The Pull Of The Stars

 In Medieval times people thought influenza came from the stars. Given that the disease came in the winter and spring, it must be related to the stars. Now we all know influenza comes from a virus. In The Pull of The Stars, Emma Donoghue writes about then 1918 influenza epidemic. She finished writing the book in March, 2020. With the pandemic starting right then her publishers put her book in front of others to get published first. The story is set is Dublin. The main character is Julia Power, a maternity nurse at a hospital. Julia lives with her brother, Tim, who has returned from the war in good physical condition but suffering from shell shock and unable to speak. She is sent to work in a special maternity ward set aside for mothers with influenza. In the course of three days Julia comes to meet Bridie and Doctor Kathleen Lynn. Bridie is an orphan at the Catholic orphanage and she is sent to work at the hospital because the hospital is so short of staff. Bridie has to work to pay for her care at the orphanage. Doctor Lynn is an actual historical figure; a doctor who set up clinic for the impoverished mothers of Dublin. Dr. Lynn took part in the Irish Uprising and was jailed by the British. This book was a great story about Dublin, impoverished women, a pandemic, and also about care givers during a pandemic.