Member Reviews

Historic fiction is my jam, so I was eager to get an ARC of the Secret War of Julia Child. Overall I enjoyed reading this fictional account of Julia Child's OSS career. It was well researched and covered aspects of WW2 (India and China) that are rarely covered in historical fiction. But I was disappointed by all the introspection attributed to Julia a man to fall in love with. It really distracted from the story of her work as a spy. That said, Ms Chambers' impressive research is evident and she introduced us to the human side of famous characters like Lord Louis Mountbatten.

Many thanks to Sourcebooks | Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Was this review helpful?

“The Secret War of Julia Child” by Diana Chambers, is a fictional account of Julia Child’s OSS career. Ms. Chambers did her research well, trying to ferret out what Ms. Child could have done while in India and China. It also includes her falling in love with her husband, Paul Child, who she met while abroad. This book’s opening section immediately grabbed my attention - Julia must meet someone and deliver a package before a train departs. It slowed down a bit and then picked right back up once she was aboard a boat bound for India. Then the book crawled a piece … then came to the hate to love love story with Paul Child … and I found myself skimming. There were a number of characters to keep track of - so many that I did lose track quite often. Although some of the side characters were interesting, some times they were introduced so abruptly that I wondered if I’d missed them previously (nope, hadn’t - and searching the book for the name confirmed that). I think Ms. Chambers is correct when emphasizing that this is her interpretation of what Julia Child might’ve done - we’ll never know for certain - with the OSS. I found the idea of this book interesting (and how about that cover?) but the pacing was a bit inconsistent for my taste.

Was this review helpful?

If you’re a fan of Julia Child (née McWilliams), or if you don’t know anything about her at all (other than her French cooking, that is), you’ll like this book. I enjoyed spending time with Julia and her friends as she emerged from her college years in California and traveled the world as part of the US Office of Strategic Services (OSS) in World War II. Her role transcended that of her formal clerical assignment in the “Registry” (mail documentation) to an envisioned espionage one that saved many lives. The sights and sounds of Sri Lanka, India, and China are described so vividly that you’ll experience their mountains and wildlife, taste their foods, and experience a bit of the ravages of war. You’ll also learn how Julia met her future husband, Paul Child, about his personal past, and of his tremendous service to our country as a mapmaker. The author spent 10 years on research for the novel, and it shows in this thoroughly enjoyable account of Julia’s years in service to her country.

Was this review helpful?

The Secret War of Julia Child by Diana R Chambers

The name of Julia Child is synonymous to most as a celebrated American chef and media personality, portrayed on film by the incomparable Meryl Streep. However, it’s Julia’s feisty character and spirit of adventure which evidently inspired Diana R Chambers to create this fictional — but eminently possible — story of Julia’s involvement in the Office of Strategic Services during World War II. Like Chambers, I too am engaged in writing ‘between the gaps’ of my historical subject, and her integrity in sketching the areas where her imagination may have taken full flight is to be respected.

Despite a leisurely start, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know this creative iteration of Julia Child’s formative years. The Julia we meet in this engaging novel is a talented woman who, notwithstanding her endearing complex about her tall stature, is generally loyal, patriotic, great fun to be around, and strikingly independent. While Julia’s mother, Caro, doesn’t appear directly in the narrative, she’s an ever-present influence in spurring Julia to push through the gender barriers of her day and pursue her considerable ambitions.

When Julia turns her innate intelligence and organisation flair to the service of her boss, ‘Wild Bill’ Donovan, she finds herself being dispatched from one exciting covert mission to another. From the former Ceylon (Sri Lanka) to India and China, Julia learns, grieves, and grows. Humour and romance are counter-balanced with intrigue, pathos, and high drama.

The world building in this novel is excellent — evidence of the author’s extensive research and travels in South East Asia. I found it never overpowered the narrative, into which Chambers deftly wove the interpersonal relationships of the American, British, and other allied forces whose lesser-known secret warfare in Asia.

The author’s decision to open with the Julia Child the world knows best is an interesting and understandable one. And although this presents an inevitable ‘spoiler’, in revealing her ultimate life partner, Chambers manages to keep the reader on their proverbial toes, offering many thrilling twists throughout this highly entertaining story.

I also enjoyed fresh portrayals of well-known historical figures such as Lord Louis Mountbatten (who knew he was such a handsome charmer?) and gaining a deeper understanding of security activities in this theatre of war.

