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Hush: A Powerful WWI Short Story of a Mother and Son's Final Battle for Survival on Armistice Day
New York Times bestselling author Hazel Gaynor captivates with a beautifully rendered short story about the strength of a mother’s love as the Great War comes to an end at last . . .
As the final moments tick down to the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, signaling the end of fighting, midwife Annie Rawlins is doing everything she can to save an infant’s life. Too many have lost too much and Annie prays that the time for sorrow has passed. Meanwhile across the fields of France her son, Will, is on patrol one last time, clinging to thoughts of home and doing all he can to make it there. As the Armistice bells ring out, Annie and Will must fight one last time to grasp the hope of a new life and a new day.
Originally published in the moving collection Fall of Stories of Love and the Great War, this e-book also includes an excerpt from Gaynor’s new novel, The Girl from The Savoy, coming in June 2016.
As the final moments tick down to the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, signaling the end of fighting, midwife Annie Rawlins is doing everything she can to save an infant’s life. Too many have lost too much and Annie prays that the time for sorrow has passed. Meanwhile across the fields of France her son, Will, is on patrol one last time, clinging to thoughts of home and doing all he can to make it there. As the Armistice bells ring out, Annie and Will must fight one last time to grasp the hope of a new life and a new day.
Originally published in the moving collection Fall of Stories of Love and the Great War, this e-book also includes an excerpt from Gaynor’s new novel, The Girl from The Savoy, coming in June 2016.
52 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 17, 2016
15 people are currently reading
458 people want to read
About the author
Hazel Gaynor
18 books3,998 followersHazel Gaynor is an award-winning New York Times and internationally bestselling author of historical novels which explore the defining events of the 20th century. A recipient of the 2015 RNA Historical Novel award and the 2024 Audie award for Best Fiction Narrator, she was also shortlisted for the 2019 HWA Gold Crown, and the Irish Book Awards in 2017, 2020 and 2023.
Hazel’s co-written historical novels with Heather Webb have all been published to critical acclaim, winning or being shortlisted for several international awards.
She is a regular speaker at literary festivals, co-founder of The Inspiration Project, and programmed and hosted a series of Historia Live events in association with Dublin UNESCO City of Literature in 2024. Her work is translated into 20 languages and published in twenty-seven territories to date. Her latest novel, Before Dorothy, the imagine life story of Dorothy’s Aunt Em from The Wizard of Oz, will be published in June 2025.
Hazel lives in Ireland with her family.
For more information, visit www.hazelgaynor.com
where you can also sign up for her newsletter.
Hazel’s co-written historical novels with Heather Webb have all been published to critical acclaim, winning or being shortlisted for several international awards.
She is a regular speaker at literary festivals, co-founder of The Inspiration Project, and programmed and hosted a series of Historia Live events in association with Dublin UNESCO City of Literature in 2024. Her work is translated into 20 languages and published in twenty-seven territories to date. Her latest novel, Before Dorothy, the imagine life story of Dorothy’s Aunt Em from The Wizard of Oz, will be published in June 2025.
Hazel lives in Ireland with her family.
For more information, visit www.hazelgaynor.com
where you can also sign up for her newsletter.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 17, 2017
As I loved the first story in this collection, just the same I loved the story that concluded it. I loved how this story juxtaposed the lack of air and quiet on the battlefield with the same experience in the birthing room. The manner in which it is written and how it moves seamlessly back and forth between the two settings brings the home front and the battlefield closer. It also addressed the experiences of being a postman during this time (which is not something I would have wanted to do at the time) as well as those who remained at home due to dissenting from the war. An excellent inclusion in the collection.
This was read as part of The Fall of Poppies collection.
This was read as part of The Fall of Poppies collection.
January 8, 2018
A lovely little short story/novella. Hazel writes historical fiction very well.
November 5, 2019
This is an emotional short read that tells the story of Annie Rawlins, a midwife, who is trying her best to save an infant's life, as the final moments to mark the end of the Great War on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, is approaching. Hush gives us a glimpse of how this war affects everyone, from soldiers on the battlefield to their families and even the postman who constantly has to deliver ominous news to the soldiers' families. Despite the length of the story, I find that it is well-written and I enjoyed this beautiful story.
September 28, 2017
This was disjointed. I'm glad it ended happily, but it was not the best story of the book.
April 6, 2024
Beautifully written short story/novella about the latter days of WWI.
September 21, 2019
Just a Hint of War
Life and Death....a small British burg is affected by WWI, the husbands, brothers, and sons sent off to war. But now, after loss comes victory, and the Armistice has arrived. In the mist of the last few days, a child is born and a son survives. Once again Hazel Gaynor has brought us one of her best.
Life and Death....a small British burg is affected by WWI, the husbands, brothers, and sons sent off to war. But now, after loss comes victory, and the Armistice has arrived. In the mist of the last few days, a child is born and a son survives. Once again Hazel Gaynor has brought us one of her best.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews