Book Review: ‘Sisters Of The Great War: A Novel’ By Suzanne Feldman

Ruth and Elise are two sisters in Baltimore, Maryland and both want to escape their lives when the WW1 breaks out. Ruth wants to be a doctor but is only being allowed to be a nurse. Elise is handy with her hands and fixes the family car and other things. When John(who is the son of their Grandfather’s friends from England) stops by on his way back there and off to the war, it stirs something in the sisters. He has just graduated Harvard as a doctor and is going to the front to help with the war efforts. Ruth decides to go as a nurse and Elise to drive ambulances and help work on the vehicles. Neither are aware of how bad it will be. Ruth ends up learning on the front lines how to be a doctor and is thrown into the or at times. Elise plays a big part in bringing the injured to the hospitals. Both sisters are near each other. They learn a lot about themselves and even find love in different ways. The only question is who will make it out alive.

This is a great historical fiction novel with two strong women who fight for what they want in a time when women aren’t suppose to. The graphic details of the war front are intense and author Suzanne Feldman has really done hew homework. You root for the main characters to get through this horrible war and to see how they end up.

You can pick up Sisters Of The Great War in stores on Tuesday, October 26th from MIRA.