familiar with the routine and poise of volunteer drivers as they transport wounded soldiers from trains to the hospital nearby.
Australian girl, Flora is a seasoned traveller to Cairo, accompanying her archaeologist father Mr Wentworth on his yearly excavations of tombs and pyramids, organised by the highly connected agent Mr Khalid. Having turned 16, this will be Flora’s first season as an adult, who will be working as her father’s assistant. She is excited by the prospect that she will be able to experience the glittering social life Cairo has to offer, as she makes her debut along with her great friend Gwen; the daughter of Professor Travers, an Archaeologist at Boston University.
This historical novel shows the impact of war on the city of Cairo. How its citizens rallied together to assist with the enormous influx of wounded soldiers pouring in from Gallipoli. We see how volunteer organisations, such as Lady Bellamy’s Rest and Recreation Centre for Soldiers provided much needed support to overwhelmed ambulance officers, doctors and nurses. It is a coming of age story, showing Flora’s maturity as a driver and hospital volunteer, but also revealing her inability to comprehend the complex psychological trauma, suffered by the soldiers.
It is a fresh telling of the Gallipoli campaign, showing how war provided opportunities for women to actively participate in the running of society on an equal footing with men. This book is a gem, and I have no doubt will act as a great resource when teaching students about Australia’s participation in the First World War.
Flora’s War by Pamela Rushby opens with a confronting, but honest description of the stench coming off wounded soldiers transported by train from the battlefields of Gallipoli, to the city of Cairo. Through Flora we become familiar with the routine and poise of volunteer drivers as they transport wounded soldiers from trains to the hospital nearby.
Australian girl, Flora is a seasoned traveller to Cairo, accompanying her archaeologist father Mr Wentworth on his yearly excavations of tombs and pyramids, organised by the highly connected agent Mr Khalid. Having turned 16, this will be Flora’s first season as an adult, who will be working as her father’s assistant. She is excited by the prospect that she will be able to experience the glittering social life Cairo has to offer, as she makes her debut along with her great friend Gwen; the daughter of Professor Travers, an Archaeologist at Boston University.
This historical novel shows the impact of war on the city of Cairo. How its citizens rallied together to assist with the enormous influx of wounded soldiers pouring in from Gallipoli. We see how volunteer organisations, such as Lady Bellamy’s Rest and Recreation Centre for Soldiers provided much needed support to overwhelmed ambulance officers, doctors and nurses. It is a coming of age story, showing Flora’s maturity as a driver and hospital volunteer, but also revealing her inability to comprehend the complex psychological trauma, suffered by the soldiers.
It is a fresh telling of the Gallipoli campaign, showing how war provided opportunities for women to actively participate in the running of society on an equal footing with men. This book is a gem, and I have no doubt will act as a great resource when teaching students about Australia’s participation in the First World War.
September 25, 2013
Flora’s War
Pamela Rushy
ISBN 9781921665981
Ford Street Publishing
Flora’s War by Pamela Rushby opens with a confronting, but honest description of the stench coming off wounded soldiers transported by train from the battlefields of Gallipoli, to the city of Cairo. Through Flora we become familiar with the routine and poise of volunteer drivers as they transport wounded soldiers from trains to the hospital nearby.
Australian girl, Flora is a seasoned traveller to Cairo, accompanying her archaeologist father Mr Wentworth on his yearly excavations of tombs and pyramids, organised by the highly connected agent Mr Khalid. Having turned 16, this will be Flora’s first season as an adult, who will be working as her father’s assistant. She is excited by the prospect that she will be able to experience the glittering social life Cairo has to offer, as she makes her debut along with her great friend Gwen; the daughter of Professor Travers, an Archaeologist at Boston University.
This historical novel shows the impact of war on the city of Cairo. How its citizens rallied together to assist with the enormous influx of wounded soldiers pouring in from Gallipoli. We see how volunteer organisations, such as Lady Bellamy’s Rest and Recreation Centre for Soldiers provided much needed support to overwhelmed ambulance officers, doctors and nurses. It is a coming of age story, showing Flora’s maturity as a driver and hospital volunteer, but also revealing her inability to comprehend the complex psychological trauma, suffered by the soldiers.
It is a fresh telling of the Gallipoli campaign, showing how war provided opportunities for women to actively participate in the running of society on an equal footing with men. This book is a gem, and I have no doubt will act as a great resource when teaching students about Australia’s participation in the First World War.
Pamela Rushy
ISBN 9781921665981
Ford Street Publishing
Flora’s War by Pamela Rushby opens with a confronting, but honest description of the stench coming off wounded soldiers transported by train from the battlefields of Gallipoli, to the city of Cairo. Through Flora we become familiar with the routine and poise of volunteer drivers as they transport wounded soldiers from trains to the hospital nearby.
