Book Review: As Bright As Heaven By Susan Meissner

AS BRIGHT AS HEAVEN

By: Susan Meissner

Published: February 6, 2018

Publisher: Berkley Books

Fiction/Historical Fiction




As a fan of Susan Meissner, I had no doubt that her tale of WWI and the crippling Spanish Flu would be a page-turning tale. I was not disappointed. Even though this tale of a family in Philadephia suffers greatly and tragic events fill the pages, I was still drawn to this story. Each chapter is told from a different character's perspective which gives the reader a broad view of how one small decision can change the trajectory of a family forever.

It's January 1918 and the Bright family has just buried their sweet infant, Henry, after an incurable heart condition. Pauline and her husband decide to join her husband's uncle in the funeral home business. This fairly new idea of funeral parlors and embalming is unheard of in their rural area, but Pauline is no longer afraid of death and has this desire to be closer to it. What she doesn't know is how surrounded by death she and her family will be.

Pauline and her three daughters tell their family's story. Evelyn, the bright teenager who is thrilled by the huge library in Philadephia. Maggie, the slightly younger caretaker of her siblings isn't afraid of what is behind the doors in the embalming room. Willa, the youngest, isn't happy with all the rules in this new house and doesn't understand why her family had to leave the countryside, her grandparents and live in a funeral home. As the family begins to adjust to living with Uncle Fred, to the dead bodies in the other side of the house, and the hustle and bustle of the city, their father decides to go help during the war efforts. Pauline is left behind to run the funeral home with Uncle Fred. There is word of a devastating flu moving swiftly through the city, but no one realizes the tragedies that lie ahead for them as bodies start to pile up outside their door.

You would think a story of war and a flu that took 12,000 lives in one city would be too full of sadness to read. Just when you think this family can't bear any more sadness, another layer is added, yet you keep reading because you have to believe there is hope for each of them. You have to believe that in the depths of a horrific disease, something will soon change. It does when Maggie finds a baby and saves him from certain death. This baby is the light in their dark tunnel. As Philadelphia emerges from disease, so too the Bright family must emerge from their own personal tragedies. Their story and resilience will amaze you and remind you that there can be happiness in even the worst of times.

Miessner expertly takes readers into the minds of her characters whether they are an eight-year-old girl full of fear and anger or a mother who can't shake the shadow of death following her every day since she buried her baby. The story moves swiftly because we are eager to hear the next character's voice. We wonder how Maggie is adjusting to her neighborhood crush leaving for the war or how Pauline is grappling with caring for her daughters and running an overflowing funeral home while trying to keep the disease away from her family.

I was fairly unaware of the devastation the Spanish Flu had in our country let alone the city of Philadephia. Meissner paints a vivid portrait of the awful events that took place and how it didn't discriminate...hitting the slums and the richest families equally. The fear seeps off the pages and the grief grabs you by the throat making it hard to believe any family could suffer this much. Fans of historical fiction and family stories will find Meissner's tale one they will want to talk about with others.

Favorite Quotes:

"You think you have a view of what's waiting for you just up the road, 

but then something happens,

 and you find out pretty quick you were looking at the wrong road."

"I think that grief is such a strange guest, 

making its home in a person 

like it's a new thing that no one has ever experienced before."

My review of A FALL OF MARIGOLDS by Susan Meissner
My review of A BRIDGE ACROSS THE OCEAN by Susan Meissner

Susan Meissner - source

Susan Meissner was born in San Diego, California, the second of three. She spent her childhood in just two houses. Her first writings are a laughable collection of oddly worded poems and predictable stories she wrote when she was eight.

She attended Point Loma College in San Diego and married her husband, Bob, who is now an associate pastor and a chaplain in the Air Force Reserves, in 1980. When she is not working on a new novel, she is directing the small group ministries at The Church at Rancho Bernardo. She also enjoys teaching workshops on writing and dream-following, spending time with my family, music, reading great books, and traveling. For more on Meissner, visit her website, HERE. 

To purchase a copy of AS BRIGHT AS HEAVEN, click the photo below:







Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase this book through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. 

Book Review: Women Heroes of World War I By Kathryn J. Atwood

WOMEN HEROES OF WORLD WAR I
16 Remarkable Resisters, Soldiers, Spies, and Medics

By: Kathryn J. Atwood

Published: June 1, 2014

Publisher: Chicago Review Press

Non-Fiction/Historical Non-Fiction

As Women's History Month comes to a close, I have been thrilled to have the opportunity to read about women who did great things to leave a mark on history. Last week, I shared about MOTOR GIRLS and today, I'm sharing about women who contributed in many ways during WWI.

