findyourgoldenhour's review against another edition
4.0
I love historical fiction, especially about times in history I know little about. After finishing this book and reading the Author’s Note at the end, I found myself wondering why the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918 hasn’t been used as a backdrop for more storytelling: 50 million people died worldwide, and it was an equal opportunity disease, killing young and old, poor and wealthy alike. As the author says in her note at the end, it’s not just one story, but millions of stories, of parents and brothers and sisters and children, just like us.
Anyway, back to the book. It’s really almost two novels in one: the first part is about this young family moving to Philadelphia, how the flu and World War I impacts their lives, and the immediate aftermath. The second part is all new story lines as their lives continue. Both are compelling and kept me turning the pages; I cared about the characters and wanted to know how things would turn out for them.
This book isn’t for the squeamish. The family runs a funeral home, and there is a lot of talk of handling dead bodies, particularly during the height of the flu outbreak. At times it seems macabre, but I think that’s just because we aren’t used to reading about the logistics of funeral homes so openly discussed. It’s not overly done, just be forewarned going in.
Toward the end there was a little bit of over-the-top coincidence to make the storyline work, but you’ll probably forgive the author because ultimately, it works.
Anyway, back to the book. It’s really almost two novels in one: the first part is about this young family moving to Philadelphia, how the flu and World War I impacts their lives, and the immediate aftermath. The second part is all new story lines as their lives continue. Both are compelling and kept me turning the pages; I cared about the characters and wanted to know how things would turn out for them.
This book isn’t for the squeamish. The family runs a funeral home, and there is a lot of talk of handling dead bodies, particularly during the height of the flu outbreak. At times it seems macabre, but I think that’s just because we aren’t used to reading about the logistics of funeral homes so openly discussed. It’s not overly done, just be forewarned going in.
Toward the end there was a little bit of over-the-top coincidence to make the storyline work, but you’ll probably forgive the author because ultimately, it works.
annaup's review against another edition
4.0
So compelling and so interesting. I loved learning about the pandameic flu and while parts of it felt like a romance I still was grateful for the historical context. Quick reward . Imagine Little women meets a terrible plague coming to town. Why does everyone seem so happy at the end?
egmartin's review against another edition
4.0
3.75/5
Loved the premise and overall plot. It especially hit home considering we’re all living in a global pandemic that has taken so many lives. What I didn’t love was the writing; it wasn’t bad or great, just okay.
Loved the premise and overall plot. It especially hit home considering we’re all living in a global pandemic that has taken so many lives. What I didn’t love was the writing; it wasn’t bad or great, just okay.
brigitte_grote's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed the first half of this book and then the second not as much, but it still ended well. The characters were well developed and I felt committed to them as I read their stories. I really enjoyed reading about the flu epidemic after experiencing our pandemic and could easily picture what life was like during that time.
christenebs's review against another edition
5.0
This book was both heart breaking and heart warming. I loved the time period and location of the story. So many books of this time are set in New York so it was refreshing to read a book set in Philadelphia. Perhaps reading a book about a flu pandemic during a tough flu season was poor timing though. Lol! In the end the author left enough doors open that I am left hoping to check in on the Bright family again in the future.
With all of that said there was a plot line in the last fourth of the book that evolved very quickly. Perhaps too quickly? In my opinion it needed more development to be consider plausible.
Besides that loved the book and the Bright Family!
With all of that said there was a plot line in the last fourth of the book that evolved very quickly. Perhaps too quickly? In my opinion it needed more development to be consider plausible.
Besides that loved the book and the Bright Family!
valharris's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
cmklaft's review against another edition
4.0
Wow! This was a fantastic book. I am amazed how closely relatable the situation with the Spanish flu was compared to what we are going through today. I can't believe how much of this history I never knew, this was huge and killed and affected so many individuals and families.
jessd07's review against another edition
emotional
sad
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? Yes
3.75
webbhkg's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
novellearts's review against another edition
5.0
This needs way more recognition. This was such a touching story.