Editorial Review: White Feathersy Susan Lanigan

White Feathers

By Susan Lanigan

Publication Date: 21st March 2025

Publisher: Idée Fixe Press; 2nd edition

Page Length: 396 Pages

Genre: WWI Historical Romance / Historical Fiction

In 1913, Irish emigrée Eva Downey receives a bequest from an elderly suffragette to attend a finishing school. There she finds friendship and, eventually, love. But when war looms and he refuses to enlist, Eva is under family and social pressure to give the man she loves a white feather of cowardice. The decision she eventually makes will have lasting consequences for her and everyone around her.

Journey with Eva as she battles through a hostile social order and endeavours to resist it at every turn.

“Why do you think I didn’t tell my mother some girl gave me a white feather?”

A white feather, a symbol of disgrace and cowardness, is given to those not in uniform, regardless of their beliefs and health. There were so many feathers and so many men who went to war because of them.

Eva Downey is not like the rest of her family. She is honest, vulnerable, and in love. But one little white feather sets off a chain of events that will alter not only her life, but those she loves, forever. 

Unforgettable characters and masterful storytelling make Susan Lanigan’s “White Feathers” a captivating historical romance encompassing the full spectrum of human emotion. Set against the backdrop of World War I, this novel is so engrossing that you’ll stay up all night to finish it. 

The reader first meets Eva Downey as she is on her way to the prestigious Links School for Young Ladies. She’s recently inherited a remarkable legacy from Lady Elizabeth Jenkins, who had once been described as “The New Feminist”, with whom she had met and subsequently wrote an article for entitled, “A Jolly Night Out Hiding from the Census Man.” This unexpected windfall not only promises to alter her future but also ignites a fierce conflict within her family. Her self-centred and abusive stepmother, Catherine, views the money as a personal insult, especially since her own daughter, Grace, cannot attend the school due to financial constraints. The tumultuous clashes with her domineering stepmother and scheming stepsister throughout this book immerse Eva in a world of emotional turmoil, causing a profound sense of distress and altering the trajectory of her life in a way she could never have anticipated. Her father always sides with Catherine just to keep the peace, and the reader cannot help but despise him for his cowardness. Ironically, if anyone was deserving of a white feather, it would be him. Eva’s sister, Imelda, is the only member of her family in which she has any sort of normal relationship with. As the narrative unfolds, Eva finds herself continually faced with a relentless barrage from members of her family that are not only abusive, both emotionally and physically, but challenges her resilience. Blackmail is not above her stepmother and stepsister, and Eva really struggles to balance what she wants with what her stepmother and stepsister does. 

Eva’s character resonates deeply with readers, creating an almost physical connection. Initially, she appears resilient. However, hidden behind her brave exterior is a deep longing for love. It is a yearning that unexpectedly leads her to find it. Her beau, while captivating in his own way, brings with him an unsettling power imbalance and a tempest of uncontrolled emotions. The dynamic of subtle emotional abuse manifests with Eva suffering the consequences of his frustrations. His inability to manage his feelings spills over, casting a shadow over the tenderness she craves. Eva, tragically accustomed to blame, accepts this unjust guilt unquestioningly. Eva’s naivety and inexperience with love leave her incredibly vulnerable, making readers desperately hope his feelings for her are genuine. As their relationship evolves, a delicate bond begins to blossom, revealing layers of connection that defy their difference, particularly their age gap and how they met. Their intertwined lives, full of tension and warmth, pull readers into the complexities of their love story. The reader intuitively understands that, regardless of their affection, this love will inevitably lead to greater pain for both of them. Despite its poignant beauty, their flawed love story is ultimately overshadowed by the harsh realities of the world in which they live in.

Sybil is the one true constant in Eva’s life. Having met at Links School for Young Ladies, their relationship soon develops into a profound friendship. Sybil’s heart is rooted in kindness and compassion. When Eva does not have a dress to wear to a ball, Sybil makes one. She possesses an innate desire to guide her friend, gently steering Eva toward the paths that lead to her best self. The story shows Sybil’s evolution from school friend to confidante, steadfastly supporting Eva without judgment. In times of uncertainty, she offers comforting reassurance, gently reminding the reader that love comes in many forms. Despite her serene demeanour, Sybil’s life story is one of profound challenges and heartache. She is not immune from abuse, either. This discovery highlights a painful truth that money can’t buy happiness or remove pain, contradicting the belief that it solves all problems. Together, Eva and Sybil navigate their intertwined journeys, finding solace in their friendship as they confront the complexities of their lives.

The theme of cowardness is explored time and time again, throughout this novel. The symbolism of the white feather becomes something more than a symbol. It is a cohesive use of persuasion. No man wants to be tarnished with the word coward, no matter what their circumstances. Catherine and Grace are caught up in the whirlwind of judgment and condemnation, and the white feather allows them to act in public as they do inside their own home. Grace, in particular, uses the white feather as a form of blackmail to get what she wants, although the readers often question why she is so desperate to achieve her aims. Is it just pure vindictiveness, or is it something else? The symbolism then carries forward to the war itself, where carrier pigeons are the unsung heroes of the war, despite their feathers.  

Eva’s life is marked by repeated setbacks, culminating in her fleeing her reality by becoming a nurse in the war. Lanigan fearlessly delves into humanity’s shadows, crafting an atmosphere thick with pressure, grimness, and quiet despair. As the country becomes embroiled in war, the harsh realities of the conflict are depicted with historical accuracy, skill, and diligence to the era. The fear faced by soldiers as they attempt to cross “no man’s land”, along with the dire consequences if they refuse to go, is portrayed with painful clarity. Similarly, the experience of working in a field hospital is illustrated with masterful detail. The long hours filled with waiting and listening to the sounds of battle, all while knowing that soon the wards will be overwhelmed with wounded and dying men, certainly made for a compelling, if not disturbing, read. Descriptions of suffering, death, and the relentless workload for nurses and doctors evoke a sense of bleakness and despair, raising the question: Why are men repeatedly sent “over the top” when the results are always the same? Lanigan also demonstrates a clear understanding of mental health issues, particularly shell shock, which modern readers would recognise as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The characters in this novel respond differently to how they process the horrific events and the deaths of their friends. While some characters rely on humour to cope with trauma, others take practical steps, whereas the unfortunate get trapped in relentless flashbacks and fear, reliving their most horrific moments over and over again. The plot grows more complex with figures such as Brigadier McCrum, who shows complete indifference toward Osborne House patients and their mental health. In his mind, he holds vengeful thoughts, and he behaves in a physically brutal manner. He has never seen the atrocities the patients experienced but orders them to return to combat immediately, even when they remain unfit for duty. Through his actions, the book prompts readers to reflect on the true enemy while questioning why these young men were used as mere cannon fodder.

With its captivating storyline and immersive setting, “White Feathers” by Susan Lanigan comes highly recommended to fans of World War I historical romance and historical fiction.

Review by Mary Anne Yarde

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Susan Lanigan

I graduated from Trinity College Dublin with a degree in English and History in the late 90s, then pursued a Graduate Diploma in I.T. in Dublin City University and a Masters in Writing in NUI Galway.

My first novel White Feathers, a tale of passion, betrayal and war, was selected as one of the final ten in the Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair, 2013, and published in 2014 by Brandon Books. The book won critical acclaim and was shortlisted for the UK Romantic Novel of the Year Award in 2015.

My second novel, Lucia’s War, also concerning WWI as well as race, music and motherhood, was published in June 2020 and has been named as the Coffee Pot Book Club Honourable Mention in the Modern Historical Book of the Year Award.

Connect with Susan:

Website

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