Lizzie's War - by Tim Farrington (Paperback)

About the Book

From the Back Cover

A family epic laced with authenticity, wit and unforgettable characters. Liz O'Reilly has a husband in Vietnam, 4 kids under the age of 12 (and one on the way), and a burgeoning crush on the family priest. An unconventional love story.

It's Summer 1967 and Mike O'Reilly's just shipped out to Vietnam. Liz O'Reilly is trying to keep it all together for their four kids - 6 year old Deb-Deb (who believes she is an otter), 8 year old Angus, Kathie, (who at age 9 helps to integrate the local Blue Bird troop with her best friend Temperance), and 11 year old Danny - the spitting image of Mike. While Mike is off fighting "his" war, Liz struggles with her own desires and yearnings - to pick up the theatre career she abandoned when Danny was born, to care for the four children she loves fiercely yet also occasionally resents, to leave the backdoor unlocked so she always has an escape route. While set during the conflict in Vietnam, Farrington's novel captures the other side of any war - that of the war at home and the careening emotions of the spouses and families left behind.

Review Quotes

"This is a work of deep humanity; its poetry and humor are added bonuses." - --Lorna Landvik, author of Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons and Oh My Stars

"A touching love story....Lizzie is smart, funny, acerbic, and lovable. Her story shot straight to my heart." - --Lolly Winston, author of Good Grief

"Farrington's urgent, moving narrative turns the war novel on its head . . . a captivating study of tenderness and blame." - The New Yorker

"[A] memorable novel about love, commitment and family during wartime." - The Oregonian (Portland)

"Featuring scenes from the home front as well as Southeast Asia, Farrington's family epic is compelling, honest, and poignant." - Pages Magazine

"Both a wry page-turner and a thoughtful investigation of what Christ may have meant when he said, "Love one another." - New York Times Book Review

"Throughout Lizzie's War, Farrington has an ear for the changing time signatures and keys of uncomfortable, revealing moments." - New York Newsday

"Farrington has woven such an idyllic family unit that nothing can undermine it....smooth writing, honest characters...." - Kirkus Reviews

"well-crafted... Farrington's graceful prose moves the engaging narrative along at a brisk clip...." - Publishers Weekly

"Farrington is a natural-born storyteller...A memorable family story told with wry humor and fluent prose." - Booklist