Book Review: The Girls From Hanger B

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Girls From Hanger B     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Kristin Campbell Nail
Class/Genre:   Fiction   Historical
Goodfellow, Sep 2001, $22.00, 335 pp.

In 1943 across the United States, necessity being the mother of invention, the manufacturing side supporting the war efforts advertises for women to fill blue-collar positions. Experience is unnecessary. The companies want women with a willingness to work harder than the men the females replace do.

In Seattle, several women accept the challenge at the Boeing airplane factory though their reasons for leaving home and taking the jobs vary. Four of these women share a home. Twenty-eight years old Amazon Annie Tosh left Coos Bay because she cannot sit still while her siblings and her fiancé Howard fight the Axis powers. Mid twenties prostitute Sparkle Melody sees this job as a second chance if she can stay away from the Johns. African-American Birdie traveled across the country to obtain work to feed her four kids. Teenager Gloria Westfall, a pampered female, whose wealthy parents want to shield from the realities of war, needs to aid the war effort n order to prove something to herself. Together this group will learn that building planes is easier than constructing healthy relationships.

THE GIRLS FROM HANGAR B is an appealing historical fiction novel that looks back at the home front during World War II through the eyes of several Rosie the Riveters. The story line uses historical tidbits to paint a relationship drama between the four lead characters as well as other people they meet on and off the jobs. Though not loaded with action, readers who delight in this character study concerning the recent American past. The audience will treasure Kristin Campbell Nail’s homage to one of the most influential periods in the women’s rights movement.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner