I couldn't just sit down and read Rivka's War. I had to go online to research Maria Leontievna Bochkareva, aka Yashka, the fierce peasant woman the likes of whom the world had not seen since Boudicea drove her forces against the offending Roman army.
I can certainly understand Rivka's deep admiration for Yashka and Rivka's willingness, even desire, to join the Battalion of Death in the face of insurmountable odds. Rivka, I believe, was having an identity crisis on at least three fronts (as a Russian, a woman, and a Jew), and she was naturally and understandably drawn to Yashka, a woman who knew exactly who she was, what she believed, and the purpose to which she was called. While Rivka merely sought adventure (she thought), Yashka sought freedom and glory for her beloved Mother Russia. Yashka embodies many of the traits Rivka possessed but was longing to fully express.
One overarching theme in the novel is the crisis of identity. Rivka must disassociate herself from the known (her family, community, country, way of life, etc.) and venture into the unknown, a place where she would both discover and develop her true self. Never content to sit back and let others dictate her behavior, no matter how much love they share, Rivka will determine her own destiny, and at no small cost to herself.
Like Yashka, Rivka must fight her war on more than one front; she must battle physical enemies, i.e., the Germans, as well as intangible enemies, such as sexism, prejudice, and fear.
Rivka dares to ask the tough questions: What does it mean to be a Russian? A woman? A Jew? Not only does she ask the questions, but she also dares to determine her own answers, rather than accept the status quo.
As a female and former soldier, myself, I find inspiration in Rivka's story; her courage, her spirit, and her strength will remain with me long after I have turned the last page of Rivka's War.
One caveat: Because of the descriptive sexual encounter between two of the characters, I would suggest teachers read this novel for themselves before using it in class. What may be acceptable in some situations will not be acceptable in others. Use discretion. ( )

I found this book to be fascinating! A young Russian woman who is Jewish joins a Russian battalion of women to fight the Germans! The book is also about the leader of their troop a woman named Yashka. I have been reading and learning about WWI lately and I feel this book contributed to my understanding of the war. It presents us with the Russian politics of WWI and the persecution of the Jews that occurred during this time. I was engaged in the story and her travels and I was not bored or overwhelmed with the politics. Unlike other books I have read in the past, I was able to understand the politics involved and what was going on in this book. It is an interesting piece of history. Rivka was a remarkable woman. I enjoyed reading this story. I think the story line is a great one! This writer is still developing her own writing style. I felt this was a good book. I give it a 4 out of 5 stars. ( )

During WWI, Rivka, a Russian Jew, joins up with a troop of women soldiers. This book follows her story into battle and beyond. I found myself growing a bit bored about halfway through the story. Rivka's journey turned into a bit of rambling, which made me put the book down. ( )

RIVKA’S WAR by Marilyn Oser
This book should have been really interesting. What is not to like – a teenage girl leaves her prosperous home to “save” her brother from the influence of the Bolsheviks in 1914 and ends up joining the Russian Army in the first all-girl battalion and becomes the companion of a notorious counter revolutionary fleeing for her life. Eventually Rivka finds her way to Palestine.
Except, it just wasn’t very engaging. Rivka was not very sympathetic. She seemed to have no real reason for joining the army. Her brother had no reason for becoming a Bolshevik, just as he never gave a reason for failing to commit to his Jewish faith after his triumph of a BarMitzvah. Yashka, the counter revolutionary beloved by “her girls” was not at all likeable. I didn’t care if she lived or died and certainly wouldn’t have joined her army.
There was a lot of history, but it was boring! There are a lot better books out there. I’ll read them! The one episode that was interesting was with Dudie, the child Rivka “adopts” but is taken from her. Too bad more of the book didn’t involve his story! ( )