Cleo Berry jumps straight from the pages and into the hearts and imaginations of the reader. Adrift in a sea of uncertainty of what to do with her life, Cleo decides to do something to help those who are most at risk of contracting Spanish influenza- something as small as handing out fliers on how to care for the ill, along with masks to prevent more from becoming ill. Cleo's compassion for those who need help is astounding. Even though she's appalled by the illness, the unclean conditions of those who most need help, and the terrifying knowledge that no one is safe, Cleo returns to the temporary hospital day after day to help in any way she can. She doesn't know what she wants to do with the rest of her life, but she knows that if she doesn't help, even more people will lose their lives to this awful disease.
The characters in this story came to life in my mind. Cleo is a protagonist with whom many can relate. Her details and first-person narration served as a wonderful aid to the imagination. I could really picture Jack as my brother and Lucy as my sister-in-law. I could imagine going out for lunch and a play with Kate. I could imagine being in love with Edmund, who is so sure of himself and completely selfless, even though he'd been through so much already. Although each character has a history that is sad in many ways, there is never a moment that feels contrived in this novel.
This is a stunning story of pain, suffering, death, and the triumph of spirit that preserves us all throughout the worst moments of our lives.
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