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The Secret War of Julia Child
Before she mastered the art of French cooking in midlife, Julia Child found herself working in the secrets trade in Asia during World War II, a journey that will delight both historical fiction fans and lovers of America's most beloved chef, revealing how the war made her into the icon we know now.
Single, 6 foot 2, and thirty years old, Julia McWilliams took a job working for America's first espionage agency, years before cooking or Paris entered the picture. The Secret War of Julia Child traces Julia's transformation from ambitious Pasadena blue blood to Washington, DC file clerk, to head of General "Wild Bill" Donovan's secret File Registry as part of the Office of Strategic Services.
The wartime journey takes her to the Far East, to Asia's remote frontlines of then-Ceylon, India, and China, where she finds purpose, adventure, self-knowledge – and love with mapmaker Paul Child. The spotlight has rarely shone on this fascinating period of time in the life of ("I'm not a spy") Julia Child, and this lyrical story allows us to explore the unlikely world of a woman in World War II spy station who has no idea of the impact she'll eventually impart.
Single, 6 foot 2, and thirty years old, Julia McWilliams took a job working for America's first espionage agency, years before cooking or Paris entered the picture. The Secret War of Julia Child traces Julia's transformation from ambitious Pasadena blue blood to Washington, DC file clerk, to head of General "Wild Bill" Donovan's secret File Registry as part of the Office of Strategic Services.
The wartime journey takes her to the Far East, to Asia's remote frontlines of then-Ceylon, India, and China, where she finds purpose, adventure, self-knowledge – and love with mapmaker Paul Child. The spotlight has rarely shone on this fascinating period of time in the life of ("I'm not a spy") Julia Child, and this lyrical story allows us to explore the unlikely world of a woman in World War II spy station who has no idea of the impact she'll eventually impart.
389 pages, Paperback
First published October 22, 2024
2260 people are currently reading
15583 people want to read
About the author
Diana R. Chambers
4 books132 followersDiana R. Chambers was born with a book in one hand and a passport in the other. After studying Asian Art History at university, she worked at a Paris translation agency, then it was off to India to open an exporting business. She is an experienced scriptwriter, and her research has led her around the world. Her novel, The Secret War of Julia Child, inspired by Julia's OSS service in WWII Asia, is due out from Sourcebooks Landmark October 22, 2024.
Diana lives in Northern California and Aix-en-Provence, France with her fellow-traveler husband and artist daughter. Marco Polo, their feral cat, comes and goes. She is still searching for the perfect suitcase. Join her at DianaRChambers.com. Instagram @dianarc1.
facebook.com/DianaChambersAuthor. twitter.com/DianaRChambers.
Diana lives in Northern California and Aix-en-Provence, France with her fellow-traveler husband and artist daughter. Marco Polo, their feral cat, comes and goes. She is still searching for the perfect suitcase. Join her at DianaRChambers.com. Instagram @dianarc1.
facebook.com/DianaChambersAuthor. twitter.com/DianaRChambers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 810 reviews
October 6, 2024
'The men had always had a chance to serve, but now the women did, too.'
Before the Julia Child became the original master chef that we all know, she was employed by the OSS office during the final years of WW2. During that time, she was transferred to the Pacific theatre of the war - first to Ceylon and then on to India. She also met her husband, Paul Child, while posted overseas.
'The Secret War of Julia Child' is an imagining of what Julia's work and life might have been like during these key years, at the closing of WW2. The book is very well-researched and descriptive over the sites, sounds and landscape of the exotic environment in which she finds herself. However, I found some of the pacing slow at times and the continued vacillation of her feelings over Paul Child (who clearly became her husband eventually) frustrating. Although all historical fiction is imagined to some extent, I was personally disappointed to learn some of the biggest events in this book were entirely made up. Despite the author being at pains to highlight this is a work of fiction, some might believe Julia Child’s experiences to be more than what they may have.
All in all though, this is a good read. Julia Child was a unique lady with a zest for life and I enjoyed getting to know her beyond her chef capabilities. I also enjoyed learning more about the war fought over the Pacific. I just wish I hadn’t tried to reconcile it with what may have been Julia’s life.
'I guess that's what war is - countless human stories, of which we can never know'.
Before the Julia Child became the original master chef that we all know, she was employed by the OSS office during the final years of WW2. During that time, she was transferred to the Pacific theatre of the war - first to Ceylon and then on to India. She also met her husband, Paul Child, while posted overseas.
'The Secret War of Julia Child' is an imagining of what Julia's work and life might have been like during these key years, at the closing of WW2. The book is very well-researched and descriptive over the sites, sounds and landscape of the exotic environment in which she finds herself. However, I found some of the pacing slow at times and the continued vacillation of her feelings over Paul Child (who clearly became her husband eventually) frustrating. Although all historical fiction is imagined to some extent, I was personally disappointed to learn some of the biggest events in this book were entirely made up. Despite the author being at pains to highlight this is a work of fiction, some might believe Julia Child’s experiences to be more than what they may have.
All in all though, this is a good read. Julia Child was a unique lady with a zest for life and I enjoyed getting to know her beyond her chef capabilities. I also enjoyed learning more about the war fought over the Pacific. I just wish I hadn’t tried to reconcile it with what may have been Julia’s life.
'I guess that's what war is - countless human stories, of which we can never know'.
October 21, 2024
The Secret War of Julia Child concentrates on her life-time-period before becoming the famous chef; she had a passion to serve her nation.
Julia moved from California to DC where she got her first job at Research Department during WWII. She was quickly elevated to more secret positions, but instead of sitting behind a desk, she craved to be in the field. As a lifelong reader of mysteries and spy novels, she craved hands on action. Her persistence led her to an assignment in Asia.
The story depicts well the spirit of Julia, her hunger for adventure, determination, courage, loyalty, and doing good. She dreamed big, taking giant steps. She wasn’t afraid to apply for something she didn’t have experience in. And she was persistent in achieving whatever she set her mind to.
The author did an extensive research. However, there are some gaps in Julia’s story and filled with writer’s creative imagination.
At times, the story is quite descriptive, making the pace slow.
