The Air We Breathe

The Air We Breathe takes place in 1916 at a tuberculosis sanatorium in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. The patients, mostly immigrant laborers, pass their days of enforced rest while following strict medical regimens and waiting for their lungs to heal. A new patient's arrival sparks the formation of a weekly discussion group, where residents share knowledge of science, art, and their personal histories. As World War I intensifies in Europe, the growing tensions and political climate begin to affect life within the confines of the sanatorium. The story focuses on multiple characters but employs an unusual collective "we" narrative voice from the perspective of the patients. Through their observations, the complex social dynamics and relationships between patients, staff, and the nearby town residents come into focus. The novel explores themes of isolation, community, class divisions, and scientific progress against the backdrop of disease and wartime America. Barrett integrates period details about tuberculosis treatment and early 20th century scientific developments to examine how knowledge and fear shape human connections.

Readers praise Barrett's historical research and scientific detail, particularly around tuberculosis treatment and early X-ray development. Many note the elegant prose style and atmospheric descriptions of 1916 sanatorium life. Common criticisms focus on the slow pacing, multiple narrators that blur together, and distance created by the collective "we" narrative voice. Several readers found the romance subplot less engaging than the medical and scientific elements. Reviews often mention similarities to Barrett's earlier work "Ship Fever," with some feeling this book doesn't reach the same heights. A Goodreads reviewer noted: "The science fascinates but the characters remain remote." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 3.8/5 (45 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (150+ ratings) The book receives stronger reviews from readers interested in medical history and science-focused historical fiction, while those seeking character-driven narratives express more disappointment.

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The Ghost Map by Steven Berlin Johnson The true story traces how a London doctor discovered the source of cholera during the 1854 epidemic through medical detection and social observation.

Ship Fever by Andrea Barrett These interconnected stories explore the lives of scientists, naturalists, and doctors in historical settings as they grapple with disease, discovery, and human relationships.

The Disappearing Spoon by Sam Kean This work weaves together tales of scientific discovery through the periodic table, connecting chemistry to human history and medical advancement.

An American Cure by Lawrence Goldstone The narrative chronicles the race to develop treatments for tuberculosis in early twentieth-century America through the intersection of medicine, society, and public health.

🌲 While set in a fictional Adirondack tuberculosis sanatorium, Barrett's novel draws heavily from the real history of Saranac Lake, NY, which was once home to dozens of "cure cottages" where TB patients recovered. 🔬 Andrea Barrett uniquely blends her background in biology with historical fiction - she studied zoology in college before becoming a writer and frequently incorporates scientific themes into her work. 🏥 The novel's timeline (1916-1917) coincides with major breakthroughs in TB treatment, including the first effective antibiotic tests, though a reliable cure wouldn't be available until streptomycin was discovered in 1943. 🎯 The book's narrative style was inspired by Greek chorus traditions, using a collective "we" voice to tell the story from multiple patients' perspectives simultaneously. 🎨 Many real-life scientists and thinkers of the early 20th century are woven into the story's backdrop, including Marie Curie and Albert Einstein, whose scientific work parallels the novel's themes of discovery and transformation.