📖 Book Review 📖

🎧”The Swiss Nurse” by Mario Escobar

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Two women in the late 1930s tell a moving story of survival during a time in the world when leaving all you know is the only way you can live.

Historical fiction based on the true story of Elizabeth Eibedbenz, a Swiss teacher, who helped orphans during the Spanish Civil War and after crossing the Pyrenees Mountains. Many people fled Spain and sought refuge in France. Elizabeth was remarkable- she opened a maternal hospital to care for pregnant women before they were forced to give birth in terrible conditions at the refugee camps.

Isabel Dueñas is one of many Spanish patriots fleeing after Spain’s Civil War. She leaves behind her American solider husband, and she seeks asylum in a refugee camp across the border in France. The conditions of the camp are dire- no adequate shelter, dirty water, and next to no medical care. The Nazis invade Poland, causing more refugees to France.

I have learned so much from reading all of Mario Escobar's books, and this one was no different. Escobar takes readers right into the dark history of Spain, before WWII. Hundreds of thousands of Spanish refugees fled a dictatorship, arriving with nothing in southern France, right before Germany declared war- creating a massive humanitarian crisis.

Thank you @netgalley for this audiobook

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I have found very few historical fiction novels focusing on the horrors of Franco's Spain and had high expectations for this book. Historical fiction focusing on an often overlooked (at least in this genre) part of history from an author with multiple well-received novels under his belt. Sounds amazing, right? Sadly, wrong.

The characters seemed empty. As tragedy strikes around them, again and again, they get through, they go on, but rarely internally react. External reactions, sure "she burst into tears," "he raised his weapon," but the emotional toll is never tallied, it is never truly felt by the character or the reader. Sometimes the missing connection was almost passed off under the guise of "God will provide." I'm not sure if Escobar was honestly trying to make this a religious book, or if he didn't know how to write emotions and used this as a cover. This missing connection was a serious struggle for me which almost lead me to DNF the book.

The Swiss Nurse is neither a fun, nor happy book. With the disconnect of the main characters and the constant horrors they endure, you feel empty and detached by the end of the narrative. I would caution that should you try to read it, do so at the appropriate time emotionally.

Thank you Netgalley for the audio arc of this book for my honest review.

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to read several books written by Mario Escobar. Although The Swiss Nurse was not my favorite book written by Mario Escobar, I did enjoy reading it. I was able to learn about things that I had not known about before reading it. I switched back and forth between reading The Swiss Nurse on my kindle and listening to the audiobook. The audiobook was very well narrated by Saskia Maarleveld. She has become one of my favorite narrators over the years. Mario Escobar based The Swiss Nurse on true facts and real people. It was a very moving story that was told in alternating point of views from three distinct characters.

Mario Escobar chose to begin The Swiss Nurse in Spain during The Spanish Civil War. Franco’s wrath was felt and dreaded by all the people of the Republic as he forged ahead to take control of Spain. Isabel Duenas, a seamstress in Barcelona, had witnessed death and destruction at the hands of Franco and the Fascists. She was left no alternatives but to flee from Barcelona and escape to France. Her American born husband, Peter Davis, was still helping the Spanish fight for freedom and democracy. Isabel and Peter planned to meet in France and travel to the United States together where they hoped to live their lives together as man and wife near Peter’s family. Elisabeth Eidenbenz, a Swiss teacher and nurse had gone to Spain in 1937 to help Spanish orphans escape the persecutions and atrocities caused by the Spanish Civil War. The route from Spain to France was long, difficult and dangerous over the Pyrenees. None of the refugees had expected any of the delays they were met with or the treatment they received once they arrived at the French border.

Isabel ended up being placed in an internment camp in France where the conditions were so dire. The camp was built on the beach where the housing was less than ideal, the drinking water was not suitable for drinking and medical care was less than adequate. By chance she met Elisabeth at the camp one day. Elisabeth had been instrumental in saving many orphaned children that lost their families as a result of the Spanish Civil War. She worked beside the members of the Association to Aid Children in War to provide safety for the orphaned children. Elisabeth wanted to do more, though. She wanted to help pregnant women and their babies. She was appalled by the conditions at the internment camps. She could not envision pregnant women giving birth at these camps. Finally, in 1939, Elisabeth, with the help from the Quakers, the Swiss Red Cross and the Mennonite Society, Elisabeth was able to open the Elne Maternity Hospital in France. Elisabeth’s selfless compassion and commitment helped save Isabel from the fate she surely would have faced if she had been left living in the internment camp. When World War II began and the Nazis invaded France, Elisabeth also provided shelter for Jewish pregnant women refugees and their families as well. She was a brave, courageous and determined woman.

I enjoyed reading and listening to The Swiss Nurse by Mario Escobar. His books always seem to make me a little smarter. Before reading The Swiss Nurse, I had never heard of Elisabeth Eidenbenz. Her contributions to helping defenseless orphaned children and pregnant mothers and their newborn babies was immeasurable. Much appreciation goes to Mario Escobar for telling her story and making her contributions to humanity known. I also had not been aware of the way the Spanish refugees were treated when they first arrived in France. After the Spanish refugees had already suffered so much pain and loss in the Spanish Civil War, the French government treated the refugees awfully and showed them little to no empathy. The Swiss Nurse was a well written book that I highly recommend.

Thank you to Harper Muse for allowing me to read The Swiss Nurse by Mario Escobar through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Swiss Nurse by Mario Escobar is a heartbreaking story that will make you fall in love with the characters and it both warms and destroys your heart. Set during the Spanish Civil War and WWII, The Swiss Nurse is based on the true story of a woman who saved hundreds of mothers and children during this time.

