World War II has long served as a preferred backdrop for historical fiction authors, and for good reason. The era’s mix of valor, sacrifice, and geopolitical upheaval has made for some outstanding works of literature and cinema. Keeping in that rich tradition, Helena P. Schrader’s MORAL FIBRE is a poignant exploration of love and duty. It just goes to show that, eight decades after the conflict, there are still some amazing stories to be told.

Set in England during World War II, MORAL FIBRE follows a British bomber pilot (Christopher “Kit” Moran) as he grapples with his return to duty in the Royal Air Force Bomber Command. Haunted by a defiant act that labeled him LMF (Lacking in Moral Fibre), Kit is determined to make the most of his return to duty. Further complicating his professional challenges, however, is a blossoming relationship with Georgina Reddings, his former (and now dead) flight leader’s fiancée. Returning to their respective lives, Kit and Georgina separately navigate the challenges of wartime England. Despite the mounting distance and ever-looming shadow of their shared past, Kit and Georgina continue to grow closer. As the novel builds toward an inevitable climax, Kit and Georgina’s paths eventually cross in an equally spectacular fashion.

Simply put, MORAL FIBRE is an outstanding read. Delivering dual narratives can be tricky, but Schrader deftly blends Kit and Georgina’s story arcs, offering two distinct yet equally captivating glimpses into the final months of World War II. Kit’s time with the RAF consists of suspenseful training runs and combat missions, while Georgina has her own challenges on the homefront and in the classroom (where she works as a teacher). Their simmering romance, which serves as the heart of this novel, is both nuanced and earned.

Equally compelling, however, are the pitch-perfect action sequences rendered with arresting vividness. With numerous published works to her credit, Schrader’s heightened attention to detail and refined prose reflect the work of a seasoned pro. Lines like “As the danger of enemy action receded, the tension that had enveloped Moran like a too tight-fitting vest eased” and “The white, breaking crests of the waves that had relieved the utter darkness were gently blotted out until the men on P-Peter found themselves encased in mushy darkness” are examples of Schrader’s ability to relay with a single sentence what many struggle to do with several.

When it comes to wartime depictions, there’s always a risk of oversimplification and glorification for the sake of high-stakes entertainment. Again, Schrader sidesteps any temptation to romanticize, delivering instead a rich, textured romance with an appropriately sobering (and historically accurate) depiction of wartime horrors. Just as in real life, the men are often scared, the action is often painfully brief, and the wounds often linger: “Later someone more impersonal washed the blood and grime from his face and changed the bandages. He tried to open his eyes when the bandages came off, but the swelling overpowered his strength.”

With MORAL FIBRE, Helena P. Schrader has delivered a stunning example of World War II-era historical fiction, proving that the only thing more complicated than a world at war is a conflict of the heart.

Helena P. Schrader’s MORAL FIBRE is an excellent work of historical fiction that readers will love for its realistic depiction of war and the moving romance at its center.

~James Weiskittel for IndieReader