inliterarylove's review against another edition
5.0
I love historical fiction, but I am especially a nut for Lauren Willig and I’ll tell you why. She always gives me a story I know nothing about from a time I typically know at least a little of. Willig gives us the untold stories and I relish her books because of that.
Band of Sisters is no different. In Sisters, Willig tells us the story of the Smithies, a group of women from Smith College who volunteered to assist French civilians after their towns were devastated in WWI battles. They are to help bring food, medical care, and even hope to these villages. Can this small group of women get the job done in a man’s battlefield?
They go through it all and then some, including but not limited to, figuring out a way to get some cows to the village from the train station. Yes, you read that right. These women form a sisterhood, a Band of Sisters, as the title so perfectly says. The incredibly different personalities are a treat to read. I wonder who you would identify with most…? I think I’m a combination of a couple of the girls, myself.
I received an advanced copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Band of Sisters is no different. In Sisters, Willig tells us the story of the Smithies, a group of women from Smith College who volunteered to assist French civilians after their towns were devastated in WWI battles. They are to help bring food, medical care, and even hope to these villages. Can this small group of women get the job done in a man’s battlefield?
They go through it all and then some, including but not limited to, figuring out a way to get some cows to the village from the train station. Yes, you read that right. These women form a sisterhood, a Band of Sisters, as the title so perfectly says. The incredibly different personalities are a treat to read. I wonder who you would identify with most…? I think I’m a combination of a couple of the girls, myself.
I received an advanced copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
betheronio's review against another edition
5.0
Loved a book that doesn’t gloss over the casualties of war other than the brave heroes. This book was a wonderful fictionalization of a real group of women from WW1 that brought relief to the women and children left in the French war torn countryside. There was no glossing over how terrible war is. There was no glorification of war bravery. Just a bunch of women trying to help people in desperate need. I didn’t love all the weird interpersonal conflicts. But I don’t love real life interpersonal conflict, either.
i_hype_romance's review against another edition
4.0
A huge thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this wonderful title in exchange for an honest review.
I fell in love with the characters in this book. The World War I setting was fascinating, and I love the fact that the author shaped the plot around actual events and people.
All of the Smith College alumni who volunteer for the unique rescue mission are either running from something or searching for something. Seeing their stories unfold as they find the strength to help those who are trapped and starving in the French countryside was riveting and unforgettable.
Kate has always struggled against the stigma of being poor. She has never felt she belonged anywhere. Her bookwormish habits growing up alienated her from her working class family, who were proud but struggled to understand her. Her less than illustrious background drove a wedge between she and her Smith classmates. When her best friend Emmie persuades her to join the relief effort, she is excited to try her hand at making a difference.
Enmie has grown weary of the constant pressure to find a suitable husband from the rank and file. She has always felt awkward and insufficient in the eyes of her philanthropist mother, and sees the relief mission as a way to find her purpose.
These two main characters are surrounded by a robust supporting cast.
Pick this book up if you enjoy tightly woven stories that emphasize personal growth and the bonds of found sisterhood. Pick this book up if you are interested in women's liberation, and the impact World War I had on the lives of ordinary people.
I fell in love with the characters in this book. The World War I setting was fascinating, and I love the fact that the author shaped the plot around actual events and people.
All of the Smith College alumni who volunteer for the unique rescue mission are either running from something or searching for something. Seeing their stories unfold as they find the strength to help those who are trapped and starving in the French countryside was riveting and unforgettable.
Kate has always struggled against the stigma of being poor. She has never felt she belonged anywhere. Her bookwormish habits growing up alienated her from her working class family, who were proud but struggled to understand her. Her less than illustrious background drove a wedge between she and her Smith classmates. When her best friend Emmie persuades her to join the relief effort, she is excited to try her hand at making a difference.
Enmie has grown weary of the constant pressure to find a suitable husband from the rank and file. She has always felt awkward and insufficient in the eyes of her philanthropist mother, and sees the relief mission as a way to find her purpose.
These two main characters are surrounded by a robust supporting cast.
Pick this book up if you enjoy tightly woven stories that emphasize personal growth and the bonds of found sisterhood. Pick this book up if you are interested in women's liberation, and the impact World War I had on the lives of ordinary people.
alayna's review against another edition
4.0
Band of Sisters by Lauren Willig tells the story of Smith College alumna who volunteer as WWI relief workers in 1917. The novel follows Kate Moran, a young woman from a working-class family and whose academic scholarship places her in classrooms with daughters of the elite. As Kate navigates war-torn France, she wrestles who she is among her peers: the proud, capable woman she knows she is verses the "charity girl" her classmates consider her.
The narration shifts between Kate, Emmie, and Julia. But focuses mostly on Kate and Emmie.
Kate's working-class background will made her uniquely capable of navigating the challenges of war-torn France. She understood the importance of emphasizing dignity as well as charity to villagers as they rebuild their lives and livelihoods. But Kate also learned that the women of Smith College had their own unique skills to solve problems in ways she wouldn't have considered..
Emmie's banter with the captain was especially enjoyable - a little comic relief in the midst of the mud, shelling, and rationing.