Australian girl, Flora is a seasoned traveller to Cairo, accompanying her archaeologist father Mr Wentworth on his yearly excavations of tombs and pyramids, organised by the highly connected agent Mr Khalid. Having turned 16, this will be Flora’s first season as an adult, who will be working as her father’s assistant. She is excited by the prospect that she will be able to experience the glittering social life Cairo has to offer, as she makes her debut along with her great friend Gwen; the daughter of Professor Travers, an Archaeologist at Boston University.
This historical novel shows the impact of war on the city of Cairo. How its citizens rallied together to assist with the enormous influx of wounded soldiers pouring in from Gallipoli. We see how volunteer organisations, such as Lady Bellamy’s Rest and Recreation Centre for Soldiers provided much needed support to overwhelmed ambulance officers, doctors and nurses. It is a coming of age story, showing Flora’s maturity as a driver and hospital volunteer, but also revealing her inability to comprehend the complex psychological trauma, suffered by the soldiers.
It is a fresh telling of the Gallipoli campaign, showing how war provided opportunities for women to actively participate in the running of society on an equal footing with men. This book is a gem, and I have no doubt will act as a great resource when teaching students about Australia’s participation in the First World War.
February 22, 2014
Flora is a social teenage girl who accompanies her archaeologist father to a dig in Cairo in 1915. With World War 1 ramping up she soon volunteers to work as a driver for wounded soldiers who are sent to the numerous makeshift hospitals throughout the city.
Pamela Rushby has done her research for this story. She has set the plot amongst a little known WW1 story and incorporates events that happen at the time such as a riot, and the generous nature of the Egyptian people towards the wounded soldiers returning from the Dardanelles.
Unfortunately I didn't engage well with this story. The main character moved from practical to flighty, and unlike other similar stories of this genre she actively refutes romantic overtures (which would normally be fine, but the blurb has a line about her falling in love, and that part of the plot feels very artificial). Otherwise it was an interesting story, even if only for the historical context.
Pamela Rushby has done her research for this story. She has set the plot amongst a little known WW1 story and incorporates events that happen at the time such as a riot, and the generous nature of the Egyptian people towards the wounded soldiers returning from the Dardanelles.
Unfortunately I didn't engage well with this story. The main character moved from practical to flighty, and unlike other similar stories of this genre she actively refutes romantic overtures (which would normally be fine, but the blurb has a line about her falling in love, and that part of the plot feels very artificial). Otherwise it was an interesting story, even if only for the historical context.
June 1, 2014
The first half of this book seemed a little silly. Flora and her father arrive in Egypt to continue archeological digs with little awareness of the war, despite Australia's participation. Flora is more interested in learning to drive a motorcar, and her American friend Gwen is more interested in clothing.
The book takes a more serious turn when wounded soldiers from Gallipoli are sent to Egypt.
I learned something from this book. I knew about Gallipoli in WWI, but I didn't realize that the wounded had been sent to Egypt. (Somehow the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters skips this episode although several of the books are set during WWI.)
The book takes a more serious turn when wounded soldiers from Gallipoli are sent to Egypt.
I learned something from this book. I knew about Gallipoli in WWI, but I didn't realize that the wounded had been sent to Egypt. (Somehow the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters skips this episode although several of the books are set during WWI.)
September 26, 2013
I really enjoyed Rushby's previous book When hipchicks go to War. Flora's War does not disappoint. Flora is a great character, a typical 16 year old girl just wanting to have fun and maybe meet a nice fella. Instead she finds herself in Cairo helping evacuate wounded soldiers returning from Gallipoli. She has to mature in a hurry. She sees things that any young girl would find shocking, but she gives herself a shake and gets on with it - you cannot help but really like Flora. This book would be a fabulous read to recommend to high school students, particularly Years 7-9.
November 24, 2016
I found "Flora's War" quite interesting and it was obvious Rushby had done her homework before writing this book. I loved the Egyptian setting and I enjoyed how Flora grew from a shallow, spoilt teenager, to an independent and resourceful young woman. However, I never fully engaged with Flora, and I found the romance artificial. Also, the ending was too rushed and too tidy making the book unrealistic.
September 1, 2013
I loved that it didn't gloss over the hard bits of war and actually have you an idea of how it was like for a young female volunteer in WWI.
February 21, 2014
Brought back memories as it was set in Egypt, it told a different story about the war and inparticular Gallipoli from the view of a volunteer nurse.
September 23, 2014
This book was really good.i liked how it was about the Egyptians instead of the French like most of the other stories.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews