The Swiss Nurse

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.

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!

The Spanish Civil War sometimes is lost in history as it was between WWI and WWII. I enjoyed reading another this war and the early part of WWII. This is the story of woman trying to give pregnant woman a safe place to give birth and also the stories of the women. I liked listening to this an an audiobook because the foreign words were pronounced a lot better than I would have!

Let’s begin with the narration of this novel. I may never listen to a historical fiction narrated by anyone another than Saskia Maarleveld again! She is incredible! Absolutely the right choice for this. She brings the characters to life in a way that seems so realistic for the time period. She held me spellbound, and I am sure she is the reason for my newfound love of historical fiction. Thank you for making my listening experience so enjoyable. To give credit where it is due, if Mario Escobar question myself throughout the book. While I guessed early on, I doubted myself so many times that I am still not sure if I believe the words that were written. What a fantastic cast of characters, whom are well developed and intertwine so well with one another. I am not sure if I am completely happy with the ending. While I agree with the decision (no spoilers), I do feel it was potentially an unfair outcome.

There is so much historical fiction about the two world wars that many frequent readers of the genre including me actually look for books that don't include war! This very poignantly written, heartbreaker of a book, while being about the Spanish Civil War and its aftermath, is also about one woman's determination and dedication to help others that led to her establishing the Elne maternity hospital in France that saved hundreds of mothers and babies from squalid camps and gave them hope.

Elizabeth Eidenbenz was a Swiss relief worker who by working tirelessly to protect women and children fleeing Spain after the Civil War illustrated that despite the terrible horrors that humans inflict on themselves and others, there are those who will not let humanity and compassion die. She just would not give up until the maternity hospital was established and her strong faith helped her through the most difficult times, inspiring those around her to also work to help others who were suffering.
Her story is interspersed with that of Isabel, a Spanish refugee who escapes to France, hoping to be reunited with her American husband Peter who had fought against Franco and fascism in France and is desperately trying to get to Isabel himself, only to be thwarted by circumstances beyond his control.

As Isabel and Peter hold onto their dreams of a life together, they must survive war, refugee camps that have their own horrors, a French government that does not care about refugees and wants them gone, sickness, lack of basic supplies and the terrible sadness of losing friends and companions.

This is a very difficult book to read in places as all war based books are. The brutality experienced by innocent civilians who are forced to flee is the worst part. So many instances brought tears to my eyes and once again made me think that life is really precious and so many have learnt this in the hardest way possible. Having said that, the story also has beautiful moments of selflessness and compassion and sharing where politics and ideology and ethnicity and national identity is forgotten and human beings just behave in a human way.

Elizabeth's staunch refusal to back down in the face of the strongest hurdles has her going up against several men in authority who don't like what they see as her 'meddling'.
Her strong devotion to the cause sees her setting up and operating the hospital through the initial years of WW2 which brought fresh horrors.

As is the case for Isabel and Peter whose struggle to be together as a family seems neverending, shaking Isabel's belief in a higher power as they get stuck in one situation after another and finally get embroiled in the uncertainty of WW2. The friends Isabel makes, the ones she helps and is helped by, give her the support she needs to face the sadness of daily life.

This is a bittersweet story, filled with the pain of violent conflict and its most innocent victims, children. It is also a look at the undeniable fact that no one is above anyone else and helping others, caring about their welfare, staying united,is the only way to live.

Elizabeth Eidenbenz was a true hero and one who deserves to be lauded and remembered forever for her humanitarian effort.

The audiobook is narrated by Saskia Maarleveld who is fabulous as usual and brings out the pathos and emotions of all the characters.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Harper Muse audio for this ALC in return for my completely honest review.

Mario has done it again by writing a book about an event in history I did not know about. I had year similar stories but not one quite like this.

This book was a roller coaster of emotions! I cannot imagine what women endured while being pregnant and new mothers during the Spanish Civil War and World War II. I do not think I’m as brave or strong as they were.

The Swiss Nurse was read by one of my fav narrators!

I love a good historical fiction. And this one was no exception. The fact that it wasn't just about WW2 but also the Spanish Civil War was a nice change.

I also really loved that there were multiple points of view. I did get a little confused at times because I felt like the transitions from one person to another could have flowed a little better. But I do enjoy reading about different scenarios people went through during the same horrific events of war.

Although there was some romance sprinkled throughout, and it was love that drove a particular couple to survive, this story is most definitely about war and the tragic events that follow.

