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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
The reviews and the actual book cover were much better than the book itself. I felt like the story was as much about Lincoln and his Generals as it was about Mary.
It was OK, but I really didn't think that it is anything to rave about.
It was OK, but I really didn't think that it is anything to rave about.
Audio performed by Kimberly Farr
3.5 Stars
This is a work of historical fiction, centering on Mary Sutter, a midwife in Albany, New York, who is determined to become a surgeon. As the novel opens the Civil War is just beginning and she has been turned down, yet again, by the only medical school in Albany. Mary decides to seek an apprenticeship with a practicing surgeon, and so appears at the door of Dr James Blevin’s clinic just as he was about to send for her to help deliver a woman whose labor is not going well. She saves the mother and child and impresses Blevins with her knowledge and skill. However, Blevins is about to enlist as an Army surgeon and insists he cannot accommodate her request that he teach her what he knows. This refusal only strengthens Mary’s determination, however, and when she sees an advertisement for nurses she heads to Washington.
I really enjoyed this book and was drawn in immediately. I particularly appreciated the information Oliveira included about the very poor state of medical care, and how what was learned by Army surgeons on the battlefield helped to change the practice of medicine. There were times, as I listened, that I wanted to yell to the characters,“Wash your hands! Use a clean cloth!” I felt enervated by the seemingly never-ending horrors of war witnessed by these brave men and women, despite my obvious distance from the actual events. Their tireless service in the face of impossible odds was commendable. That they had any success at all, given their ignorance of the infectious process, and their lack of supplies (seems that the most heavily used “medication” was whiskey) was nothing short of miraculous. The writing was vivid, and the aftermath of the battles – thousands of dead and wounded, laid so closely together it was nearly impossible to walk among them – called to my mind the scene from the movie of Gone With the Wind when Scarlett goes in search of the doctor for Melanie and the camera crane zooms out to show a screen filled with thousands waiting for any little comfort.
Oliveira doesn’t just write about war and medicine, however. Her characters have to deal with various weaknesses and emotions – pride, guilt, sibling rivalry, impetuousness, fear (and even cowardice), snobbery, ineptitude, joy, excitement and love. There is underlying romantic tension between Mary and certain male characters, which I found a little distracting and unnecessary to the basic story. However, I’ll admit that I have always been interested in reading about medicine and that was much more interesting to me than her love life.
Kimberly Farr did an excellent job of reading the audio book. She had a somewhat limited range with the male voices, but was credible and it was still easy to distinguish among the characters when there were two- or even three-way conversations.
3.5 Stars
This is a work of historical fiction, centering on Mary Sutter, a midwife in Albany, New York, who is determined to become a surgeon. As the novel opens the Civil War is just beginning and she has been turned down, yet again, by the only medical school in Albany. Mary decides to seek an apprenticeship with a practicing surgeon, and so appears at the door of Dr James Blevin’s clinic just as he was about to send for her to help deliver a woman whose labor is not going well. She saves the mother and child and impresses Blevins with her knowledge and skill. However, Blevins is about to enlist as an Army surgeon and insists he cannot accommodate her request that he teach her what he knows. This refusal only strengthens Mary’s determination, however, and when she sees an advertisement for nurses she heads to Washington.
I really enjoyed this book and was drawn in immediately. I particularly appreciated the information Oliveira included about the very poor state of medical care, and how what was learned by Army surgeons on the battlefield helped to change the practice of medicine. There were times, as I listened, that I wanted to yell to the characters,“Wash your hands! Use a clean cloth!” I felt enervated by the seemingly never-ending horrors of war witnessed by these brave men and women, despite my obvious distance from the actual events. Their tireless service in the face of impossible odds was commendable. That they had any success at all, given their ignorance of the infectious process, and their lack of supplies (seems that the most heavily used “medication” was whiskey) was nothing short of miraculous. The writing was vivid, and the aftermath of the battles – thousands of dead and wounded, laid so closely together it was nearly impossible to walk among them – called to my mind the scene from the movie of Gone With the Wind when Scarlett goes in search of the doctor for Melanie and the camera crane zooms out to show a screen filled with thousands waiting for any little comfort.
