Lovely War

Aubrey and the other 40 members of his division are transported across France from Brest toward the encampment near the front via train. The night is freezing. It is 2 a.m. The men sing together to take their minds off the cold and their fear, adding percussion by tapping the sides of the train car.

Hazel arrives in Saint-Nazaire, France, on January 4, 1918. She is volunteering with the YMCA, entertaining Allied soldiers by playing the piano. She learns that she will be playing for American soldiers—except for those housed in the “Negro hut.” Mrs. Davies, the YMCA head secretary stationed at the camp, explains that this is for Hazel’s safety. Hazel suggests that she was sent to entertain all the soldiers, and that this should include the Black soldiers. She tells Mrs. Davies that she believes the white soldiers are just as likely to behave in an ungentlemanly manner, but her objections are dismissed. Reverend Scottsbridge, stationed to deliver sermons to the soldiers, is also present in the meeting; he reassures Hazel that she will have plenty of handsome soldiers to entertain.

Aphrodite calls her second witness: Ares, god of War, who is still seated beside her under the golden net. He resumes the story of James.

James and the rest of his squadron practice using a bayonet, stabbing straw dummies. The trainer instructs them to aim for throats and armpits, or kidneys if the enemy is facing away. James half-heartedly joins in the chant of “Kill, kill, kill;” the squadron is reprimanded for not yelling loudly enough (108). Chad Browning, another private in James’s squadron, sings a comical and satirical song about the joys of being in the army. James asks Private Frank Mason, another member of the squadron, whether the front is as bad as they say (Mason has been at the front and is retraining after an injury). Mason tells James that it’s worse.

Aphrodite calls a third witness. Hades, god of the underworld, arrives in the hotel room. Apollo and Ares are clearly intimidated by him. Apollo, Ares, Hephaestus, and Aphrodite bow to him. He is dressed in a long black cassock—the garb of a Catholic priest; Ares is surprised by this. Hades explains that religions prepare souls for his underworld, and that therefore he often dresses as clerical figures from various religions, including Christianity and Judaism. Hades silences Apollo and Ares when they refer to goddesses and nymphs he has been with. Aphrodite asks whether Hades will share his part of the story that she is telling, and he agrees.

Colette Fournier climbs up the steep set of stone stairs that leads to an outcrop above the town of Dinant, Belgium, with her friend Stéphane. Sixteen-year-old Colette has noticed Stéphane watching her more closely, and she also feels differently about him. They lie down after they reach the top of the citadel stairs. They both intend to confront each other at the top, but suddenly neither knows what to say. Stéphane compliments Colette on her performance at the beer festival. Stéphane offers Colette his hand; she takes it. They kiss.

Ares relates that in the weeks following the kiss, the war approaches Belgium. The town of Dinant is raided by German soldiers on August 23. Hundreds of civilians are executed, and the town is destroyed.

Hades then recounts that Colette shelters in an abbey when she hears the German shots begin. Stéphane runs through the streets searching for Colette; he is shot and dies. Colette’s father, uncles, brother, and cousin are also killed, as well as many of her childhood friends. The town is left in ruins. Her mother dies a few days later from a stroke, but Hades suggests that it was “grief that killed her” (121). Colette packs the last of her possessions and travels to Paris, rowing a boat and then hiking across countryside to reach her aunt, Solange. She goes to the YMCA headquarters to volunteer, wanting to help the war effort.

Hazel pours drinks for soldiers in the YMCA relief hut. She’s overwhelmed by the Americans’ maleness and by their strange accents. When the men discover that she can play the piano, they request songs, but she doesn’t know the same music they do. She plays pieces familiar to herself, mostly classic compositions. The troops cheer happily. She is relieved. A stylish stranger introduces herself to Hazel. It is Colette. They talk. Hazel wonders what Colette’s parents thought about her volunteering. Colette explains that her parents and family are dead after her village in Belgium was destroyed earlier in the war. Hazel remembers reading about the lightning aggression of Germany through Belgium, called by many the Rape of Belgium. She is moved to tears by Colette’s story. Colette—a singer—asks if Hazel will accompany her on the piano.

Reveille—a well-known military tune played on a bugle—wakes up the members of the 15th Company. Apollo, in Aubrey’s head, suggests that the tune would be better in a minor key. Aubrey begins to hum the modified tune to himself. He urges Joey Rice to try the adjusted tune on his cornet mouthpiece. Captain Hamilton Fish III arrives, urging the men to get to breakfast. He is joined by Lieutenant Jim Europe, leader of the band. He asks Aubrey to come to his quarters that night to record the “Reveille Blues,” which he had overheard, in musical notation.

Europe tells the men that they will be performing in one of the YMCA relief huts later that week. One of the soldiers asks Europe when they will be fighting Germans. Europe tells the men that they will be laying miles of railroad track first and won’t be at the front for a while. The men are disappointed. Aubrey points out that they could have been doing manual labor in New York, and that the men in the 15th Company are excited to fight for their country to change white Americans’ perception of Black Americans by fighting bravely for their country.

