Scan barcode
kymme's review
5.0
Absolutely engrossing story about a fictionalized Mary Mallon, aka Typhoid Mary. Also really enjoyed the entwining tale of poor, substance-addled Alfred. I don’t know if he’s at all real, but he felt real, as did Mary. A very timely read—Mary seems difficult and maybe crazy because she is either incapable or unwilling to see how she could be an asymptomatic carrier of a disease...
holly_117's review
3.0
Really interesting look at NYC and epidemiology in the early 20th century. Mary was the first identified healthy carrier of typhoid and was treated really terribly. She was treated like a criminal, even though she had no idea that she carried typhoid in her system because she'd never been sick.
I'd recommend this book to people who liked [b:The Ghost Map: The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic--and How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World|36086|The Ghost Map The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic--and How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World|Steven Johnson|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348993128s/36086.jpg|1008989] and are interested in the development of epidemiology and strong women.
I'd recommend this book to people who liked [b:The Ghost Map: The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic--and How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World|36086|The Ghost Map The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic--and How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World|Steven Johnson|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348993128s/36086.jpg|1008989] and are interested in the development of epidemiology and strong women.
lazwright's review against another edition
50 pages-could not handle how Mary was treated. Too infuriating!
greenvillemelissa's review
4.0
Book #25 Read in 2013
Fever by Mary Beth Keane
This was a historical fiction book about Mary Mallon, better known as Typhoid Mary. Mary was believed to spread typhoid through her cooking, though she never showed symptoms of the illness herself. This book details how the Department of Health took Mary into custody and forced her to live on Brother Island in isolation for years. It details the court case to get Mary her freedom to leave the island and what happens to her as she returns to the "real world". Mary is portrayed as an intelligent yet stubborn woman. This book also talks of her relationship with her companion, Alfred, who has a host of issues of his own.
I found this book interesting. I find it amazing that this woman was isolated on an island for years, 26 in total. The medical tests that she was put through were intrusive and degrading. Yet, there were enough people she cooked for who took ill that makes the belief that she was a carrier have some credibility. I enjoyed this read.
I received a copy of this book from BookBrowse in exchange for a review.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
Fever by Mary Beth Keane
This was a historical fiction book about Mary Mallon, better known as Typhoid Mary. Mary was believed to spread typhoid through her cooking, though she never showed symptoms of the illness herself. This book details how the Department of Health took Mary into custody and forced her to live on Brother Island in isolation for years. It details the court case to get Mary her freedom to leave the island and what happens to her as she returns to the "real world". Mary is portrayed as an intelligent yet stubborn woman. This book also talks of her relationship with her companion, Alfred, who has a host of issues of his own.
I found this book interesting. I find it amazing that this woman was isolated on an island for years, 26 in total. The medical tests that she was put through were intrusive and degrading. Yet, there were enough people she cooked for who took ill that makes the belief that she was a carrier have some credibility. I enjoyed this read.
I received a copy of this book from BookBrowse in exchange for a review.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
emilyrivesbrown's review against another edition
4.0
Really good book. Long in parts, heartbreaking throughout but an interesting historical perspective told as a novel that made this notorious woman very, very human.
bawright1987's review
3.0
I read this book for a class I was taking on historical fiction and although it was probably the only reason I would've picked up this book...I have to say I'm glad I did. It was an easy read, only took me a few days once I sat down and actually read it. I found the topic of Mary Mallon and Typhoid interesting and ending up doing a bit more research.
zosiablue's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Lots of thoughts:
1. I wanted more gruesome typhoid but this was a literary character study and I love story. It wasn't exploitive and it was gentle but didn't know what it wanted to be - was it about Manhattan in the early 1900s? The medical and political confusion of the time? Was it about a rough multi-decade marriage where two co-dependent traumatized people kept finding their way back to each other? A polemic on false imprisonment and shady medical practices? No clear line.
2. The author got addiction right. Damn.
3. There was a brief interlude in Minnesota and she also got that right. Authors not from the Midwest rarely do.
4. I rooted for Mary even when I was frustrated with her but I never felt like I knew her. Which was part of the character, I think - a tough broad trying her best.
5. So did she or didn't she pass typhoid along?!
1. I wanted more gruesome typhoid but this was a literary character study and I love story. It wasn't exploitive and it was gentle but didn't know what it wanted to be - was it about Manhattan in the early 1900s? The medical and political confusion of the time? Was it about a rough multi-decade marriage where two co-dependent traumatized people kept finding their way back to each other? A polemic on false imprisonment and shady medical practices? No clear line.
2. The author got addiction right. Damn.
3. There was a brief interlude in Minnesota and she also got that right. Authors not from the Midwest rarely do.
4. I rooted for Mary even when I was frustrated with her but I never felt like I knew her. Which was part of the character, I think - a tough broad trying her best.
5. So did she or didn't she pass typhoid along?!
jamiebooks15's review
3.0
I had a hard time with this one. I thought the Tyhphoid Mary part sounded interesting but the first half just didn't draw me in at all. I really liked the second half though; I think I really wish the first half had been written in order. If anything, it makes me not take for granted how moving between time periods is a device for good writers. It isn't for everyone.
I don't know how to rate this. I guess 3, though I'd bump it up a half star if I could! But not a whole star. :)
I don't know how to rate this. I guess 3, though I'd bump it up a half star if I could! But not a whole star. :)
tayparks's review
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
lmgestes's review against another edition
3.0
3.8– I was a little underwhelmed at the parts focusing on Alfred, however, MKB knows how to tie everything together. Enjoyable read!