As Bright as Heaven

By: Susan Meissner

Narrated by: Cassandra Morris, Tavia Gilbert, Jorjeana Marie, Abigail Revasch

Length: 13 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

From the acclaimed author of The Last Year of the War comes a novel set during the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918, telling the story of a family reborn through loss and love.

In 1918, Philadelphia was a city teeming with promise. Even as its young men went off to fight in the Great War, there were opportunities for a fresh start on its cobblestone streets. Into this bustling town came Pauline Bright and her husband, filled with hope that they could now give their three daughters - Evelyn, Maggie, and Willa - a chance at a better life.

But just months after they arrive, the Spanish Flu reaches the shores of America. As the pandemic claims more than 12,000 victims in their adopted city, they find their lives left with a world that looks nothing like the one they knew. But even as they lose loved ones, they take in a baby orphaned by the disease who becomes their single source of hope. Amid the tragedy and challenges, they learn what they cannot live without - and what they are willing to do about it.

As Bright as Heaven is the compelling story of a mother and her daughters who find themselves in a harsh world not of their making, which will either crush their resolve to survive or purify it.

©2018 Susan Meissner (P)2018 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“A story of one family’s heartbreak and hope. Strong [and] resilient, Meissner’s characters step off the page and into history.” (Lisa Wingate, New York Times best-selling author of Before We Were Yours)

“A family saga, coming-of-age tale, and riveting historical fiction all in one. A must read!” (Pam Jenoff, New York Times best-selling author of The Orphan's Tale)

“A thoughtful examination of life...somber, gripping, and illuminated with hope.” (Kate Quinn, USA Today best-selling author of The Alice Network)

Death, etc.

After the first half or so of this book, I was sad all over and found myself hoping the next chapter would get happy! The story line picked up a bit, but in the end, well, it just ended. So, would I recommend it? Maybe. It’s well written, well performed. Just read at your own risk and do not expect to become elated or uplifted in spirit. It is in fact about sickness and death and how it affects the lives of the characters.

From Cordova, Alaska

Amazing and thought provoking!!!! Having the story told through the eyes of the different characters as well as having different readers for each made the book come alive. I felt like I knew each of them and experienced their world more fully....

Great Book

this was the September book for our book club (Gladwin Library/ Gladwin Mi). Started it on Tuesday of last week and finished it today. Listened on Audible every day for hours. it's a book I could not put down. I would highly recommend it. Great Book with out foul language or violence. I will listen to it again before the next book club meeting.

love!!

This book was amazing from beginning to end. There entire family experiences such heartache and love throughout the entire story.

Beautiful Story, Very Good Narration

What a beautiful story this was, a family who lives through the Spanish Flu and what they endured, as told through the eyes of three sisters and a mother. Thoroughly enjoyed the narration too.

Great book!

Loved this. Especially listening to it on Audible. Great voices. Such a heart warming story about a horrible time in history.

Loved the story

Loved the narrator. She made all the characters come to life. The story kept me interested

Wonderful story

I get bored with traditional fiction. Historical fiction when done so with such creativity is amazing. The different voices for the different characters makes it so real. This, along with A Fall of Marigolds, will go down as one of my all time favorites.

Why does Adult Maggie whisper everything?

I’m listening now. The narrator for the Adult Maggie is diverting. She truly is at a whisper by the end of every sentence. She is attempting a cliffhanger type moment with every period, question or exclamation mark. It’s almost enough to stop listening. It’s a nod to Susan that I want to continue.

Unlike any other book I've read because ...

... the story takes place in a "funeral home" ... and there is quite a bit of detail about preparing a body for a funeral. I'm not a squeamish person, but at times I found myself gritting my teeth! So keep this in mind. But it is an excellent book! Lots of history and I whizzed through it in a couple of days.