The Swiss nurse : a novel /

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Based on the true story of an astonishingly brave woman who saved hundreds of mothers and their children during the Spanish Civil War and World War II.

Elisabeth Eidenbenz left Switzerland in 1937 to aid children orphaned during the Spanish Civil War. Now, her work has led her to France, where she's determined to provide expectant mothers and their unborn children a refuge amid one of the worst humanitarian crises of the twentieth century.

Desperate to escape the invasion of Franco's Fascist troops, Isabel Dueñas becomes one of many Spanish patriots fleeing their country. She leaves behind her husband as he fights for democracy, and she seeks asylum in a refugee camp across the border in France. Without adequate shelter, clean drinking water, or medical care, Isabel's future looks bleak--until she meets Elisabeth.

When Germany invades Poland, an avalanche of humanity sweeps into France. In the cascade of crises that follow, Isabel and Elisabeth learn the cost and the unexpected joy of sacrifice.

Based on the true stories of refugees and the woman who risked everything to save them, The Swiss Nurse shares a message of love and strength amid one of history's often overlooked conflicts.

World War II historical fiction inspired by true events Includes discussion questions for book clubs, a historical timeline, and notes from the author Book length: 85,000 words Also by author: Auschwitz Lullaby, Children of the Stars, Remember Me, The Librarian of Saint-Malo, The Teacher of Warsaw

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Booklist Review

Escobar's latest (after The Teacher of Warsaw, 2022) starts at the end of the Spanish Civil War and bleeds over into the beginning of WWII. Isabel, born in Barcelona, married an American, Peter, who she had met during the Spanish Civil War sometime before 1939. Elisabeth came to Spain from Switzerland with the Red Cross to render aid to children in 1937. Each chapter is written from the perspective of one of the main characters, Isabel, Peter, or Elisabeth. It isn't until all three of them end up in France, fleeing the Spanish fascists, that their paths cross. The horrors of war as seen from the perspective of noncombatants, including children dying, rape, starvation, and suicide, are presented, making the book sometimes difficult to read. For those who want a sense of the chaos surrounding war, this story conveys that well. It also spotlights a little-known maternity hospital that did its best to save as many as possible in an impossible situation, providing a little bit of hope to otherwise hopeless people.