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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Apr 26, 2021 Keli rated it really liked it

Shelves: 3-5-rounded-to-4, bittersweet

Synopsis- In an Ireland doubly ravaged by war and disease, Nurse Julia Power works at an understaffed hospital in the city center, where expectant mothers who have come down with the terrible new Flu are quarantined together. Into Julia's regimented world step two outsiders—Doctor Kathleen Lynn, a rumoured Rebel on the run from the police, and a young volunteer helper, Bridie Sweeney.

In the darkness and intensity of this tiny ward, over three days, these women change each other's lives in unexpe Synopsis- In an Ireland doubly ravaged by war and disease, Nurse Julia Power works at an understaffed hospital in the city center, where expectant mothers who have come down with the terrible new Flu are quarantined together. Into Julia's regimented world step two outsiders—Doctor Kathleen Lynn, a rumoured Rebel on the run from the police, and a young volunteer helper, Bridie Sweeney.

In the darkness and intensity of this tiny ward, over three days, these women change each other's lives in unexpected ways. They lose patients to this baffling pandemic, but they also shepherd new life into a fearful world. With tireless tenderness and humanity, carers and mothers alike somehow do their impossible work.

In The Pull of the Stars, Emma Donoghue once again finds the light in the darkness in this new classic of hope and survival against all odds.

Review- How apropos was the publication of this book in 2020?! Though Donoghue began writing in 2018, the publishers did rush to get it out. Because who wouldn't want to read about a worldwide pandemic in the middle of a worldwide pandemic? Timing aside, the book was a poignant story of love found in a fever maternity ward over three days in Dublin. It was full of colourful and interesting characters (some of them real) who we got to know fairly well in the mere 200+ pages. Some characters we were introduced to, like Tim the MC's brother, didn't really add much to the story and could probably have been left out. But they didn't negatively affect my enjoyment. They were simply surplus.
It was also a searing indictment on stranglehold the church had over the poor and voiceless. The abuse inflicted on and advantage taken of Ireland's most needy was shameful. Donoghue didn't pull any punches to soften or sanitise the depravity the church inflicted. I appreciate that kind of brutal honesty.
I listened to the audio version and can highly recommend. The narration was pretty fab.
I cried at the end but I'm often crying at the end of things, so 🤷 Overall, a very good slice of life drama.

Rating - Four bittersweet stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Devoured the book, couldn't put it down.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Really liked it, consumed within days
⭐⭐⭐ - Enjoyed a fair bit, better than average
⭐⭐ - Meh
⭐ - Absolute drivel ...more

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Feb 10, 2021 Kate rated it really liked it

This is a fictional story that spans three days in Dublin during the 1918 influenza pandemic. It is told from the perspective of an Irish midwife. It is told in an engaging and captivating way and about 85% of the way through there is plot twist that I wasn’t expecting.

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Mar 06, 2021 Vickie rated it did not like it

Shelves: 1-star, jelly-belly-challenge, traveling-with-opi, historical-ficton, ireland, lgbt, cable-tv, incredible-india, 5-word-title, black-and-white-cover

I very rarely give a ♥ review for a book, but alas, I have to give this one a very low rating. I really wanted to enjoy this book for several reasons: historical fiction, epidemic (I know!), Ireland, women's health care...many interesting topics. I did not connect with the characters and the whole no dialogue and/or quotation marks really bothered the crap out of me. Alas, just not the book for me.

Go Cards! L1C4!! ...more

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Jan 25, 2024 Colleen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: reviews, favorites, illness-books

First five star read of the year! I’m so glad I decided to give Donoghue another try after DNFing Frog Music. This one was so buttery smooth, and definitely relatable after COVID. Both hilarious at times and heartbreaking.

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