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challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Pregnancy
Moderate: Child abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Terminal illness, Violence, Death of parent, Abandonment, War, Classism
Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual violence, Excrement, Lesbophobia, Injury/Injury detail
This shattering story takes place over three strenuous days of a nurse and runner in a maternity ward during the influenza pandemic. It’s a difficult, slow read that dives into the little hours of horrors experienced by the most vulnerable.
I don’t really have the words for this book. I had a very vague knowledge of the influenza pandemic. But academic readings don’t do the justice to this tragic period of time. This book does and I think it’s because it’s takes a very small real part of the pandemic and focuses on it. The world is so much more than just the grand scheme of things.
I don’t know much about Ireland’s history past the famine most of us are taught about. But of course just like any country, Ireland had its l share of religious trauma. I wanted to scream and yell and cry.
The romance was so fleeting but it was impactful. I wish it had been woven into the plot a bit earlier but it was seamless and quick and sad. Of course Bridie would. Sad end to her, and I don’t exactly appreciate a woman’s death being used as a way to develops another character—even if it’s a woman rather than the regular man in most stories.
Nurse Power is a dear character to me. Complicated and closed, but just doing the most she can while keeping her head on her shoulder. She’s named Power for a reason.
Bridie Sweeney, what a darling character. So innocent but so weathered. Beautiful written.
It’s a hard read. The old speak and Irish slang had me pause and googling a lot. And there aren’t many books that truly cover such a small space of time in a full novel. As you’d expect it can get very overwhelming and difficult to read. But it’s a rewarding and educational and definitely worth the trek.