Nevertheless, it was interesting to learn more about this period and Julia’s contribution, especially when she is primarily known as celebrity chef. This story shows a different side of her, not diminishing her lively spirit.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Julia moved from California to DC where she got her first job at Research Department during WWII. She was quickly elevated to more secret positions, but instead of sitting behind a desk, she craved to be in the field. As a lifelong reader of mysteries and spy novels, she craved hands on action. Her persistence led her to an assignment in Asia.
The story depicts well the spirit of Julia, her hunger for adventure, determination, courage, loyalty, and doing good. She dreamed big, taking giant steps. She wasn’t afraid to apply for something she didn’t have experience in. And she was persistent in achieving whatever she set her mind to.
The author did an extensive research. However, there are some gaps in Julia’s story and filled with writer’s creative imagination.
At times, the story is quite descriptive, making the pace slow.
Nevertheless, it was interesting to learn more about this period and Julia’s contribution, especially when she is primarily known as celebrity chef. This story shows a different side of her, not diminishing her lively spirit.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 25, 2024
Julia McWilliams refers to herself as a spinster, she’s thirty years old, tall for a woman at six foot two inches, and her mother Caro made sure her daughter knew to wait for the one and she’s starting to think she won’t find him.
Julia’s a file clerk for General William Donovan at the Office of Strategic Services in Washington D. C. and she's transferred to the Far East, here’s she’s works for the OSS’s classified communications stations and is part of an espionage agency, looking for spy’s who are passing on information to the Japanese and it could be anyone.
During her time in Kandy, Ceylon, India and Kunming, China, places at frontline of the war in Asia, Julia tries to work out who she can trust, she makes friends with other OSS staff, and she prays one of them isn’t the person leaking information. Julia embraces the sights, sounds, food, and culture of the places she visits, not so much the smells and her heart breaks for the poor locals. Julia’s certainly a one of a kind, she doesn’t shy away from danger, going on adventures, and she’s shows courage, bravery and spirit and certainly is loyal to her country and wants to help end the war.
The two other characters from the narrative that stood out for me were, mapmaker Paul Child and Jemadar Deepak Binoy of the 14th Army and Indian Soldier.
I received a copy of The Secret War of Julia Child from Sourcebooks and Edelweiss Plus in exchange for an honest review. The author Diana R. Chambers spent ten years researching Julia McWilliams before writing her novel, I had really high expectations for this book and it has the most stunning cover.
I’m Australian and I had heard of Julia, she’s an interesting woman, a trail blazer, one of a kind and goes on to be famous American television identity and chef and not bad for a woman who could barely boil water in her thirties.
I found the narrative moved at a very slow pace, it’s very easy to lose interest in the novel and despite being about a wonderful and inspirational woman like Julia McWilliams Childs and what she might have done during the Second World War and while she was living and in serving her country in the Far East. I know it’s classed as historical fiction but I feel overall the story lacked oomph, something Julia certainly had, maybe other readers found what I missed and three stars from me.
Julia’s a file clerk for General William Donovan at the Office of Strategic Services in Washington D. C. and she's transferred to the Far East, here’s she’s works for the OSS’s classified communications stations and is part of an espionage agency, looking for spy’s who are passing on information to the Japanese and it could be anyone.
During her time in Kandy, Ceylon, India and Kunming, China, places at frontline of the war in Asia, Julia tries to work out who she can trust, she makes friends with other OSS staff, and she prays one of them isn’t the person leaking information. Julia embraces the sights, sounds, food, and culture of the places she visits, not so much the smells and her heart breaks for the poor locals. Julia’s certainly a one of a kind, she doesn’t shy away from danger, going on adventures, and she’s shows courage, bravery and spirit and certainly is loyal to her country and wants to help end the war.
The two other characters from the narrative that stood out for me were, mapmaker Paul Child and Jemadar Deepak Binoy of the 14th Army and Indian Soldier.
I received a copy of The Secret War of Julia Child from Sourcebooks and Edelweiss Plus in exchange for an honest review. The author Diana R. Chambers spent ten years researching Julia McWilliams before writing her novel, I had really high expectations for this book and it has the most stunning cover.
I’m Australian and I had heard of Julia, she’s an interesting woman, a trail blazer, one of a kind and goes on to be famous American television identity and chef and not bad for a woman who could barely boil water in her thirties.
I found the narrative moved at a very slow pace, it’s very easy to lose interest in the novel and despite being about a wonderful and inspirational woman like Julia McWilliams Childs and what she might have done during the Second World War and while she was living and in serving her country in the Far East. I know it’s classed as historical fiction but I feel overall the story lacked oomph, something Julia certainly had, maybe other readers found what I missed and three stars from me.
October 21, 2024
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
All opinions are my own.
I did not enjoy this. This book badly needs to be edited, as there were several continuity and plot errors throughout. I thought there were too many characters and it was too difficult to keep them straight. Ditto for dialogue. As other reviewers have noted, it was often hard to determine which character was speaking. I like the idea of a historical fiction novel based on Julia Child's wartime efforts, but this just missed the mark. I was bored and wished I had picked up a nonfiction version of her story instead.
I would not recommend this to others.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC!
All opinions are my own.
I did not enjoy this. This book badly needs to be edited, as there were several continuity and plot errors throughout. I thought there were too many characters and it was too difficult to keep them straight. Ditto for dialogue. As other reviewers have noted, it was often hard to determine which character was speaking. I like the idea of a historical fiction novel based on Julia Child's wartime efforts, but this just missed the mark. I was bored and wished I had picked up a nonfiction version of her story instead.
I would not recommend this to others.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC!
October 23, 2024
Two and a half stars.
I loved Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen and the recent TV series about Julia Child so when I saw this fictionalised account of Julia's WW2 experience in the OSS and meeting Paul Child I was eager to request an ARC from NetGalley.
Julia McWilliams was working as a Washington file clerk during WW2, in control of the File Registry for the head of the OSS, "Wild Bill" Donovan. Eager to become an agent, Julia successfully petitions/manoeuvres Donovan into letting her set up the File Registry in India, which leads her to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Singapore, Burma, and China.
