Bird's Eye View

I have enjoyed all the author's books, including this one. I learned a lot from it.

My mother served in the U.S. Women’s Army Corps in WWII. She told me many stories, but “Bird’s Eye View” expanded on those by inspiring me to think of things I hadn’t before, like homesickness and everyday relationships with those who served with her, which were certainly good and bad, like we all have with coworkers. I want to give particular mention, and thanks, to the narrator, Francine Brody. She embodies the lead character of Rose beautifully, bringing her to life in a way that made me care deeply, sometimes painfully, about any difficulties she may be experiencing, and even greater joy when celebrating Rose’s triumphs. She does equally as well with the many other characters in the book, not just with a variety of voices, but imbuing each with a distinct and memorable personality. I’ll be looking for more works narrated by Ms. Brody.

Rose Jolliffe is a young Canadian woman who lives in a small Saskatchewan town called Touchwood. She’s naive and inexperienced but smart enough to brazen her way into a job at the local newspaper. She longs to join the military to participate in Canadians helping to win the war like her brother and male friends. Finally she finds a way to pay her own way to England and join the Royal Air Force. Along the way she finds some discrimination against Canadians and struggles to represent her country well. Rose becomes part of a unit assigned to perform photographic interpretations of aerial photos taken on spy and bombing runs. It is important work as it helps determine troop movements, defenses, damage, and other strategic fighting information. Rose has an exceptional gift of interpretation, helped along by her growing up in a rural community and her photographic work at the newspaper job. Rose suffers from loneliness and from the losses and deprivations of war, making mistakes in love and friendship along the way. But each experience contributes to her growing into a capable and centered woman who makes major contributions to the war effort through her skillful detective interpretations. For example, Rose figures out there are many more troops in a location than it appears in the photographic evidence because one building doesn’t have snow on the roof as it should – the warm bodies inside have caused the snow to melt, as Rose has seen on the cattle barn at home. “Bird’s Eye View” is the story of Rose growing up in the tense atmosphere of a world at war. Many are the back-breaking hours the interpreters put in to discover the tiniest out of place feature of a photo. The reader is given fascinating insights as to the little-known photographic interpretation activities, all done with black and white photographs until close to the end of the war. Many of the war’s secrets were kept or uncovered by the aerial interpreters. It’s worth a read just to enter the world of interpreters. This is author Elinor Florence’s first novel, and I say well done. I approached “Bird’s Eye View” with reservations because the first pages seemed ‘girlie’. Was this going to be a naive girl’s romance story? Not my cup of tea. But the naivety disappeared as the story and Rose grew, and in the end Rose seemed a fully formed character worthy of our reading time. Her Canadian viewpoint was also a plus. Most importantly, I found myself caught up in the fascinating world of aerial photographic interpretation and wanting to know more.

The story of Rose's experiences during the Second World War had me engaged from the start. The characters are charming and likeable, and drew me in to the time and place easily. I'm not a history buff, and I find the only way I can get interested in reading about history is through individual narratives, whether real or fictional. This book gave me the exact mix of personal tale and accurate historical details to keep me entertained but also improve my knowledge along the way. Rose's job as a photographic interpreter sounds absolutely fascinating and was an aspect of war work about which I previously knew very little. Naturally there are plenty of moments of confronting sadness and the horrors of war, but there was also hope, humour and happiness to balance it out. I thoroughly enjoyed Bird's Eye View, and would recommend it to anyone after an engaging personal narrative about WWII that doesn't require you to already know your history to enjoy it!

I enjoyed Bird's Eye View by Elinor Florence very much. Being a Saskatchewan girl myself, I could easily visualize the landscape of Touchwood Hills. But, even if you weren't from the prairies, Elinor's descriptive words would certainly take you there. The war years are brought alive from the view point of Rose, a young woman eager to serve her country, even before it was possible. Once in Britain, her life becomes alive with love, death, friendships of varying degrees and her work in deciphering photographs for Europe. There is never a dull moment and I found myself reading too late into the night. I did wish for one more chapter, but having thought more about that, I believe I know enough about Rose and her situation after WW2 to make up an ending for myself. The book ended where it should have and I can continue with my thoughts and ideas for ever.

The novel is well written; well crafted and very interesting. Set during the Second World War, we follow the life of Rose Jolliffe as she sets sail from her home in Canada, having joined the Women's Auxiliary Air Force, becoming a photographic interpretor, studying aerial photographs. Stationed at Medmenham, a grand and imposing former country home, she learns very quickly, becoming skilled at spotting 'discrepancies' in the landscape, viewing from above. One of her discoveries just happens to be the V1 rocket. Having also said 'goodbye' to her childhood friend, Charlie, in Canada when he joined the RCAF, she bumps into him in England, where he is now a pilot with a bomber crew. Their last farewell had involved a kiss at the station but only because Rose sensed that was what Charlie was hoping for. But now, seeing him again, she discovers a new side to him. He's grown up, he's changed and he's rather good looking. He's also very polite and caring and very good company. Rose eventually comes to her senses, leaving behind a very bad choice of a relationship with a married man and finally falls for Charlie. Will it be a happy ending? You'll have to read it and see, There are some excellent plot lines and the characters are all very well drawn. Place is also excellent and the reader is transported back in time, both in Canada and England. The author has clearly done her research on everything and this is very evident throughout the novel. The protagonist, Rose, is in a sense naive, but not for long. She grows up quickly like so many of that generation, facing the brutal reality of war and of loss. The novel is well paced and propels you forward, willing you to read on. I've read dozens of historical fiction books (probably hundreds) and 'Bird's Eye View' really does deserve its own niche in the book store, and is by far a deserving read. As an historical fiction book, it is truly worth taking a gamble on as it's interesting and there's the hint of romance thrown into the mix. And you never know, you might learn something new. I did.

This is the best book I have read in years. After reading so many books based in wartime from an English perspective it was wonderful to read a Canadian based book. Incredibly well researched. It had me gripped from the beginning. I have sobbed alongside Rose. Her war story is so believable. My only negative thought us of Fowler. Silly man. Where did he get a new nightie from? I'm not going to give anything away but when you read what she does with her tin if Canadian soil I believe you will cry as well.

I recently purchased this book on Amazon as it was our book group choice. Our members enjoyed the book thoroughly as it combined a good storyline with engaging Canadian wartime history. The author's blog on WW II is fascinating and compliments the book. Discussions of the book led some of us to recount stories of our parents, uncles etc. who served in the war.

A well-written and carefully researched novel. We had family living in London throughout WW2 and our father was a bomber pilot for the RCAF, and this story brings this time to life for us in a way that's compelling and unique. Aviation and history buffs we've spoken with at one of her personal appearances here in Alberta were impressed with her attention to accurate detail. We've been pleased to give copies as gifts and to recommend it for purchase, and we're looking forward to Ms Florence's next project, but in the meantime we appreciate reading her regular blog entries that extend our knowledge of this period. Well done!