The War I Finally Won

Ada is the protagonist and narrator of The War I Finally Won. Ada is 11 at the beginning of the novel and 14 at its close. Ada is afflicted with a clubfoot at the start of the novel but has corrective surgery in the opening chapter.

Traumatized by a childhood of neglect and abuse, Ada struggles to trust those around her and often feels unsafe. She reflects that “Mam had never loved me” and knows that this trauma will “hurt forever” (174). She is often overwhelmed with intense emotions that can seem incongruent to the given situation. The doll Susan makes Ada for Christmas prompts Ada to reflect on her years as a young child when she was abandoned and had no playmates or toys, and she feels “anger and panic building” (80). She feels rage at the injustice of the various ways Mam let her down. Fortunately, Susan helps Ada manage her anger, sadness, and insecurity. Ada loves wholeheartedly once she learns to trust. The stability and love provided by Susan allow these parts of Ada’s personality to shine through.

Her bravery and joy when riding the powerful Oban inspires Jonathan Thorton, who wants to name his plane “Invincible Ada” (305).