This historical fiction about the Elne maternity hospital is based on true events and real people. It is mainly the story of Elizabeth Eibedbenz, a Swiss teacher, who helped orphan during the Spanish Civil War and after the defeat of the Republic, crossed the Pyrenees Mountains. In 1939 she opened a maternal hospital to care for Spanish republican women who were pregnant and force to give birth in terrible conditions at the refugee camps. It is also the story of Isabel Duenas who sought asylum in France with her husband Peter.
The author paints a picture of this time in history with a solid stroke of the brush. It is said in three different points of views alternating their voices in a soft tone and easy going pace. Although it is well said, I did find the narration to wander quite a bit, this dilly dally and turning in circle got on my nerves , I love things to move faster. I cannot define why I had trouble being even staying invested in the characters. Maybe Isabel and Peter overshadowed Elizabeth’s story too much and their stories was much more exciting to follow. I disagree with those saying the atrocities were vivid and there is too much of it. War is war you expect hardship to be there with all its definitions and Mr. Escobar does this with aplomb.
The Spanish Civil War and what happened to the millions of refugee that escaped is a part of history I am grateful to learn a little more each time. It is evident that Mr. Escobar love to share this with us.
I may not have enjoyed this novel at its fullest, nevertheless I think "The Swiss Nurse" is a must read.
My thanks to Harper Muse and Netgalley for this ARC
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