Most of the time when I read about war, I tend to read fictional accounts of WWII. But, sadly, war is war and no matter what timeframe you are reading about there will be horrific details and stories of heroic people who risked their lives to help others. Atwood's research shows that women were definitely prominent in saving the lives of numerous people during war-time and not just in a hospital or in the home. Numerous women took on the role of spies and resisters helping to hide soldiers or to move information across enemy lines to leak details of plans like to blow up the British tunnel. I think most people would be quite surprised at the level of danger many of these women put themselves in, much like their husbands, brothers, and fathers.

Atwood covers each woman in a chapter consisting of just a few pages, telling the story of how she got involved in the war, her heroic deeds, and what happened to her after the war. Sadly, many of the women were arrested and sentenced to life in prison or to death. In fact, due to one of the women featured in the book, Edith Cavell, death sentences for women were no longer ordered. Her execution was remembered as one of inspiration for women because Cavell took her duties seriously and faced death with a "calm dignity". Stories like this were tragic but also proved that women, much like men, were willing to fight for their freedoms.

This book sat on my shelf too long and I am so glad that I finally read it. It is definitely an inspiring look at history and the role women played in unexpected areas. Many of them could be an inspiration for a fictional novel based on the war. Since each chapter stands alone, it is a great book to keep in the car and read while waiting in the pick-up line at school or at the doctor's office.

This book like her others about women heroes are written for middle school readers on up. Even though they are considered a young adult series, adults will appreciate the history and facts as well. You can see all of Atwood's books, HERE.

Kathryn Atwood - source

Kathryn J. Atwood is the author of three young adult collective biographies of women and war as well as the editor of Code Name Pauline, the memoirs of WWII SOE agent Pearl Witherington. She has contributed to The Historian and War, Literature, and the Arts, and has been featured on America: Facts vs. Fiction and BBC America.  For more information on her books, visit her online at www.kathrynatwood.com.


To purchase a copy of WOMEN HEROES OF WWI, click the photo below:




Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase this book through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com. 

Book Review: Wake By Anna Hope

WAKE: A Novel

By:  Anna Hope

Published:  February 11, 2014

Fiction

I love finding new authors, and Anna Hope's debut novel is one that will keep her readers wanting more.  This novel came to me highly recommended by the publisher and now I am highly recommending it to you. WAKE takes you through just five days in 1920.  World War I is over and we are introduced to three women living in London, who are all dealing with the trauma the war has left behind.  

In the novel, each section is focused on one day ending on the fifth day, which is Armistice Day  and the ceremonial burial of the unknown solider.  We begin by reading about this unknown soldier being dug up from his grave in the middle of France and follow his trip back to London each day.  During these five days, we also follow along with the lives of three separate women whose connection isn't immediately clear until later in the novel. 

Evelyn, whose boyfriend was killed in the war, works in the benefits office for wounded soldiers.  Her brother whom she has long admired has become an alcoholic after his time in the war.  The stories and struggles she hears daily from soldiers as well as the pain of no longer being close with her brother has left her bitter and angry. 

Hettie, lives with her mother and brother who is no longer able to communicate or work after his time serving in the war.  Hettie works as a dance instructor and must turn over half her wages to her family which makes her angry and jealous of her fellow dancers clothing and freedom.  One night Hettie meets a man and becomes quite smitten, but his secrets and his past could change everything.

Ada's son Michael was killed in the war.  Ada and her husband, Jack, live separate lives in the same house due to Ada's overcoming grief. Jack has moved on and Ada still insists that she sees Michael everywhere she goes.  One day a salesman stops by and utters Michael's name and Ada is even more consumed with finding the truth about his death.  Her overwhelming desire to find him could be the last straw for Jack and their marriage.

Since the novel tells the story of the women and the unknown soldier during each day, the story can at times be a little choppy.  We are told each of their stories in pieces both from the past and the present. We learn the horrors of the war and how each of them and their loved ones were affected by the devastation.  It is a heavy novel with much sadness and pain.  All of the women are hurting, bitter, and mostly miserable.  But, you become quickly wrapped up in their lives and each time you are given a glimmer of hope, you push through another day in the story.  What binds them together is the war, but their other connections will surprise you. 

One of my favorite lines from the story that really shares the feeling of many during this time and honestly, as well as many of us in the present:

• " War wins." He says. "And it keeps on winning, over and over again.". "War wins," he says bitterly, "and anyone who thinks any differently is a fool."  

The years after the war were a sad and desperate time for many and even though not everything in this story is neatly tied up, it definitely ends with a faith that there will be better times ahead for each of these women. 

Anna Hope is an English writer and actress from Manchester. She is perhaps best known for her Doctor Who role of Novice Hame. She was educated at Wadham College, Oxford, The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London, and Birkbeck College, London. Follow her on Twitter, HERE.

This book was sent to me thanks to Random House for the purpose of this review.  I was not compensated in any other way.  This review is my honest opinion. If you chose to purchase the book through the above link, I may receive a small compensation without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase.  Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com reviews.