Girls on the Line brings to vivid life the unknown story of American women who served on the front lines of World War I as telephone operators, working under shellfire and exhaustion to keep front-line officers connected during battle. Philadelphia socialite Ruby battles family disapproval to volunteer at the front, finding camaraderie and sisterhood among her fellow operators who risk their lives as much as any soldier, and fight to be accepted as soldiers in their own right. Runyan illuminates these little-known women of the past in a moving tale of female solidarity and courage.” —Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Alice Network
“A worthy war narrative with a strong, likable female lead and a solid supporting cast.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Runyan’s book represents the best of historical fiction…[Girls on the Line] is about the power of female friendship and feminism, as these women fight for equal rights and recognition. The pages crackle with history, the story of the unsung heroines of WWI, comradery, and finding the courage to be your true self.” —Historical Novel Society
“An intriguing and original novel inspired by the female telephone operators of WWI, Girls on the Line will delight fans of historical fiction. Now is the time for stories about strong, courageous women, and through her heroine, Ruby Wagner, Aimie K. Runyan crafts an absorbing tribute to a group of extraordinary women who played a vital role in the war.” —Hazel Gaynor, New York Times bestselling author
“Once again Aimie K. Runyan shines a much-deserved spotlight on unsung female heroes in history. Set during the First World War, Girls on the Line follows the arduous journey of an army telephone operator forced to navigate a world of codes and spies and the complexities of love. Brimming with strong women who are easy to root for, this story of loyalty and sacrifice make for an inspiring, heartfelt read.” —Kristina McMorris, New York Times bestselling author of The Edge of Lost
“Runyan brings America’s first women soldiers back to life in a heartfelt tale of love, loss, heroism, and war.” —Elizabeth Cobbs, author of The Hello Girls
2018-10-02
A young woman from the Philadelphia Main Line region joins the U.S. Army Signal Corps as a telephone operator during World War I in Runyan's (Daughters of the Night Sky, 2017, etc.) historical novel.
Readers first meet Ruby Wagner in early December 1917. She's helping her mother host a high-society get-together of women knitting socks and scarves for the troops overseas. Ruby's enlisted brother, Francis, is in France, as is her fiance, Nathaniel Morgan. Both families encourage the engagement, although Ruby isn't as excited about it: "He was kind and quick to laugh, and most importantly to Mother, he was from an old and respectable family," she explains. "If he slid over to the pompous and boring side of things at times, it seemed of little consequence." But before the afternoon ends, the Wagner family receives a dreaded yellow telegram: Francis has been killed in action. A few weeks later, Ruby, who'd been working shifts as an operator at the Pennsylvania Bell Company Central Office, decides that she must do more to help the war effort. The U.S. Army is looking for phone operators to work with the troops overseas, and Ruby is selected to become the chief operator of the First Telephone Group. This will change her life forever. Ruby proves to be a fine narrator for this engaging novel. In it, Runyan depicts a lesser-known story of heroism and courage during World War I, and she packs it with enough action to keep readers turning pages without submerging them in the throes of grisly battles. Ruby's long hours at the Central headquarters in Chaumont, a few miles from the front lines, are interspersed with scenes of romance, possible espionage, and welcome moments of levity. The women of the First Telephone Group are also revealed to possess impressive skills as the story goes on; they're not only bilingual, but also able to memorize complicated codes that change from day to day—and sometimes within just a few hours.
A worthy war narrative with a strong, likable female lead and a solid supporting cast.
