Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Little Brown and Company (2014), Edition: Unabridged
Description
"An epic story, set against the backdrop of World War I, from bestselling author Anita Shreve. When an American woman, Stella Bain, is found suffering from severe shell shock in an exclusive garden in London, surgeon August Bridge and his wife selflessly agree to take her in. A gesture of goodwill turns into something more as Bridge quickly develops a clinical interest in his houseguest. Stella had been working as a nurse's aide near the front, but she can't remember anything prior to four months earlier when she was found wounded on a French battlefield. In a narrative that takes us from London to America and back again, Shreve has created an engrossing and wrenching tale about love and the meaning of memory, set against the haunting backdrop of a war that destroyed an entire generation. "--… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Yogamom67
Fans of Anita Shreve will not be disappointed with "Stella Bain." Her newest book has all of the elements that have made Shreve such a popular author: it's compelling, disturbing, sometimes hard to read, impossible to put down. The story concerns a young woman found outside a garden in London who
The book lost some of its steam about two-thirds of the way through. Without giving too much away, let me just say that the ending was somewhat predictable and the description of the trial (which occurred in the second half of the book) wasn't nearly as believable as Shreve's depiction of Stella's experiences during the war. I found those scenes absolutely riveting and I admire Shreve's ability to pull me in so completely, I could almost imagine being there.
I didn't know very much about shell shock prior to reading "Stella Bain" and I found it was a good introduction. The beginnings of art therapy and Freudian psychoanalysis are also explored, adding another layer of interest to the story.
Overall, "Stella Bain" was an easy, enjoyable read. However, there is a deceptive lightness to Shreve's work. She's not a self-indulgent writer - her prose is simple and unassuming - there are no wasted words. But don't underestimate the power of her story-telling. Shreve will pull you in and not let go until its 1:30am in the morning and you've finished the last page! And this story, just like her others, will haunt you long after it's over.
I received this book through GoodReads Early Readers program.
Show More
knows nothing of her past prior to waking up in a French infirmary on the front lines of WWI. As the story unfolds, we learn that Stella is suffering from amnesia, as a result of shell shock incurred while she was working as a nurses' aide and ambulance driver during the war. Stella also suffers from another, deeply repressed trauma that only comes to light with the help of a British surgeon and his wife, who take Stella in and care for her until she is able to uncover her past. The book lost some of its steam about two-thirds of the way through. Without giving too much away, let me just say that the ending was somewhat predictable and the description of the trial (which occurred in the second half of the book) wasn't nearly as believable as Shreve's depiction of Stella's experiences during the war. I found those scenes absolutely riveting and I admire Shreve's ability to pull me in so completely, I could almost imagine being there.
I didn't know very much about shell shock prior to reading "Stella Bain" and I found it was a good introduction. The beginnings of art therapy and Freudian psychoanalysis are also explored, adding another layer of interest to the story.
Overall, "Stella Bain" was an easy, enjoyable read. However, there is a deceptive lightness to Shreve's work. She's not a self-indulgent writer - her prose is simple and unassuming - there are no wasted words. But don't underestimate the power of her story-telling. Shreve will pull you in and not let go until its 1:30am in the morning and you've finished the last page! And this story, just like her others, will haunt you long after it's over.
I received this book through GoodReads Early Readers program.
Show Less
LibraryThing member LivelyLady
A good story but not written in an engaging way. A woman finds herself in WW I working as a nurses' aide but does not remember her name. The story follows her through her time of anonymity and of finding herself as well as the consequences of her behavior.
LibraryThing member amandacb
I wanted to like this book, especially since I am a Shreve fan. The story is just too unbelievable in most parts to commit to, unfortunately. A well-to-do family taking in a lost woman and her husband just happens to be a doctor who take a special interest in her case? Sure. But what sealed the
Show More
deal for me was the stilted dialogue. While the paraments of the English dialect were definitely more formal in the early twentieth century, it certainly was not that formal, all the time. Show Less
LibraryThing member brangwinn
Interesting reading for any Anita Shreve fan. Using present tense, Shreve examines the life of a woman who fled America for the European WWI front. Suffering from amnesia after a bombing, she is compelled to go to London, but doesn't know why. It would make interesting discussion at book club.
