Sisters of the Great War: A Novel by Suzanne Feldman

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book:

Two sisters. The Great War looming. A chance to shape their future.

Sisters Ruth and Elise Duncan could never have anticipated volunteering for the war effort. But in 1914, the two women decide to make the harrowing journey from Baltimore to Ypres, Belgium in order to escape the suffocating restrictions placed on them by their father and carve a path for their own future.

Smart and practical Ruth is training as a nurse but dreams of becoming a doctor. In a time when women are restricted to assisting men in the field, she knows it will take great determination to prove herself, and sets out to find the one person who always believed in her: a handsome army doctor from England. For quiet Elise, joining the all female Ambulance Corps means a chance to explore her identity, and come to terms with the growing attraction she feels towards women. Especially the charming young ambulance driver who has captured her heart.

In the twilight of the Old World and the dawn of the new, both young women come of age in the face bombs, bullets and the deadly futility of trench warfare. Together they must challenge the rules society has placed on them in order to save lives: both the soldiers and the people they love.

my thoughts:

Historical fiction at its very best! Sisters of the Great War by Suzanne Feldman is a terrific story that will captivate you with its exploration of women's roles in WWI and how much they contributed. Its fascinating and eye-opening. I just loved reading about these two sisters, Ruth and Elise,  and how they threw themselves into the war effort by volunteering. Ruth training to be a nurse dreams of becoming a doctor; while Elise joins the Ambulance Corps and falls in love with a driver.  These two women have their hopes, dreams, desires, and lives twisted and turned inside out during a brutal war that would leave them changed forevermore. Wow!

Feldmans has written an excellent story that will keep you turning pages all night long. Her writing is superb, chock full of historical details, vivid descriptions, and powerful storytelling.  Her characters are relatable, likable, and easy to root for. Such a great book!

I would happily recommend Sisters of the Great War to fans of Feldman's works and to anyone looking for their next read - you will fall in deep with this book. Check it out!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!