Band of Sisters: A Novel
Product ID: 329277974
“With heart and humor, Willig explores the complexities of female friendships—feuds, forgiveness, and all. A touching portrait of triumph and found family in the midst of war. Bravo! ” — Stephanie Dray, New York Times Bestselling author of America's First Daughter & The Women of Chateau Lafayette A group of young women from Smith College risk their lives in France at the height of World War I in this sweeping novel based on a true story—a skillful blend of Call the Midwife and The Alice Network —from New York Times bestselling author Lauren Willig. A scholarship girl from Brooklyn, Kate Moran thought she found a place among Smith’s Mayflower descendants, only to have her illusions dashed the summer after graduation. When charismatic alumna Betsy Rutherford delivers a rousing speech at the Smith College Club in April of 1917, looking for volunteers to help French civilians decimated by the German war machine, Kate is too busy earning her living to even think of taking up the call. But when her former best friend Emmeline Van Alden reaches out and begs her to take the place of a girl who had to drop out, Kate reluctantly agrees to join the new Smith College Relief Unit. Four months later, Kate and seventeen other Smithies, including two trailblazing female doctors, set sail for France. The volunteers are armed with money, supplies, and good intentions—all of which immediately go astray. The chateau that was to be their headquarters is a half-burnt ruin. The villagers they meet are in desperate straits: women and children huddling in damp cellars, their crops destroyed and their wells poisoned. Despite constant shelling from the Germans, French bureaucracy, and the threat of being ousted by the British army, the Smith volunteers bring welcome aid—and hope—to the region. But can they survive their own differences? As they cope with the hardships and terrors of the war, Kate and her colleagues find themselves navigating old rivalries and new betrayals which threaten the very existence of the Unit. With the Germans threatening to break through the lines, can the Smith Unit pull together and be truly a band of sisters?
| Asin | B08BGBBVTW |
| Author | Lauren Willig |
| Language | English |
| Listening Length | 15 hours and 59 minutes |
| Narrator | Julia Whelan |
| Program Type | Audiobook |
| Publication Date | March 2, 2021 |
| Publisher | William Morrow |
| Version | Unabridged |
User
It is a great book
Great story, easy read, was based on real people.
User
Willig does what she does best
So, I'm not understanding the negative reviews. It is like they were expecting some great thesis on what the Smith girls did in France. This is still a historical fiction novel with a story to tell and entertain. Since I am a self-proclaimed Willig groupie, I guess I am was more realistic as to know what to expect because I follow her notes, blogs, website, etc. How much more detail can be thrown in on characters and keep it from becoming War and Peace length? Either that, or it becomes a series. I would have voted for a series on this.For me, I liked the fact the heroines were far from perfect. You felt their ups and downs, insecurities and frustrations. There were some things, to me, that were started and not developed enough ( Courcelles, almost assualt consequences, Nick/Julia/Kate ) while some things had too much (Liza/Maud).In the end, I enjoyed this book very much. Like all of Lauren's books, the research into the historical of her fiction is 2nd to none. I walk away educated as well as entertain.Signed Groupie wanted to be review #100
User
Eleclent
I found this book to be totally engaging. I knew very little about WW1. This was so well researched and put together I was swept away to France in mins. The fact that it was based on real events made it much more interesting. The author captured it so well. Hazar! To Lauren Willig. I look forward to the next book. I have read all to date and think this is my favorite one.
User
Very Good
This is the first book by Lauren Willing that I have read. I think she did a very good job of telling the story of the women from Smith College who went to France to help the civilians devastated by the German War Machine in WWI. The characters were good and believable and the story flows along. I will definitely look for more of her books to read.
User
How the Grecourt Gates were named- great story!
I have passed through the Grecourt Gates at Smith many times, being a modern alum. Now I know how they were named! Great and fascinating story. This is her best- her romances are relatively uninteresting but good for a rainy day, but this is an excellent and worthy "novel", based on a true story. So nice not to have much romance but plenty of historical information. There a quite a few characters to keep track of but the story is so good, it doesn't really matter. Just pay attention to Julia, Kate and Emmie; even though Maud does cause the coup and so is an interesting "evil" character. The book is long but moves along briskly. Hope Reese Witherspoon picks up the rights for this one. Would be nice to have a "war" movie that focused on women.
User
The Red Cross in France 1914 - 1918
An interesting account of Red Cross activities in France during World War One. Names of characters and conversations between these characters are fictional, but events are real.
User
Decent Read
I will admit, I chose this book because I don’t often find literature on WWI. So, I was intrigued by that. It took some time for the storyline to pick up. By mid way I was invested in the characters enough to se it through to the end. I did learn some things.
User
Another Piece of History I Didn't Know
This is about 15 Smith College alumni who volunteered to go to France during WWI to aid the women and children who remained in small villages after the Germans had taken the men and destroyed all the buildings. I can't imagine doing any of this, but they assembled trucks and barracks, acquired livestock, provided medical care, taught children, and supplied any number of household goods and food items needed to survive. The first 100 pages or so were sort of confusing because there are a number of characters and it took a while to get them straight in my mind, but after that, it is a fascinating look at these women. The author used correspondence written by the actual Smith College women in order to develop her story.
User
Regular
Recrea la historia real de un grupo de voluntarias americanas que socorre a víctimas civiles en Francia durante la I Guerra Mundial. Suceso y personajes suficientemente interesantes, pero la autora no sabe desarrollarlos. Desaprovecha una buena anécdota con la que hubiera podido construir una novela histórica sólida. El relato se limite a describir los preparativos de la expedición, la puesta en marcha y la ayuda que prestan, sin giros ni avance ni suspense, ni nada que suscite el interés. Esa manera de contar puede bastar para una biografía, pero una novela necesita más recursos técnicos.Sabemos que la acción transcurre en 1918 cerca del frente porque la autora lo dice y porque aparecen soldados y se mencionan bombardeos, pero las referencias al contexto histórico son prácticamente nulas, y las pocas que aporta son superficiales y repetitivas.La mayoría de personajes son decorados de cartón piedra, sin rasgos ni voz propios que permitan diferenciar unos de otros. Son heroínas entregadas, altruistas y valientes; retratos épicos, pero poco más. Sólo tres personajes están algo más desarrollados, Kate, Emmie y Julia, pero les falta construcción, caracterización y peso para llegar a tener credibilidad y una personalidad propia que resulte memorable.En resumen, vale como lectura sin pretensiones durante unas vacaciones, pero ni atrapa al lector ni deja el menor recuerdo cuando acaba.
User
très bonne service
arrivé plus vite que prévu, bonne condition
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