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Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite
Under Two Flags by Janis Robinson Daly is a historical novel set during World War I, inspired by the real experiences of Josephine Therese Marzynski, a young American woman drawn to music and possibility. In 1916, Josephine leaves Boston for Berlin to study opera at a prestigious conservatory, carrying artistic ambition and a strong sense of American identity. In Germany, she encounters a city shaped by suspicion, rationing, and propaganda, where foreign nationals are scrutinized, and loyalties are constantly questioned. As the United States edges closer to war with Germany, Josephine must navigate life as an outsider in a nation under pressure, balancing her studies, friendships, and personal safety. Through Josephine’s eyes, the novel portrays the personal costs of war, the strain on identity, and the difficult choices faced by those living between cultures.
Janis Robinson Daly’s writing is detailed and carefully structured, using musical framing to shape the narrative into acts, scenes, and an overture that echo Josephine’s training and worldview. Metaphors from music and performance recur throughout, reinforcing the idea that Josephine experiences the world through sound, timing, and balance. The pacing allows historical detail to emerge alongside character development, making the era feel lived-in rather than distant. Readers who enjoy historically rooted fiction with strong female leads, artistic themes, and close attention to period detail will enjoy Under Two Flags. Those interested in World War I from a civilian and cultural perspective, especially one shaped by transnational identity, will find much to admire in Daly’s thoughtful and engaging narrative.
