I received a copy of this book from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

It's 1918 and the Great Flu has come to Dublin, Ireland. Julia is left to run the maternity ward; single-handedly caring for sick mothers and their imminent arrivals. Over the course of a couple of days, Julia forms a deep connection with her charges, and the girl helping her while thinking more broadly about the political landscape of Ireland the plight of women.

CW: Traumatic childbirth, stillbirth.

"This is where every nation draws its first breath. Women have been paying the blood tax since time began."

Wow, this book was so intense, fast-paced and I loved every second of it. I couldn't tear my eyes away even when my entire body was clenched up in imaginary pain in solidarity with the women in the ward.

This book is also such an eye-opener for the amazing work and skill of nurses. Julia does not stop and I have no doubt her work is and has been repeated over and over in every hospital in the world because of amazing nursing staff.

There are some really traumatic parts in this book, and descriptions of medical procedures that had me hissing just imagining them, let alone knowing what kind of pain these women were in. And on top of all of that, they had the flu as well which made things even worse. If you are at all sensitive on epidemic/pandemic descriptions and flu-like symptoms and death due to the Covid-19 crisis, I would be wary of this book until you are better able to handle the content.

The political situation in Ireland at the time of this book was also fascinating - hearing from characters on the ground during the 1916 Rising, and on both sides of the movement. A freedom fighter, and an ordinary nurse who had to nurse civilians injured by the destruction. And in the shadow of WW1 as well when men who fought in it were deemed to be traitors for fighting in the British army.

Bridie's character was so lovely, and the way in both harsh and gentle ways Emma Donoghue unveiled her past and the true horror of institutional homes and Mother & Baby homes was done really well. Anyone not versed in Ireland's horrific history with these homes would have no trouble understanding the cruelty that resided inside of them, and doled out by people who were suppose to be men and women of God.

I loved the f/f relationship in this. The way it blossomed and just erupted into something sweet and lovely, and so tragically brief was achingly gorgeous and heartbreaking all at once.

I loved this book, and Emma Donoghue proves once again I can always count on her for an addictive story, and characters I can fiercely connect with and root for.