The Nurses' War
Victoria Purman
Reviewed by Helen
I am not sure where to start with this one, firstly I loved it so much, it is so beautifully written as I have become used to in Victoria Purman’s stories, this one is heartfelt, heartbreaking, emotional and so very moving. This one tells the story from a nurse’s point of view of World War 1. It is 1915 and Sister Cora Barker has travelled to Harefield House, England to help set up a hospital to care for the Australian Diggers the estate has been donated by ex-pat Aussies, and it is a must read story.
Cora, Gertie, Lenora and Fiona are the first nurses to arrive and with the help of Win and Jessie Chester form the village they work hard and get it prepared for the first casualties to arrive never dreaming that the number would be so many. Cora puts her heart and soul into caring for these diggers there are laughs along the way and so much heart break as well, the men arrive in such dreadful conditions and it is the job of Cora and the other nurses and doctors to do what they can to get these men back on their feet to either return home or back to the war front.
Jessie becomes a volunteer at the hospital and becomes a very welcome sight, her caring ways shine through and make many of the men smile, especially Private Bert Mott, as Bert recuperates Jessie and he get closer when he returns to the front Jessie writes every day and their love grows stronger. Cora is getting closer to one of the doctors Captain William Kent they have a special bond they can talk easily with each other something that is so badly needed in these times, love seems to be growing but war goes on and the injuries are terrible, times are getting harder for Cora and the staff at Harefield.
This story is based on real history and it shows courage, strength and compassion in the face of such pain and hurt and what the nurses went through all those years ago it shows love, friendship, sacrifice and the power to not give up not matter how exhausted you are, I loved getting to know Cora and Jessie their stories had me sobbing through this book, I am still crying while writing this review because their stories have left a big mark on me, this story is going to stay with me for a long time to come. I highly recommend this book, Victoria Purman this is a brilliant story, your best yet and I thank you for telling the Nurses’ story.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my copy to read and review
Cora, Gertie, Lenora and Fiona are the first nurses to arrive and with the help of Win and Jessie Chester form the village they work hard and get it prepared for the first casualties to arrive never dreaming that the number would be so many. Cora puts her heart and soul into caring for these diggers there are laughs along the way and so much heart break as well, the men arrive in such dreadful conditions and it is the job of Cora and the other nurses and doctors to do what they can to get these men back on their feet to either return home or back to the war front.
Jessie becomes a volunteer at the hospital and becomes a very welcome sight, her caring ways shine through and make many of the men smile, especially Private Bert Mott, as Bert recuperates Jessie and he get closer when he returns to the front Jessie writes every day and their love grows stronger. Cora is getting closer to one of the doctors Captain William Kent they have a special bond they can talk easily with each other something that is so badly needed in these times, love seems to be growing but war goes on and the injuries are terrible, times are getting harder for Cora and the staff at Harefield.
This story is based on real history and it shows courage, strength and compassion in the face of such pain and hurt and what the nurses went through all those years ago it shows love, friendship, sacrifice and the power to not give up not matter how exhausted you are, I loved getting to know Cora and Jessie their stories had me sobbing through this book, I am still crying while writing this review because their stories have left a big mark on me, this story is going to stay with me for a long time to come. I highly recommend this book, Victoria Purman this is a brilliant story, your best yet and I thank you for telling the Nurses’ story.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my copy to read and review
5 stars
Expected publication: March 30th 2022 by HQ Fiction
