Over There immerses readers in the gripping journey of four family members from Threadbare and In the Hands of Women, all dedicated doctors and nurses, facing the daunting realities of The Great War. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, the narrative unfolds across three distinct stages, transporting readers into the terrifying nightmare of trench warfare while showcasing the extraordinary rise of the American Hospital in Paris. It highlights groundbreaking medical innovations fueled by the unwavering commitment of healthcare workers, and finally, those left behind in a state of constant worry. This powerful book courageously addresses the often-overlooked, profound impact of war on children, evoking a deep sense of empathy and prompting critical reflection on the cost of war.
About the Author :
"I sail with the wind at my back, outrunning my disease -living to the hilt, loving my family, writing - my life forces." A cancer diagnosis unveiling a genetic defect, together with a lifelong fascination with the history of medicine, propelled Jane Rubin to put pen to paper. In 2009, then a healthcare executive, Jane poured her energy into raising research dollars for ovarian cancer research with the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) while learning more about her familial roots. Her research led her to Mathilda (Tillie), her great-grandmother, who arrived in New York City in 1866 as a baby, at sixteen married a man twelve years her senior, and later died of "a woman's disease." Then, the trail ran cold. With limited facts, she was determined to give Tillie an exciting fictional life of her own. Jane was left imagining Tillie's life, her fight with terminal disease, and the circumstances surrounding her death. Her research of the history of New York City, the plight of the immigrants, its ultra-conservative reproductive laws, medicine during that era, and the forces that drew the United States into World War 1 have culminated in a suspenseful, fast-paced, award-winning three-book historical series. Her engaging characters are confronted with the poverty in the Lower East Side of NYC, the shifting role of midwives, the dangers of pregnancy, the infamous Blackwell's Workhouse, and the perilous road to financial success. These themes resulted in the books, In the Hands of Women, 5/23 (Level Best Books), and its prequel, Threadbare, 5/24 (Level Best Books). Over There, the third in the trilogy, transports members of the Isaacson family into the heart of France during World War 1, challenging the family values they dearly cherish. Over There was shortlisted by the Historical Novel Society for the 2024 First Chapters Competition. Jane's other publications include an essay memoir, Almost a Princess, My Life as a Two-Time Cancer Survivor (2009 Next Generation - Finalist), and multiple magazine articles. She writes a monthly blog, Musings, reflecting on her post-healthcare career experiences and writing journey. Ms. Rubin, a graduate of the University of Michigan (BS, MS) and Washington University (MBA), retired from a 30-year career as a healthcare executive to begin writing full-time. She lives with her husband, David, an attorney, in Northern New Jersey. Between them, they have five adult children and seven grandchildren.
Review :
"I am in awe of Jane's courage, on and off the page. What a privilege to spend time in the world she has created in Over There." - Bess Kalb, Emmy-nominated comedy writer and the bestselling author of Nobody Will Tell You This But Me, a New York Times Editor's Choice.
"Bravery and daring, compassion and patriotism are the forces that push and pull Jane Loeb Rubin's latest historical page-turner, Over There, and tug at the heartstrings. It is a captivating tale of three medical professionals who join the American Hospital Corps and American Red Cross during WWI. Gut-wrenching and heroic, Rubin's rich characters draw you into a world where duty calls, love waits, and surgeons, medics, and nurses are the true heroes forced to redefine their lives while saving others. The price tag of war is devastating and heartbreaking-but in the end, Rubin's evocative tale proves that love ultimately wins." - Lisa Barr, New York Times bestselling author of The Goddess Of Warsaw
"This informative, fast-paced historical fiction, Over There, is the third of a trilogy comprising 'The Gilded City' books, yet it easily stands alone. It was preceded by the author's other novels, In The Hands of Women and Threadbare. The book takes its title from the 1917 patriotic war song 'Over There, ' by George M. Cohan. Taking place during The Great War, 'the war to end all wars, ' WW1, the story moves between New York City, pastoral upstate New York, Paris, and the trenches at the French front. This is a highly recommended read, whether alone or as part of the series. The reader will learn much about this era with great detail paid to the particular challenges of surgery in the field, the misery of war, and the sparks of humanity, care, and hope during the most difficult times." - Miriam Bradman Abrahams is a writer and reviewer for The Jewish Book Council
"Jane Rubin has truly captured the horror of war and the dedication and selflessness of the medical personnel who also sacrificed so much to care for the troops wounded in battle. With superb writing, she weaves a complex story of World War 1, through the eyes of four members of a family of extraordinary people."-Harriette Sackler, Agatha-nominated short story writer
"A meticulously researched novel immersing the reader into the indelible impact of war on the soldiers and medical personnel in the war zone, as well as the families at home. In this emotional, engaging story, set during WWI, we follow the characters Rubin brought us in the first two books of her Gilded City Series. Read this evocative novel as a standalone, but be prepared-you'll be anxious to read the whole series."-Linda Rosen, best-selling author of The Emerald Necklace
Praise for Threadbare
"Rubin's novel, Threadbare, is a classic, delicious immigrant story with a twist. Set in 19th-century New York City-not the 20th-it's loaded with history, and its protagonist, Tillie, is a headstrong, visionary teenage girl. Although Tillie becomes a woman far too fast, her indomitable spirit prevails. Her compelling story is one of resilience in the face of discrimination, economic hard times, and epidemics-and it resonates for the 21st century." - Susan Jane Gilman, bestselling author of The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street
"In Threadbare, Rubin weaves a vivid tapestry of hope, heartbreak, and resilience amid breath-stopping challenges, opening a window to a transformative time in women's history."-Audrey Blake, USA bestselling author of The Girl In His Shadow and The Surgeon's Daughter
