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jpellwood's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Death, Gore, Miscarriage, Blood, Medical content, Grief, and Pregnancy
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, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Child abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Terminal illness, Violence, Death of parent, Abandonment, War, and Classism
Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual violence, Excrement, Lesbophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
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 butjoey_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: Body horror, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Miscarriage, Blood, and Medical trauma
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).
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: Child death, Death, Gore, Vomit, 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: Child death, Death, Gore, Miscarriage, Blood, Medical content, and Grief
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: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gore, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Pregnancy
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: Child death, Death, Gore, Miscarriage, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Pregnancy
Minor: Homophobia and Sexism
hbhentschel's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Child death, Gore, Medical content, and Pregnancy
Minor: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
kayleyhyde's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Child death, Gore, Miscarriage, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexism and Religious bigotry
Minor: Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Vomit
eniatea's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Excrement, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Death of parent