The Light of Luna Park

De: Addison Armstrong

Narrado por: Rachel L. Jacobs, Karissa Vacker

In the spirit of The Orphan Train and Before We Were Yours, a historical debut about a nurse who chooses to save a baby's life and risks her own in the process, exploring the ties of motherhood and the little-known history of Coney Island and America's first incubators.

A nurse's choice. A daughter's search for answers.

New York City, 1926. Nurse Althea Anderson's heart is near breaking when she witnesses another premature baby die at Bellevue Hospital. So when she reads an article detailing the amazing survival rates of babies treated in incubators in an exhibit at Luna Park, Coney Island, it feels like the miracle she has been searching for. But the doctors at Bellevue dismiss Althea and this unconventional medicine, forcing her to make a choice between a baby's life and the doctors' wishes that will change everything.

Twenty-five years later, Stella Wright is falling apart. Her mother has just passed, she quit a job she loves, and her marriage is struggling. Then she discovers a letter that brings into question everything she knew about her mother, and everything she knows about herself.

The Light of Luna Park is a tale of courage and an ode to the sacrificial love of mothers.

©2021 Addison Armstrong (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Is there anything better than falling into a novel that asks an ethical question and then answers it with a big story that arrows straight into the question's heart? No, I would say: Nothing better. What would you do to save a child? Addison Armstrong asks in this assured debut that ushers us deep into a fascinating moment in history where obstetrics and women's choices and the shadow line between circus and science combine. The Light of Luna Park got me, took me, taught me, and in the end, shook me.” (Sarah Blake, New York Times best-selling author of The Guest Book)

“Armstrong has a strong subject here and wonderful characters whom every reader will admire and care for.... Bravo to Addison Armstrong for such a beautiful and heartfelt paean to those in the medical world who used their talents and abilities to change the lives of people for good.” (Bookreporter)

“At once a fascinating slice of history and a compelling story filled with relatable characters. Addison Armstrong has woven a beautiful tale around the sacrifices and hard choices made for love, and highlights the work of the extraordinary individuals who stood up against the widespread, harsh beliefs of the time. This is a wonderful debut. Congratulations to Ms. Armstrong!” (Louise Fein, author of Daughter of the Reich)

Heart wrenching decisions for a young nurse

This was an interesting tale of a young nurse in the 1926 making a decision to take a premie baby to an unorthodox doctor in Coney Island in order to save her life. The story follows the nurse and her consequences of defying conventional medicine at the time.
The story of the child is told from her perspective as an adult and realizing all the circumstances of her birth and the secrets she discovers.
It’s based on facts and the way women were treated and who controls their bodies is still relevant even more so today.

Engaging and educational

Ms. Armstrong created a fantastic story that is interesting and educational as well as engaging to the reader on a personal level. She weaves the two storylines masterfully and develops the characters in a very relatable and real way. It is fascinating to go back in time and learn about life and societal norms and attitudes a decade ago and sheds light on how far we have come as a society.

Love, Lies and Redemption

When you know that you know that you know and do something about it, you become the change that is no needed. A beautifully written story about determination, following one’s heart and life. Performance was a bit breathy, but good story.

Fascinating historical fiction

Great first novel by Addison Armstrong. Her love of teaching and passion for those differently abled shines through the fascinating history of Luna Park.

Great story

Heart wrenching story and very informative of the time period. It was easy to feel the emotions of the characters.

Interesting topic

I really enjoyed the story about the beginnings of neonatal care in the medical industry.
Very interesting and highly recommend.

Interesting story of a little known Dr.

Addison Armstrong wove together a fascinating story of a little known true Dr. and his use incubators to save preemies on Coney Island along with fictional characters that were constantly weighing the desire to save babies with the will of the parents of premies. Very well done.

Wonderful examples of human compassion, endurance, and love

I loved this book. Having the narrators used in this book made it really come alive. The story itself showed compassion and also how how hard it is for folks with kids that have disabilities when there isn't someone who can speak up for them. Don't miss this book! It is amazing

The Light at Luna Park

The 2 timelines and mother daughter perspective were intriguing and entire history of premature infant care developments fascinating. My husband and I were totally absorbed in this novel. Narration and story were excellent !

Sappy

Good story but waayyy too sappy in some areas. Nice to learn of the historical context at the end by the author.