As in her previous novel, Christy (1967), Marshall combines a colorful portion of American culture and history with facets of her family background in Julie. Two events of American history formed the basis for Julie: the Johnstown Flood of 1889 and the conditions in the steel towns of the Depression-ridden 1930s.

Julie continues Marshall's tradition of carefully researching the background of her characters. The reader is exposed to a detailed description of their social background and their work.

The Slavic phrases which would be customary in the speech patterns of a newly arrived immigrant are included.

Marshall is similarly thorough when she is writing about the English family history and crest of Julie's suitor, Randolph Wilkerson. The working world of the characters is authentically presented. The author uses Kenneth Wallace's job at the Sentinel as an opportunity to describe the craft of journalism and newspaper printing. The labor dispute at...