“I need a reason,’ he said, ‘to go to the train station. Something to look forward to about that day.’ She didn’t know it, but felt it; Ares, you where the man seated in the row behind them. The War and all it’s finality prying it’s colds fingers in between them. ‘Besides,’ he said, ‘if I kiss you before then, I may never get on that train.‘

Lovely War is a novel about four characters who fall in love during the First World War told from the perspective of the Greek Gods Aphrodite, Ares, Apollo and Hades. It tells the lovely innocent first love between Hazel and James and the blooming love between Aubrey and Colette. All amidst the awful circumstances of War.

Who knew that this review would be so current with present war in Ukraine. It breaks my heart to see that war in this day and age is still existing. And that this novel speaks of themes that are currently felt by many human beings. This novel made the feelings of lovers who are separated because of a war so tangible; as well the injustice concerning the black regiments of the American Army during that war.
Although the book revolves around heavy themes it felt partly lighthearted. It completely swept me off my feet and let me fall in love alongside of these characters. It was heartbreaking but still so evidently light as the mentioned ‘Pathétique’ by Beethoven.
My only criticism about this book was the, in my opinion, little disorganized ending. But besides that a book that absolutely deserves more attention.