The Choice Within
Gold Medal Winner – 2025 HFC Hemingway and finalist for Book Of the Year – Historical Fiction Company
“Meticulously researched, artfully crafted. Not a story you read, but one you live… Profoundly moving, by a master of historical fiction.” Must Read — Reedsy Discovery
Description
Save, kill, live, die—How much do I give?
1944, and war rages in the Pacific.
Two young recruits from opposing sides are destined to cross paths without ever meeting, changing their lives forever…
Honolulu – devoted nurse Lieutenant Jeannette Crawford has volunteered for service on the brand-new 205th Hospital Ship Complement. She has been working tirelessly, with dedication and wisdom beyond her years, to help wounded US servicemen on home soil. But nothing can prepare her for the horrors she now faces on the front line of the Pacific islands.
Tokyo – When Akira Tanaka is conscripted to serve his country, he does so with honor and determination to achieve glory. Initially motivated in his fighter-plane training, he soon discovers that the news being shared with the people of Japan is a lie: the Combined Fleet is losing badly, and their European allies crumbling.
As the ferocity of fighting intensifies, and the reality of combat hits home, officer and nurse experience very different wars in striking parallel. But when the Americans close in on the Japanese mainland, and the emperor’s forces become increasingly desperate in their tactics, the true, horrifying heartbreak of Jeannette and Akira’s shared destiny becomes clearer, drawing closer…
Praise
“The Choice Within is as astonishingly rich in detail as it is real, philosophical, and profoundly moving.” — MUST READ — Lorraine Cobcroft Reedsy Discovery
“Much more than another novel about World War II battles…thought-provoking contrasts between lives and perceptions during these times, making the story hard to put down and easy to discuss.” — Diane Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
“The Choice Within is more than just a war novel; it is a nuanced examination of the social structures, mores, and motivations of the era.” “… a lovely, powerful story that I thoroughly enjoyed and that deeply impacted me. I cannot recommend it highly enough.” — Grant Leishman, Readers’ Favorite – 5 star
“The author’s authentic portrayal of the horrors of combat offers historians a fresh and deeply human perspective on the realities of war. Through vivid descriptions, the book captures the physical and emotional toll of warfare, shedding light on experiences often overlooked in traditional accounts. This historical fiction at its best.” — Author’s Reading
“This reviewer, an old (and enthusiastic) hand at reading this genre, thought she was prepared for the ending, whatever it would be. But Woodman’s skill at delving into the true nature of her characters meant being drawn into an ending that was impossible to prepare for and will linger in the mind for some time to come. What an incredible (and challenging) book!” – Highly Recommended — Historical Fiction Company – 5 star
“… one of the best historical novels I have read in a long time. This character-driven tale is a sweeping, emotionally charged novel with cleverly explored themes of sacrifice, honor, and the invisible ties that bind, even across enemy lines. I couldn’t put this book down.” — Divine Zape, Readers’ Favorite – 5 star
“Woodman’s brisk storytelling captures a sense of history hurtling along as people try to make sense of it; the novel is rich in letters to loved ones, scenes of surprise connection, moments of wonder.” — Booklife
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