All I can express about this is disappointment. I feel like Diana Chambers has done a lot of research, reading biographies and autobiographies of many of the characters in this book, but then in the afterword she says Julia might have done X, or seen Y, or could have done Z - so the reader feels like basically all the interesting things are totally fictitious. Added to which this reads like a slightly superficial factual account, maybe an outline for a film, or a historical text written for a younger audience. So now I don't know how much (if anything) is real and how much is fiction, and if it is fiction why is it so dry? The 'romance' between Julia and Paul is dreadful, he comes across as having a superiority complex and she comes across as desperate. Overall, this felt like it missed the mark on both fact and fiction, I didn't learn anything about Julia Child's earlier life because I can't tell what the author made up, and the fiction wasn't enjoyable.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
Bumped for release.
I loved Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen and the recent TV series about Julia Child so when I saw this fictionalised account of Julia's WW2 experience in the OSS and meeting Paul Child I was eager to request an ARC from NetGalley.
Julia McWilliams was working as a Washington file clerk during WW2, in control of the File Registry for the head of the OSS, "Wild Bill" Donovan. Eager to become an agent, Julia successfully petitions/manoeuvres Donovan into letting her set up the File Registry in India, which leads her to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Singapore, Burma, and China.
All I can express about this is disappointment. I feel like Diana Chambers has done a lot of research, reading biographies and autobiographies of many of the characters in this book, but then in the afterword she says Julia might have done X, or seen Y, or could have done Z - so the reader feels like basically all the interesting things are totally fictitious. Added to which this reads like a slightly superficial factual account, maybe an outline for a film, or a historical text written for a younger audience. So now I don't know how much (if anything) is real and how much is fiction, and if it is fiction why is it so dry? The 'romance' between Julia and Paul is dreadful, he comes across as having a superiority complex and she comes across as desperate. Overall, this felt like it missed the mark on both fact and fiction, I didn't learn anything about Julia Child's earlier life because I can't tell what the author made up, and the fiction wasn't enjoyable.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
Bumped for release.
June 15, 2024
Like me, you may only know Julia Child as the master chef with a sing-song voice who brought French cooking to the masses. Did you know that she also served as a spy for the Office of Strategic Services, the precursor to the CIA? It was her intelligence work that led Julia Carolyn Williams from Pasadena, California, to her passion for food and to meeting her husband, fellow spy, Paul Child.
After being turned down for several positions, Julia gains employment as a file clerk in the Office of Strategic Services. Her panache for detail and organization results in her boss, Wild Bill Donovan, dispatching her to India. From here, Julia’s skills become indispensable and she’s soon sent to Ceylon, Burma and into China. Author Diana R. Chambers shows readers what Julia Child’s life may have been like prior to becoming the Julia Child we all know and love.
Chambers’ extraordinary worldbuilding allowed me to keep turning the pages. I was tantalized by her vivid descriptions of customs, cuisine, geography, flora/fauna, sights, and sounds. This book really is a feast for the senses; I instantly felt the crushing humidity and became aware of the raucous turmoil of busy Bombay! Chambers’ makes her readers aware of India and China’s contributions to WW2 as she attempts to frame possible paths Julia’s life took while involved in clandestine operations overseas.
This character-driven foray into the fictional wartime experiences of an infamous chef does have some pacing issues that had me skimming and some moments where I had to suspend disbelief. I also had to keep on my toes with the large cast of characters and try not to get too frustrated with the OSS Mapmaker’s character!
I was gifted this copy by Sourcebooks and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
After being turned down for several positions, Julia gains employment as a file clerk in the Office of Strategic Services. Her panache for detail and organization results in her boss, Wild Bill Donovan, dispatching her to India. From here, Julia’s skills become indispensable and she’s soon sent to Ceylon, Burma and into China. Author Diana R. Chambers shows readers what Julia Child’s life may have been like prior to becoming the Julia Child we all know and love.
Chambers’ extraordinary worldbuilding allowed me to keep turning the pages. I was tantalized by her vivid descriptions of customs, cuisine, geography, flora/fauna, sights, and sounds. This book really is a feast for the senses; I instantly felt the crushing humidity and became aware of the raucous turmoil of busy Bombay! Chambers’ makes her readers aware of India and China’s contributions to WW2 as she attempts to frame possible paths Julia’s life took while involved in clandestine operations overseas.
This character-driven foray into the fictional wartime experiences of an infamous chef does have some pacing issues that had me skimming and some moments where I had to suspend disbelief. I also had to keep on my toes with the large cast of characters and try not to get too frustrated with the OSS Mapmaker’s character!
I was gifted this copy by Sourcebooks and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
December 9, 2024
The Secret War of Julia Child by Diane R. Chambers is a Historical Fiction novel about another side of Julia Child’s life aside from her cooking and recipes. During World War II, she worked as an intelligence officer for the Office of Strategic Services. The novel writes of vivid description of wartime intrigue, personal growth, and her wit. The story is set during World War II, spanning the early 1940s to 1945. This period follows Julia’s time with the OSS and her work in various locations around the world as part of the Allies. The novel also goes into how she met her husband, her fears and early feelings as Paul Child’s starts romancing her
May 12, 2024
Sadly, I did not love this one. I love Julia Child and her book, My Life in France, so I hoped that this would give me insight into her life before France and her time serving in WWII. It started off so well, with Julia efficiently saving an intel package from an operative detained in the hospital, delivering the package just minutes before the train and her counterpart departed. She fought for, and received, an assignment in India from her boss, Wild Bill Donovan. Her ship voyage was adventurous, narrowly escaping an incoming German torpedo, and upon her arrival in Bombay they were met by an explosion in the port. But then she arrived in Kandy and the book slowed to a crawl. She is supposed to spy on the British and ferret out a mole but a lot more time is spent covering the flirting and romantic entanglements of the various women that Julia worked with. This is also where we first meet Paul Child, Julia’s future husband, and too much is made of his awkward ways and her instant dislike of him. There were far too many characters to keep track of and the dialogue felt unnatural and it was often unclear what character was speaking. The plotting was uneven and in need of editing. In one chapter, Julia is released from the hospital after a bout with dengue fever while her colleague, Jane, was entering the hospital with the same illness and yet just a few paragraphs later Jane is found back at the base speaking with Julia in the office. I thought I had missed something but then realized that it was an editing error when, several pages later, Jane is released from the hospital after a weeks stay. I skimmed much of the rest of the book. Sadly it wasn’t for me.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 2, 2024
The only facts that I ever knew about Julia Child was that she was known for her talent as a masterful chef. That was before I listened to the audiobook of The Secret War of Julia Child by Dian R. Chambers. Little did I realize, that in her thirties, Julia made contributions to the United States as a codebreaker for the OSS during World War II. Diana R. Chambers delved into her service years, into the insecurities she had with her height and her unmarried status when she served her country in both the Pacific and in India. I enjoyed the romance that eventually embraced both Julia and Paul Child, the mapmaker, who had also been commissioned by the OSS and served along side Julia and others. I found this newly found information about Julia’s service years, her family, her goals and desires very inspiring and informative. I enjoyed learning all these new things about a woman who I thought of only as a master chef. If you would enjoy learning new aspects about the woman called Julia Child then I recommend this book/audiobook to you highly.
