As Bright As Heaven is a compelling and beautifully written novel about grief, love, and surviving loss. This story takes place during the Spanish influenza epidemic in the city of Philadelphia. Susan Meissner brings the reader deep into the hearts and minds of the Bright family, focusing mainly on Pauline Bright, and her three daughters, Evelyn, Maggie, and Willa.
Pauline Bright was devastated after, Henry, her infant son, died. Life for the entire Bright family was never the same after losing Henry. How could it be? Pauline, however, felt death around her, like a constant companion. It never seemed to stray from her for any length of time. Pauline didn’t mind though; she wanted to understand more about this darkness that clung to her. When Pauline saw an opportunity to work with the deceased, making them as beautiful as possible before burial, she seized it. But, no matter how much the Bright family tried to heal after little Henry’s death; it was a wound that would never completely close.
During the influenza epidemic, schools, churches, and businesses all around the city closed. Dead bodies were being left outside the Bright’s funeral parlor. It didn’t matter that the funeral home was full and couldn’t accommodate any more bodies, people left them, anyway. Fear, grief, and sorrow can drive people to do things that normally, they would never, ever think of doing. It can also make them believe the lies that they told themselves, and to others, until the truth is exposed, breaking their denial.
The Great War changed people but so did the influenza epidemic. The Spanish flu swept in and devastated entire families; the same way war does. And although people’s anguish and grief were hidden, their pain and suffering was just as real and devastating as war’s tragedies and gaping wounds. Desperation and fear can drive people to make poor decisions; unfortunately, some that they’ll regret for the rest of their lives. God has a way, though, of turning even the ugliest mistakes into something beautiful. If only people could remember that during their difficult times.
Although I found the book to be slow at times, the premise, elegant writing, and emotional depth kept me captivated and turning the pages. As Bright As Heaven is a quality read. Recommended.
Thank you, Berkley Publishing and BookishFirst, for my advanced review copy.
~4 out of 5 stars~ Review by Peg Glover
Pauline Bright was devastated after, Henry, her infant son, died. Life for the entire Bright family was never the same after losing Henry. How could it be? Pauline, however, felt death around her, like a constant companion. It never seemed to stray from her for any length of time. Pauline didn’t mind though; she wanted to understand more about this darkness that clung to her. When Pauline saw an opportunity to work with the deceased, making them as beautiful as possible before burial, she seized it. But, no matter how much the Bright family tried to heal after little Henry’s death; it was a wound that would never completely close.
During the influenza epidemic, schools, churches, and businesses all around the city closed. Dead bodies were being left outside the Bright’s funeral parlor. It didn’t matter that the funeral home was full and couldn’t accommodate any more bodies, people left them, anyway. Fear, grief, and sorrow can drive people to do things that normally, they would never, ever think of doing. It can also make them believe the lies that they told themselves, and to others, until the truth is exposed, breaking their denial.
The Great War changed people but so did the influenza epidemic. The Spanish flu swept in and devastated entire families; the same way war does. And although people’s anguish and grief were hidden, their pain and suffering was just as real and devastating as war’s tragedies and gaping wounds. Desperation and fear can drive people to make poor decisions; unfortunately, some that they’ll regret for the rest of their lives. God has a way, though, of turning even the ugliest mistakes into something beautiful. If only people could remember that during their difficult times.
Although I found the book to be slow at times, the premise, elegant writing, and emotional depth kept me captivated and turning the pages. As Bright As Heaven is a quality read. Recommended.
Thank you, Berkley Publishing and BookishFirst, for my advanced review copy.
~4 out of 5 stars~ Review by Peg Glover