Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Notes from April 2018 group


Stella Bain by Anita Shreve - Discussed on April 4, 2018 at Geneseo Public Library

Stella Bain has no memory of her past when she wakes up in a hospital bed in Marne, France. It is 1916, and she wears the uniform of a British war nurse but speaks with an American accent. As soon as she is able, Stella sets out for London, where she hopes to find answers. What she discovers-with the help of Dr. August Bridge, who takes an interest in her case-both shocks and startles. As Stella's memories come racing back, she must undertake a journey across the ocean to confront the haunted past of the woman she used to be.

In this gripping historical drama that transports us from Europe to America and back again, Anita Shreve weaves an engrossing tale about love and memory, set against the backdrop of a war that devastated an entire generation.

This was written in an unusual format – narrative voice and letters between the characters.  Was an interesting plot.  Story goes back and forth in time.  We enjoyed the history of the WWI and wished for more history.  This book generated good discussion on women’s rights, the trial, the divorce, family relationships, love etc – we compared 1920’s and current date events.  Overall our group had mixed feelings on this book.


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