Thank you to Tantor Audio for allowing me to listen to the audiobook The Secret War of Julia Child by Diana R. Chambers through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Tantor Audio for allowing me to listen to the audiobook The Secret War of Julia Child by Diana R. Chambers through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 9, 2025
To think this was the first book I read for 2025…it is just awful. I was so sick and tired of Julia’s “romances”, I only gutted through it to list it as a finish. I wonder what Julia would have thought of this nonsense piece of fiction. I think she’d be horrified.To make things worse, I chose the audio version. The reader trying to sound like Julia was beyond annoying. Happy New Year. I hope my next reads are far better.
January 9, 2025
How many of us grew up with a weekly dose of Julia Child quavering at us with unquestioned authority as to how to sling a meal together, how to sear meat, cut squash, stuff a turkey or sent us off with ironclad life lessons from her kitchen on public television? Not just a few of us. . .oh no, there are millions of us who have some version of Julia Child in our heads chortling, encouraging, moving us on when we are stuck (WWJCD?).
What The Secret War of Julia Child brought to me was Julia's life BEFORE all of that, before she put on her business apron and turned to all things culinary. She had a couple of entire lives before we knew her - for me it felt rather like the amazing moment I realized my own mother had a life before I landed in her lap. Who knew?!?
Diane Chambers book provided this reader (through both eyes and ears) an interesting and enjoyable fictional reimagining and fleshing out the bare facts of Julia's undercover years - where she did meet and work in service with Paul Child who changed her from a McWilliams to a Child by way of matrimonial vows. Bonus: The audiobook is narrated by Candace Joice who aces it with Julia's unique voice, Mack's Irish, and many other dialects.
*A sincere thank you to Diana R. Chambers, Sourcebooks, Tantor Audio and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #TheSecretWarofJuliaChild #NetGalley 25|52:21
What The Secret War of Julia Child brought to me was Julia's life BEFORE all of that, before she put on her business apron and turned to all things culinary. She had a couple of entire lives before we knew her - for me it felt rather like the amazing moment I realized my own mother had a life before I landed in her lap. Who knew?!?
Diane Chambers book provided this reader (through both eyes and ears) an interesting and enjoyable fictional reimagining and fleshing out the bare facts of Julia's undercover years - where she did meet and work in service with Paul Child who changed her from a McWilliams to a Child by way of matrimonial vows. Bonus: The audiobook is narrated by Candace Joice who aces it with Julia's unique voice, Mack's Irish, and many other dialects.
*A sincere thank you to Diana R. Chambers, Sourcebooks, Tantor Audio and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #TheSecretWarofJuliaChild #NetGalley 25|52:21
February 28, 2025
A fascinating account of Julia Child's time spent working for the OSS during WWII before she became the iconic television star we came to know and love.
May 14, 2024
I've read much about the life of the beloved chef, Julia Child, but not much about her time in the OSS during WWII, where she met her husband. Diana R. Chambers has captured Julia's indomitable spirit, intelligence, and fearlessness with heart and grace in this compelling narrative that will make histfic lovers cheer. Highly recommended!
May 9, 2025
Outstanding story and narration. Julia Child is so fascinating and this book told the story of her earlier years in Asia. I loved all the history. The descriptions were amazing and I could picture all of this in my mind. I was blessed with an ARC, and I’m voluntarily leaving my review.
October 22, 2024
2.5 stars
“𝐈 𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐫 𝐢𝐬—𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰.
The Secret War of Julia Child aims to tell about Julia McWilliams Child’s time in the Pacific theater as an OSS operative during WWII. The story is lengthy and slow-paced and while I enjoyed parts of the story, and the author’s research is evident, my biggest problem comes from the fact that she chose to sensationalize the story of a very well-known person. This is historical fiction, so some things are embellished; that's to be expected. However, as I read/listened, I thought many times that it seemed impossible for one person to have survived so many separate events (enemy attacks on land, sinking boat/only survivor, plane crash, etc). Sure enough, the author's note reveals that most of them were not true (but they could have happened was mentioned many times). Events like this happening in a story to an entirely fictional character in order to explain what was happening in that time period, yes, but to put a well-known, real person into situations you know she wasn't a part of just doesn't work for me. Her life as an OSS operative was interesting enough without placing her in multiple dramatic, sometimes tragic, events she simply wasn’t a part of.
Her romance with her future husband, Paul Child, whom she met while they both served overseas, was also frustrating. Does she or doesn’t she like him? She acted very juvenile about the entire relationship (she’s 30+ years old, by the way). Then, when it got physical, it was a little cringy to read about. I just feel like their love story deserved more.
Additionally, there were too many characters and it was difficult to keep track of them all.
I would honestly prefer to read a nonfiction account of her time in WWII.
The audio narration was good.
“𝐈 𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐫 𝐢𝐬—𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰.
The Secret War of Julia Child aims to tell about Julia McWilliams Child’s time in the Pacific theater as an OSS operative during WWII. The story is lengthy and slow-paced and while I enjoyed parts of the story, and the author’s research is evident, my biggest problem comes from the fact that she chose to sensationalize the story of a very well-known person. This is historical fiction, so some things are embellished; that's to be expected. However, as I read/listened, I thought many times that it seemed impossible for one person to have survived so many separate events (enemy attacks on land, sinking boat/only survivor, plane crash, etc). Sure enough, the author's note reveals that most of them were not true (but they could have happened was mentioned many times). Events like this happening in a story to an entirely fictional character in order to explain what was happening in that time period, yes, but to put a well-known, real person into situations you know she wasn't a part of just doesn't work for me. Her life as an OSS operative was interesting enough without placing her in multiple dramatic, sometimes tragic, events she simply wasn’t a part of.