This book was very well researched which gave it a great sense of place. But at times I felt overwhelmed by the details. Even so, I appreciated learning about the variety of ways that women supported the war effort. Through a variety of letters we learn about the relatives of our cast of characters and the ways they are supporting both the war and suffrage efforts.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to historical fiction lovers. The audiobook was narrated by Julia Whalen and was especially enjoyable.
The narration shifts between Kate, Emmie, and Julia. But focuses mostly on Kate and Emmie.
Kate's working-class background will made her uniquely capable of navigating the challenges of war-torn France. She understood the importance of emphasizing dignity as well as charity to villagers as they rebuild their lives and livelihoods. But Kate also learned that the women of Smith College had their own unique skills to solve problems in ways she wouldn't have considered..
Emmie's banter with the captain was especially enjoyable - a little comic relief in the midst of the mud, shelling, and rationing.
This book was very well researched which gave it a great sense of place. But at times I felt overwhelmed by the details. Even so, I appreciated learning about the variety of ways that women supported the war effort. Through a variety of letters we learn about the relatives of our cast of characters and the ways they are supporting both the war and suffrage efforts.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to historical fiction lovers. The audiobook was narrated by Julia Whalen and was especially enjoyable.
alayna's review against another edition
4.0
Band of Sisters by Lauren Willig tells the story of Smith College alumna who volunteer as WWI relief workers in 1917.
The novel follows Julia, Emmie, and mostly Kate Moran, a young woman from a working-class family and whose academic scholarship places her in classrooms with daughters of the elite. As Kate navigates war-torn France, she wrestles who she is among her peers: the proud, capable woman she knows she is verses the "charity girl" her classmates consider her.
Kate's working-class background will made her uniquely capable of navigating the challenges of war-torn France. She understood the importance of emphasizing dignity as well as charity to villagers as they rebuild their lives and livelihoods. But Kate also learned that the women of Smith College had their own unique skills to solve problems in ways she wouldn't have considered..
This book was very well researched which gave it a great sense of place. But at times I felt overwhelmed by the details. Even so, I appreciated learning about the variety of ways that women supported the war effort. Through a variety of letters we learn about the relatives of our cast of characters and the ways they are supporting both the war and suffrage efforts.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to historical fiction lovers. The audiobook was narrated by Julia Whalen and was especially enjoyable.
The novel follows Julia, Emmie, and mostly Kate Moran, a young woman from a working-class family and whose academic scholarship places her in classrooms with daughters of the elite. As Kate navigates war-torn France, she wrestles who she is among her peers: the proud, capable woman she knows she is verses the "charity girl" her classmates consider her.
Kate's working-class background will made her uniquely capable of navigating the challenges of war-torn France. She understood the importance of emphasizing dignity as well as charity to villagers as they rebuild their lives and livelihoods. But Kate also learned that the women of Smith College had their own unique skills to solve problems in ways she wouldn't have considered..
This book was very well researched which gave it a great sense of place. But at times I felt overwhelmed by the details. Even so, I appreciated learning about the variety of ways that women supported the war effort. Through a variety of letters we learn about the relatives of our cast of characters and the ways they are supporting both the war and suffrage efforts.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to historical fiction lovers. The audiobook was narrated by Julia Whalen and was especially enjoyable.
meganclemons's review against another edition
4.0
First, I would like to think NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read Band of Sisters in exchange for my honest review. I had not previously read any of Willig's solo works but I truly loved her works with Williams and White so I knew that I would most likely love this book.
I am a big fan of historical fiction and Band of Sisters taught me about a group of women and a part of history I previously had no knowledge of. Willig does an amazing job of storytelling and making you feel for these characters. I was so proud of them and I can't wait to devour everything Willig has published in the past! Dual timelines are my favorite trope in historical fiction right now but I enjoyed that this was simply a story about a wonderful group of women. I also enjoyed the letters at the beginning of each chapter!
I am a big fan of historical fiction and Band of Sisters taught me about a group of women and a part of history I previously had no knowledge of. Willig does an amazing job of storytelling and making you feel for these characters. I was so proud of them and I can't wait to devour everything Willig has published in the past! Dual timelines are my favorite trope in historical fiction right now but I enjoyed that this was simply a story about a wonderful group of women. I also enjoyed the letters at the beginning of each chapter!
adrose18's review against another edition
4.0
A solid historical fiction outing. I had never heard of the Smith women who did relief work during WWI and enjoyed learning more about them.
I listened to the audio book - my favorite narrator Julia Whelan - and really enjoyed that.
It was a bit intense to listen to a story about the invading Germans while the Russians were invading Ukraine - only with deadlier weapons.
I listened to the audio book - my favorite narrator Julia Whelan - and really enjoyed that.
It was a bit intense to listen to a story about the invading Germans while the Russians were invading Ukraine - only with deadlier weapons.
mombond's review against another edition
3.0
I liked it, but there are so many characters to keep track of. If the author mentions too many characters in the author notes I didn't feel bad for not being able to keep track of so many names.
hannah13's review against another edition
3.0
I would give this book a 3.5. It was an interesting context based on true events but not quite engaging enough to score a 4