The Girls in Navy Blue

Main Themes and Topics

The Girls in Navy Blue by Alix Rickloff explores powerful themes of female empowerment and the challenges faced by women seeking equality and respect. Through its dual timeline, the novel highlights the spirit of resilience and defiance as it depicts the contributions of women to the Navy during World War I. The story portrays the protagonists' pursuit of personal growth, identity, and independence amidst societal constraints. As it shifts to 1968, the book delves into themes of legacy and self-discovery, examining how past choices resonate through generations and shape individual destinies.

Writing Style and Tone

Alix Rickloff crafts The Girls in Navy Blue with attention to historical detail and a deep sense of atmosphere. The tone of the novel shifts effectively between the two timelines, capturing both the urgency of wartime in 1918 and the social upheavals of 1968. With evocative prose, Rickloff pulls readers into the experiences of her characters, balancing tension and emotion. Her style is both immersive and engaging, painting vivid pictures of the era and providing an intimate look at the lives of the yeomanettes.

Brief Summary (no spoilers)

The Girls in Navy Blue intertwines the stories of three women in 1918 and their descendant in 1968. Marjory Kunwald joins the Navy to assert her patriotism during WWI, while Blanche Lawrence is driven by her suffragette beliefs, and Viv Weston seeks to escape her troubled past. Their experiences weave a tale of camaraderie and personal transformation against the backdrop of war. Decades later, Peggy Whitby, grappling with her own challenges, inherits a cottage from her great-aunt Blanche. As Peggy delves into her family's history, mysterious postcards from 1918 prompt her to uncover long-buried secrets that connect her with her ancestors, leading to revelations about identity and courage.