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Informative,
Dramatic,
Interesting

12 reviews

The Sandcastle Girls (Vintage Contemporaries)
by Chris Bohjalian

Published: 2013-04-16
Paperback : 320 pages
18 members reading this now
51 clubs reading this now
13 members have read this book
Recommended to book clubs by 12 of 12 members

From the bestselling author of Midwives, here is a sweeping historical love story that probes the depths of love, family, and secrets amid the Armenian Genocide during WWI.

When Elizabeth Endicott arrives in Aleppo, Syria, she has a diploma from Mount Holyoke, a crash course in nursing, ...

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Introduction

From the bestselling author of Midwives, here is a sweeping historical love story that probes the depths of love, family, and secrets amid the Armenian Genocide during WWI.

When Elizabeth Endicott arrives in Aleppo, Syria, she has a diploma from Mount Holyoke, a crash course in nursing, and only the most basic grasp of the Armenian language. It’s 1915, and Elizabeth has volunteered to help deliver food and medical aid to refugees of the Armenian Genocide during the First World War. There she meets Armen, a young Armenian engineer who has already lost his wife and infant daughter. After leaving Aleppo and traveling into Egypt to join the British Army, he begins to write Elizabeth letters, realizing that he has fallen in love with the wealthy young American.
 
Years later, their American granddaughter, Laura, embarks on a journey back through her family’s history, uncovering a story of love, loss—and a wrenching secret that has been buried for generations.

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Discussion Questions

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Why do you think the title is appropriate?
What historical event impacted your family?
by retiredreaderNE (see profile) 10/23/13

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Member Reviews

Overall rating:
 
 
by Kathy K. (see profile) 02/05/24

 
by jenn d. (see profile) 11/09/18

 
  "Sandcastle Girls"by Sandra K. (see profile) 03/21/16

The author does a fair job of telling 2 stories, old and new. The narrator is searching for the story of the past and finds it filled with pain, love and heroes.

 
by Lynda W. (see profile) 05/21/15

 
  "Very Historical & informative"by Patricia V. (see profile) 04/28/15

 
by Amanda D. (see profile) 11/12/14

 
  "The Sandcastle Girls"by Chris D. (see profile) 08/17/14

This is an interesting telling not only of the lives of the characters but almost more importantly the Armenian Genocide of 1915. Good people in horrible times, trying to help one another in the face... (read more)

 
by Susan M. (see profile) 05/03/14

 
  "A Glimpse into a Hidden History"by Patricia T. (see profile) 05/03/14

The Armenian genocide is the background to this story of love, charity, and incredible cruelty. The time line goes back and forth between the fictional modern day narrator and her ancestors' love story... (read more)

 
  "The Sandcastle Girls"by Carol C. (see profile) 10/23/13

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