When We Were Enemies Summary, Characters and Themes
When We Were Enemies by Emily Bleeker is a dual-timeline novel that weaves together the stories of two women separated by decades but connected by a shared legacy of love and personal growth.
In the present day, Elise Branson, a PR executive, is caught in the midst of a documentary about her famous grandmother, Vivian Santini, a woman who once worked at an internment camp for Italian POWs during World War II. As Elise uncovers her grandmother’s hidden love story, she is forced to confront her own doubts about love and family expectations, ultimately choosing her own path. Meanwhile, Vivian’s poignant journey during the war reveals a forbidden love that defied the boundaries of time, risk, and societal norms.
Summary
When We Were Enemies intertwines two compelling narratives: one set in the present day, following Elise Branson, and the other in the 1940s, exploring the life of her grandmother, Vivian Santini. The novel explores themes of love, personal discovery, family legacy, and the constraints of societal expectations.
The story opens with Elise, a successful PR executive, who finds herself at the center of a public spectacle when her wealthy boyfriend, Hunter, proposes to her in front of an audience, using her grandmother’s heirloom ring.
Despite feeling uneasy, Elise says yes. Her family, particularly her mother, Gracelyn, a famous actress, is eager to make the wedding a high-profile event, adding pressure to Elise’s decision. Elise, feeling the weight of these expectations, decides to travel to Indiana to plan the wedding, although Hunter remains preoccupied with his career.
Parallel to Elise’s story, the novel delves into Vivian’s life in 1943, where she works as a secretary at Camp Atterbury, a U.S. internment camp for Italian POWs.
Vivian, an Italian-American woman, is initially hesitant to engage with the prisoners, especially given the complicated history between Italy and the United States during World War II. Her discomfort grows when she becomes acquainted with a POW named Trombello, who is calm, composed, and dignified despite the harsh conditions he faces.
A fight breaks out among the prisoners, and Vivian witnesses Trombello being wrongly blamed for the altercation. She steps in to defend him, impressing her superior and securing a promotion to become an interpreter.
As the plot unfolds, Elise becomes more deeply entangled in the making of the documentary about Vivian’s life.
She reluctantly agrees to participate, despite her growing doubts about her relationship with Hunter. During her visit to Indiana, Elise uncovers old love letters from her grandmother, hinting at a secret romance with an Italian prisoner of war. This discovery sparks Elise’s curiosity and forces her to confront her own feelings about her engagement.
As she delves deeper into the documentary and her grandmother’s past, Elise begins to question whether she truly loves Hunter or is simply adhering to family expectations.
Meanwhile, Vivian’s relationship with Trombello intensifies. Despite the dangers, they share personal stories, and Vivian finds herself falling for him. However, their love is forbidden by both the law and societal norms.
Trombello is later accused of attempting to escape the camp, a charge he did not commit. Vivian risks her job and safety to defend him, but the consequences are severe. She is forced to leave her post at the camp, and their future together appears uncertain.
As the narrative moves toward its climax, Elise discovers the truth: Vivian and Trombello’s love story was not only real but also deeply transformative.
Vivian had secretly helped Trombello escape, and after the war, they reunited and built a life together. Inspired by her grandmother’s courage, Elise finally finds the strength to break off her engagement with Hunter.
She realizes that her feelings for him were more about obligation and societal pressure than genuine love.
Vivian’s story concludes with her marriage to Trombello after the war, as they defy the odds and build a life together. Elise, on the other hand, begins to take control of her own future. She cancels the documentary, choosing to live her life on her own terms, free from the weight of family expectations.
In the end, When We Were Enemies is a novel about discovering one’s own path in life, understanding the complexities of love, and honoring the legacies of the women who came before us. Through the intertwined stories of Elise and Vivian, Bleeker explores the sacrifices, struggles, and triumphs that come with following one’s heart in the face of societal pressures.
Characters
Elise Branson
Elise Branson is the protagonist in the contemporary timeline of the novel. She is a successful PR executive, seemingly leading a picture-perfect life with her wealthy fiancé, Hunter Garrot. However, underneath the outward appearance of success, Elise is plagued by deep self-doubt, particularly regarding her engagement.
Her relationship with Hunter feels more like an obligation than a true, passionate connection. She is heavily influenced by her family’s expectations, especially her controlling mother, Gracelyn, who is a famous actress. Elise’s arc revolves around discovering her true desires and distinguishing them from the pressure to conform to societal norms.
As she delves into the history of her grandmother, Vivian, Elise begins to reevaluate her life, her engagement, and her relationship with Hunter. The discovery of Vivian’s forbidden love with Trombello becomes a catalyst for Elise’s self-realization.
She ultimately chooses to break off her engagement with Hunter, deciding that love should be about genuine connection rather than public spectacle or familial expectations. Elise’s journey is one of personal growth, moving from a life dictated by others’ choices to one where she embraces independence and authenticity.
