Helpful Score: 2
The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue is set in Dublin in 1918 â the war and the flu epidemic. Given the current pandemic, it seems timely with lessons to be learned. However, the book is much more about the challenges of a maternity ward with copious medical descriptions. That and two love stories that are introduced out of nowhere towards the end of the book make this not the book for me. So disappointing.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2020/10/the-pull-of-stars.html
Reviewed for NetGalley.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2020/10/the-pull-of-stars.html
Reviewed for NetGalley.
Helpful Score: 2
A very timely read, set in a makeshift Dublin fever/maternity ward during the 1918 flu pandemic at the end of the Great War. The story unfolds over three days in the life of nurse Julia Powers, both inside and outside of the hospital. I paused occasionally to read up on certain references, as my knowledge of Irish history isn't the strongest. A doctor, Kathleen Lynn, is the only âreal' person featured in the book, but Julia, Bridie Sweeney and the rest are very believable for the location and time periodâbearing the challenges and scars of poverty and neglect, lack of education, disease, war and rebellion, and the impact of multiple pregnancies and births. Parts of the book are quite graphic for those who may be squeamish; coming from a medical background, I enjoyed them. Good for fans of Call the Midwife. It's not a happy tale, but I found myself captivated nonetheless. The ending did feel rushed, and it felt like an awful lot happened in the last 50 pages. Still a great read.
Helpful Score: 1
I don't know why I read this book: I don't like historical fiction, and the idea of giving birth gives me the heebie jeebies. Most of the book is descriptions of caring for pregnant women with the flu and giving birth. The last 40 or so pages has a plot with some revelations and events that seem very rushed. If you like historical fiction and frequent mentions of afterbirth this may be the book for you!
Helpful Score: 1
Interesting book that took place during the outbreak of the 1918 Flu Pandemic. It focused around the maternity ward that handled pregnant women who came down with the flu. The book focuses on 3 days of craziness handled by one woman with the help of an inexperienced aide and a female doctor hiding from the police. Lots of craziness happens in those days. Some happy, some sad. There are some descriptive medical issues that might turn some stomachs but not too bad. The story moved along and the characters were great, especially Bridie. Enjoyed the book even though it was quite depressing.
Helpful Score: 1
This book takes place during the Spanish Flu Epidemic 1918 in Dublin in a large hospital that has maternity and flu patients mixed together. It takes place over 3 days and the writing is so good that you get invested in the characters who are well-developed. The book reminded me of Call The Midwife. I would have to say that it is Donoghueâs best book so far. If you enjoy emotional reads, then you will enjoy this.
Helpful Score: 1
First book I've read by this author and it made a great first impression, aside from a few little things. Took me a bit to get used to the spoken dialogue not being in quotation marks, sometimes had to read twice to figure out if characters were thinking something or saying it out loud, but I got used to it. The "love story" DID seem to come out of nowhere as another reviewer said, and felt somewhat forced, but oh well.
Other than those two little things I loved it. I was in tears at various parts of the story, learned a TON about Ireland during the Spanish Flu (and Ireland in general since I had to google the meaning of quite a few phrases and words), and I loved the medical aspect of it. It is quite detailed and graphic but that's what made it so real. I hate books that gloss over details, this one definitely doesn't do that often!
I really felt that all the characters were really well done, enough detail that you feel like you know them and to make their place in the story important in some way.
Overall a very good read!
Other than those two little things I loved it. I was in tears at various parts of the story, learned a TON about Ireland during the Spanish Flu (and Ireland in general since I had to google the meaning of quite a few phrases and words), and I loved the medical aspect of it. It is quite detailed and graphic but that's what made it so real. I hate books that gloss over details, this one definitely doesn't do that often!
I really felt that all the characters were really well done, enough detail that you feel like you know them and to make their place in the story important in some way.
Overall a very good read!
This book is one of the finest I've read in quite some time. From the-on line summaries I expected just another pandemic tale but this is much more. While the 1918 flu is a driving force in the story it is also a stark realistic snapshot of conditions in Dublin, Ireland in a time of grinding poverty and wide-spread illness. The descriptions of the living conditions of the people and their lack of basic knowledge of simple medical concepts is eye-opening. Since the setting for the story is a maternity ward for women with the flu the descriptions of labor and child-birth make "Call the Midwife" seem tame. Also the appalling working conditions for nurses at the time are described in sometimes gory and gritty detail. It provides a new appreciation for the dedication and compassion of health care workers both in the early 20th Century and today. Also the growing relationship between the two main characters is poignant and believable. The only reason I didn't give this a five-star rating is the author's decision to not use quotation marks when the characters are speaking. It takes a number of pages to become comfortable with this rather irritating literary affectation but eventually you adapt and don't let it get in the way of enjoying an excellent story. I highly recommend this book. In fact, I just received another of Donoghue's novels from a book club member and look forward to starting it shortly.