Her romance with her future husband, Paul Child, whom she met while they both served overseas, was also frustrating. Does she or doesn’t she like him? She acted very juvenile about the entire relationship (she’s 30+ years old, by the way). Then, when it got physical, it was a little cringy to read about. I just feel like their love story deserved more.
Additionally, there were too many characters and it was difficult to keep track of them all.
I would honestly prefer to read a nonfiction account of her time in WWII.
The audio narration was good.
January 8, 2025
DNF 25% through.
So many frustrations with this book.
1) Other reviews are talking about constant near death experiences that almost seem too frequent or over the top. Idk when that starts because the first 25% of the book is slow and not action packed at all.
2) I didn't feel connected to the characters at all, I didn't feel like I got to know them and as a result had little reason to feel invested in their story.
AND NOW FOR MY BIGGEST TWO COMPLAINTS
3) A few months ago I read "A Woman of No Importance" which is a nonfiction writing about a female spy during the same war engaged with the same organizations written about in this book. I feel like through the other book I really came to understand the plight of being a woman as a spy during WW2 and specifically the challenges that came within those organizations. People say Diana did a decade of research but how come she isn't talk about that? She writes about Julia working for OSS like every woman did that, she writes about becoming a spy like it was the next obvious step in her career. She just glazes over far too much information and in doing so completely waters down what was probably a very riveting experience for Julia.
4) I am not a loud feminist who needs books to be political but this book needed to work a little harder to get there. Espionage continues to be a male dominated field even today, so imagine how much more of a mans club it was in the 1940s. Instead of focusing on how incredibly brave Julia needed to be and the challenges she faced all I was reading about was her hair, her clothes, her girlfriends. Maybe Diana wanted this to be an easy, surface level read, and if so I'm clearly not the intended audience. But I feel like this was a missed opportunity.
So many frustrations with this book.
1) Other reviews are talking about constant near death experiences that almost seem too frequent or over the top. Idk when that starts because the first 25% of the book is slow and not action packed at all.
2) I didn't feel connected to the characters at all, I didn't feel like I got to know them and as a result had little reason to feel invested in their story.
AND NOW FOR MY BIGGEST TWO COMPLAINTS
3) A few months ago I read "A Woman of No Importance" which is a nonfiction writing about a female spy during the same war engaged with the same organizations written about in this book. I feel like through the other book I really came to understand the plight of being a woman as a spy during WW2 and specifically the challenges that came within those organizations. People say Diana did a decade of research but how come she isn't talk about that? She writes about Julia working for OSS like every woman did that, she writes about becoming a spy like it was the next obvious step in her career. She just glazes over far too much information and in doing so completely waters down what was probably a very riveting experience for Julia.
4) I am not a loud feminist who needs books to be political but this book needed to work a little harder to get there. Espionage continues to be a male dominated field even today, so imagine how much more of a mans club it was in the 1940s. Instead of focusing on how incredibly brave Julia needed to be and the challenges she faced all I was reading about was her hair, her clothes, her girlfriends. Maybe Diana wanted this to be an easy, surface level read, and if so I'm clearly not the intended audience. But I feel like this was a missed opportunity.
December 11, 2024
I thought I wrote a review. Oh well, it must be in cyber land somewhere.
Anyway, here is my take. I didn’t know anything about Julia Child till her cooking shows. I knew she and her husband were in France. He was working in the government. The novel was about her life before meeting her husband.
She worked for the government in Asia. The book is women’s fiction of course. The novel didn’t hold my interest. I gave it a lot of time and still it dragged. I will read on Wikipedia and find out her journey.
Anyway, here is my take. I didn’t know anything about Julia Child till her cooking shows. I knew she and her husband were in France. He was working in the government. The novel was about her life before meeting her husband.
She worked for the government in Asia. The book is women’s fiction of course. The novel didn’t hold my interest. I gave it a lot of time and still it dragged. I will read on Wikipedia and find out her journey.
March 20, 2025
Before she was Julia Child, author and host of The French Chef, she was Julia McWilliams, a young, gangly file clerk who found herself working for the OSS, the precursor to the CIA during World War II. This book covers that period of her life which includes meeting and falling in love with Paul Child.
Despite having exhaustively researched both the life of Julia Child as well as the period in question, the author freely admits that she took more than a few liberties bringing this story to life. Thus we have young Julia surviving multiple bombings, a plane crash, and encounters in the jungle with Japanese soldiers.
And I'm fine with that. It's historical fiction after all and it more than held my interest. The only tiny quibble I have is that the dialogue is somewhat awkward throughout. That may be the result of the author trying to write in the language of the time but not quite making it sound natural enough. It sometimes reads like people performing rather than speaking.
Still, I enjoyed the book very much and would recommend it.
Despite having exhaustively researched both the life of Julia Child as well as the period in question, the author freely admits that she took more than a few liberties bringing this story to life. Thus we have young Julia surviving multiple bombings, a plane crash, and encounters in the jungle with Japanese soldiers.
And I'm fine with that. It's historical fiction after all and it more than held my interest. The only tiny quibble I have is that the dialogue is somewhat awkward throughout. That may be the result of the author trying to write in the language of the time but not quite making it sound natural enough. It sometimes reads like people performing rather than speaking.
Still, I enjoyed the book very much and would recommend it.
November 21, 2024
Not very good
Poor character development and pretty sketchy plot development. I was disappointed! It could have been so much more as the war in Asia was a long hard battle over vast areas. Thought Julia’s almost teenage angst over Paul was irritating and did nothing to advance the story. Turned the story into nothing deeper than a romance novel.
Poor character development and pretty sketchy plot development. I was disappointed! It could have been so much more as the war in Asia was a long hard battle over vast areas. Thought Julia’s almost teenage angst over Paul was irritating and did nothing to advance the story. Turned the story into nothing deeper than a romance novel.
April 15, 2025
I could not stomach reading this book. I tried. Several times. I haven’t felt this negative about a book in—possibly ever. Unreadable.
