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eemiillaa's review against another edition
4.0
I doubt I would have read this book if I had known it would spend so much time in the gory maternity ward during a pandemic, but I liked it overall. I rounded up the rating for its indictment of mother-baby homes and strong reminder that birth is dangerous especially for poor folks who may be underfed and overworked.
holly_johnson's review against another edition
5.0
The pandemic of 1918 was horrific, but how many books have you read about it? Now, a hundred years later, it seems so relevant. Donoghue's eminently readable historical fiction novel follows nurse Julia Powers through three days of working tirelessly to keep her pregnant, infected patients alive with little more than cleanliness, aspirin and whiskey. She's had the flu, but the other medical professionals around her are dropping like flies, and she doesn't know when or if they will return. She must depend on a completely inexperienced volunteer to help her run the ward, and a doctor who has a warrant out for her arrest. The author's focus is on the flu, but life in 1918 Ireland intrudes, as it must. Those new to Irish history will come away with questions about the workhouses and Magdalene laundries, the risings, WWI and other historical background that contributed to the appalling death toll.
sdecoste's review against another edition
3.0
This story of the 1918 influenza pandemic couldn't have been published at a more prescient time than in the midst of our own COVID pandemic. In a maternity ward for women with influenza who are about to deliver, nurse Julia Powell must minister to the labor and delivering of the mothers, with an acute shortage of physicians, and tend to the newborns. Medicines used include whiskey, cocaine and heroin. Many mothers and children didn't make it. Julia is helped by Bridie Sweeney, a ward of the convent, who knows nothing about pregnancy or birthing, but learns quickly. As their relationship grows, Julia learns about life for an orphan in the convent and is amazed that Bridie is as well adjusted and happy as she is! Interesting story, but moves slowly over the course of three days.
josieowens's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this novel. It was well researched and written. I like that it is just 2 intense days in 1918. I really felt the drama and desperation.
sus1969's review against another edition
5.0
LOVE LOVE LOVE! I couldn’t put this one down which is my criteria for a 5 star rating. The story takes place over 3 days in a very short staffed hospital in Dublin in 1929, at the height of the flu pandemic. With COVID19, this is a very timely novel. The main character Julia is a nurse midwife. The RN in me loved the medical aspects of this book, if you’re squeamish it’s probably not for you.
bionicsarah's review against another edition
4.0
A book for 2020 and for 1918 the story of a pandemic. then the Spanish flu at the end of world war 2 killed more than the war itself
The book is the story of a nurse on a maternity ward during the Spanish flu pandemic .It is a story that feels so familiar to us all now 6 months into the sars covid 19 pandemic we are currently living through .So little could be done then and skilled compassionate nursing cate was the most valuable of anything in ensuring survival .I felt with the lead character caught up in the horror of the moment yet as you would expect on maternity wards there are moments of joy in stark comparison.
I didn’t want this book to end and would love to know more about nurse Julia and her she’ll shocked brother
The book is the story of a nurse on a maternity ward during the Spanish flu pandemic .It is a story that feels so familiar to us all now 6 months into the sars covid 19 pandemic we are currently living through .So little could be done then and skilled compassionate nursing cate was the most valuable of anything in ensuring survival .I felt with the lead character caught up in the horror of the moment yet as you would expect on maternity wards there are moments of joy in stark comparison.
I didn’t want this book to end and would love to know more about nurse Julia and her she’ll shocked brother
caroltp's review against another edition
3.0
The book was good. It just wasn’t for me. Too much birthing drama.
anotherfangirl's review against another edition
4.0
It's not very often that a book makes me cry, but The Pull of the Stars made me weep. I couldn't stop crying from about 92% to the end.
I almost had to put the book down because it was hard to see clearly through all the tears I was shedding (that never happened before, I'm still surprised about my strong reaction).
A powerful read and definitely recommended, but prepare to become an emotional wreck.
I almost had to put the book down because it was hard to see clearly through all the tears I was shedding (that never happened before, I'm still surprised about my strong reaction).
A powerful read and definitely recommended, but prepare to become an emotional wreck.
bethanygladhill's review against another edition
4.0
A book that I've thought of a lot since finishing it.