Band of Sisters: A Novel

Great story, easy read, was based on real people.

So, I'm not understanding the negative reviews. It is like they were expecting some great thesis on what the Smith girls did in France. This is still a historical fiction novel with a story to tell and entertain. Since I am a self-proclaimed Willig groupie, I guess I am was more realistic as to know what to expect because I follow her notes, blogs, website, etc. How much more detail can be thrown in on characters and keep it from becoming War and Peace length? Either that, or it becomes a series. I would have voted for a series on this. For me, I liked the fact the heroines were far from perfect. You felt their ups and downs, insecurities and frustrations. There were some things, to me, that were started and not developed enough ( Courcelles, almost assualt consequences, Nick/Julia/Kate ) while some things had too much (Liza/Maud). In the end, I enjoyed this book very much. Like all of Lauren's books, the research into the historical of her fiction is 2nd to none. I walk away educated as well as entertain. Signed Groupie wanted to be review #100

An interesting account of Red Cross activities in France during World War One. Names of characters and conversations between these characters are fictional, but events are real.

I bought this because it was a selection of a Smith alumnae book club. It's based on letters in the College's archives about graduates who went to France in WWI. The author turned the information in those letters into a gripping tale of heroic women in wartime, decades before women were allowed in combat roles. I could not put the book down. So interesting.

I have passed through the Grecourt Gates at Smith many times, being a modern alum. Now I know how they were named! Great and fascinating story. This is her best- her romances are relatively uninteresting but good for a rainy day, but this is an excellent and worthy "novel", based on a true story. So nice not to have much romance but plenty of historical information. There a quite a few characters to keep track of but the story is so good, it doesn't really matter. Just pay attention to Julia, Kate and Emmie; even though Maud does cause the coup and so is an interesting "evil" character. The book is long but moves along briskly. Hope Reese Witherspoon picks up the rights for this one. Would be nice to have a "war" movie that focused on women.

Dry happy with the phone case

An interesting item of WWI history and Smith College history. Unfortunately, the author didn’t include how Smith College came by their Grecourte Gates. That can be found on the Smith College web site

This is the first book by Lauren Willing that I have read. I think she did a very good job of telling the story of the women from Smith College who went to France to help the civilians devastated by the German War Machine in WWI. The characters were good and believable and the story flows along. I will definitely look for more of her books to read.

Recrea la historia real de un grupo de voluntarias americanas que socorre a víctimas civiles en Francia durante la I Guerra Mundial. Suceso y personajes suficientemente interesantes, pero la autora no sabe desarrollarlos. Desaprovecha una buena anécdota con la que hubiera podido construir una novela histórica sólida. El relato se limite a describir los preparativos de la expedición, la puesta en marcha y la ayuda que prestan, sin giros ni avance ni suspense, ni nada que suscite el interés. Esa manera de contar puede bastar para una biografía, pero una novela necesita más recursos técnicos. Sabemos que la acción transcurre en 1918 cerca del frente porque la autora lo dice y porque aparecen soldados y se mencionan bombardeos, pero las referencias al contexto histórico son prácticamente nulas, y las pocas que aporta son superficiales y repetitivas. La mayoría de personajes son decorados de cartón piedra, sin rasgos ni voz propios que permitan diferenciar unos de otros. Son heroínas entregadas, altruistas y valientes; retratos épicos, pero poco más. Sólo tres personajes están algo más desarrollados, Kate, Emmie y Julia, pero les falta construcción, caracterización y peso para llegar a tener credibilidad y una personalidad propia que resulte memorable. En resumen, vale como lectura sin pretensiones durante unas vacaciones, pero ni atrapa al lector ni deja el menor recuerdo cuando acaba.

arrivé plus vite que prévu, bonne condition