Round about Bar-le-Duc

"Round about Bar-le-Duc" by Susanne R. (Susanne Rouviere) Day is a memoir from the early 1900s that explores the author's time in France and involvement in wartime relief efforts. It shines a light on the tough lives of French women during the war, focusing on their strength, difficulties, and how the war changed their everyday routines. The memoir starts as the author thinks about why she wanted to do relief work in France and the misconceptions she had about it. She humorously shares her excitement and inexperience as she gets ready to go to the front, including not liking her standard uniform. Day writes about seeing the devastation caused by the war firsthand, mixing personal stories with touching observations about the toughness of the French, particularly the women, as they handle the challenges of the war. The story focuses on themes like kindness, community, and the lasting spirit of those affected by war, setting the scene for the stories that are told throughout the book.