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cydneydaniel's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bookshappythoughts's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
π§πππ βπ¦ππ π π πππ ππ₯ππ£π€β¨οΈ
By Emma Doneghue @e_donoghue
Nurse Julie Power works in a maternity ward in the centre of the city when, in 1918, a flu pandemic hits, causing many deaths. the new mothers are isolated in the wards to try and protect them from the flu. Nurse Power is compassionate and overworked but does not tire of helping the mothers or their babies.
Doctor Kathleen Lynn is deamed a rebel and on the run from the police and the lovely Bridie Sweeney volunteers at the hospital to help out during the pandemic!
The relationship that builds between Julie and Bridie over the three days is just wonderful and empowering, the medical descriptions of each birth and medical procedures is so thorough you really feel like you are in the room as they take place.
It is a wonderful story of tenderness and humanity in a time of darkness and fear! Doneghue has done it again with her incredible storytelling! π
πππππ from me!π€
By Emma Doneghue @e_donoghue
Nurse Julie Power works in a maternity ward in the centre of the city when, in 1918, a flu pandemic hits, causing many deaths. the new mothers are isolated in the wards to try and protect them from the flu. Nurse Power is compassionate and overworked but does not tire of helping the mothers or their babies.
Doctor Kathleen Lynn is deamed a rebel and on the run from the police and the lovely Bridie Sweeney volunteers at the hospital to help out during the pandemic!
The relationship that builds between Julie and Bridie over the three days is just wonderful and empowering, the medical descriptions of each birth and medical procedures is so thorough you really feel like you are in the room as they take place.
It is a wonderful story of tenderness and humanity in a time of darkness and fear! Doneghue has done it again with her incredible storytelling! π
πππππ from me!π€
jenmangler's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed Emma Lowe's narration and I'm glad I chose to listen to the audiobook. I think it made me appreciate the book more than I would have otherwise. I loved Julia and Dr. Lynn (a real person, BTW) and I LOVED Bridie. The book is beautiful and heartbreaking.
stephltorres's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
lauracooleyjohnson's review against another edition
4.0
4-stars! I recommend this book. It was well-researched, and centers on a nurse in a maternity ward in Ireland during the 1918 flu. Given that we are in the midst of COVID-19, the publishers must have been giddy with excitement over the timing coincidence. Our main character is hardworking and lovable, and as a reader, I really felt the urgency and hecticness of the tasks on her ward, her helplessness and frustration in the face of poverty and corruption in church leaders, and her love, heartbreak and resolve in the end.
And yet I have a quibble. My quibble is that the book felt like the author didnβt quite know what she wanted to achieve, so she did it all, and separated each focus area with chapter headings that made the choppiness seem more seamless: Red, Brown, Blue and Black. These represent the progression of the skin tone when someone has the flu. So Maternity and midwifery detail (warning, gets a bit graphic/gory)? Historical commentary on social and political Ireland? The war and its impact? Forbidden love that seems a bit out of place from the rest of the book? Check, check, check and check. These are well done, and each packed tidily in their little labeled section, but I think the book could have been improved with a little more focus. Iβm stingy with my 5-star ratings, so Iβm withholding a star for that!
And yet I have a quibble. My quibble is that the book felt like the author didnβt quite know what she wanted to achieve, so she did it all, and separated each focus area with chapter headings that made the choppiness seem more seamless: Red, Brown, Blue and Black. These represent the progression of the skin tone when someone has the flu. So Maternity and midwifery detail (warning, gets a bit graphic/gory)? Historical commentary on social and political Ireland? The war and its impact? Forbidden love that seems a bit out of place from the rest of the book? Check, check, check and check. These are well done, and each packed tidily in their little labeled section, but I think the book could have been improved with a little more focus. Iβm stingy with my 5-star ratings, so Iβm withholding a star for that!
justajs's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
loxodonta's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ninasbooks57's review against another edition
5.0
What an amazing book. Being an OB nurse myself I could totally feel what Julia was going through. Hard to believe the barbaric interventions yet some of the treatments we still use in some form today! What a βhit the wallβ ending! There has to be a sequel/ please!!
bibi003's review against another edition
4.0
I read the synopsis for this novel over and over as it came across different goodreads lists the past few years and I discarded it every time. War and pandemic are two topics I haven't been reading much of lately. I've preferred to escape into more fantastical worlds when I have the opportunity to read. BUT, it was picked for my book club so I borrowed it from the library and decided to give it a go.
And guess what? It was great. I was riveted by this small hospital ward and the people within it. It was not a pleasant book. Much of it was actually very distressing (hence my usual avoidance of the aforementioned topics). But I loved the characters and was delighted by the relationships they formed and was left feeling like I'd learned something. The character of Dr Lynn was especially interesting and I will make a point to watch the documentary film about her life because she seems like an incredible woman.
And guess what? It was great. I was riveted by this small hospital ward and the people within it. It was not a pleasant book. Much of it was actually very distressing (hence my usual avoidance of the aforementioned topics). But I loved the characters and was delighted by the relationships they formed and was left feeling like I'd learned something. The character of Dr Lynn was especially interesting and I will make a point to watch the documentary film about her life because she seems like an incredible woman.
elliejmatthews's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0