At breakfast, two white soldiers with Southern accents label the men in the 15th company the “Coon Platoon” (134). The two men are insulted and disciplined by the white mess sergeant, Charles Murphy, for this racist slur.

Hazel plays the piano in the Y (YMCA) hut. The older women are at a meeting, and Colette sleeps late. Hazel plays Beethoven’s “Pathétique,” thinking of James longingly and praying that he will come home safely to her. When she finishes, she is shocked by a voice urging her not to stop. A young Black soldier emerges and introduces himself as Aubrey Edwards. He tells her that he’s in the 15th New York band. She is excited to meet him, having enjoyed their concert last week. Aubrey sits at the piano begins to play the Beethoven melody Hazel had just been playing, adding cord chops and octave frills. Hazel is astounded, especially when Aubrey confirms that he has never heard or played the piece before. Hazel is shocked and delighted by Aubrey’s cheek when he says that he is fixing Beethoven’s mistakes to make the song less sad. She is awed by the fluidity of his style.

Hazel tells Aubrey that she has never met anyone like him, referring to his sense of humor, but Aubrey asks whether she means a Black man. She says that there are many Black people in London but admits that she doesn’t know any well.

Colette appears, dressed scantily in a sheer nightdress and dressing gown. She gasps in shock, not having expected a man to be in the room. Aubrey is clearly astounded with her beauty. He tips his hat to her and leaves, assuring Hazel and Colette that he will be back.

Mail arrives for the women at YMCA. Hazel is disappointed to receive no letter from James. Colette sits next to Hazel and asks whether she has received bad news or no news, appreciating that sometimes no news is worse. Hazel confides in Colette about James. Colette tells Hazel about Stéphane. Hazel weeps hearing of Stéphane’s tragic death. She’s embarrassed at her reaction, but Colette is understanding and comforts her—understanding that her grief for Stéphane is in part fear that the same will happen to James. Colette tells Hazel that the work at YMCA and her love of music has helped sustain her through her grief.

James wields a Lee-Enfield Mk III rifle at target practice. He notes that he has changed since the war started, and notices that many of his comrades have become stronger, leaner, and harder since training began. The men take aim and fire. James fires all his shots into the wooden, human-shaped target, landing kill shots every time. The trainers call him over, asking whether he hunted at home. James clarifies that he didn’t. They are impressed with his shooting.

Aubrey hears Colette singing and throws pebbles at the window of the Y hut where the girls live, demanding to know the owner of the voice. Hazel happily lets him in, explaining that Mrs. Davies has gone to bed. She is angry to hear that he had tried to return earlier but was turned away. Hazel introduces Colette and Aubrey. Aubrey kisses Colette’s hand. When Hazel introduces Aubrey as the “King of Ragtime and Emperor of Jazz,” Colette asks, “What is jazz?” (154). Excited to demonstrate, Aubrey sits at the piano and plays the melody of the song he heard her singing, turning it into a ragtime tune. Colette is amazed and excited. She feels her gaze lingering on Aubrey. Aubrey finds himself likewise mesmerized by Colette.

Aubrey’s friend and fellow 15th band member Joey Rice asks where Aubrey was the night before as the two wait for the latrine. Joey tells Aubrey that Lieutenant Europe was looking for him. Joey had to lie and pretend that Aubrey was in the infirmary. Aubrey tells Joey about Colette, and Joey warns him that “if you mess with a white girl, there’ll be trouble” (158). Joey tells him about a regiment of Southern marines who have been making threats.

Apollo follows Aubrey to band practice, concerned that Aubrey’s focus is wandering from his music. Europe tells the band about upcoming concerts in the camp. Europe tells the band that they may be going on a tour around France to boost American army morale, and even to a luxury resort in the mountains where American troops on leave are stationed. Instead of being excited, Aubrey thinks of Colette and the fact that this would separate them.

Europe has produced sheet music for Aubrey’s “Reveille Blues,” but Aubrey remains distracted. Apollo urges Aubrey to focus on his music career. 

Replacement troops are needed at the front, and James is conscripted. James arrives in the trenches, a confusing and weaving network carved deep into the earth. He is shocked and appalled with the smells, sights, and sounds. Sometimes, German shells explode nearby. He and the other new conscripts will spend 10 days in reserve (the trench network where they are currently), 10 days in the support lines, 10 ten days at the front. James hopes he can survive the 30 days to see Hazel again.

Veteran soldiers clarify that the explosions James has been hearing are nothing—“just Fritz having a sneeze now and then” (166). The men have heard worrying rumors that Russia will withdraw from the war, allowing all the Germans on the Eastern Front to join the German offensive on the Western Front.

Aubrey returns to the Y hut to play music with Hazel and Colette. They discuss music. Aubrey compliments Colette on her voice. Hazel hears someone approaching and snaps her fingers. Aubrey hides behind the piano (the girls are not allowed to entertain males at the hut after hours). Mrs. Davies enters and instructs the girls to go to bed. She watches their progress as they leave. Aubrey remains in hiding; Hazel and Colette trust that he will leave quietly later. Colette thinks of Aubrey as she lies in bed.

