In so doing, they begin a wondrous yet heart-breaking journey. Maggie and her mother, taking food to the sick, find a baby whose mother is dead, and whose sister is dying, and rescue the baby. It’s a gripping tale that illustrates how an innocent act can have devastating effects years in the future. But then the flu strikes, and no one remains untouched. He and his wife have thee daughters, and for a while, life is good. A family moves north to Philadelphia where the husband becomes an undertaker, working with his uncle. Author Susan Meissner has written a chilling account of World War I and the Spanish Flu.

Homes were quarantined, people avoided crowds. Those giving aid, or food, or comfort wore masks for protection, for there was no cure. Schools were closed, hospitals were overcrowded, people were dying at home. This disease touched everyone, in one way or another. Even if you weren’t infected, someone in your family was, or your neighbor, or your friend. Many others it took within days of being infected, coughing and gasping for breath at the end. It left some sick, but weak and recovering. It came like a thief in the night, this virus that didn’t care if you were young or old, or rich or poor. This is the second book I have read by this author and I am looking forward to reading more by her. I did find the ending was a little too neatly wrapped up but overall, I enjoyed this story. The author is to be commended for her historical research and also for delivering a story that was unique and absorbing. The book’s main focus in on the females of the family and the story unfolds from their viewpoint, alternating between the mother and her daughters.Īs Bright As Heaven gives us a detailed look at the 1918 pandemic, and there were certainly many aspects that reminded me of what we are experiencing today with Covid. The Bright family were however strongly impacted by events and choices made during that time. The story is divided into halves, the first part is about how the family and the city of Philadelphia deals with the pandemic, while the second half shows what life became after the end of the war and the flu. This was a difficult time as the Great War in Europe was escalating and then as the family settles into their new home and business, their lives were about to be torn apart by the devastating epidemic that struck with deadly intent. The whole family, wife Pauline, and daughters Evelyn, Maggie and Willa are grieving the death of 4 month old Henry, who was born with a defective heart. The main characters are from the Bright family that moves to Philadelphia so that the father, Thomas, can join his uncle in his mortuary business. As Bright as Heaven by Susan Meissner is story of historical fiction that deals with the 1918 flu pandemic.

As bright as heaven susan meissner