The War I Finally Won

The devastation of the war helps Ada to learn important lessons about love and loss. Using examples from the book, examine how Ada does, in fact, become “invincible Ada.”

What does The War I Finally Won suggest about the importance of family during times of hardship? What does it suggest about the value of the family you choose yourself?

Lady Thorton initially believes that cooking and cleaning are beneath her, and that she could not possibly live with a German. Why does she hold these beliefs, and how do they change as she adapts to wartime living?

The author frames the story through the perspective an older Ada who recounts events that took place over three years. What is the function of this narrative structure? How does it showcase Ada’s growth?

Horses play an important role in the story, showcasing characters’ strengths as well as their flaws. Describe the role that Butter and Oban play in showcasing character development.

Lady Thorton declares, “A German is a German is a German” (125). How does Ruth challenge the derogatory stereotypes held about Germans in Britain? What do these stereotypes reveal about the people who hold them? Do they overcome their prejudices, and if so, how?

The War I Finally Won is a work of historical fiction about life during war. What do the characters’ experiences teach readers about life in Britain between 1940 and 1943?

Susan functions as a foil to Ada and Jamie’s Mam. Describe how Susan exemplifies a supportive and loving mother figure, and how she differs from Ada and Jamie’s memories of their birth mother.