War Flower

By: Mary-Anne O'Connor

Narrated by: Miranda Nation

The 1960s are beating a fresh pulse of political and cultural upheaval through Sydney.

For sheltered convent schoolgirl Poppy Flannery such changes seem irrelevant. But it doesn't stop her from longing to join in, especially if it means spending time with the popular boy she secretly loves, Ben Williamson. So when a dream escape to Surfers Paradise arrives, Poppy and her twin sister Rosemary seize it and find themselves in the midst of the swinging 60s at last.

Rosemary embraces their new life with a vengeance, discovering drugs, boys and radical politics in a haze of parties, music festivals and protest marches. But such freedom is stolen when Rosemary's great love, Angus, is sent to Vietnam, along with Ben.

Soon a war fought thousands of kilometres away will arrive on the twins' door in the form of orphaned refugee Thuy. As many more victims begin to appear, including shattered versions of Australian soldiers, they must decide how far they will go for the men they adore, and ask themselves whether love is really all you need.

©2017 Mary-Anne O'Connor (P)2026 Bolinda Publishing

Critic reviews

'A roller-coaster of emotions. One minute it'll have you laughing; the next you'll be heartbroken. It's that good.' (Good Reading Magazine)

'Mary-Anne O'Connor writes a great love story, and War Flower is no exception.' (Better Reading)