Show More
Love, marriage, divorce and custody battles at a time when women had little power. If you're looking for a good happy ending you'll find it in this story as well. Show Less
LibraryThing member hammockqueen
good story line. Kept moving along so my interest stayed. I enjoyed the characters and learning how lives were in 1916. I would recommend
LibraryThing member BADunn
Quick good read but not as interesting as some of A.Shreve's other books
LibraryThing member love_of_books
Just who is Stella Bain? She’s found injured and unable to recall anything about herself, outside a hospital near the fighting in France during WW I. The name comes to her, but she has no way of knowing if it’s her true name. Her accent indicates she’s American but why would an American woman
Show More
be involved in a war the United States has yet to enter? After her recovery, she is obsessed with getting to the Admiralty for reasons she cannot fathom. All she knows is, there may be answers there, and so after she works at the hospital for a time, she heads to London to uncover her past. Shreve has created a story of a woman suffering from shell shock. The ugliness of WW I is the arena for this tale of loss. Shreve writes with compassion of a woman stranded and confused. The story is interesting but there’s just something missing. The plot is a bit weak and the book doesn’t measure up to Shreve’s usual high quality. Show Less
LibraryThing member smallwonder56
Not Anita Shreve's best book, but it's very good, nonetheless. Take a wounded woman in France in WWI who has lost her memory, combine her with a man who truly wants to help her, and then throw in some family drama. It kept me turning the pages and fascinated right up to the end. I felt like the
Show More
ending was sort of tacked on when Ms. Shreve was bored with the book. Still, it's excellent writing, a great story, a wonderful insight into an aspect of WWI--I'll be recommending it to my friends. Show Less
LibraryThing member KelAppNic
My first Shreve. Easy and fun to read but lacked real depth.
LibraryThing member kiwifortyniner
I did not like this one by Anita Shreve as much as some of her others. An American woman wakes up in a field hospital in France and cannot remember who she is or what happened. She calls herself Stella Bain and embarks on a journey that takes her to London, in order to unlock her past. She feels
Show More
she must visit the Admiralty, that that is the key. In London she is helped by Dr August Bridges a cranial surgeon and psychologist, to answer the questions of who she is and how she ended up in France - What did she leave behind, and why did she need to take such a drastic step. These are the questions that are answered in the rest of the book, once a meeting at the admiralty is able to give her the starting point of her real name. I did not become engrossed in the lives of the characters in this book. It was to me an average read. Show Less
LibraryThing member bobbieharv
Good, but it seemed somehow a pale reflection of Shreve's usual work. The parts that took place during the war and the sessions with August, her therapist in England, had more energy than the rest, especially the trial.
LibraryThing member FerneMysteryReader
I was interested in reading this story about an American woman, Stella Bain, serving as a nurse and ambulance driver in Europe during World War I and actually prior to the U.S. participation in the war. It was also going to be my introduction to a novel by this author.
From the first glimpse of the
Although it is extremely rare for me to not complete the reading of any novel, I would not be an honest reviewer if I didn’t share that I did think about not finishing the book. However, as I had promised to review the title, I continued reading and I’m glad that I didn’t stop reading. In the author’s “Acknowledgments” at the end of the story, it is shared that there were seven (7) drafts of this novel and rather than surprise me it helped me to understand why the novel was somewhat difficult to read. There seemed to be a ‘disconnect’ at various points in the story presentation. It is not that all the parts do not enhance the whole. It is more to share that the story does not flow seamlessly nor transition well from section- to-section and sometimes not even from page-to-page.
With all of that said, I hope that others will pick up the title, begin reading and continue reading. Stella Bain is a woman whose story could be in today’s headlines. A woman doing the best she can in the worst of circumstances, a woman continuing to give to others, trying to make things right regardless of the sacrifices needed and yet still needing to heal from her own experiences of abuse and traumas. A true case of when a fiction novel can often shed light on a current situation for many of our returning women and men from military service – the combination of their personal past history and their experiences during combat. It might be the ideal novel to give cause for reflection by a loved one or friend that needs to understand what happened during the months or years of separation and why their loved one or friend is ‘different’ now. Perhaps that reader will find within themselves some compassion and empathy and love to heal and transcend the hurt, pain, (and) guilt to a new relationship. It might not be the same as before but that doesn’t mean the new path forward can’t be strong and perhaps even more loving. It only means it will be different and when we release our preconceived notions, the present is often rich in its current grace and wisdom with the future even more inviting to dream and behold.
