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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really enjoyed this book but I would imagine it would have a pretty small audience.
Coming from a "Southern" family most of the Civil War era books I have read are from the Southern perspective. This was intresting to me to see the Northern side of it.
Growing up with a grandma who was an E.O.R. nurse (also took a turn as a nurse in the Canal Zone during the war), I don't mind the gore of medicine. And believe me this mook had tons of it. Pretty gross in fact! Also after having two homebirths I really am intrested in midwifery.
I felt a kinship with Mary in her desire for more and her situation holding her back. All in all I'd recommend this book, as long as they are not queesy about blood and such!
Coming from a "Southern" family most of the Civil War era books I have read are from the Southern perspective. This was intresting to me to see the Northern side of it.
Growing up with a grandma who was an E.O.R. nurse (also took a turn as a nurse in the Canal Zone during the war), I don't mind the gore of medicine. And believe me this mook had tons of it. Pretty gross in fact! Also after having two homebirths I really am intrested in midwifery.
I felt a kinship with Mary in her desire for more and her situation holding her back. All in all I'd recommend this book, as long as they are not queesy about blood and such!
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Solidly average historical fiction. Civil war, tough women doctors facing adversity, fictionalization of actual figures like President Lincoln and Dorothea Dix? I love all of that. So I was predisposed to like the book, and I really liked the first half. I liked the second half less, mostly because once the story turned towards tragedy (inevitable) it kind of took over the story, and we lost track of some of the character narratives in favor of overwrought tearful moments.
Mary Sutter is a young woman from Albany who wishes to become a doctor in pre-Civil War America, long before this was thought possible. She trained as a mid-wife with her mother, but somehow midwifery was not like medicine. Luckily for her, the Civil War starts and she jumps a train and heads south. She meets resistance frequently, but is persistent and eventually gets what she wants - to work as a doctor.
This was a pleasurable read, not a typical historial romance novel, but an actual well researched story. I enjoyed it. Thanks, Ms. Oliveira!
This was a pleasurable read, not a typical historial romance novel, but an actual well researched story. I enjoyed it. Thanks, Ms. Oliveira!
Really enjoyed this book. Mary Sutter is one determined young lady! The book gives an interesting look at the time period around the Civil War, especially the role of women. Terrific book!
I loved this book and I love it when historical fiction causes me to want to read more on the topic, in this case the Civil War. Reading about their understanding of medical practices back then was both amazing and horrifying. What's amazing is that any of those wounded soldiers survived!
Started off pretty well but about 2/3 in, I had no idea where she was going to take it. The ending seemed forced and abrupt - signs that she didn't really know how to end the story. It was a bit predictable.. and what ever happened to Jake?!
This book was different than other Civil War historical fiction I have read, but I liked it because it gave a different perspective of what happened, from those who had to deal with the immediate consequences of war. It details the bleak conditions doctors and nurses faced in the war, and how limited their knowledge was at the time, and how unprepared for war the North was. It was hard to completely connect with the characters, but really, given the experiences they went through, I realize I could never fully understand the depths of the emotions they felt. I think Oliveira did a good job of not glossing over the brutality and human casualties of war.