Author: Emma Donoghue

The word influenza comes from the ancient belief that the disease was associated with the influence of the stars. The book was delivered to the publishers just as Covid-19 began to surface.

The story takes place towards the end of the First World War and in the midst of the Spanish Flu. Hospitals are overcrowded and Julia, a midwife, works in a makeshift ward (a supply closet) with three beds for women who are pregnant and infected. A volunteer, Bridie, comes to the ward and she and Julia strike up a friendship (and love) after working together for only three days.

I wonder how different the story would have been had it been written to describe the conditions of this current pandemic.

Goodreads Rating: * * * *