Band of Sisters: A Novel

In this novel based on a true story, a group of young women from Smith College risk their lives in France during World War I to help French civilians devastated by the German war machine. The Smith College Relief Unit brings welcome aid and hope to the region, but can they survive their own differences and the threat of being ousted by the British army?

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 544 pages
Publication date: 12 May 2022
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc

In this captivating novel, Lauren Willig takes readers on a journey back to the tumultuous era of World War I, where a group of young women from Smith College bravely risk their lives in France to aid the devastated French civilians. The story is inspired by a true event and seamlessly blends elements of historical fiction with elements of medical drama, reminiscent of the beloved books "Call the Midwife" and "The Alice Network."

The protagonist of the novel is Kate Moran, a scholarship girl from Brooklyn who enrolls at Smith College, hoping to find a place among the prestigious Mayflower descendants. However, her illusions are shattered when she graduates and realizes that the world is not as welcoming as she had hoped.

One day, during a speech at the Smith College Club, alumna Betsy Rutherford calls for volunteers to help the French civilians who have been ravaged by the German war machine. Kate, too busy with her own life, initially dismisses the call, but when her former best friend Emmeline Van Alden begs her to take the place of a girl who had to drop out, Kate reluctantly agrees to join the new Smith College Relief Unit.

Four months later, Kate and seventeen other Smithies set sail for France, armed with money, supplies, and good intentions. They are determined to make a difference in the lives of the people they encounter. However, their journey is not without its challenges.

Upon their arrival in France, the volunteers are greeted with a sight that shocks them: the chateau that was to be their headquarters is a half-burnt ruin, and the villagers they meet are in desperate straits. Women and children huddle in damp cellars, their crops destroyed, and their wells poisoned. The volunteers are determined to help, but they soon realize that they are up against formidable obstacles.

Despite constant shelling from the Germans, French bureaucracy, and the threat of being ousted by the British army, the Smith volunteers bring welcome aid and hope to the region. They distribute food, medicine, and other supplies to the villagers, and they even set up a makeshift hospital to treat the injured.

As they work tirelessly to help the people of France, Kate and her colleagues begin to bond over their shared experiences and hardships. They form a tight-knit community, supporting each other through the trials and tribulations of the war. However, their differences also come to the surface, testing the strength of their friendship and their commitment to the cause.

Through their experiences in France, Kate and her colleagues learn valuable lessons about resilience, compassion, and the power of community. They also come to understand the sacrifices that people make in times of war and the importance of standing up for what is right.

In the end, Kate and her colleagues return to Smith College, changed by their experiences in France. They continue to work for the cause of peace and justice, using their knowledge and skills to make a difference in the world.

"The Smith College Relief Unit" is a powerful and moving novel that pays tribute to the bravery and resilience of everyday American heroines. Lauren Willig's skillful writing brings the characters to life, and her portrayal of the hardships and tragedies of World War I is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves historical fiction, medical drama, or stories about the power of community.

Weight: 384g
Dimension: 134 x 308 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780062986160