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Aug 28, 2020sjanke2 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
My year of enjoying Irish literature graciously continues with this summer's pandemic novel, The Pull of the Stars. The year is 1918 and the world is fighting two wars: the Spanish Flu epidemic and WWI. In Dublin, Irish political tensions add to the pressure cooker of fear, violence, and illness. Our protagonist, Julia Power, is maternity ward nurse in Ireland's capital, caring for expectant women fighting off the flu. Along comes a bright young volunteer, Bridie, and Irish rebel Dr. Lynn. The three women save and lose lives over the course of three days. The book weaves together fact and fiction to transport us to last century's plague, which is not so different from the pandemic we are living in now. Donoghue began writing this book in 2018, before any signs of COVID-19 appeared on the horizon, and rushed publication in March 2020 when our very own pandemic arrived one century after the book's. Donoghue somehow had insight into the minutia of plague life before living through one herself, from wearing masks to propaganda signage at the bus station to the low thrum of anxiety and distrust. While Nurse Power and Bridie are fictional characters based on historical testimonies, Dr. Kathleen Lynn is a true historical figure (1874-1955). A feminist, lesbian, and activist, she was involved with the Irish rebel group Sinn Fein and was passionate about public and women's health. Donoghue referenced Kathleen Lynn: Irishwoman, Patriot, Doctor to inform her character. I enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who needs a reminder that while right now the world seems to be caving in on itself, many points in history felt hopeless and scary, too. I'm surprised I found hope in reading a novel about a pandemic. Several scenes detailed intense and painful childbirths, so this book is not for the squeamish. Also, I'm grateful that I had previous knowledge of the Irish political/rebel situation thanks to the fabulous book, Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland. Without that knowledge, Dr. Lynn's character would have completely blown over my head. In fact, I would have liked to see more of her character, as she was a complex and loyal woman.