A most enjoyable read.

My thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest and independent review.



SHARON BARBA

Was this review helpful?

This is one of those books that you haven’t heard much about, but I think you will start to when it is released! I love Julia Child I miss worse a totally different take on a different time of her life. A beautiful historical marvel that I couldn’t stop talking about or reading! Add this to your list!

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Was this review helpful?

I loved it!. The story takes place in Asia during WWII. Although I’m well-versed in the European theater, I’m not very familiar with the events in Asia and learned many new and interesting facts. Initially, I selected this book because it was about a side of Julia Child I wasn’t familiar with and was a tad disappointed when I found out that it was a mix of fact and fiction. However, the author does a fantastic job describing what life was like in Asia and the world of espionage. As a reader, you get so caught up in the story that it doesn’t matter whether it’s true or not. I believe the author captured the essence of who Julia Child was, even if the events might not have all taken place as described in the book. It’s a substantial read with vivid descriptions and WWII facts integrated into a story of (mostly) regular people who found themselves in the midst of a major war. We get to know them, their quirks, their weaknesses and their friendships. I feel as if I have traveled the streets of these places. Indeed, as another reviewer already mentioned, there’s a small editing error where Jane is in, out and back in the hospital which I assume will be fixed before publication. The research is impressive and quoted at the end of the book. Very well done! It’s a wonderful treat for historical fiction lovers and I’d highly recommend adding it to your “to read” list.

Many thanks to Sourcebooks | Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Was this review helpful?

As a history major, I love a great book that holds history ad this book was incredible!! I loved it from the first page, and I think I talked my husbands ear off about it. It was so descriptive, interesting, and entertaining. It was beautifully written. Add this to your TBR list! A wonderful book.

Was this review helpful?

The Secret War of Julia Childs by Diana R. Chambers should be a must read for lovers of WWII stories as well as those like this reader who only knew of Julia Childs through her cookbook. This fictionalization of some actual events finds Julia working undercover for the OSS in India, where she also met and fell in love with Paul Child’s. The author does a great job bringing the characters and the period to life. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley. Highly recommend.

Was this review helpful?

I went into this book with different expectations than what developed over the course of story. I was hoping for more of Julia and her relationships, particularly with Paul Child. The vast majority of the book was a rather hard core war story featuring detailed descriptions of landscapes and espionage. I must admit I skimmed quite a lot of the middle content but came to enjoy things more in the last quarter of the book. I don't believe this is a terrible book; it simply wasn't for me and my personal expectations were not aligned with the author's intent.

Was this review helpful?

The beginning of this book could use some work. The author took "show, don't tell" a little too seriously, and the first pages are almost frenetic with descriptive words. Once it calms down, the writing flows very well, and it's a fun read. The plot could have been done with one less long, near-death experience, as it seemed overdone by the end, and I was burnt out by them. The intrigue and detective work scenes were brilliant, and the characters were well-defined.

Was this review helpful?

The description of this book sounds wonderful and as someone curious about Julia and her life at this time it was definitely an appealing topic. Unfortunately I found myself struggling with the blurred content between fiction and reality and would have preferred that it was written as fiction with the Child’s story as only the spark of inspiration, rather than giving this fictionalised account. I’m thankful the author took the time to do so much research into the Child’s background and the events at this time, and it really is a fascinating story; which I think many would enjoy, it just wasn’t for me and I was unable to complete reading it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for a review. All thoughts are based on personal opinion and reflection of the reviewed book.

Was this review helpful?

I've read much about the life of the beloved chef, Julia Child, but not much about her time in the OSS during WWII, where she met her husband. Diana R. Chambers has captured Julia's indomitable spirit, intelligence, and fearlessness with heart and grace in this compelling narrative that will make histfic lovers cheer. Highly recommended!

Was this review helpful?

I am always on the lookout for fresh historical fiction and this book fit the bill. Julia McWilliams (aka Julia Child) was a woman who was determined to make her mark and she certainly did-- in a multitude of ways. Having read her autobiography, I wasn't sure what I could possibly learn that was new. From the first page, I was hooked on her story and her voice the author brought to life. The writing is spectacular and I look forward to reading more from Diana R. Chambers.

Was this review helpful?

