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lorbach's review against another edition
2.0
I think I didn't really care for this book because so many things were left unanswered.
ridgewaygirl's review against another edition
4.0
This novel tells the story of Lydia, who longs to experience more of the world than the Southie neighborhood of Boston. She gets a job in a department store across the river, where she eventually meets and marries Henry Wickett, an odd man who has an idea of how to cure people. And so Wickett's Remedy is born.
This is a novel about the Spanish influenza epidemic that hit the United States during the First World War, and about a young woman who is determined to do what she can to help care for influenza patients despite her lack of medical training. Lydia is a fantastic character to follow as she works to adapt to whatever circumstances she finds herself in and the story is superbly researched. Goldberg also plays with the format of the novel, adding sidenotes where various characters comment on the events taking place, as well as articles, vignettes and even a secondary storyline taking place at the end of each chapter. Goldberg's writing is very good and the way she plays with structure fits well with the novel as a whole. I look forward to reading more by her.
This is a novel about the Spanish influenza epidemic that hit the United States during the First World War, and about a young woman who is determined to do what she can to help care for influenza patients despite her lack of medical training. Lydia is a fantastic character to follow as she works to adapt to whatever circumstances she finds herself in and the story is superbly researched. Goldberg also plays with the format of the novel, adding sidenotes where various characters comment on the events taking place, as well as articles, vignettes and even a secondary storyline taking place at the end of each chapter. Goldberg's writing is very good and the way she plays with structure fits well with the novel as a whole. I look forward to reading more by her.
ldv's review against another edition
4.0
The best audio book I've ever read, and by far the best "read by the author" edition I've ever come across. The story itself is interesting, following a young lady through her early career as a sales clerk, young wife, and then discovering nursing during the influenza epidemic. The Wickett's Remedy aspect is more of a subplot. However, the way the Wickett's Remedy story is told is really unique and interesting. The audio makes this book so much more interesting than it would have been to read -- think of listening to a radio during the 40s, with different voices and background music, a variety of genres, and you have a glimpse as to how this book comes across aurally. That the author, and not a famous actor (though perhaps she is an actress), does all the accents and voices is wonderful. All, except the side commentary from the characters of the beyond -- another really unique and interesting feature of the book.
It all makes for a very entertaining listen, with a side of history that I haven't read much about (and therefore an added bonus!)
It all makes for a very entertaining listen, with a side of history that I haven't read much about (and therefore an added bonus!)
marshmallowbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book for it's unique format of prose that told the story, as well as letters, newspaper articles, and conversations that filled in some of the details. These additional perspectives often came from many years, sometimes decades, after the time of the story being told. I also thoroughly enjoyed the tidbits of information added in the margins. Bits of insight from an insubstantial group of "Us" that were just plain interesting if only because I've never read a book that used anything like that before.
I also admired the main character, Lydia Kilkenny, her spirit, and her go-get-'em attitude. "Once Lydia saw Washington Street she knew she could not let it exist without her." So begins her quest to improve her situation with hard work and determination. This plays out repeatedly as she comes face-to-face with the 1918 influenza epidemic, leading her to take action immediately, even though her credentials are limited to a fierce desire to prevent others from experiencing her losses.
The one thing that kept this book from getting 4 stars from me is that it didn't really seem to tie up all the loose ends. Although the reader can determine what happened overall, since there is information from so far after the story itself, I think I prefer a little more definitive explanation of how the plot proceeded.
The one thing that saved this book and kept me reading, was the language. The author has some very beautiful phrases that I loved, and the writing kept me interested. Never before have I read the phrases, "the smell of dancing," or "the magic of synchronicity," or "the perfection of her vertebrae stacked one atop the other." It was these alone that kept my attention even though the question remains unanswered: Why exactly is it called Wickett's Remedy when that part of the story is the first end to be left loose?
I also admired the main character, Lydia Kilkenny, her spirit, and her go-get-'em attitude. "Once Lydia saw Washington Street she knew she could not let it exist without her." So begins her quest to improve her situation with hard work and determination. This plays out repeatedly as she comes face-to-face with the 1918 influenza epidemic, leading her to take action immediately, even though her credentials are limited to a fierce desire to prevent others from experiencing her losses.
The one thing that kept this book from getting 4 stars from me is that it didn't really seem to tie up all the loose ends. Although the reader can determine what happened overall, since there is information from so far after the story itself, I think I prefer a little more definitive explanation of how the plot proceeded.
The one thing that saved this book and kept me reading, was the language. The author has some very beautiful phrases that I loved, and the writing kept me interested. Never before have I read the phrases, "the smell of dancing," or "the magic of synchronicity," or "the perfection of her vertebrae stacked one atop the other." It was these alone that kept my attention even though the question remains unanswered: Why exactly is it called Wickett's Remedy when that part of the story is the first end to be left loose?
margaret102's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Quirky read and took some time to get used to but it was enjoyable once I got into the flow. There were sad parts but the book wasn’t a downer.
rebecca2023's review against another edition
The scenes from the 1918 pandemic are striking, during this time of covid.
cook_memorial_public_library's review against another edition
4.0
This was a compelling, quirkily but creatively written story about a truly admirable young woman, Lydia, who has tremendous self-understanding and achieves her dreams even through much hardship and difficulty. Lydia’s character is ever engaging, so the reader perseveres with her throughout many twists and turns in her life. The asides of “ghosts” in the margins commenting on the plot and the actual use of newspaper ads and accounts from the era enhance the driving of Lydia’s story, and add tremendous interest to Goldberg’s writing style.
--Recommended by Susie
Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Swickett%27s+remedy+goldberg__Orightresult__U1?lang=eng&suite=pearl
--Recommended by Susie
Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Swickett%27s+remedy+goldberg__Orightresult__U1?lang=eng&suite=pearl
sweetpeppah's review against another edition
3.0
i liked the snapshot of Boston during WWI! and therefore i liked the newspaper clippings and ads at the end of the chapters. i got it on CDs read by the author, so you know she's voicing the characters exactly how she imagined them. i liked the ghost voices, too, they butt in and correct the narrator when points of view conflict. the story and the characters meander a bit...but i feel like the setting and the history is the real character. really powerful description of the flu epidemic.
lynds_dewey's review against another edition
4.0
I loved listening to this book on my commute. Myla Goldberg does a wonderful job at reading her book and I really enjoyed her work. The end seemed a little abrupt, but I suppose it had to end sometime.
kdferrin's review against another edition
4.0
This book includes little asides to the story in margin notes found on most pages of the book. At first I found this distracted me from the flow of the story but eventually I got used to the format and enjoyed the little bits of humor these notes added.