Band of Sisters: A Novel

by Lauren Willig

Overview

"A crackling portrayal of everyday American heroines…A triumph."
   — Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue 

A group of young women from Smith College risk their lives in France at the height of World War I in this sweeping novel based on a true story—a skillful blend of Call the Midwife and The Alice Network—from New York Times bestselling author Lauren Willig.

A scholarship girl from Brooklyn, Kate Moran thought she found a place among Smith’s Mayflower descendants, only to have her illusions dashed the summer after graduation. When charismatic alumna Betsy Rutherford delivers a rousing speech at the Smith College Club in April of 1917, looking for volunteers to help French civilians decimated by the German war machine, Kate is too busy earning her living to even think of taking up the call. But when her former best friend Emmeline Van Alden reaches out and 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, including two trailblazing female doctors, set sail for France. The volunteers are armed with money, supplies, and good intentions—all of which immediately go astray. The chateau that was to be their headquarters is a half-burnt ruin. The villagers they meet are in desperate straits: women and children huddling in damp cellars, their crops destroyed and their wells poisoned. 

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. But can they survive their own differences? As they cope with the hardships and terrors of the war, Kate and her colleagues find themselves navigating old rivalries and new betrayals which threaten the very existence of the Unit.

With the Germans threatening to break through the lines, can the Smith Unit pull together and be truly a band of sisters?  

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062986153
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	03/02/2021
Pages:	528
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.50(d)

About the Author

Lauren Willig is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of twenty novels, including The Summer Country, The Ashford Affair, and The English Wife. She lives in New York City with her husband and family.

Hometown:

New York, New York and Cambridge, Massachusetts

Date of Birth:

March 28, 1977

Place of Birth:

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Education:

B.A., Yale University, 1999; M.A., Harvard University, 2001

Website:

http://www.laurenwillig.com

Editorial Reviews

01/11/2021

Willig (The Summer Country) draws on the Smith College Relief Unit’s experiences in France during WWI for this immersive novel. In 1917, Smith graduate Kate Moran joins fellow alumnus Emmie Van Alden to travel to France and help villagers whose lives have been upended by an earlier German occupation. The unit, composed of 17 women, resides in army barracks near an abandoned chateau in Grecourt, where they provide locals with food, medical care, and education. The villagers’ lack of bare necessities is eye-opening for the Smith women, many of whom have led privileged lives. Kate, meanwhile, remains sensitive about her humble beginnings—she gained admission to Smith through a scholarship—and becomes upset when she discovers that Emmie paid for her trip to France. (Emmie had told her they were funded by donations from Smith alumnae). As the war rages on and the German army once again advances on Grecourt, Kate and Emmie’s friendship grows stronger when they reveal their deepest insecurities to one another. Willig expertly uses historical details in her seamless, well-plotted tale. This will entice readers from the very first page. Agent: Alexandra Machinist, ICM Partners. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

A compelling tale of love, resilience, expectations, bravery, and above all, the powerful, redemptive bonds of female friendship."  — Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Lost Names

“With heart and humor, Willig explores the complexities of female friendships—feuds, forgiveness, and all. A touching portrait of triumph and found family in the midst of war. Bravo!” — Stephanie Dray, New York Times Bestselling author of America's First Daughter & The Women of Chateau Lafayette

“An inspiring ode to the indomitable strength of women and the fierce, indelible bonds of female friendship, a tale of she-roes that will make you both laugh and cry.” — Allison Pataki, New York Times bestselling author of The Queen’s Fortune

“An affecting and memorable tale of women and the way their friendships are tested by a changing world and the unforgiving crucible of conflict. Altogether it’s an utterly entertaining and enlightening work of historical fiction. Brava!” — Jennifer Robson, bestselling author of Our Darkest Night

“Willig expertly uses historical detail in her seamless, well-plotted tale.  This will entice readers from the very first page.” — Publishers Weekly 

“Band of Sisters spotlights a fascinating group of young women who braved the strains of world war to help those caught in the crossfire and left direly in need. Through snappy dialogue and endearing characters, Willig delivers a heartwarming tale powered by sisterly support, forgiveness, and the strength found together—and within.”  — Kristina McMorris, New York Times bestselling author of Sold on a Monday

"A crackling portrayal of everyday American heroines…A triumph." — Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue.  

"Captivating! The ever-masterful Lauren Willig beautifully celebrates these singular women.” — Marie Benedict, New York Times bestselling author of The Mysterious Mrs. Christie. 

“Brimming with a cast of characters to love and root for, and based on actual events and the lives of truly brave women, BAND OF SISTERS is the perfect story for our troubled times. This is the historical novel you’ve been hungering for.” — Susan Meissner, bestselling author of The Nature of Fragile Things

From the Publisher

An affecting and memorable tale of women and the way their friendships are tested by a changing world and the unforgiving crucible of conflict. Altogether it’s an utterly entertaining and enlightening work of historical fiction. Brava!

Jennifer Robson

"Captivating! The ever-masterful Lauren Willig beautifully celebrates these singular women.

Marie Benedict

A compelling tale of love, resilience, expectations, bravery, and above all, the powerful, redemptive bonds of female friendship." 

Kristin Harmel

With heart and humor, Willig explores the complexities of female friendships—feuds, forgiveness, and all. A touching portrait of triumph and found family in the midst of war. Bravo!

Stephanie Dray

An inspiring ode to the indomitable strength of women and the fierce, indelible bonds of female friendship, a tale of she-roes that will make you both laugh and cry.

Allison Pataki

Band of Sisters spotlights a fascinating group of young women who braved the strains of world war to help those caught in the crossfire and left direly in need. Through snappy dialogue and endearing characters, Willig delivers a heartwarming tale powered by sisterly support, forgiveness, and the strength found together—and within.” 

Kristina McMorris

"A crackling portrayal of everyday American heroines…A triumph."

Fiona Davis