April 8, 2025
*Book club selection - Who was Julia Child before she made history as the falsetto -voiced "French Chef", beloved by fans around the world? She was Julia McWilliams, a young woman from a privileged background who enlisted and was assigned to the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during WWII. She was stationed in Ceylon (Sri Lanka), India, and China, and her job was described as clerical. But what if her role involved far more than typing and filing? What if her real work was espionage? This intriguing "what if" story has Julia working for General "Wild Bill" Donovan, manager of the registry of secret files inside the OSS. Julia is searching for a greater purpose in her life. Her Father thinks she should be settled into married life at 30, but when her Mother was living, she encouraged Julia to be adventurous and to have faith that the right partner would come into her life. Paul Child, a gifted map maker in the OSS, is initially an irritant to Julia. She perceives him as arrogant, rude, and thoroughly unattractive. As they complete dangerous missions together, Julia and Paul come to know one another and their attraction is undeniable. Operation Ichi-Go, or the resistance against Japanese aggression in Asian countries, as well as the history of British colonialism in Asia are interesting and important plot points in the novel. The cast of characters is large and sometimes confusing. Aside from Paul and Julia, character development is a little thin. For years, Julia's true role during WWII has been a source of speculation. Overall, it was an entertaining and educational read.
June 2, 2024
The Secret War of Julia Child by Diana R Chambers
The name of Julia Child is synonymous to most as a celebrated American chef and media personality, portrayed on film by the incomparable Meryl Streep. However, it’s Julia's feisty character and spirit of adventure which evidently inspired Diana R Chambers to create this fictional — but eminently possible — story of Julia’s involvement in the Office of Strategic Services during World War II. Like Chambers, I too am engaged in writing ‘between the gaps’ of my historical subject, and her integrity in sketching the areas where her imagination may have taken full flight is to be respected.
Despite a leisurely start, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know this creative iteration of Julia Child’s formative years. The Julia we meet in this engaging novel is a talented woman who, notwithstanding her endearing complex about her tall stature, is generally loyal, patriotic, great fun to be around, and strikingly independent. While Julia’s mother, Caro, doesn’t appear directly in the narrative, she’s an ever-present influence in spurring Julia to push through the gender barriers of her day and pursue her considerable ambitions.
When Julia turns her innate intelligence and organisation flair to the service of her boss, ‘Wild Bill’ Donovan, she finds herself being dispatched from one exciting covert mission to another. From the former Ceylon (Sri Lanka) to India and China, Julia learns, grieves, and grows. Humour and romance are counter-balanced with intrigue, pathos, and high drama.
The world building in this novel is excellent — evidence of the author’s extensive research and travels in South East Asia. I found it never overpowered the narrative, into which Chambers deftly wove the interpersonal relationships of the American, British, and other allied forces whose lesser-known secret warfare in Asia.
The author’s decision to open with the Julia Child the world knows best is an interesting and understandable one. And although this presents an inevitable ‘spoiler’, in revealing her ultimate life partner, Chambers manages to keep the reader on their proverbial toes, offering many thrilling twists throughout this highly entertaining story.
I also enjoyed fresh portrayals of well-known historical figures such as Lord Louis Mountbatten (who knew he was such a handsome charmer?) and gaining a deeper understanding of security activities in this theatre of war.
A most enjoyable read.
My thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest and independent review.
SHARON BARBA
The name of Julia Child is synonymous to most as a celebrated American chef and media personality, portrayed on film by the incomparable Meryl Streep. However, it’s Julia's feisty character and spirit of adventure which evidently inspired Diana R Chambers to create this fictional — but eminently possible — story of Julia’s involvement in the Office of Strategic Services during World War II. Like Chambers, I too am engaged in writing ‘between the gaps’ of my historical subject, and her integrity in sketching the areas where her imagination may have taken full flight is to be respected.
Despite a leisurely start, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know this creative iteration of Julia Child’s formative years. The Julia we meet in this engaging novel is a talented woman who, notwithstanding her endearing complex about her tall stature, is generally loyal, patriotic, great fun to be around, and strikingly independent. While Julia’s mother, Caro, doesn’t appear directly in the narrative, she’s an ever-present influence in spurring Julia to push through the gender barriers of her day and pursue her considerable ambitions.
When Julia turns her innate intelligence and organisation flair to the service of her boss, ‘Wild Bill’ Donovan, she finds herself being dispatched from one exciting covert mission to another. From the former Ceylon (Sri Lanka) to India and China, Julia learns, grieves, and grows. Humour and romance are counter-balanced with intrigue, pathos, and high drama.
The world building in this novel is excellent — evidence of the author’s extensive research and travels in South East Asia. I found it never overpowered the narrative, into which Chambers deftly wove the interpersonal relationships of the American, British, and other allied forces whose lesser-known secret warfare in Asia.
The author’s decision to open with the Julia Child the world knows best is an interesting and understandable one. And although this presents an inevitable ‘spoiler’, in revealing her ultimate life partner, Chambers manages to keep the reader on their proverbial toes, offering many thrilling twists throughout this highly entertaining story.
I also enjoyed fresh portrayals of well-known historical figures such as Lord Louis Mountbatten (who knew he was such a handsome charmer?) and gaining a deeper understanding of security activities in this theatre of war.
A most enjoyable read.
My thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest and independent review.
SHARON BARBA
January 25, 2025
I had high hopes for this book, and there is no doubt that she lived an interesting life before becoming the television persona that most of us know her to be. While I appreciated the premise and the research involved, the pace was just too slow for me.
December 19, 2024
I saw Julia in a new way, but I really struggled with what is possibly true and what didn't seem to match the Julia I knew.
I think Julia was written with inconsistencies in personality and character. She was plucky, logical, organized, and level-headed, which is most likely why she was selected for an OSS position. But when she holds a grudge for Paul splashing her with mud and ripping the map off the wall because Paul didn't acknowledge her, 🙄 and in front of her friend... she seemed emotionally immature and moody. I really don't think she would've reacted like that, and I felt the writing was overall sensationalized.
I think Julia was written with inconsistencies in personality and character. She was plucky, logical, organized, and level-headed, which is most likely why she was selected for an OSS position. But when she holds a grudge for Paul splashing her with mud and ripping the map off the wall because Paul didn't acknowledge her, 🙄 and in front of her friend... she seemed emotionally immature and moody. I really don't think she would've reacted like that, and I felt the writing was overall sensationalized.
