Loving and Losing

Oldfield's novel of grief and compassion in WWI London is among the latest titles by the British author to see U.S. release. As the war nears its conclusion, Eve Randall eagerly awaits the return of her army-scientist husband Harvey, who is in the States working on a cure for a fatal influenza that has struck hundreds of young soldiers. But when the disease claims Harvey, Eve's dreams of reunion and motherhood are upended; soon, she opts to adopt two neighborhood children orphaned by the virus. At the same time, James Ferber, an army pathologist who lost his wife to the pandemic, fatefully enters Eve's life, delivering a letter Harvey had written her during his final days. Veteran author Oldfield (Fateful Voyage) shines, swiftly moving her story between London and Camp Devens in the States, and segueing seamlessly to memorable descriptions of the English countryside for the book's latter half. Oldfield's lofty writing aptly captures both the era and the subject, making this a worthwhile introduction for American readers.