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jenpaul13's review
4.0
Pandemic diseases have a way of simultaneously tearing apart and bringing together people. In Susan Meissner's As Bright As Heaven, the Spanish flu of 1918 decimates the population of Philadelphia and forever changes the Bright family.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Pauline Bright, her husband, and their three daughters move to Philadelphia from Quakertown in 1918 so Thomas Bright can take up duties in his uncle's undertaker business and provide a better life for his family. Shortly after moving to the city, men of varying ages are called to serve in the Great War and the Spanish flu begins to wreak havoc throughout the city, and the rest of the world. As the flu takes thousands of people in Philadelphia, the middle Bright daughter finds an orphaned baby boy who the Brights take in as their own as he reminds them of the baby they lost shortly before leaving Quakertown. As the family deals with the pervasive loss around them, they learn the things in life they cannot live without and how they can secure it.
A strong work of well-researched and detailed historical fiction, the story addresses death from many angles and its various causes, with the most vicious coming from the pandemic spread of the unrelenting and indiscriminate Spanish flu. In addition to the presentation of suffering from a known disease, the narrative also explores the effects of war and trauma on the human psyche, allowing a glimpse of a few coping strategies that range from running away to escape to attempted suicide to end the suffering. Told from the perspective of the four Bright women, who are at vastly different stages in life and have varying outlooks, this narrative is driven by their character and demonstrates the power of family during an incredibly trying time and how to find joy within miserable circumstances.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Pauline Bright, her husband, and their three daughters move to Philadelphia from Quakertown in 1918 so Thomas Bright can take up duties in his uncle's undertaker business and provide a better life for his family. Shortly after moving to the city, men of varying ages are called to serve in the Great War and the Spanish flu begins to wreak havoc throughout the city, and the rest of the world. As the flu takes thousands of people in Philadelphia, the middle Bright daughter finds an orphaned baby boy who the Brights take in as their own as he reminds them of the baby they lost shortly before leaving Quakertown. As the family deals with the pervasive loss around them, they learn the things in life they cannot live without and how they can secure it.
A strong work of well-researched and detailed historical fiction, the story addresses death from many angles and its various causes, with the most vicious coming from the pandemic spread of the unrelenting and indiscriminate Spanish flu. In addition to the presentation of suffering from a known disease, the narrative also explores the effects of war and trauma on the human psyche, allowing a glimpse of a few coping strategies that range from running away to escape to attempted suicide to end the suffering. Told from the perspective of the four Bright women, who are at vastly different stages in life and have varying outlooks, this narrative is driven by their character and demonstrates the power of family during an incredibly trying time and how to find joy within miserable circumstances.
mmwood01's review
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
4.0
skynet666's review
4.0
Loved the story - historical fiction is my genre of choice. I didn't know anything about the Spanish flu, which meant I learned a few things. I also loved the characters and story.
winecellarlibrary's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Death of parent, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Kidnapping and War
vangalapriya's review
3.0
As bright as heaven is a book about a family who looses a baby boy and get the chance to take care of a helpless child. It depicts how the family deals with war, and the spanish flu. It was very familiar, the environment of the spanish flu and the pandemic that we are dealing with now. Also the story is told from multiple different characters perspective. From the victims to bystanders we see how everyone dealt with the plague. She also explores the PTSD soldiers had to deal with after the war. This is an extremely heartwarming story and such a quick read. I loved all the characters and each of their perspectives captivated my attention. The writing was beautiful and the words just flowed on the page. I would recommend anyone who loves historical fiction to pick up this book.
sytaylor's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Pandemic/Epidemic
amylauren36's review
3.0
This is an interesting book. It's not my favorite in the genre of historical fiction, but it was good. It might not be for everyone- it was depressing, but also that's what you get with a WWI story and Spanish flu. The characters are interesting though, and I love the female characters. If you like historical fiction, you might like this one!
Here's a little summary:
"In 1918, Philadelphia was a city teeming with promise. Even as its young men went off to fight in the Great War, there were opportunities for a fresh start on its cobblestone streets. Into this bustling town, came Pauline Bright and her husband, filled with hope that they could now give their three daughters--Evelyn, Maggie, and Willa--a chance at a better life.
But just months after they arrive, the Spanish Flu reaches the shores of America. As the pandemic claims more than twelve thousand victims in their adopted city, they find their lives left with a world that looks nothing like the one they knew. But even as they lose loved ones, they take in a baby orphaned by the disease who becomes their single source of hope. Amidst the tragedy and challenges, they learn what they cannot live without--and what they are willing to do about it.
As Bright as Heaven is the compelling story of a mother and her daughters who find themselves in a harsh world not of their making, which will either crush their resolve to survive or purify it."
Here's a little summary:
"In 1918, Philadelphia was a city teeming with promise. Even as its young men went off to fight in the Great War, there were opportunities for a fresh start on its cobblestone streets. Into this bustling town, came Pauline Bright and her husband, filled with hope that they could now give their three daughters--Evelyn, Maggie, and Willa--a chance at a better life.
But just months after they arrive, the Spanish Flu reaches the shores of America. As the pandemic claims more than twelve thousand victims in their adopted city, they find their lives left with a world that looks nothing like the one they knew. But even as they lose loved ones, they take in a baby orphaned by the disease who becomes their single source of hope. Amidst the tragedy and challenges, they learn what they cannot live without--and what they are willing to do about it.
As Bright as Heaven is the compelling story of a mother and her daughters who find themselves in a harsh world not of their making, which will either crush their resolve to survive or purify it."
williams_alicia96's review
challenging
dark
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
librariesandlabradors's review against another edition
4.0
What a beautiful story! It really kind of felt like two books in one- the first during the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic, the second being 7 years later. I enjoyed the 7 years later section a lot more, probably because the girls were more grown up and the romances were more in play. I loved Maggie’s story especially, she was my favorite MC!