April 6, 2025
3.5⭐️ oh how I wanted to be swept away into this story about Julia Child who I adore. While I found myself captivated initially, and enjoyed learning more details of her early lice before becoming a famous chef, I found my attention waning as the story moved on.
I listened to the audio and enjoyed the narration.
*many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review
I listened to the audio and enjoyed the narration.
*many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review
May 6, 2025
This book is awful. I love all things Julia Child and hoped this book would be enjoyable. It wasn’t. Did this thing have an editor? There are so many names of people and places on each page. At one point, I actually started to keep track. The sheer amount of names dropped make it so hard to follow. I found myself just not caring. The writer takes extreme liberties with history here.
March 6, 2025
Libby Audio Loan 13 hours Narrated by Candace Joice(5)
2.5 stars rounded up for the good narration.
This book is, imo, not biographical fiction but a work of fiction done by the author with attention to historical accuracy. In 2025, I have decided to read more about the Second World War. When I received a notice this book was "finally" available from our library, I can't say I was overjoyed even though I've been waiting 9 weeks.
This work of fiction, in which my favorite female chef Julia Child is the main character, filled some of the void in my information of facts about what happened in India, Burma, and China during the war. I greatly enjoyed a biography about William Donavan a few years ago, but if it made mention of Julia McWilliam, I do not remember nor would I have associated that name with Julia Child. This book shed some light on the romance and enduring love that developed between Julia, age 31, Donovan's right hand in the O.S.S., and Paul Child, cartographer for the same organization.
Although this book was only recently released, information on Julia Child's secret work during the war has been declassified since 2008. (Per Wikipedia) I wish Diana Chambers would have requested that information to make the story more believable. In her epilog, she names numerous history books, memoirs, and biographies that she used as background for this book. So I'm left wondering how much of Juilia's life is actually fact and how much is purely fiction. The author herself says, "Yes, this could have happened but not necessarily." What a great basis for writing a book that I would very much have been interested in reading! It's sad because Julia Child was a brilliant woman. This story made her look like she was just looking for the perfect husband. It's a good thing that one: It's an audiobook, and I didn't have to pay full attention, and two: Others are waiting to read this book, so there was urgency for me to finish it. Already returned this one for the next dissatisfied reader to puzzle over.
2.5 stars rounded up for the good narration.
This book is, imo, not biographical fiction but a work of fiction done by the author with attention to historical accuracy. In 2025, I have decided to read more about the Second World War. When I received a notice this book was "finally" available from our library, I can't say I was overjoyed even though I've been waiting 9 weeks.
This work of fiction, in which my favorite female chef Julia Child is the main character, filled some of the void in my information of facts about what happened in India, Burma, and China during the war. I greatly enjoyed a biography about William Donavan a few years ago, but if it made mention of Julia McWilliam, I do not remember nor would I have associated that name with Julia Child. This book shed some light on the romance and enduring love that developed between Julia, age 31, Donovan's right hand in the O.S.S., and Paul Child, cartographer for the same organization.
Although this book was only recently released, information on Julia Child's secret work during the war has been declassified since 2008. (Per Wikipedia) I wish Diana Chambers would have requested that information to make the story more believable. In her epilog, she names numerous history books, memoirs, and biographies that she used as background for this book. So I'm left wondering how much of Juilia's life is actually fact and how much is purely fiction. The author herself says, "Yes, this could have happened but not necessarily." What a great basis for writing a book that I would very much have been interested in reading! It's sad because Julia Child was a brilliant woman. This story made her look like she was just looking for the perfect husband. It's a good thing that one: It's an audiobook, and I didn't have to pay full attention, and two: Others are waiting to read this book, so there was urgency for me to finish it. Already returned this one for the next dissatisfied reader to puzzle over.
October 21, 2024
The Secret War of Julia Child
By: Diana R. Chambers
Pub date: October 22, 2024
Publisher: Tandor Audio
Narrator: Candace Joice
This audiobook is an absolute delight with an authentic and wonderful narrator. She nailed Julia’s style and voice. I knew Julia Child was a cookbook author of French cooking, but knew nothing of her work in World War II.
This historical fiction novel came to life as we explored her relationship of her soon-to-be husband, her work in secrets trade in Asia and how she transformed throughout her lifetime.
A joy! Thank you Tantor Audio for this gifted audiobook.
By: Diana R. Chambers
Pub date: October 22, 2024
Publisher: Tandor Audio
Narrator: Candace Joice
This audiobook is an absolute delight with an authentic and wonderful narrator. She nailed Julia’s style and voice. I knew Julia Child was a cookbook author of French cooking, but knew nothing of her work in World War II.
This historical fiction novel came to life as we explored her relationship of her soon-to-be husband, her work in secrets trade in Asia and how she transformed throughout her lifetime.
A joy! Thank you Tantor Audio for this gifted audiobook.
September 16, 2024
An intense amount of research went into writing this story.
There are books and movies about Julia Child. Many of us fondly remember her famous cooking show. Some of us have heard that she was once a spy and that’s where she met her husband, Paul Child. But until now, little has been known about what actually happened before she wrote the French cookbook. This book takes the reader back to an unusual employment for a woman, Julia McWilliams, with the Intelligence Agency: OSS – Office of Strategic Services.
In the beginning, there is a map of India, China and several other countries in Asia. There is also a huge list of acronyms and abbreviations. Right away, I felt like I was headed for a difficult road ahead. And yes, there were a lot of characters and at times, it was information overload.
It starts strong; it made me curious. Julia, raised in LA, was ambitious and excited to explore life’s many options. After college, Julia worked in NYC for an upscale furniture store in the advertising department. She loved NYC but not the job; her ultimate goal was to write novels and she figured her best opportunity would be to work internationally for the government. However, Julia was too tall for two different women’s agencies.
Yet, Julia managed to get a job in DC that changed her life. She started as a typist for an intelligence officer and moved up to be a supervisor of the OSS Registry of documents and files. Her boss didn’t want to let her go but she talked her way into setting up a Registry in India and China. That’s where the real adventure started and that’s where she met Paul.
