This novel is based on sound research into the role of New Zealand nurses in the first world war, a subject I’ve not come across before. It includes the story of the sinking of the “Marquette”, which claimed the lives of ten New Zealand nurses and was the inspiration for the Nurses Memorial Chapel at Christchurch Public Hospital.
It’s fascinating to read of women’s experiences of the war in France, the horrific conditions they lived and worked under, and the incredible job they did tending the wounded and dying. Along with medical details, there”s romance here too, and glimpses into the earlier New Zealand lives of the main characters. This is part of our herstory that well deserves to be brought out into the light, and Maxine Alterio has done so in an engaging way.
“Of gruesome tasks they bore the brunt
while treating soldiers at the front.”
I am going to send this link to a woman who is very keen on NZ nursing history Ruth. And I intend to look out this book too. Thanks for posting a review of it.
I’ll be interested to hear what you think of it, OG. So good to have this herstory available.
Very interested in this book thanks.. was down at Featherston Cemetery the other day looking at the grave of Mabel Whishaw who served as a Nurse during WW1 in Featherston, sadly died of Influenza there in November 1918. She was a local too off Featherston
This book talks of the influenza epidemic too.
am going to make enquiries about this book, as again down at Featherston, there are graves for 150 soldiers that died of influenza, some that died their bodies were sent home, I am actually researching the soldiers so it anyone has information on any buried at Featherston please get in touch, I need their family details rather than military. thanks. Clareville Taphophile
Sounds like fascinating research, Clareville. Perhaps we’ll be reading your book one day.