Vivian Santini/Snow
Vivian Santini, later Vivian Snow, is the central character in the historical timeline of the novel. She is an Italian-American woman working as a secretary at Camp Atterbury, an internment camp housing Italian POWs during World War II. At the beginning of the story, Vivian is loyal to her family and initially uncomfortable with the camp’s prisoners, especially because of her own Italian heritage.
However, her character undergoes a significant transformation as she meets and falls in love with Trombello, an Italian POW. Despite the societal and familial constraints that forbid any romantic relationships with prisoners, Vivian becomes increasingly drawn to Trombello’s calm and composed nature.
Her love for him is an act of rebellion, not just against the rules of the camp but also against the expectations of her family and society. Vivian’s internal conflict intensifies when Trombello is wrongfully accused of attempting to escape, and she risks her job to protect him.
Eventually, she helps Trombello escape, an act that solidifies her commitment to their love. After the war, she reunites with Trombello, and their love story is a testament to resilience, sacrifice, and the pursuit of happiness in the face of overwhelming odds.
Vivian’s character arc is about finding the courage to follow her heart, even when it goes against everything she’s been taught.
Hunter Garrot
Hunter Garrot is Elise’s wealthy fiancé, who appears to have it all on the surface. He is successful, charming, and seemingly perfect for Elise in the eyes of her family and society.
However, throughout the novel, it becomes clear that Hunter’s priorities lie more in his career than in his relationship with Elise. His grand public proposal to Elise using her grandmother’s ring symbolizes an attempt to create an idealized image of their life, one that is more about appearances than emotional depth.
As Elise struggles with her own doubts, Hunter remains distant, often postponing their wedding plans due to work commitments. This creates a growing emotional gap between them.
Hunter’s inability to connect with Elise on a deeper level becomes one of the key factors leading to their eventual breakup. While initially heartbroken, Hunter eventually accepts Elise’s decision to call off the engagement.
His character represents the idea of loving the concept of love or the idea of a perfect relationship without truly understanding or nurturing the emotional depth needed for such a connection.
Mac Dorman
Mac Dorman is a well-known documentarian dating Elise’s mother, Gracelyn, and is the one pushing for the documentary about Vivian. Throughout the novel, Mac plays the role of a guiding figure for Elise, although he often seems more interested in the project than in Elise’s personal feelings.
His professional vision clashes with Elise’s discomfort about revisiting her grandmother’s past, and their relationship is strained by the pressure of the documentary. As the narrative unfolds, Mac uncovers the truth about Vivian and Trombello’s forbidden love story, which ultimately shifts the focus of the documentary from being a simple biography to something much more profound.
Mac’s character arc centers around his passion for storytelling and his ability to unearth powerful narratives, but he remains somewhat detached from the personal implications these stories have on the people involved.
He completes the documentary, though Elise later distances herself from it, signifying that while he may have succeeded professionally, his relationship with Elise remains distant and impersonal.
Gracelyn Branson
Gracelyn Branson is a famous actress and a central figure in Elise’s life. As a mother, she is controlling, dramatic, and constantly pushes Elise to meet high standards, especially regarding her wedding.
Gracelyn sees Elise’s wedding as an opportunity to further her own image and is focused on the idea of a grand spectacle, rather than the emotional well-being of her daughter. This dynamic causes significant tension between mother and daughter, particularly as Elise begins to question her own desires.
Gracelyn’s insistence on the documentary about Vivian’s past is another example of her desire to shape Elise’s life in a way that suits her own ambitions. However, as Elise stands up to her, Gracelyn’s character arc involves a shift from controlling her daughter’s life to accepting Elise’s need for independence.
By the end of the novel, though initially upset by Elise’s choices, Gracelyn ultimately accepts her daughter’s decision and, in a way, lets go of her need to dominate every aspect of Elise’s life.
Trombello
Trombello is an Italian POW who becomes the love interest of Vivian. Calm, intelligent, and dignified, Trombello’s character is initially introduced as a peaceful figure among the chaotic and tense environment of Camp Atterbury. Though he is a prisoner, his quiet strength and character set him apart from the other men.
Trombello’s relationship with Vivian develops slowly, marked by moments of intimacy and deep connection, even as they both understand the risks involved in their romance. Trombello is accused of trying to escape the camp, though he is innocent, and he suffers harsh punishment.
Despite the adversities he faces, Trombello’s love for Vivian remains steadfast, and his character is a symbol of resilience. His ultimate escape, facilitated by Vivian’s bravery, is a pivotal moment in the story.
After the war, Trombello reunites with Vivian, and they start a life together, marking the resolution of his arc. Trombello’s character represents endurance, the transformative power of love, and the ability to rise above circumstances that seek to confine or diminish him.
Themes
The Conflict Between Societal Expectations and Personal Desires in the Pursuit of Love and Life Choices
One of the primary themes of When We Were Enemies is the tension between societal expectations and personal desires, particularly in the context of love and life choices. Both Elise and Vivian grapple with what society expects from them and what they truly want for themselves.