If you read this book, be prepared to get angry, get emotional, and possibly cry.

If you're a fan of historical fiction, you will enjoy this book.

Very enjoyable read. Will be easy to recommend to many different kinds of readers. I’d like to read more from this author.

Beautiful and heart-wrenching, this was the based on the true story of a nurse who saved hundreds of women and children during the Spanish Civil War and WW2. The writing was smooth and evocative. Just wonderful.

The narration, as always, was perfect!

The Swiss Nurse is a beautiful story about what humans will do to lift each other out of the pits of tragedy and war. Mario Escobar does a great job at pulling you into the characters lives and giving you hope for us all. Based on true stories from world war 2, you won’t want to miss this one!

Wow. There is a reason I don't often read Historical Fiction, it's because they affect me so much. This was such a moving and beautifully written novel. I couldn't tell you how many times I cried because I lost count, it was so often. It pains me to read about how terrible and vile humanity can be. It also warms with hope how some people are willing to put their lives in at risk to help others - even if it is just to provide a slice of bread. I finished this book over a day ago and still start crying when I want to talk about it. The narrator does an amazing job and bringing these characters to life from the book. The author really showed the humanity inside each character.

It also reflects on the fact that so many of our parents, grandparent's, great grandparent's, and ancestor's went through so much and never speak of it. Whether it be because it is too difficult, traumatizing, or sad - they do not share what they have survived. Sadly, because they don't talk about their past, history can be lost. It's novels like this that make me reflect on what my own family has endured, and what many others have endured. World War 2 only ended 78 years ago. Thats it, 78 years! That means there are so many alive today that underwent horrible tragedies. It sickens me how cruel and vile humanity can be. That all being said, this is one of the top five books I have read this year, absolutely beautiful.

Thank you NetGalley for an Advanced Listening Copy.

I enjoy historical fiction, especially if it is based on real people and about events that I don't know a lot about. The Swiss Nurse fits the bill perfectly. This book is set as the Spanish Civil War is winding down. It's 1939 and Franco's troops have marched into Barcelona. The people who supported the Republican Government made up of socialists and communists fled and marched to France where they were told they could enter as refugees. As well, many of the men fighting for the Republic fled as well. Isabel Dueñas is married to an American, Peter Davis, who is fighting for the Republic, she is pregnant and forced to flee. Elisabeth Eidenbenz is a swiss nurse who is running a maternity hospital to help the refugees and those who live in the area. It is funded privately and through the Swiss Red Cross. Although France has allowed the refugees to enter their country, they are treated terribly. Living in cramped refugee camps with little food, contaminated water and many with no roofs over their heads. Although both Isabel and her husband are in the camp, they are separated because he is in the military area. She gives birth at the hospital and vows to help Elisabeth and her volunteers. Things do not go well, as Hitler invades France and makes things even more difficult. Will Isabel and her husband and child survive? Will they get to the U.S.? Will Elisabeth and her husband be able to help all the women who need them? What about the Jewish families?

This was a heartbreaking story. The terrible conditions in the camp resulted in many people dying as well as women being raped and turned to prostitution. The people that were supposed to be helping were stealing supplies and selling them on the black market. There were some honest and caring people, but they seemed to be outnumbered. They didn't want these "communists" in their country. That didn't stop them from sending the soldiers to the front. I loved learning about the strong women who worked at the maternity hospital. Elisabeth stood up to everyone in order to do what she needed for her mothers and their babies. I was afraid for her many times. The story is told from three POVs. Elisabeth, Isabel and Peter all share the events that they are dealing with, and they sometimes overlap. It is well researched and I learned a lot about Elisabeth. Between 1939 and 1944, she saved some 600 children who were mostly the children of Spanish Republicans, Jewish refugees and gypsies fleeing the Nazi invasion. This is a story of strong, courageous independent women, who learn that friendship, solidarity and the belief that all people are created equal, helped save many that otherwise would have perished. It is not an easy book to read, but it is a time in history that needs to be shared. Elisabeth Eidenbenz needs to become someone that we learn about, a true hero!

I listened to the audiobook, but also had the ebook. The story does jump around a lot and there were times that I went to the ebook because I missed things while listening to this one. Saskia Maarleveld does an amazing job with the voices of the various characters as well as the emotion that this story contains. If you enjoy audiobooks, I think a read/listen is the best way to go.