This book wasn’t exactly what I was expecting but it was also a good book and well written following the historical and fictionalised story of Julia child when she worked for OSS— It is important to read the authors note at the end when you finish --it is very informative — as she details which parts of the book are based on history ( which has been heavily researched) and which have been fictionalised /blended with historical fact that didn’t actually happen to Julia but happened to someone in history during that time frame of WW2 in Asia. I enjoyed the character of Julia and her love story with Paul Child — which a slow burn for me —using a hate to love trope— it was interesting to learn how she met her husband who continued working of the OSS after WW2 . I enjoyed the action packed parts of the book and the daring adventure of Julia working with the OSS. The dialogue and scenarios are believable — there are suspenseful and entertaining parts of the story — and you can really feel Julia`s emotions throughout the novel making you feel like you are right there with her.

Thank-you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks | Sourcebooks Landmark for this ARC . This is my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to NeGalley and Sourcebooks for the opportunity to read The Secret War of Julia Child by Diana R. Chambers. A fascinating fictionalized story about Julia Child's WWII service in the OSS.

Was this review helpful?

Sadly, I did not love this one. I love Julia Child and her book, My Life in France, so I hoped that this would give me insight into her life before France and her time serving in WWII. It started off so well, with Julia efficiently saving an intel package from an operative detained in the hospital, delivering the package just minutes before the train and her counterpart departed. She fought for, and received, an assignment in India from her boss, Wild Bill Donovan. Her ship voyage was adventurous, narrowly escaping an incoming German torpedo, and upon her arrival in Bombay they were met by an explosion in the port. But then she arrived in Kandy and the book slowed to a crawl. She is supposed to spy on the British and ferret out a mole but a lot more time is spent covering the flirting and romantic entanglements of the various women that Julia worked with. This is also where we first meet Paul Child, Julia’s future husband, and too much is made of his awkward ways and her instant dislike of him. There were far too many characters to keep track of and the dialogue felt unnatural and it was often unclear what character was speaking. The plotting was uneven and in need of editing. In one chapter, Julia is released from the hospital after a bout with dengue fever while her colleague, Jane, was entering the hospital with the same illness and yet just a few paragraphs later Jane is found back at the base speaking with Julia in the office. I thought I had missed something but then realized that it was an editing error when, several pages later, Jane is released from the hospital after a weeks stay. I skimmed much of the rest of the book. Sadly it wasn’t for me.

Was this review helpful?

Every I knew about Julia Child was about her love of French cooking. O had no idea how important her role was in the military during World War 2. She spent a lot of time in Asia working for our government and met her beloved Paul. Truly immeraive and wonderful to read.

Was this review helpful?

I couldn't be more impressed with Diana R. Chambers' The Secret Life of Julia Child. Through many years of extensive research, and utilizing an active imagination, she has created a thrilling, fictionalized account of Julia Child's experience as an intelligence officer for the US Office of Strategic Services (OSS) in Asia. The book is set during World War II, many years before Child's stunning success as a celebrated chef and TV host. Starting as a very efficient file clerk, Julia finally convinces her boss to allow her to take on increasingly more important responsibilities, leading her to highly challenging--and often hair-raising--assignments in India, Ceylon, Burma, and eventually China.

Reading this book is an immersive experience. I felt many times that I was there with Julia, experiencing the sights, smells, language, and culture of the places she travels for her job during WWII. It becomes more of a mission than a job for Julia, as she observes deep suffering and unlikely joy, friendship and betrayal, and spends time with many memorable characters. Some will prove loyal, while others have their own agendas.

The prose is dense, the dialogue believable, and the stories unforgettable. I truly enjoyed learning about this lesser-known part of Julia's life. It was also entertaining to read about her early days with the man who would eventually be her husband, Paul Child (she didn't care for him at all when she met him!). The author is quick to emphasize that the book is, indeed, fiction, although based on solid, detailed research, but she has succeeded in writing a suspenseful, entertaining book that will appeal to both Julia Child fans and fans of historical novels.

My thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you so much for the ARC! I thought the storyline was great and loved this topic because it was something new to me. As a fan of Julia Child I felt like I learned so much while still being able to be immersed in a novel and not a history book. I enjoyed the descriptions but I did find the writing to lack cohesiveness and it felt disjointed.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you so much for the ARC! I really enjoyed this book as it had me hooked from the beginning. This was such a beautiful story and I loved the storyline. It was very well written and the description of the main characters was amazing. I cannot wait to read other books written by this author.

Was this review helpful?