sarahflanders's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Blood, Classism, Death, Grief, Medical content, Pandemic/Epidemic, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Gore, Miscarriage, Vomit, Child death, and Child abuse
lizziea229's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Gore, Child death, and Medical content
jpellwood's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Gore, Grief, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Blood, Death, and Medical content
clemrain's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief, Medical content, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Misogyny, Terminal illness, Abandonment, Child abuse, Classism, Gore, Violence, War, and Death of parent
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Drug abuse, Excrement, Lesbophobia, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Rape, and Sexual violence
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 butSpoiler
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.joey_marie05's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Child death, Death, Gore, and Miscarriage
alexa_gee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I don't normally like books about "friendship" but this was beautiful and it really touched my heart. Bridie and Julia latch onto each other from the minute they meet- they just have this beautiful bond and mutual respect for one another that neither appeared to have really experienced before which was interesting to read about.
I just have to include a quote (for my old English teachers, of course).
Spoiler
"I had this peculiar conviction that she'd want me to keep Barnabas White out of the pipe."I just wanted to mention also that this book is full of nice little historical details and fun facts that are certainly not out of place but are a nice way to learn a bit of medical history.
I had to deduct half a star just because I found it quite hard to get into, but once I was in it, I was in it.
That blurb is a bit ranty, but I hope you can bear with me on that front (I'm trying to write more reviews to improve my analysing and writing skills so they should improve over time?). I hope your heart breaks as much as mine does. This book is painful, there is no pretending it isn't, but it is beautiful and inspiring because of the pain.
Graphic: Gore, Vomit, Child death, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
catherinebergeron34's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Death, Gore, Grief, Medical content, and Miscarriage
carolinebrooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Death, Child death, Vomit, Pregnancy, Medical content, Medical trauma, Gore, Excrement, Blood, and Child abuse
lena04's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Death, Gore, Medical content, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
Minor: Homophobia and Sexism
hbhentschel's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Child death, Medical content, Pregnancy, and Gore
Minor: Domestic abuse and Child abuse