I was lucky enough to receive a pre-publication copy of this title as part of the Goodreads First Reads Program.
From the first glimpse of the
Show More
cover, I had some disappointment. I love the lettering of the title, “Stella Bain: A Novel” and I understand the placement which identifies the thoughtful young woman in her stylish hat. However, I absolutely did not think it was necessary nor added anything meaningful to the cover by the gigantic font size of the author’s name. With curiosity, I read the back cover and was surprised that the author has published 17 other novels as again, it didn’t seem that an established author would approve this artwork. I could understand it more from a novelist in full glee of first publication. Seriously? If the book is a “Good Read”, I will always remember the author’s name and share it widely. It simply seemed that the author could have presented herself with a little humility which is obviously part of her leading character’s demeanor despite Stella Bain’s personal anguish or physical discomfort. Although it is extremely rare for me to not complete the reading of any novel, I would not be an honest reviewer if I didn’t share that I did think about not finishing the book. However, as I had promised to review the title, I continued reading and I’m glad that I didn’t stop reading. In the author’s “Acknowledgments” at the end of the story, it is shared that there were seven (7) drafts of this novel and rather than surprise me it helped me to understand why the novel was somewhat difficult to read. There seemed to be a ‘disconnect’ at various points in the story presentation. It is not that all the parts do not enhance the whole. It is more to share that the story does not flow seamlessly nor transition well from section- to-section and sometimes not even from page-to-page.
With all of that said, I hope that others will pick up the title, begin reading and continue reading. Stella Bain is a woman whose story could be in today’s headlines. A woman doing the best she can in the worst of circumstances, a woman continuing to give to others, trying to make things right regardless of the sacrifices needed and yet still needing to heal from her own experiences of abuse and traumas. A true case of when a fiction novel can often shed light on a current situation for many of our returning women and men from military service – the combination of their personal past history and their experiences during combat. It might be the ideal novel to give cause for reflection by a loved one or friend that needs to understand what happened during the months or years of separation and why their loved one or friend is ‘different’ now. Perhaps that reader will find within themselves some compassion and empathy and love to heal and transcend the hurt, pain, (and) guilt to a new relationship. It might not be the same as before but that doesn’t mean the new path forward can’t be strong and perhaps even more loving. It only means it will be different and when we release our preconceived notions, the present is often rich in its current grace and wisdom with the future even more inviting to dream and behold.
I was lucky enough to receive a pre-publication copy of this title as part of the Goodreads First Reads Program.
Show Less
LibraryThing member JoStARs
I was attracted to this book because of the amnesia, World War 1, British / American, psychiatry, and mystery themes. The story was somewhat interesting, but ultimately, it didn’t satisfy me. I found it to be an average read, at best. Not one of Shreve’s best.
LibraryThing member NeedMoreShelves
Boy, I just did not feel the connection to this one. Beautifully written, as is each Shreve novel, with a fascinating premise, but I just felt distant the entire time I was reading. I waited for the big payoff at the end, and there really wasn't any. Interesting idea that fell short for me.
