Sisters of the Great War

Sisters of the Great War by Suzanne Feldman is a novel about sisters who want more from life than the traditional roles that their father expects. Ruth, although allowed to train be a nurse, wants to be a doctor. Elise, lives for the time she gets to drive and tinker with her father’s car. As their father is determined not to allow his daughters to follow their dreams, they leave America and volunteer their skills to the British Forces, for the duration of World War I. Elise becomes an ambulance driver and mechanic. She also meets and finds the love of her life in Hera, a fellow driver. While Ruth is reacquainted to John Dowling, a young doctor who encourages her to follow her dreams.

Working in appalling and dangerous conditions both show more young women make plans for their future. Elise and Hera plan to be together in Paris and take in orphaned children, and as Hera is rich, they can make this happen. Ruth and John fall in love and plan to marry after Ruth finishes her doctor’s training. Both women experience heartache and loss but stay determined to not give in to convention,

I really enjoyed my read of Sisters of the Great War. The author gives us clear pictures of the horrible conditions and how the soldiers, patients and volunteer workers suffered. The book realistically involves feminist issues, a LGBT relationship and how strength and determination allowed these sisters to follow their dreams. show less

Visceral Tale Of Atypical Women. This is a tale of atypical women in a very atypical (well, not really) time, where Feldman does a remarkable job of showing the full realities of everything she portrays. Whether it be the one sister who wants to be a doctor and is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve that goal, the other sister who is comfortable around cars and not much else, or the war itself - in all of its gory, gritty details and mechanisms. Truly one of the more realistic novels I've seen of this period, even as it portrays women who were far from normal in that period. Very much recommended.

Amazing book about an ambulance driver and nurse during WWI. Romance and lovely other touches.