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erinreadstheworld 's review for:
The Pull of the Stars
by Emma Donoghue
Imagine becoming intrigued by the 1918 Flu Pandemic after its 100th anniversary, researching and writing a book, then handing your draft to your publisher at the start of another global pandemic. That's exactly what happened to Emma Donoghue and her latest novel, The Pull of the Stars.
Set in Dublin, at the height of the Spanish Flu, Nurse Julia Powers works at an understaffed hospital, where pregnant women with the flu are quarantined together. Into Julia's regimented world step two outsiders: Doctor Kathleen Lynn, on the run from the police, and a young volunteer helper, Bridie Sweeney.
Over 3 days we see the horror, the joy and the franticness of working in a maternity ward amongst a flu that little was known about. The current pandemic adds another layer to the book. You can feel the panic, understand the uncertainty, and relate to the characters in a way I don't think would have been possible without Covid-19.
The book shows us a crazy 72 hours, but no matter how harrowing some of the scenes are, the book still feels tender. Julia, Bridie and Dr Lynn all care deeply for their patients. That tenderness and empathy really shines through.
I was gripped by the story. Having had my own hospital birth (thankfully pre-pandemic) I was horrified to learn of the statistics Irish mothers faced a century ago, and shocked at some of the ways doctors would "help" labouring women. The book also gently explores the darker side of church run homes for children and unwed mothers.
But two things detracted from my overall enjoyment of the book. Firstly, the book is written without the use of quotation marks. There were many times that this didn't bother me. But there were also times when it was confusing trying to work out if characters were thinking or speaking, and that really ruined the flow of the book.
Secondly, I wanted to know more about the characters and their stories. I wanted to learn more about Dr Lynn, I wanted to see more of Bridie, and know more about Julia's brother, Tim. I thought the ending was too rushed to try and wrap everything up. If the book kept going for another few months (or years) I would have been happy.
Set in Dublin, at the height of the Spanish Flu, Nurse Julia Powers works at an understaffed hospital, where pregnant women with the flu are quarantined together. Into Julia's regimented world step two outsiders: Doctor Kathleen Lynn, on the run from the police, and a young volunteer helper, Bridie Sweeney.
Over 3 days we see the horror, the joy and the franticness of working in a maternity ward amongst a flu that little was known about. The current pandemic adds another layer to the book. You can feel the panic, understand the uncertainty, and relate to the characters in a way I don't think would have been possible without Covid-19.
The book shows us a crazy 72 hours, but no matter how harrowing some of the scenes are, the book still feels tender. Julia, Bridie and Dr Lynn all care deeply for their patients. That tenderness and empathy really shines through.
I was gripped by the story. Having had my own hospital birth (thankfully pre-pandemic) I was horrified to learn of the statistics Irish mothers faced a century ago, and shocked at some of the ways doctors would "help" labouring women. The book also gently explores the darker side of church run homes for children and unwed mothers.
But two things detracted from my overall enjoyment of the book. Firstly, the book is written without the use of quotation marks. There were many times that this didn't bother me. But there were also times when it was confusing trying to work out if characters were thinking or speaking, and that really ruined the flow of the book.
Secondly, I wanted to know more about the characters and their stories. I wanted to learn more about Dr Lynn, I wanted to see more of Bridie, and know more about Julia's brother, Tim. I thought the ending was too rushed to try and wrap everything up. If the book kept going for another few months (or years) I would have been happy.