Reviews

I enjoyed learning about the Smith college graduates who formed a unit to help the French people rebuild during World War I. This was something in history I knew nothing about and I feel inspired by these courageous and strong women. The audiobook narration was great (Julia Whelan for the win, as always). I also appreciated the format. Each chapter starts out with a letter from one of the women (heavily based on actual letters, according to the historical note), then the chapter goes on to conceptualize events from the letter.

There were times in the middle that it felt just a bit repetitive, and I had the thought that the length could have been edited down just a bit, but I did not feel that way by the end. The ending was especially satisfying and focused on hope and resilience instead of the grimness of war.

I am glad I read this one.

shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition

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I enjoyed this fine piece of historical fiction from the WWI era. Lauren Willig learned about a group of women - all Smith College graduates - who formed a 'band of sisters' to do their bit to help women and children left behind in French villages devastated by the German army. The young women, most of whom didn't know each other previously, were recruited by an enterprising and charismatic alumna, to help however they could. Using fictional and composite characters, Willig tells the story of the Smith unit as they learn to live with each other in trying circumstances and learn to be jills of all trades as they try to help the villagers rebuild and then flee again. The women had to be mechanics, farmers, teachers, supply chain managers, hostesses, doctors, and social workers. Other than the two doctors, very few of the women had much useful training so they learned on the job. The story is told mostly through the eyes of Kate (a former scholarship student with great leadership skills and a chip on her shoulder), Emmie (a wealthy heiress with a heart of gold, wonderful social work skills and low self-confidence) and Julia (a brilliant doctor with some secrets in her past). This would be a good book club book.

anleggett's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring

4.25

emilylovesreading_'s review against another edition

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2.0

I loved that this book told a little known story of a group of women from Smith College and their bravery to serve impacted French communities during WWI. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t get into the characters in this book and felt bored reading through all of the narrative. I know I am really in the minority here!

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