Elise, for example, faces immense pressure from her mother, Gracelyn, to have a grand wedding, one that would be documented for the world to see. She is also encouraged by Hunter to conform to a relationship that feels more like an idealized fantasy than a deep personal connection.
As the novel progresses, Elise begins to question her own engagement and realizes that her commitment to Hunter is based on the desire to meet expectations rather than on true love. Similarly, Vivian is caught between family loyalty and her forbidden love for Trombello, an Italian POW.
Her growing affection for him forces her to choose between the societal norms of wartime America and her own heart’s desire. Both characters ultimately make life-altering decisions that reflect their deep internal struggles and the importance of following their true selves, even if it means defying expectations.
The Struggles of Navigating Family Expectations and the Weight of Legacy Across Generations
Another prominent theme in the novel is the weight of family expectations and legacy, which plays a significant role in shaping the lives of both Elise and Vivian. Elise is heavily influenced by the legacy of her mother, who is a famous actress.
Gracelyn expects Elise to follow in her footsteps, including having a wedding that will serve as a public spectacle, further cementing her own image in the public eye. Gracelyn’s overbearing nature highlights the generational pressure that Elise faces, which often feels like a heavy burden.
However, Elise’s journey of self-discovery allows her to break free from her mother’s expectations, ultimately reshaping her path. Vivian, too, faces pressure from her family, particularly her father, who strongly disapproves of her association with Trombello, given the racial and wartime tensions of the time.
Despite this familial pressure, Vivian decides to pursue a relationship with Trombello, demonstrating how love and personal choices can sometimes conflict with familial ties. The novel explores how these pressures, both historical and generational, shape the characters’ lives, pushing them toward difficult decisions but also leading to personal growth.
The Tension Between Duty and Personal Desire in a Time of Crisis and War
When We Were Enemies also highlights the theme of duty versus personal desire, especially during times of crisis and war. Vivian’s role at Camp Atterbury places her in a morally complex situation, where she must navigate the tension between her duty to the camp and her growing affection for Trombello.
Her position as a secretary in a camp that houses Italian POWs creates a dilemma, as she must balance her professional responsibilities with her personal feelings. This conflict intensifies as Vivian becomes more entangled in her forbidden relationship with Trombello.
The pressures of wartime society, where loyalty to one’s country is paramount, force Vivian to make difficult decisions, including the choice to help Trombello escape, risking her career and safety. On the other hand, Elise’s struggle is more subtle but equally profound.
As a successful PR executive, Elise’s professional life seems perfect from the outside. Yet, she realizes that she is living a life dictated by societal pressures and not by her own desires.
Her engagement to Hunter is a representation of her commitment to duty and expectation, not love. The novel juxtaposes these two characters’ experiences during times of conflict and crisis, illustrating the personal sacrifices one often makes when caught between the responsibilities they face and the desires they hold deep within.
The Legacy of Historical Injustice and the Personal Impact of War on Relationships
The treatment of Italian-American families and Italian POWs during World War II is a significant theme in the novel, reflecting on the broader historical context of injustice. Vivian’s relationship with Trombello is framed within the larger narrative of racial and cultural prejudice during the war.
The internment camps for Italian POWs were a reflection of the fear and suspicion that permeated American society during wartime, and Vivian’s involvement with Trombello challenges the prejudices of the time. The novel explores how war and its associated fears distort personal relationships, as seen in the way Vivian’s family reacts to her developing feelings for Trombello.
The power dynamics of the era—shaped by war, race, and national loyalty—become significant barriers to their love. Trombello’s status as a POW makes their relationship inherently political and dangerous, and his love for Vivian is marred by the restrictions and dehumanizing conditions placed on him.
The novel’s treatment of historical injustice highlights how such social and political dynamics impact individuals on a deeply personal level. The story of Vivian and Trombello’s love serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices and struggles faced by those caught in the crossfire of societal conflict.
The Personal Growth and Self-Actualization Through Courageous Choices
The theme of personal growth through courageous choices is another central aspect of When We Were Enemies. Both Vivian and Elise undergo profound transformations as they make decisions that reflect their growing self-awareness and strength.
Vivian’s journey is one of self-discovery, as she learns to navigate the dangers of love in a time of war. Her courage to help Trombello escape and later marry him, despite the societal and familial obstacles she faces, marks a significant shift in her character from being a dutiful daughter to an independent woman who follows her heart.
Similarly, Elise’s growth is mirrored in her decision to break off her engagement with Hunter. Her journey is one of reclaiming autonomy, as she realizes that she has been living her life based on external expectations rather than internal desires.
By choosing to cancel the documentary about her grandmother’s life and stepping away from the wedding, Elise asserts her agency and begins to follow a path that is truly her own. This theme emphasizes the importance of self-actualization and personal courage, as both characters ultimately choose paths that align with their true selves, free from the constraints of family, society, and expectation.
Through these acts of defiance, both characters find deeper fulfillment and a renewed sense of purpose. This highlights the transformative power of courageous choices in shaping one’s destiny.