I received a copy of White Wind Blew by James Markert in exchange for an honest review.
The book takes place in the early 1920s in Louisville, at Waverly Hills, a tuberculosis sanatorium. When the disease flares up, the town becomes terrified and shuns the patients and the staff at the clinic. In addition to dealing with who have been cast out of society due to their condition, Louisville is also dealing with typical 1920s elements like racial tension and prohibition. But, these things are the least of Dr. Wolfgang Pike’s worries since the death of his wife. He is a musical man who has much skill at the piano and is torn between changing the direction of his life to become a priest or bring peace to the suffering patients through music. He knows deep down the dealing power of music and wishes to change lives, but when one particular patient takes stock in the sanatorium, Dr. Pike pushes to the extremes to help the man and in doing so, he breaks down many barriers both inside the center and outside as well.
To say the least, A White Wind Blew was quite the book. When I read the description, I wasn’t quite sure what to think because I am not really into music and have no idea how to play any instruments, but this book took me by complete surprise. This book is historical in certain aspects and really dives into the issues that Waverly Hills faces as far as the tuberculosis goes as well as the racial aspect but also really gives you an inside look at a man who is hurting since the passing of his wife. There is a lot of heart in places that you least expect but James does an amazing job at making it all fit together and creating such a genuine and lovely book. This book is so good.