Aubrey hides behind the piano for half an hour, thinking of Colette only 15 feet away in her nightgown in the adjoining room, before removing his boots and creeping out. He hears the click of a pistol being cocked. He is confronted by a white soldier in the darkness who threatens to kill him: “We ain’t gonna let you Negroes get a taste for white women” (176). He manages to overpower the man and warns him that “Harlem boys won’t put up with your shit” (177). Aubrey wrestles the man’s pistol from him. The man runs away into the dark; Aubrey doesn’t get a clear look at his face to be able to recognize him.

James’s section is briefed on gas mask usage. They are shocked and appalled to hear of the effects of mustard gas. James thinks the gas masks make the men look like strange and sinister insects. He tells his friend Frank Mason that he is hoping to get leave to see Hazel, which Frank believes is unlikely. Frank shows James a photo of his wife and child.

Aubrey and the rest of the Third Battalion build railroads. Aubrey’s friend Joey feels the pistol Aubrey stole from the white soldier in his coat pocket; Aubrey tells Joey about the encounter. Joey is scared for his friend and hopes that he will report the incident. Joey recognizes that the pistol is a Colt—the gun allocated to marines. Joey reveals that a Black soldier from another company—M Company—was strangled to death by white marines in an act of racial hatred.

Hazel receives a letter from her mother and two from James. James tells Hazel about his division’s progress toward the front, through the war-scarred French countryside. James suggests that they could meet up in Paris if he is able to get leave. Hazel excitedly tells Colette about this; Colette suggests that they could stay with her aunt in Paris. Hazel tells Colette that Aubrey clearly likes her; Colette is evasive.

James’s sergeant tells him that he is to undergo sharpshooter training and become a sniper. James tentatively asks for leave after their tour of the trenches. His sergeant tells him that he will consider his request, depending on his performance in the trenches.

Aubrey comes back to the Y hut. Colette lets him in. Hazel is in bed with a headache. Aubrey and Colette sit and talk. The topic of brothers and families comes up. Aubrey can sense Colette’s grief and fragility. She confides in him about the attack on Dinant. He holds her in his arms, and they cry together. They kiss on Aubrey’s way out.

Colette dreams of Stéphane. She wakes up sobbing, reliving the trauma of the deaths of her family and friends in Dinant. Hazel comes in to comfort her. Colette realizes that she desperately wants Aubrey to remain in her life: “I can’t not be close to him” (205).

Private Pete Yawkey, a sniper, instructs James. They carefully watch a German helmet and realize that it’s a dummy, designed to tempt the snipers into firing and revealing their position. Pete shoots at a German soldier 300 yards away. James confirms that he hit him.

Aubrey walks past Hut One, hoping to see Colette. He encounters Captain Fish, who urges him to take a friend with him when he walks, explaining that there have been threats made against Black soldiers. When Aubrey returns to the Black soldiers’ Y hut, Joey tells him that Black soldiers—calling themselves the Vampire Squad—killed a white marine the night before, avenging the Black soldier who was killed.

James shoots Germans from the snipers’ nest with Pete as the rest of his division goes on raids to bomb sections of the German trenches. After shooting the first two Germans, James is shaking and distressed. Pete is understanding and sends him to eat and rest. James gets a written commendation for his assassination of the German soldiers. James’s request for leave is granted.

James writes to Hazel asking her to join him in Paris. Hazel writes back confirming their rendezvous.

Aubrey decides not to go on his band’s imminent trip to Aix-les-Bains (an American recuperation site), preferring to stay near Colette. He goes to visit Colette, playing her a piano song he wrote in memory of the events at Dinant. She is moved to tears. They talk. She feels that she overburdened him with the events at Dinant, but he assures her that he wants to help her and to know her. They hold each other and kiss.

Aubrey sneaks back to his barracks. He is rebuked by Joey for risking his life by continuing to see Colette. Joey leaves for the latrines. Aubrey falls asleep.

Aubrey wakes suddenly, sensing that something is wrong. He realizes that Joey has not returned to his bunk (above Aubrey). He goes to the latrine and pulls open the door. Joey falls out, inert and dripping with blood.

Aubrey runs to Lieutenant Europe’s cabin. The two men return to the latrine and carry Joey, who has been clubbed in the face and strangled to death, to Europe’s cabin. Aubrey is overwhelmed, saying that it is his fault that Joey died—the men had likely followed him back from seeing Colette. Europe pours Aubrey a drink. They two men discuss the events. Europe orders Aubrey to come to Aix-les-Bains with them that morning for his own safety.

Hades takes Joey’s soul to his parents’ home in Harlem. Joey sees his parents in their home, apologizes tearfully, and says farewell (they are unaware of his presence). Hades encourages him to stay as long as he likes.