From the Bookshelf of Book of The Month…

As Bright as Heaven

Susan Meissner

Start date: January 1, 2018

Finish date: January 31, 2018

Why we're reading this: From the acclaimed author of Secrets of a Charmed Life and A Bridge Across the Ocean comes a new novel se…more
[close] From the acclaimed author of Secrets of a Charmed Life and A Bridge Across the Ocean comes a new novel set in Philadelphia during the Spanish flu epidemic of 1918, which tells the story of a family reborn through loss and love.

In 1918, Philadelphia was a city teeming with promise. Even as its young men went off to fight in the Great War, there were opportunities for a fresh start on its cobblestone streets. Into this bustling town, came Pauline Bright and her husband, filled with hope that they could now give their three daughters—Evelyn, Maggie, and Willa—a chance at a better life.

But just months after they arrive, the Spanish Flu reaches the shores of America. As the pandemic claims more than twelve thousand victims in their adopted city, they find their lives left with a world that looks nothing like the one they knew. But even as they lose loved ones, they take in a baby orphaned by the disease who becomes their single source of hope. Amidst the tragedy and challenges, they learn what they cannot live without--and what they are willing to do about it.

As Bright as Heaven is the compelling story of a mother and her daughters who find themselves in a harsh world not of their making, which will either crush their resolve to survive or purify it.

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

No group discussions for this book yet.

What Members Thought

Oct 23, 2018 Vicki rated it it was amazing

Shelves: pages_301-400

I have read other books before that was set during the early 1900's when the Spanish Flu epidemic was killing so many people, but As Bright as Heaven really brought home the true heartbreak that time brought to everyone, even those who didn't succumb the the illness.

There are four POV's in this book: Pauline (the mother), Evelyn (the oldest daughter), Maggie (middle daughter), and Willa (the youngest daughter. As the story begins, Pauline is suffering from (view spoiler) I have read other books before that was set during the early 1900's when the Spanish Flu epidemic was killing so many people, but As Bright as Heaven really brought home the true heartbreak that time brought to everyone, even those who didn't succumb the the illness.

There are four POV's in this book: Pauline (the mother), Evelyn (the oldest daughter), Maggie (middle daughter), and Willa (the youngest daughter. As the story begins, Pauline is suffering from (view spoiler) She had a very difficult time dealing with that. She and her husband and three daughters end up moving to Philadelphia to live with her husband's uncle who is a mortician and has a huge home that he is happy to share. Then the Spanish Flu hit and 1000's upon 1000's died and Fred (the uncle) couldn't even begin to take care of all the dead people.

One day when Maggie (11 years old) goes with her mother, Maggie "finds" (view spoiler) That never happened though, so they stuck by their decision.

The story follows the family for eight years, so we see Maggie go from 11 to 19, Evelyn goes from 15 to 23, and little Willa grows from 6 years old to 15. We watch this family go through unbelievable heartache at a time when the Spanish Flu is taking 1000's of lives. Without giving anything away, I'll just say that there are many characters that are introduced and some live, some don't.

I definitely cried reading this book, just reading about such human suffering. The author has a knack for "showing" and not "telling." She allows the reader to "see" the time and how horrible the epidemic was with all of the deaths. But just saying 1000's died doesn't create the imagery or the specifics of how horrible those deaths were or the domino effects they had or how everybody had to change their circumstances and do things they didn't want to do. This book, however, will really show the reader a different side of that time of devastation, it'll show the human side and touch the reader emotionally.

Recommendation: Because I am an emotional being who does cry when I hear about pain and suffering, I cried...more than once. I don't think I ever laughed reading this one. So I would say that if you read it, and I truly hope everyone will, definitely have tissues by your side!!

...more

1 like · Like · see review

May 01, 2021 Mar rated it really liked it

I chose this book as we are still in the midst of a global pandemic, and it felt like a story about the Spanish Flu timely read. I appreciate that despite all the tragedy that struck and is described in this story, it doesn't end in doom and gloom, but on a hopeful note. ...more

Like · see review

Jul 08, 2018 Rachelle rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction-historical, ww-i, pennsylvania

This latest Susan Meissner book was the first I have read, but it won't be my last. The first half of the book primarily takes place in Philadelphia during the Spanish flu epidemic of 1918 and the second half in 1925 illustrating how the lives of the Bright family were irrevokable altered by the pandemic. I enjoyed the multiple points of view from the mother and three daughters showing how we all respond differently to death and find ways to cope. ...more

Like · see review