Band of Sisters

A Novel

De: Lauren Willig

Narrado por: Julia Whelan

"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 best-selling author of America's First Daughter and 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 best-selling 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 17 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?

©2021 Lauren Willig (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

Fascinating, historical with realistic characters

I was very engaged by this book, both because of the historical perspective and the wonderfully realistic characters. As a woman, I feel well represented.

A riveting novel

The narrator did an excellent job of maintaining my interest by her reading style.

Great listen, we’ll developed character

I just read a not-so-good review of this book which motivates me to write my own. Something I rarely do.
I loved getting to know the characters. You know they are well developed when you want to insert yourself into the conversations.
I was shocked when another reviewer claimed they didn’t enjoy the story because it didn’t really have a plot and the narrator wasn’t to their liking either. Conventional plot or not it was an amazing story based on real people and events I had never heard about. The narration was very good too. I’m always amazed when 1 person can develop so many different unique and believable voices.
Strongly recommend if only because you’ll be amazed at what these women naively agreed to do and how much they accomplished.

Wonderful!

This was a fabulous listen and my favorite narrator brought it to life. I’m amazed at all the voices Julia Whelan can do! A great story inspired by a real group of ladies. Then book was more about each of them and their personalities and their duties than a war story. I enjoyed each and every one of them.

Historical Fiction at its best.

If inspiring historical fiction is your thing then by all means read this amazing book!

Superb Story

What an excellent book! The story, the characterizations and the terrific narration make this a keeper. The fact that it is a true story for the most part makes it even more inspiring. It is sometimes a grim tale but any story with war as the setting must be grim to be honest. I stayed up until 530 am listening to this so that is my only criticism.

Wanted stories to continue

Thought provoking about war zones and civilian casualties .The selfless acts theses individuals provided show the differences we can make a life at a time

A rare find! Loved this book

I listen to a lot of audio books, and I rarely leave reviews. Historical fiction is my favorite genre; and I was amazed by this story; the gumption of these American women in the war torn France.

Good book

I really enjoy historical fiction. And this was a very good book about some thing I’m not very familiar with.

Wonderful story

This was a well written story and the different voices used for the characters were great at adding to it.