Thought-provoking, stimulating, and oh-so readable this novel explores the particular bond of twins, and the difficulties faced when there is a mismatch between your biological sex and thoughts of gender identity. Twins Alfie and Nina Mullins sit at the centre of this tale, both attempting to conform to the demands of society as they grow up just before the First Word War. What a fascinating premise this is, not only does The Red Tunic explore gender roles, but also the expectations and reality of fighting in the horrors of World War One. There are some very particular aspects of life on the frontline here that may seem too outlandish to be believable, but it is known that in different nations and wars, this has actually happened. Author Kate Wiseman has obviously researched this period of history, she makes both the home front and trench warfare feel so very real. Nina and Alfie became known, felt, and a part of me as they struggled with their thoughts and feelings. Nina’s headstrong impetuousness on occasion grates and that is one of the strengths of this novel, personalities are complex and decision making skills can falter in challenging moments. Interesting and provocative themes are explored in The Red Tunic ensuring a captivating and rewarding novel.
History and gender are intertwined in this fast-paced arresting account of the First World War and its devastating impact on familial and romantic bonds.
As headstrong as her twin is gentle, Nina has never fit the womanly mould society expects of her. Alfie and Nina Mullins have always relied on their shared world of hope and make-believe for comfort, but as the pressure on Alfie to prove himself at the Front mounts, Nina is presented with more possibility than she had ever imagined and the two are pushed in wildly different directions.
Coming of age as the First World War breaks out, the Mullins twins' fates are inextricably interlinked with the turmoil of conflict in this fascinating exploration of gender roles and the extremes to which war pushes us.
Kate Wiseman was born in Oxford, UK in the 1970s. The first in her working-class family to go to university, she graduated with a First in English and Creative Writing. Kate describes herself as a late developer. She didn’t start trying to achieve her ambition of becoming a published writer until she was 50. Her series of Gangster School novels were shortlisted for several awards and have been published in 4 countries. Since then, she has written several other novels for teens and middle grade readers. Her debut adult novel, The Red Tunic, won the Eyelands Award for Historical Fiction pre-publication in 2020. The following year, her historical fiction novel, The Mudlark Mysteries: The Grinning Throat, won the Eyelands Award for Children’s Writing. Kate lives in Chichester, UK and works as a tutor in English. Her fascinations are history, English and mudlarking, and she is a licensed mudlark. Her ambition is to find an intact Bellarmine jug.