LibraryThing member delphimo
I listened to this riveting story on audiobook, and despaired when the book ended. The sequence of events proved a little confusing, and the ending seem too rushed. The character of Stella/Etna shows the glimmer of an independent woman emerging from World War I. Stella buys her own cottage,
Show More
supports herself and her children by drawing medical scenes, hires a lawyer to win custody of her son, and even drives an ambulance during the war. Her determination seems a little too much for this time in our history, but many writers are portraying strong and innovative women. The book also relates the horrors witnessed by the soldiers, doctors, and nurses; and the problems these horrors presented at later times. The new field of psychology trickles into the story. Show Less
LibraryThing member flydodofly
Did not think much of the story, did not like the complete change of tone after she gains her memory back. I suppose it was there to show the reader the scale and the importance of the change, but it did not work, because the character herself did not seem out of control at any point, did not seem
Show More
suffering even when she complained. Her emotions were sketched and in her words only, she remained detached throughout the book. The end represented yet another change and somehow seemed to imply we have a disturbed person there, instead of the picture of happiness that was in the words. Show Less
LibraryThing member Mishker
A woman wakes up in a nursing tent among the WWI battlefields of France. She has lost her memory, but comes up with the name Stella Bain, remembers that she can drive an ambulance and has a feeling that she should find someone at the Admirality. The family of Dr. August Bridge, cranial surgeon
An emotional and interesting portrait of a woman's experience during World War I. There are many reasons why Stella's character did what she did. The first half of the story is discovering just who she is and why she ended up where she was. The second half of the story deals with Stella's character trying to fix what mistakes she had made in the past. Stella is an amazingly independent women for the time. I enjoyed the first parts of the book more, where Stella is dealing with her memory loss issues, talking with Dr. Bridge and drawing. The scenes where Stella is driving an ambulance during the War are exciting and the scenes where Stella is being treated for what we now know as PTSD are insightful. After Stella recovers her memory, which happens very suddenly, the story turns to rehashing her past and a custody battle for her children. While all of the court scenes shine a light on a woman's issues at the time, it did have a bit of a disconnect with the rest of the book.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
Show More
takes Stella in during her recovery. Stella discovers a talent for drawing and along with Dr. Bridge, she begins to discover the secrets of her past and recover from her shell shock. Once Stella regains her memory, she also regains the reasons why she left home and what she must do to rectify the situation. An emotional and interesting portrait of a woman's experience during World War I. There are many reasons why Stella's character did what she did. The first half of the story is discovering just who she is and why she ended up where she was. The second half of the story deals with Stella's character trying to fix what mistakes she had made in the past. Stella is an amazingly independent women for the time. I enjoyed the first parts of the book more, where Stella is dealing with her memory loss issues, talking with Dr. Bridge and drawing. The scenes where Stella is driving an ambulance during the War are exciting and the scenes where Stella is being treated for what we now know as PTSD are insightful. After Stella recovers her memory, which happens very suddenly, the story turns to rehashing her past and a custody battle for her children. While all of the court scenes shine a light on a woman's issues at the time, it did have a bit of a disconnect with the rest of the book.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
Show Less
LibraryThing member TheLostEntwife
Stella Bain is the first book I've picked up by Anita Shreve. I wasn't sure of what to expect, but with a story that is not only set in France during WWI, but deals with amnesia and the mystery of a woman's past, I figured it would be an interesting read. I wasn't disappointed.
Read the rest of this
Read the rest of this
Show More
review at The Lost Entwife on Nov. 16, 2013. Show Less
LibraryThing member jmchshannon
The problem with Stella Bain is not necessarily the story. It is well-written, enjoyable, and interesting. The fault lies in the synopsis. The synopsis details only the first third of the novel as Stella struggles to regain her memories. Once she does that, the story veers in a completely
There is no doubt that Stella has strength of character and honor, given that she volunteers as a nurse during World War I well before her country officially becomes involved in the war effort. She is independent and fiercely driven, as seen by her reluctance to accept the Bridges’ help and her insistence obtaining entrance to the Admiralty. The story eventually reveals the source of her determination and courage in scenes meant to shock but ultimately not wholly unexpected given what readers know about Stella to that point. In fact, there are so many twists and shifts in narrative that they soon lose their ability to surprise and instead become predictable.
Where Stella Bain excels is in its discussion of shell shock, or in the current terminology post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Even though the novel occurs in 1917-1918, its exploration of this mysterious illness is eerily timely as hospitals around the country struggle to help the hundreds of thousands of Gulf War and Afghanistan War military vets who battle this disorder every day. While more is known about the injury today, a reader gets the impression that for many, public sentiment remains the same today as it did for Stella. Her very real physical pains and months-long total amnesia show insight into the types of vague and haunting torture sufferers face daily.
