Scan barcode
A review by dianet
The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue
challenging
medium-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
I can see why this book is not for everyone, but I absolutely loved it. I work in a hospital and a well written medical drama is right up my alley. I don't think I could have read this at the time it was released because everything with COVID was still so new and shocking. But, we have now been dealing with the current pandemic for a year and a half, and I finally felt like I could mentally handle reading this book.
This book was so well done. I felt as though I was right inside that little room with Nurse Power, Bridie, and the patients. I found it fascinating to read about the actual symptoms of the flu of 1918. It was also so interesting that they were dealing with some of the same issues we have been dealing with in 2020/2021. For example, they were also debating whether or not masks work and people were upset because visitors were not being allowing in the hospital during the pandemic. That part all felt very familiar to current day issues.
I also appreciated what a good job Donoghue did of seamlessly pulling in other issues - Ireland's fight for independence, the many physical and mental issues of soldiers returning from WWI, the poor social situations in the city of Dublin, and how the church was abusing their authority over those deemed "less worthy".
The ending was absolutely heartbreaking, but also hopeful in its own way. It felt a bit abrupt because I wanted the story to keep going - I wanted to know more of how it all turned out. But, the entire story takes place in 3 days and that is all you get. A glimpse into the life of an amazing women doing her part to try to make the world a better place.
This book was so well done. I felt as though I was right inside that little room with Nurse Power, Bridie, and the patients. I found it fascinating to read about the actual symptoms of the flu of 1918. It was also so interesting that they were dealing with some of the same issues we have been dealing with in 2020/2021. For example, they were also debating whether or not masks work and people were upset because visitors were not being allowing in the hospital during the pandemic. That part all felt very familiar to current day issues.
I also appreciated what a good job Donoghue did of seamlessly pulling in other issues - Ireland's fight for independence, the many physical and mental issues of soldiers returning from WWI, the poor social situations in the city of Dublin, and how the church was abusing their authority over those deemed "less worthy".
The ending was absolutely heartbreaking, but also hopeful in its own way. It felt a bit abrupt because I wanted the story to keep going - I wanted to know more of how it all turned out. But, the entire story takes place in 3 days and that is all you get. A glimpse into the life of an amazing women doing her part to try to make the world a better place.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Child abuse