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The Pull of the Stars
- Narrated by: Emma Lowe
- Length: 9 hrs and 5 mins
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The Pull of the Stars
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Summary
Three days in a maternity ward at the height of the Great Flu. The Pull of the Stars is the Sunday Times best seller from the acclaimed author of The Wonder and Room.
The old world dying on its feet, a new one struggling to be born....
Dublin, 1918. In a country doubly ravaged by war and disease, Nurse Julia Power works at an understaffed hospital in the city centre, where expectant mothers who have come down with an unfamiliar flu are quarantined together. Into Julia's regimented world step two outsiders: Doctor Kathleen Lynn, on the run from the police, and a young volunteer helper, Bridie Sweeney.
In the darkness and intensity of this tiny ward, over the course of three days, these women change each other’s lives in unexpected ways. They lose patients to this baffling pandemic, but they also shepherd new life into a fearful world. With tireless tenderness and humanity, carers and mothers alike somehow do their impossible work.
In The Pull of the Stars, Emma Donoghue tells an unforgettable and deeply moving story of love and loss.
Shortlisted for the An Post Irish Book Awards - Eason Novel of the Year
The Telegraph's 'Best Novels of 2020'
Guardian's 'Brilliant Books to Transport You This summer', 'Best Books of 2020'
Cosmopolitan's 'Best Books to Read this summer'
Stylist's 'Best summer Reads
Critic reviews
"Stunning." (Emily St. John Mandel)
"Narrator Emma Lowe's layered characterizations include distinct Irish accents and diction that illuminate the backgrounds of the protagonists and hospital staff. The pregnant women in their care are depicted with particular sensitivity; their pain, joy, and loss are all keenly felt. As circumstances around the women intensify, so will listeners' investment in the outcomes of their stories. (AudioFile)
"An immersive, unforgettable fever-dream of a novel." (The Times)
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What listeners say about The Pull of the Stars
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Bonniechica
- 13-09-20
really powerful. beautiful and moving
I loved this book. it was powerfully written and so human. I loved every character and although difficult to hear at times, it is a book I'd recommend to my friends.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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- Sarah Clery
- 31-07-20
Beautiful story, dreadful narrator.
The story is beautifully written. Unfortunately I struggled to listen to the stunted narration by Emma Lowe. There was no flow, it was difficult to fall into the story as she read like she'd never seen it before. There was no emphasis or emotion.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- S Fitz
- 05-08-20
Brilliant
Great read. Really enjoyed it. Couldn't put it down. Such a lovely story. Highly recommend.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jonny
- 07-12-20
Compelling and timely book.
I simply couldn't stop listening! It was beautifully narrated and was so relevant to Covid times that it was difficult to imagine it was set 100 years ago. I loved every moment.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Sigrin
- 29-09-20
A pull at your heart
I really enjoyed Emma Donoghue book Room, this is obviously very different in content but written with the same intensity.
The summary says all you need to know without me giving any spoilers.
So to elaborate I would like to say the research is phenomenal, not just the 2018 pandemic which is the back drop to the midwifery ward in a busy Irish hospital. the author touched on the returning soldiers from the great war with there scars both physically and mentally.
The characters were so engaging and I felt I knew them intimately.
Lastly the exemplary narration by Emma Lowe in her soft Irsih accent bought the whole book to life.
Highly recommend.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Cerim
- 20-09-20
loved this.
I wasn't sure I would enjoy this as the narration seemed slow and drawn out so I speeded it up to 1.1 and the story took off. Set over three days in a maternity ward in Dublin this is like call the midwife on steroids when it discusses childbirth but this story has so much more to it than that. set in the times of Spanish flu which echoes what we are going through with Covid. it is the story of a developing relationship between the two main characters with a fantastic cast of supporting characters. I don't want to give anymore away but I'd highly recommend this story.
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- Amazonuser
- 17-02-21
Loved it.
Really beautiful story. Characters were so likable. I was really invested in them and rooting for them.
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- Kindle Customer
- 16-01-21
5* read for the first time in a long time!
Submitted for publishing merely two days before COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, The Pull of the Stars tells the story of Nurse Power and her new accomplice Bridie during the influenza pandemic on a maternity ward in Dublin, 1918.
Heartbreaking throughout and at times graphic, Donoghue creates an outstanding visual of the grief, suffering, and shame surrounding those effected in the book. Every character introduced was extremely likeable, and watching them interact and respond to the difficult scenarios presented throughout the book was a fascinating and personal experience.
The story line is fast-paced and ever changing, which is exactly what would expect from the nature of this book. I hung on to every word and I struggled to put this down. The Pull of the Stars started well and finished even stronger - which is something I rarely come across in the majority of the books that I read. Without disclosing any spoilers, The Pull of the Stars is one of the only books I have read which made my wince, gag, and cry. I would highly recommend this book in it's Audible format as the narration is extremely high quality.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 02-11-22
Fabulous and, heart rendering
I loved listening to this book. fabulous story, I couldn't put the "book" down .
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- Jeanspink
- 23-05-21
bloody brilliant
wow, what a moving and very relevant book for these covid times. loved all the characters. don't hesitate to download this. fantastic narration.
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