While I do not always read WWII novels, because I feel there are many, I think that The Swiss Nurse is unique and I loved that it was based on a real story about a real woman. Such an emotional read and I think it was beautifully written. I enjoyed this one and could not stop reading because I had to know what would happen to the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

"Time does not turn tragedies into blessings"

Thank you to NetGalley for access to this audiobook

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.

The Spanish Civil War in the 1930s is not something I had read about previously nor have I seen any other Historical Fiction books covering it and it was eye opening to listen to this part of the story. There were a few sections in the back third which left a sour taste in my mouth, in particular a speech by Peter. It always fascinates me the mass of refugees moving through Europe during at this point of time and I'm glad this story covered so many of the different types of refugee story.

Elisabeth Eidenbenz left her home in Switzerland to serve orphaned children affected by the Spanish Civil War. As the countrymen bitterly fight, Elisabeth flees with several children to the French border seeking refuge. Here she discovers a refugee camp in terrible conditions overrun with families fleeing Franco’s Facist regime.
Determined to do her part, Elisabeth fights for a location and funding to run her own hospital for expectant mothers. She vows to provide more humane conditions than the inundated camp offers. One such refugee not only benefits, but then also helps Elisabeth’s vision work. Isabel, Spanish by birth, helps Elisabeth to care for the deluge of young women entering their hospital. Later, as Poland is invaded by Germany, many Jewish mothers seek the women’s aide as well, causing their resources to stretch further.

Elisabeth, with Isabel’s help, fights for those innocent victims of war, both the Spanish Civil War and the onset of World War II. The two courageous women stand up to their oppressors and fight for humane conditions for the women and children, risking their lives often for those in their care.

Overall this was an interesting story about a conflict and humanitarian crisis I knew little about. Unfortunately, it was hard to connect with Elisabeth at first. I wish there was a little more of her backstory before jumping into her role during war. Isobel’s character was fascinating as well, but her POV felt like it took up almost as much of the story as main character Elisabeth’s. There is also a lot of swearing and a lot of tragic and almost flippant death—I know a lot of people died in senseless ways during war, and this books seems to have it all.

Thank you to Netgalley, Harper Muse, and of course Mario Escobar for the advanced copy of the audiobook. The Swiss Nurse is out on now. All opinions are my own.

The Swiss Nurse by Mario Escobar is a captivating novel that takes readers on a journey through the little-known Spanish Civil War and its impact on the region as World War II looms on the horizon. The story is rich in historical detail, providing a vivid depiction of the political and social unrest that characterized this turbulent period in Spanish history. The author does an excellent job of conveying the complex political climate and the personal struggles of the characters caught in the midst of it all.

While the historical context of the novel is fascinating, the characters themselves felt somewhat underdeveloped. Elisabeth, the protagonist, is an intriguing character, but her development is limited throughout the story. Additionally, some of the supporting characters felt like they could have been fleshed out more fully to add depth and complexity to the plot.

Despite these minor drawbacks, The Swiss Nurse is a thought-provoking and engaging read that sheds light on an important period in history that is often overlooked. The author's attention to detail and his ability to transport readers to another time and place make this book a worthwhile read for anyone interested in history or historical fiction.

From the cover to the story, I adored this story! I loved reading about WWII from a Swiss nurses perspective! I never cease to be inspired by the heroines of the 20th century!

What a fascinating book! I knew very little about the Spanish Civil War and the struggle of Spanish refugees in France. And, I knew nothing about the heroine of the story Elisabeth Eidenbenz. How absolutely jaw dropping.

The Swiss Nurse changes between the point of view of Elisabeth (a Swiss Red Cross nurse, who is running a maternity home for Spanish refugees), Isabella (a refugee from Spain) and her husband Peter (an American). It begins with Isabella fleeing the Civil War in her country and continues into the Nazi Occupation of France. It is an absolutely heartbreaking story, that will stay with me for quiet a while.

A special thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for the opportunity to review The Swiss Nurse.

💭Thoughts:
I was immediately drawn to this book because of the gorgeous cover. I also, love reading books about nurses due to my career as a nurse.

This was a really interesting story that followed a part of history that I didn’t previously know a lot about. The book is full of lots of information, especially at the end when the author included true statistical data about the war.

Elisabeth was amazing an character. She was so strong and steadfast in the face of such turmoil. My one real issue with the story was the dual POVs and the flow. I wanted to get now Elisabeth better, but the flow was choppy because of the POVs of two other characters. I really think the book could have done without those POVs.

The narration was great and I thought the characters voices matched them well. The narrator really brought Elisabeth to life for me.

Overall, this is an interesting book that cover the life of an amazing woman. I’m glad her story got to be told. I just wish it had been more of her POV.

It’s safe to say we’ve all been taught of WWII in our history classes and we’ve probably heard of the Spanish civil war too. I just never associated these two wars occurring in the same year, as one was ending the other was just starting. This story is based on true humanity heroine Elisabeth Eidenbenz, a Swiss teacher/nurse, whom help save children’s during 2 wars. She believed in serving humanity and in God’s grace which lead her to go to Spain to help the children affected by the brutality of the fascists regime, moving from town to town in order to keep the children in her care safe, and finally escaping Spain to France in the dead of winter. She set up a hospital to assist the interned camp refugee women giving birth in horrible conditions. I truly had not heard of Elisabeth prior to this book. This is my first novel by Mario Escobar, it has 3 POVs, Elisabeth, Isabella, and Peter. At first this caused a bit of confusion of who was who. I get why the two
characters were added but I do feel took away from getting fully invested in Elisabeth story and the struggles she endured. I listened to the narration by Saskatoon Maarlevald. She is a great narrator and her voice helped me get through the book