Cover Image: Sisters of the Great War

Sisters of the Great War

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Member Reviews

This book takes place during WWI and is about two sisters who sign up to help out however they can. Elise is somewhat of an oddity for her time. She can work on cars better than most men. Ruth aspires to be a doctor when most of the world tells her that being a nurse is the most she will ever be. All skills are needed on the front regardless of gender and societal norms and soon these women are doing the kind of work they could only have dreamed of. As the saying goes, war is hell, and between being bombed and shot at, they see indescribable things and mass casualties. In between those harrowing moments, they make friendships and find romance, also breaking with societal norms and expectations. This book is extremely well written and presented a number of issues in a seamless way. If you enjoy historical fiction, feminist books, or books that explore LGBTQ themes, add this to your TBR pile.

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I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. It is about two sisters- one a little smarter and savvy about life (Ruth) than the other (Elise) and how they chose to spend their time during World War II. Ruth was a nurse- almost. Elise was an ambulance driver. Books about WWI can be very depressing and heavy but, to me, this one was not. This author was able to tell the story, with the horror that went on, and still keep it about Ruth and Elise. It kept my interest until the end. I didn’t think that the story was so very heavy that I had to lay my Kindle down and walk away from it. It kept my interest until the end. A good book. I would read another from this author. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest review.

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World War I historical fiction with unusual twists.

A fascinating opportunity to look inside the operating rooms of surgeons during the Great War and a nurse who courageously did much more than anyone ever expected. Plus, a glimpse into the relationship between two ambulance drivers at a time when women were forced to hide these feelings. And a detailed description of the last few weeks of WWI as well as the days immediately after the armistice in France and England.

One of the most realistic stories I’ve read about this time period. I not only learned a great deal but I was inspired to do further research. Exceedingly highly recommended.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Americans Ruth and Elise Duncan volunteer at the start of the Great War to escape their controlling father, Ruth as a nurse and Elise as an ambulance driver. They are sent to a makeshift hospital near the front in France where they must learn to deal with sights, sounds, and wounds that they never could have imagined as they deal with cold, mud, bombs, and exhaustion from overwork.

This novel is based on real experiences and the courage and sacrifice of many women during world war one, but it can be grim and difficult reading. Battlefield and operating room descriptions are graphic and the loss of so many young lives is tragic. This generation paved the way for the socioeconomic gains of women in the twentieth century but at great cost.

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Sisters of the Great War: A Novel tells the story of two American sisters who volunteer for the British war effort during WWI - the eldest, Ruth, as a nurse, and the younger sister, Elise, as an ambulance driver. The sisters' story is phenomenally told by the author and we learn that Ruth wants to become a doctor rather than a nurse and Elise has her own secrets she is afraid to share. No spoilers - but it's definitely worth the read. It is a story of sacrifice, hardship, and love, and I really enjoyed it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

By far, one of the best books I have ever read. The story of two sisters, Ruth and Elise, who volunteer to join the war efforts during WWI. One as a nurse and the other as an ambulance driver. The author writes so that you will feel that you are actually right there experiencing everything that they do. You will laugh, cry, get angry, scared and frustrated but you will never regret reading this book.

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