I enjoyed the story although it was confusing for a character to start the story with one name and a third of the way through, she realized that her real name was something else. I had trouble reconciling the second name with the character for the rest of the book. This story is written about one of my favourite period of time, WWI and 1916 to 1930 and despite the confusion with identity, it had a happy ending. I felt as amnesiac as Stella Bain for the first part of this book which was really disconcerting. Then her memory suddenly surfaces and she is not Stella at all. The history of World War I, as it ravages France, with Etna Bliss, as Stella is truly known, living and breathing the devastation is engrossing. I have never been on the front line of a war, but I could picture it as if I was there. We see not so much of the fighting as the aftermath, fatally wounded soldiers, and Etna's compassion in the midst of her personal tragedy which awaits her attention in America.
What do You think about The Lives Of Stella Bain (2014)?
I kept reading, expecting this book to get better. How silly. Of course it never did.
—Shelove
Have been reading a lot about the First World War lately and I enjoyed this book.
—Lynea
I would give this book six stars! Another great story from Anita Shreve.
—ft990