However, when Julia went overseas, it was not as exciting as I anticipated. It took me a long time to read this as it didn’t capture my attention like I thought it would with too many characters and details, slowing down the middle parts. And, there is the question of truth. The OSS reports are classified, so much of the story had to be invented detailing the war efforts involving Julia from 1943 to 1945.
I was imaging Meryl Streep as Julia and Stanley Tucci as Paul Child from the movie “Julie & Julia.” However, Julia didn’t seem as spunky in the book and Paul was distant until they finally ended up together. I’m surprised that Julia didn’t write a book about the foods from Asian countries. There was much to learn with picking up rice and chicken and many other delicacies with chopsticks.
My thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of October 22, 2024.
There are books and movies about Julia Child. Many of us fondly remember her famous cooking show. Some of us have heard that she was once a spy and that’s where she met her husband, Paul Child. But until now, little has been known about what actually happened before she wrote the French cookbook. This book takes the reader back to an unusual employment for a woman, Julia McWilliams, with the Intelligence Agency: OSS – Office of Strategic Services.
In the beginning, there is a map of India, China and several other countries in Asia. There is also a huge list of acronyms and abbreviations. Right away, I felt like I was headed for a difficult road ahead. And yes, there were a lot of characters and at times, it was information overload.
It starts strong; it made me curious. Julia, raised in LA, was ambitious and excited to explore life’s many options. After college, Julia worked in NYC for an upscale furniture store in the advertising department. She loved NYC but not the job; her ultimate goal was to write novels and she figured her best opportunity would be to work internationally for the government. However, Julia was too tall for two different women’s agencies.
Yet, Julia managed to get a job in DC that changed her life. She started as a typist for an intelligence officer and moved up to be a supervisor of the OSS Registry of documents and files. Her boss didn’t want to let her go but she talked her way into setting up a Registry in India and China. That’s where the real adventure started and that’s where she met Paul.
However, when Julia went overseas, it was not as exciting as I anticipated. It took me a long time to read this as it didn’t capture my attention like I thought it would with too many characters and details, slowing down the middle parts. And, there is the question of truth. The OSS reports are classified, so much of the story had to be invented detailing the war efforts involving Julia from 1943 to 1945.
I was imaging Meryl Streep as Julia and Stanley Tucci as Paul Child from the movie “Julie & Julia.” However, Julia didn’t seem as spunky in the book and Paul was distant until they finally ended up together. I’m surprised that Julia didn’t write a book about the foods from Asian countries. There was much to learn with picking up rice and chicken and many other delicacies with chopsticks.
My thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of October 22, 2024.
December 3, 2024
Imagine it! Chef Julia Child as a spy…
First encountering Julia Child when PBS ran her cooking show as a rerun and then later spying her life’s magnum opus, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, I was excited to be taken back, through Diana Chambers’ artful writing style to WWII when Julia worked for America’s secret service, the OSS, and first encountered adventure and the love of her life.
Foremost to keep in mind, The Secret War of Julia Child is historical fiction. For certain, Chambers painted in the details in color and shadow so that this was part ‘this is how it was for real’ and ‘this could have been true’. An intriguing tale of high adventure for an unlikely heroine. I had no trouble with blending the real life Julia Child of my mind’s eye with Chambers’ sensitive, full of joie de vivre-filled, and quietly intrepid younger version, Julia McWilliams.
The story begins in Washington DC when Julia is the secretary to the real life founder of the OSS (America’s CIA predecessor) “Wild Bill” Donovan and she dreams of becoming one of his operatives and not just a paper pusher for this war. She gets her chance when he sends her to India to set up the regional OSS office and an even more secret directive to spy on their allies the British to determine if they are as solid as it seems. The voyage out and first days in India are a crash course in the uncertainty of war and survival. There are transfers to other exotic locales and further adventures. This eye-opening first chance in the field is so much more than she expected with lessons learned coming right and left including lessons in love and relationships.
Taking its time over the course of the war situation in southeast Asia, I was tantalized with details of her secret work, unexpected spy adventures, and Julia’s personal life which also served to showcase the perilous real life of that place and period. She was parts scared and parts shocked by conditions in the field and for those enduring a war in their lands. I greatly appreciated that local color and people populated this book along with Julia’s exploits.
The Secret War of Julia Child is a brilliant star in WWII Fiction and Romance on the Asian front that other readers will definitely want to pick up. As Julia would always sign off her program, Bon Appetit!
I rec'd an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at The Quill Ink on 11.21.24.
First encountering Julia Child when PBS ran her cooking show as a rerun and then later spying her life’s magnum opus, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, I was excited to be taken back, through Diana Chambers’ artful writing style to WWII when Julia worked for America’s secret service, the OSS, and first encountered adventure and the love of her life.
Foremost to keep in mind, The Secret War of Julia Child is historical fiction. For certain, Chambers painted in the details in color and shadow so that this was part ‘this is how it was for real’ and ‘this could have been true’. An intriguing tale of high adventure for an unlikely heroine. I had no trouble with blending the real life Julia Child of my mind’s eye with Chambers’ sensitive, full of joie de vivre-filled, and quietly intrepid younger version, Julia McWilliams.
The story begins in Washington DC when Julia is the secretary to the real life founder of the OSS (America’s CIA predecessor) “Wild Bill” Donovan and she dreams of becoming one of his operatives and not just a paper pusher for this war. She gets her chance when he sends her to India to set up the regional OSS office and an even more secret directive to spy on their allies the British to determine if they are as solid as it seems. The voyage out and first days in India are a crash course in the uncertainty of war and survival. There are transfers to other exotic locales and further adventures. This eye-opening first chance in the field is so much more than she expected with lessons learned coming right and left including lessons in love and relationships.
Taking its time over the course of the war situation in southeast Asia, I was tantalized with details of her secret work, unexpected spy adventures, and Julia’s personal life which also served to showcase the perilous real life of that place and period. She was parts scared and parts shocked by conditions in the field and for those enduring a war in their lands. I greatly appreciated that local color and people populated this book along with Julia’s exploits.
The Secret War of Julia Child is a brilliant star in WWII Fiction and Romance on the Asian front that other readers will definitely want to pick up. As Julia would always sign off her program, Bon Appetit!
I rec'd an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at The Quill Ink on 11.21.24.
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