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Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite
Dear Nora by Karen Berkey Huntsberger is a historical novel with a unique twist. It is composed of letters written between a nurse, her parents, and her best friend during World War II. Nora Russell has just had her heart broken by her soldier fiancé, who married someone he met in England. Nora, determined to do her bit for the war effort, is boarding a troop ship in Boston, heading for England and ultimately the war in Europe. She becomes deeply involved in nursing soldiers suffering from 'battle fatigue.' Romance is the last thing on her mind, but when she meets a warm, caring psychiatrist in the neuropsychiatric center in England, the attraction is immediate. Nora’s best friend, Louise Baker, is back at home, raising a toddler alone with her husband off fighting in the infantry. Nora’s mother, Ellen, desperately worried for her son and daughter, both overseas, writes constantly to keep her apprised of the situation at home. The correspondence describes how three strong women navigate the uncertainties and heartbreaks of war.
Karen Berkey Huntsberger’s concept of putting together the correspondence between these women was inspired. Despite the difficulties of getting mail to troops overseas, these letters were vitally important to their morale and to the mental health of those left at home. Nora’s descriptions of her patients and their trauma were eye-opening and heartbreaking at times. It takes a special type of person to undertake this type of work, and both Nora and Paul definitely had the patience, compassion, and understanding needed. I enjoyed the descriptive nature of many of Nora’s letters, as she described what it was like living in relatively primitive conditions. I also appreciated Nora’s mother, Ellen, not being prepared to sanitize the happenings at home and telling her exactly what was happening, both tragic and joyful. This is a pleasant change from the normal style of war story, and originality, thought, and effort went into producing Dear Nora. I enjoyed it and highly recommend it.
