Synopses & Reviews
A bestselling Australian writer's American debut and a heart-wrenching novel of World War I.
Iris Crane's tranquil life is shattered when a letter summons memories from her bittersweet past: her first love, her best friend, and the tragedy that changed everything. Iris, a young Australian nurse, travels to France during World War I to bring home her fifteen-year-old brother, who ran away to enlist. But in Paris she meets the charismatic Dr. Frances Ivens, who convinces Iris to help establish a field hospital in the old abbey at Royaumont, staffed entirely by women a decision that will change her life. Seamlessly interwoven is the story of Grace, Iris's granddaughter in 1970s Australia. Together their narratives paint a portrait of the changing role of women in medicine and the powerful legacy of love.
Review
“At once chilling yet strangely beautiful. The book touches on the contributions made by a group of pioneering women who succeed despite society's bias toward their gender; the strong friendships that develop, particularly between Iris and ambulance driver Violet Heron; Iris' increasing love for medicine and her involvement with a man she meets during the war; the men and boys whose lives are sacrificed for a cause many of them don't identify with or understand; and the far-reaching effects of the war on the generations that follow….MacColl's narrative is fortified by impeccable research and her innate ability to create a powerful bond between readers and characters. Well done.” Kirkus Reviews (starred)
Review
“This satisfying saga from an award-winning Australian author takes the reader across continents and time….Women as healers, family secrets, medical mysteries, historical setting — call the producers of Call the Midwife. Booklist
Synopsis
For fans of Vera Brittain's Testament of Youth, a bestselling writer's American debut and a heart-wrenching novel of WWI--a tale of love, regret, and the powerful draw of the road not takenIris Crane's tranquil life is shattered when a letter summons memories from her bittersweet past: her first love, her best friend, and the tragedy that changed everything. Iris, a young Australian nurse, travels to France during World War I to bring home her fifteen-year-old brother, who ran away to enlist. But in Paris she meets the charismatic Dr. Frances Ivens, who convinces Iris to help establish a field hospital in the old abbey at Royaumont, staffed entirely by women--a decision that will change her life. Seamlessly interwoven is the story of Grace, Iris's granddaughter in 1970s Australia. Together their narratives paint a portrait of the changing role of women in medicine and the powerful legacy of love.
About the Author
Mary-Rose MacColl is the author of three previous novels and a nonfiction book about maternity care. She divides her time between Brisbane, Australia, and Banff, Canada, with her husband and son.