Olivia Spooner has released another historical fiction book sharing a glimpse into the life of New Zealand women during World War II. The Songbirds of Florence follows Addy and Margot, two of the Tuis serving in New Zealand clubs during the North African campaign. It is a lighter read than other WWII stories I have read and reviewed, so if Codename Helene, The Girl With The Red Hair, The Last Secret Agent and Salt to the Sea are too heavy, you may want to consider The Songbirds of Florence.

In 1942, a group of young women arrive in Cairo, Egypt. The Tuis, named after the beautiful New Zealand songbird, are the first women from their country to serve overseas. They are to provide respite and a touch of home to weary soldiers returning from the front line. Addy joined the Tuis for the adventure. Vivacious and outgoing, she is the life of the party, with an unforgettable voice. Margot is quiet and withdrawn, grieving the young husband she lost to the war. Despite their differences, the girls become fast friends. When the Tuis are relocated to Italy to set up clubs in grand venues in Florence, Bari and Rome, Addy and Margot are enchanted by the culture – from the stunning sights to the whirlwind of concerts and parties. But despite the exhilarating and romantic nature of being abroad in the company of soldiers, dark shadows loom. And as their illusion of peace is shattered with news of a devastating attack, Margot and Addy will find their endurance pushed to the limit, as they discover the true meaning of courage, sacrifice and sisterhood amidst the brutal reality of WWII.

I didn’t know about these servicemen clubs before reading this novel, so it was a great way to step into an area of the war I hadn’t read about before. The senses are utilised expertly, bringing the climates and landscapes of Egypt and Italy into the story. There is also a lingering emotional cloud that permeates the story, one that I wish had been brought into direct commentary a little earlier on so that the idea of PTSD and battle fatigue could really be explored. As the landscape shifts with the movement of the war, the feelings shift, sometimes becoming quite heavy and thick with emotion and detail, while other times lightening up with the actions and decisions of the Tuis. It is interesting to see how the landscape and emotional weight of the story work hand-in-hand.

Addy and Margot are intriguing, authentic and well-rounded characters, sharing different sides to the same situation and oftentimes being two sides to the same coin. Addy is passionate and extroverted while Margot is reserved and attentive. As they grow into friends and as independent women, their personalities are influenced by each other, making their friendship feel real and strong, and evidently long-lasting given the present and past tenses of the book. I wanted to learn more about them, to see them experience the world together and deal with the hardships of war, loss, and grief. I really appreciate what Olivia has done, but I would love to have seen her go a little further and bring out some deeper emotions and reactions out of the women.

I love learning about New Zealand’s involvement in WWII as a granddaughter of someone who fought in North Africa. Before The Songbirds of Florence, I had only heard about the North African campaign from museum exhibits and my dad’s knowledge of battles. This book brings a different and equally important perspective into the discussion, making space for the inclusion of women in not only the literature and histories we share, but in who gets to be a part of that sharing and experiencing. I highly recommend The Songbirds of Florence to all historical fiction readers, especially the women out there who are interested in learning more about the wars, and WWII fiction readers all over the globe.