What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedNot So Quiet
Helen Zenna Smith · Book · 1989
If you loved Not So Quiet, start with All Quiet on the Western Front (Lewis Milestone, 1930) — a film on the same thread. Below: 1 film, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Not So Quiet across media.
You connected with the way Not So Quiet centers the human experience against the backdrop of larger institutional conflict.
Films on the same thread
All Quiet on the Western Front
Lewis Milestone · Film · 1930
Shares a thread with Not So Quiet: loss of innocence.
Like Not So Quiet, this film strips away the romanticism of the Great War, focusing on the brutal disillusionment and trauma that define the experience of those on the front.
Series on the same thread
Call the Midwife
Heidi Thomas · Series · 2012
Explores: Women's Issues, Community, Social Issues.
If you appreciated the focus on women performing essential, often overlooked labor in Not So Quiet, you will value this depiction of midwives navigating social challenges in mid-century London.
Prime Suspect
Lynda La Plante · Series · 1991
Explores: Gender Inequality, Workplace Discrimination, Ambition.
Just as the protagonist of Not So Quiet battles systemic prejudice, you will recognize that same struggle for professional recognition and agency in this gripping story of a female detective.
Dad's Army
Jimmy Perry · Series · 1968
Explores: Home Front, Amateurism, Community.
This series captures the specific brand of British dark humor found in Not So Quiet, highlighting the absurdity and camaraderie of individuals caught in the machinery of wartime defense.
'Allo 'Allo!
David Croft · Series · 1984
Shares a thread with Not So Quiet: Satire.
Fans of the biting, satirical look at war presented in Not So Quiet will enjoy this farcical take on the tension and chaos inherent to life in occupied France.
Podcasts on the same thread
Quiet Riot
Podcast
Explores: Politics, Humor, Political Analysis.
If the sharp, humorous, and critical perspective of Not So Quiet resonated with you, this podcast provides a similar intellectual engagement through its blend of analysis and levity.
Lost Voices of The Great War Panel Discussion
James Newhall · Podcast · 2019
Those who were drawn to the historical perspective of Not So Quiet will find this panel discussion an essential exploration of the personal narratives lost to the Great War.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Not So Quiet based on a true story?
Not So Quiet is a novel written in autobiographical guise. It draws upon the real experiences of British women ambulance drivers serving as Voluntary Aid Detachment workers on the French front lines during World War 1 to provide a bitter and feminist look at the conflict.
What is the historical setting of Not So Quiet?
The story of Not So Quiet takes place during World War 1. It focuses on a group of women serving as Voluntary Aid Detachment workers who drive ambulances for the wounded on the French front lines.
When was Not So Quiet first published?
Not So Quiet was originally published in London in 1930. The book provides a unique perspective on the war by detailing the experiences of women who were actively engaged in frontline service.
What kind of work did the women in Not So Quiet perform?
In Not So Quiet, the women serve as Voluntary Aid Detachment workers. These women pay for the privilege of working as ambulance drivers, transporting wounded soldiers while experiencing the harsh realities of the French front lines during World War 1.