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cooperhixson's review against another edition
3.0
This was professionally written. I love books that illustrate some history in them. I personally think the book has several slow parts that made me put it down. I do think this is a delightful read. It opens your eyes to all of the trials and tribulations that were dealt with during this time.
english_lady03's review
4.0
This novel is based on a true story of a woman who served in a hospital and refugee camp in France during the 1930s: it explores (in the first part) the events of the Spanish Civil War, which might be unfamiliar to many of my followers.
The Spanish Civil War was a political conflict between left- and right-wing parties in Spain the 1930s, and many civilians were caught in the middle. Neither side were averse to killing women and children. Although there is a subplot with who of the characters (a married couple who are separated by war)
They are American minister’s son who entered the war with high ideals and a Spanish woman Isabel Dueñas who married in the midst of war the titular Swiss Nurse Elisabeth Eidenbenz who fought tirelessly to protect the innocent from the forces of evil. It’s a heart-breaking, moving but eventually hopeful story. I see one of the most important themes of this novel to be a warning against the evils of extremism.
The 20th century was one of the worst in history for this: millions were killed by totalitarian regimes of both the left and the right.
Let me share a passage which I think summarizes this well:
Yeah: that.
A must-read book.
I requested a PDF of this title via Harper Muse on Netgalley. I wasn’t required to write a review, either positive or negative and all opinions expressed are my own.
The Spanish Civil War was a political conflict between left- and right-wing parties in Spain the 1930s, and many civilians were caught in the middle. Neither side were averse to killing women and children. Although there is a subplot with who of the characters (a married couple who are separated by war)
They are American minister’s son who entered the war with high ideals and a Spanish woman Isabel Dueñas who married in the midst of war the titular Swiss Nurse Elisabeth Eidenbenz who fought tirelessly to protect the innocent from the forces of evil. It’s a heart-breaking, moving but eventually hopeful story. I see one of the most important themes of this novel to be a warning against the evils of extremism.
The 20th century was one of the worst in history for this: millions were killed by totalitarian regimes of both the left and the right.
Let me share a passage which I think summarizes this well:
“We’re all responsible for the lack of values that currently prevails in this world created by Marxism, Fascism, and Nazism... By getting rid of God, we thought we were freeing ourselves from divine tyranny. But all we did was turn men into gods and our ideologies into the new religion.
Nihilism and historical realism erased everything that was once sacred and of value in our world. We destroyed moral values and erected the most atrocious relativism in their place. The only new beginning we can reach for is to destroy all the tyrants and lay a foundation of hope for a world that is truly fraternal and is ruled by love for others and respect for human life and dignity.”
Yeah: that.
A must-read book.
I requested a PDF of this title via Harper Muse on Netgalley. I wasn’t required to write a review, either positive or negative and all opinions expressed are my own.
mashedpotaylorz's review
3.5
Prone to monologue, though I know that was to showcase real stories. Very educational!
juliaisreadingg's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
4.5
"...in the midst of the horror of the war, there was a maternity hospital in southern France where life found a way to flourish."
I wish there was more written in this world about Elisabeth Eidenbenz. What a strong and caring woman.
My only real complaint about The Swiss Nurse is that at times it read awkwardly, which I think can be attributed to it's translation.
I wish there was more written in this world about Elisabeth Eidenbenz. What a strong and caring woman.
My only real complaint about The Swiss Nurse is that at times it read awkwardly, which I think can be attributed to it's translation.
day_fisher's review
3.0
How can so many bad thing happen in one lifetime? If you don't like sad or heavy topics, don't read this one... I did get to learn about the Spanish Civil War which was pretty neat and I thought this had a good story line and characters! But it was sad and I didn't fully get into it (which is more on me than the book). 3.5 ⭐
lindseyslittlelibrary's review against another edition
3.0
I had such high hopes for this book - based on a true story and tied to the Spanish Revolution. Yet it just fell flat for me.
marymarsh94's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a while to get into this one. Overall the story was told pretty well.