Not so quiet

the long version

"...Offers a scathing firsthand account of war from the point of view of women actively engaged in it. Helen Zenna Smith and her companions are volunteer ambulance drivers. They've actually paid for the privilege of serving at the French frontlines, seemingly so their upperclass mothers may brag about who has given up the most for the war effort. The bite of the novel comes from Smith's outrage at the senselenssness of war, at her country's complacent patriotism (as exemplified in her mother's platitudinous encouragement and pride in the sacrifice of her children), and at her own daily contact with the blood and vomit of the wounded."--Back cover.