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A review by emileereadsbooks
When We Had Wings: A Story of the Angels of Bataan by Susan Meissner, Ariel Lawhon, Kristina McMorris
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Thank you Netgalley and Harper Muse Books for the audiobook! All opinions are my own.
Based on the true experiences of nurses nicknamed "the Angels of Bataan," this story begins in the Philippines in 1941 at the Army Navy Club in Manila where U.S. Navy nurse Eleanor Lindstrom, U.S. Army nurse Penny Franklin, and Filipina nurse Lita Capel forge a friendship. They all think they have a cushy assignment on this island paradise, but they soon find themselves enmeshed in the struggle for control of the Philippines between Japan and the U.S.
This story follows them as they flow in and out of each other's lives through combat and imprisonment conditions as their physical strength and mental resolve are pushed to the limits.
_____
I really enjoyed this book. Written by some of my favorite historical fiction authors, it does not miss the mark as it examines the range of experience and emotions these nurses would have faced at this time. You get invested in each of their stories, and are delighted when the story weaves the separate plots together again.
This is a story about the power of friendship and the resiliency of the human spirit.
My only note is although I love Saskia Maarleveld, I would have loved a cast of three voices for this one. It would have helped, especially at the beginning, to set the storylines apart.
Based on the true experiences of nurses nicknamed "the Angels of Bataan," this story begins in the Philippines in 1941 at the Army Navy Club in Manila where U.S. Navy nurse Eleanor Lindstrom, U.S. Army nurse Penny Franklin, and Filipina nurse Lita Capel forge a friendship. They all think they have a cushy assignment on this island paradise, but they soon find themselves enmeshed in the struggle for control of the Philippines between Japan and the U.S.
This story follows them as they flow in and out of each other's lives through combat and imprisonment conditions as their physical strength and mental resolve are pushed to the limits.
_____
I really enjoyed this book. Written by some of my favorite historical fiction authors, it does not miss the mark as it examines the range of experience and emotions these nurses would have faced at this time. You get invested in each of their stories, and are delighted when the story weaves the separate plots together again.
This is a story about the power of friendship and the resiliency of the human spirit.
My only note is although I love Saskia Maarleveld, I would have loved a cast of three voices for this one. It would have helped, especially at the beginning, to set the storylines apart.