Stella Bain is a relatively simple novel that attempts to tackle too many weighty topics, of which shell shock and its physical manifestations are just one example. Stella’s story also covers abusive marriages, love, friendship, maternal instinct versus the need for independence, gender norms of the 1910s, and more. The fact that the story shifts its focus from amnesia and rediscovery to something completely different may cause some discomfort because it happens so suddenly. Ultimately, the story is too ambitious and does not do adequate justice to its heavy subject matter.
Show More
different, and much unanticipated, direction. A reader expects one story and gets something else. The plot shift is disconcerting and, for readers unable to put aside any preconceived expectations, off-putting.There is no doubt that Stella has strength of character and honor, given that she volunteers as a nurse during World War I well before her country officially becomes involved in the war effort. She is independent and fiercely driven, as seen by her reluctance to accept the Bridges’ help and her insistence obtaining entrance to the Admiralty. The story eventually reveals the source of her determination and courage in scenes meant to shock but ultimately not wholly unexpected given what readers know about Stella to that point. In fact, there are so many twists and shifts in narrative that they soon lose their ability to surprise and instead become predictable.
Where Stella Bain excels is in its discussion of shell shock, or in the current terminology post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Even though the novel occurs in 1917-1918, its exploration of this mysterious illness is eerily timely as hospitals around the country struggle to help the hundreds of thousands of Gulf War and Afghanistan War military vets who battle this disorder every day. While more is known about the injury today, a reader gets the impression that for many, public sentiment remains the same today as it did for Stella. Her very real physical pains and months-long total amnesia show insight into the types of vague and haunting torture sufferers face daily.
Stella Bain is a relatively simple novel that attempts to tackle too many weighty topics, of which shell shock and its physical manifestations are just one example. Stella’s story also covers abusive marriages, love, friendship, maternal instinct versus the need for independence, gender norms of the 1910s, and more. The fact that the story shifts its focus from amnesia and rediscovery to something completely different may cause some discomfort because it happens so suddenly. Ultimately, the story is too ambitious and does not do adequate justice to its heavy subject matter.
Show Less
LibraryThing member MaureenCean
This was quite a nice story. I had read The Pilot's Wife some time ago and really liked it, and had been looking at Shreve's other works for something else I might enjoy, but hadn't felt good about anything until this was published. The narration was very pleasant. The story, which eventually
Show More
centered around a custody battle in court, was engaging. Her prose is exceedingly descriptive, but not to distraction. I kept looking for similarities between this novel and The Pilot's Wife and kept asking myself how something could be this different, when it dawned on me all at once that there was much in common, though it never felt repetitive. Very pleasant. Show Less
LibraryThing member sandra.k.heinzman
I read this in one sitting. I don't know why the reviews are not great, as I really liked this book. It takes place during WWI, which I haven't read much about. I love how Shreve develops her characters and makes them believable and real. I have read a number of her books, and have liked them all.
Show More
I recommend this book highly. Show Less
LibraryThing member sandra.k.heinzman
I read this in one sitting. I don't know why the reviews are not great, as I really liked this book. It takes place during WWI, which I haven't read much about. I love how Shreve develops her characters and makes them believable and real. I have read a number of her books, and have liked them all.
Show More
I recommend this book highly. Show Less
LibraryThing member sandra.k.heinzman
I read this in one sitting. I don't know why the reviews are not great, as I really liked this book. It takes place during WWI, which I haven't read much about. I love how Shreve develops her characters and makes them believable and real. I have read a number of her books, and have liked them all.
Show More
I recommend this book highly. Show Less
LibraryThing member sandra.k.heinzman
I read this in one sitting. I don't know why the reviews are not great, as I really liked this book. It takes place during WWI, which I haven't read much about. I love how Shreve develops her characters and makes them believable and real. I have read a number of her books, and have liked them all.
Show More
I recommend this book highly. Show Less
LibraryThing member Sarah_Gruwell
** spoiler alert ** Book received as part of GoodReads FirstReads giveaway program in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the book!
My favorite part to this book was the storyline, the plot. It engaged my interest, invoked my fascination, and kept me spellbound all the way through. A woman
I also really enjoyed how the author explored some very complex and harsh themes. I felt that they made the book more relative to me as a reader and to our society as a whole. The impact that a shellshock diagnosis has on Stella/Etna is heartbreaking. She's seen as extremely fragile and so loses for a time because of this. It reflects on some people's views on PTSD today, unfortunately. There was also the extreme era prejudice against women. Stella/Etna had to fight against a system that basically thought of her as chattel to even visit her kids, long less gain custody of them. I'm very glad to after it all, she was able to triumph.
