Lovely War
Caution. Age: 15+. A Catholic review of this book for parents.
Our review
A beautiful, sorrowful book about love tested by war and racism. The young lovers are brave, loyal and kind, and they choose others over themselves. That is real charity. But Greek gods tell the story, and Aphrodite's adultery is the frame, played with sympathy. Love itself becomes a kind of god. A formed teen can enjoy it; a parent should name what is myth and what is true.
For parents
Not a read-aloud. Independent reading from 15; Common Sense Media says 13 and Redeemed Reader says 15. There is war violence, racist murders and a briefly described sexual assault. Ask whether Aphrodite's kind of love is the love of 1 Corinthians 13. Ask who really holds our lives when men make war.