Oliveira doesn’t just write about war and medicine, however. Her characters have to deal with various weaknesses and emotions – pride, guilt, sibling rivalry, impetuousness, fear (and even cowardice), snobbery, ineptitude, joy, excitement and love. There is underlying romantic tension between Mary and certain male characters, which I found a little distracting and unnecessary to the basic story. However, I’ll admit that I have always been interested in reading about medicine and that was much more interesting to me than her love life.
Kimberly Farr did an excellent job of reading the audio book. She had a somewhat limited range with the male voices, but was credible and it was still easy to distinguish among the characters when there were two- or even three-way conversations.
It started to drag a little, but overall, a good read
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Slow to start, but a great read.
The first half of this book was disappointing. Uninteresting story and characters made it hard to keep reading, but so many good reviews made me keep going. It was worth it in the end. Once it gets into the war, things pick up.
The story of midwife Mary Sutter, who wanted to become a surgeon before the Civil War, and also longed for a partner and husband, when her career seemed to negate this second wish, and the first, she was told, was simply impossible. She followed her dream into the hospitals and battlefields.
I learned so much about medicine at the time, and the impact of later findings about bacteria; about medical research in war; about the societal constraints on women in the medical professions; the beginning of nursing in the US; the clumsiness of battles, recovering wounded and dead, in the Civil War. It’s a great love story, with a great plot line, rich characters and historical context.
I learned so much about medicine at the time, and the impact of later findings about bacteria; about medical research in war; about the societal constraints on women in the medical professions; the beginning of nursing in the US; the clumsiness of battles, recovering wounded and dead, in the Civil War. It’s a great love story, with a great plot line, rich characters and historical context.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
I enjoyed getting to know Mary Sutter in the beginning of the book. I felt like you really got to know Mary in the beginning and could sense or feel her passion. Then as the book went on, it seemed like the author lost touch with that. You ended up trying to guess how Mary felt about the two doctors in her life and which one she ultimately liked. I would have liked her to actually express more feelings about working during the war. In the end, I kind of didn't care which man she picked. It seemed like Mary was telling the story in the beginning and then it turned into a distant third person account.
The parts about Lincoln, his cabinet, and the war strategy were thrown in haphazardly with no real connection to the over arching story of Mary. I think there could have been better ways to weave in the facts about the war. I was slightly interested in getting to know Abe Lincoln, but maybe not in the same book as Mary. I think if you add characters in a book there should be a reason and better connection to the main character.
I know I like a book when I feel sad it's over because I won't be interacting with the characters anymore. I just didn't feel that big of a connection to Mary, even though she stands for everything I believe strongly in.
The parts about Lincoln, his cabinet, and the war strategy were thrown in haphazardly with no real connection to the over arching story of Mary. I think there could have been better ways to weave in the facts about the war. I was slightly interested in getting to know Abe Lincoln, but maybe not in the same book as Mary. I think if you add characters in a book there should be a reason and better connection to the main character.
I know I like a book when I feel sad it's over because I won't be interacting with the characters anymore. I just didn't feel that big of a connection to Mary, even though she stands for everything I believe strongly in.
Historical fiction set during the civil war. Mary is a skilled midwife who wants to become a surgeon. Her ambition leads her to become a war nurse, where a Dr. William Stipp eventually takes her under his wing - and falls in love with her. A compelling read but not particularly weighty.
Overall an interesting read. Scenes were a bit graphic, but that is to be expected during the civil war. If you are a reader who loves relationships in books, this is not the one for you. This book is based around a strong female lead who stops at nothing to begin her medical career, despite wars, death, and near starvation. Overall a unique way to learn a bit about U.S. History.