The author's exploration of the WWI era, Edwardian society and the horrors of war, was a true bonus for this history lover. I felt right in the thick of both the blood and mess of a field hospital and the quiet serenity of a doctor's gardens. The author really has a head for historical detail in a way that it doesn't overpower the story. It's blended in a way to subtly set a scene and still transport you into the thick of things. I love that in my historical novels.
The only criticism for this book to mention for me are some pacing issues and a epilogue that leaves me scratching my head at times. There were times where I felt she was with Dr Bright too long, trying to recover her memory and constantly going to the same places with no results. And the court transcript way of writing in the last third of the book was fascinating to read, but sometimes it went into too much detail about what the lawyers were saying and the witness' response back.
And the epilogue... Oh man.... I'm glad the author wrapped things up. However, paragraphs detailing what happened to whom would be mixed in with paragraphs about Stella/Etna waiting for her husband to get off work and walk up the path. The final paragraph felt like it should have been in the middle of a scene and not the very last paragraph of the book. Very confusing...
Overall, this book was a real treasure. Stella's journey for a better life for herself and her children kept me heavily engaged throughout the entire work. Her fight for her memory was enthralling and suspenseful. Despite a few pacing issues and a epilogue that seems out of right field, I definitely recommend this book to those who enjoy a great historical piece, who isn't afraid to explore some harsh issues, and who fall in love with their characters quickly. 'Cause I guarantee you will with Stella/Etna.
My favorite part to this book was the storyline, the plot. It engaged my interest, invoked my fascination, and kept me spellbound all the way through. A woman
Show More
trying to overcome so many obstacles to find herself and her life; she defeats shellshock, memory loss,, the horrors of war, an abusive marriage, and period prejudice against women to build herself a new and enriching life post war. Despite a few pacing issues, I kept wanting to read further to see if Stella/Etna got all her memories back and if she would be able to pick up the pieces of her life again. I also really enjoyed how the author explored some very complex and harsh themes. I felt that they made the book more relative to me as a reader and to our society as a whole. The impact that a shellshock diagnosis has on Stella/Etna is heartbreaking. She's seen as extremely fragile and so loses for a time because of this. It reflects on some people's views on PTSD today, unfortunately. There was also the extreme era prejudice against women. Stella/Etna had to fight against a system that basically thought of her as chattel to even visit her kids, long less gain custody of them. I'm very glad to after it all, she was able to triumph.
The author's exploration of the WWI era, Edwardian society and the horrors of war, was a true bonus for this history lover. I felt right in the thick of both the blood and mess of a field hospital and the quiet serenity of a doctor's gardens. The author really has a head for historical detail in a way that it doesn't overpower the story. It's blended in a way to subtly set a scene and still transport you into the thick of things. I love that in my historical novels.
The only criticism for this book to mention for me are some pacing issues and a epilogue that leaves me scratching my head at times. There were times where I felt she was with Dr Bright too long, trying to recover her memory and constantly going to the same places with no results. And the court transcript way of writing in the last third of the book was fascinating to read, but sometimes it went into too much detail about what the lawyers were saying and the witness' response back.
And the epilogue... Oh man.... I'm glad the author wrapped things up. However, paragraphs detailing what happened to whom would be mixed in with paragraphs about Stella/Etna waiting for her husband to get off work and walk up the path. The final paragraph felt like it should have been in the middle of a scene and not the very last paragraph of the book. Very confusing...
Overall, this book was a real treasure. Stella's journey for a better life for herself and her children kept me heavily engaged throughout the entire work. Her fight for her memory was enthralling and suspenseful. Despite a few pacing issues and a epilogue that seems out of right field, I definitely recommend this book to those who enjoy a great historical piece, who isn't afraid to explore some harsh issues, and who fall in love with their characters quickly. 'Cause I guarantee you will with Stella/Etna.
Show Less
Original language
English
Original publication date
2013-11
ISBN
1478953640 / 9781478953647