The Pull of the Stars in Crazy Challenge Connection

Aug 05, 2020 Chaitra rated it really liked it

Shelves: literary-fiction, historical-fiction, medical-fiction, pandemic

Perfect timing for Emma Donoghue. The cytokine storm that took most of the young, healthy and strong ones is described in detail, and I expect this was early days before wave 2 when a lot was unknown. There’s some interesting backstory, it’s set in Ireland where resentment against the British and their war is spilling over, the main character has a brother back from the war showing clear signs of ptsd, and there’s also the strict catholic treatment of orphan kids in care, with some stomach turni ...more

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Jul 20, 2021 Erin rated it liked it

Shelves: library, historical

This book had several good things going for it that I enjoyed. I really enjoyed the development of Julia and Bridie's relationship. And I loved Bridie as a character, especially as the story goes on and you see what kind of hard life she had grown up in and yet her personality was so upbeat and like a little bit of light in the dreary hospital. I was also impressed with how meticulously researched this book felt. I'm certainly no expert, so maybe I'm off base there, but I thought Donoghue really ...more

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Apr 30, 2025 Colleen rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, book-club

The writing was good, and the medical gore was clinical enough to highlight the nurse's skill rather than become gratuitous. Through the various women we meet in the ward, the author was able to show how many different ways women were downtrodden in 1918 Irish society and that was a rather depressing angle. I did find a glimmer of hope in the end, saving this from being a lower rating for me. ...more

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