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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
This was an excellent novel with an engaging, empowered main character. Mary Sutter, a midwife in a long line of midwives, is confident, skilled, and determined, and she wishes to become a surgeon. She deals with the obstacles set by the time period, the Civil War, thwarted love, and family responsibility and finds opportunities to grow and achieve her dreams.
Originally published at: http://bookworm1858.blogspot.com/2010/09/my-name-is-mary-sutter.html
My Name Is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliveira
Viking, 2010
364 pages
Historical Fiction; Civil War; Literary Fiction
3.5/5 stars
Source: Library
Summary: Mary Sutter is a very talented midwife who would like to be a surgeon. But that isn't going to happen in 1860. Yet the outbreak of war (and a personal heartbreak) inspire Mary to leave for the front and pursue her dream.
Thoughts: First it was really nice to see a Civil War story that focuses on the Union side; I feel like I see a lot more of the Rebels. Also nice to have a female protagonist, relatively rare in war stories.
Characters: There are several portrayals of real-life figures including Dorothea Dix, John Hay, and Abraham Lincoln. I found the latter to be absolutely vivid and plausible. I was less enthused about the fictional characters.
Mary is okay although she and her mother can be brutal with each other. She also has a twin sister Jenny who does basically the worst thing a sister can do (and which oddly seems to happen a lot in sister fiction). Then there is Christian, their brother who goes off to fight. Thomas is Jenny's husband and he also goes off to fight; he is quite stupid, you'll see. Then there are two surgeons who Mary appeals to for assistance in her dream and they grow to admire her strength very much. Lastly there are Jake and Bonnie Miles who were odd characters; it's not that they acted odd but they didn't serve much purpose and I wouldn't have missed them.
Warning: Oliveira does not shy away from killing characters so be prepared.
Descriptions: There are some amazing descriptions here as Oliveira does not shy away from the chaos and blood of a hospital swarmed with casualties. In fact they're not even really hospitals but barns, houses, open fields where the medical officers set up and struggle to save what they can without even a fraction of helpful supplies. Amputations were very common and are described. While many were disgusting to me, it's a truthful aspect of the story and I didn't find it gratuitous. In fact I generally preferred the narrative to the dialogue which is basically the opposite of what I usually prefer.
Ending: Did not much like the end. My favorite part (no it's not a spoiler) is the realization of some scientists that if the doctors/surgeons/nurses had washed their hands in between patients, more might have survived.
Overall: While the characters did not appeal to me, the story is still important as it reveals an under-reported aspect in Civil War fiction.
Cover: I think it reflects the determination of Mary as she stands straight and grips her bag.
My Name Is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliveira
Viking, 2010
364 pages
Historical Fiction; Civil War; Literary Fiction
3.5/5 stars
Source: Library
Summary: Mary Sutter is a very talented midwife who would like to be a surgeon. But that isn't going to happen in 1860. Yet the outbreak of war (and a personal heartbreak) inspire Mary to leave for the front and pursue her dream.
Thoughts: First it was really nice to see a Civil War story that focuses on the Union side; I feel like I see a lot more of the Rebels. Also nice to have a female protagonist, relatively rare in war stories.
Characters: There are several portrayals of real-life figures including Dorothea Dix, John Hay, and Abraham Lincoln. I found the latter to be absolutely vivid and plausible. I was less enthused about the fictional characters.
Mary is okay although she and her mother can be brutal with each other. She also has a twin sister Jenny who does basically the worst thing a sister can do (and which oddly seems to happen a lot in sister fiction). Then there is Christian, their brother who goes off to fight. Thomas is Jenny's husband and he also goes off to fight; he is quite stupid, you'll see. Then there are two surgeons who Mary appeals to for assistance in her dream and they grow to admire her strength very much. Lastly there are Jake and Bonnie Miles who were odd characters; it's not that they acted odd but they didn't serve much purpose and I wouldn't have missed them.
Warning: Oliveira does not shy away from killing characters so be prepared.
Descriptions: There are some amazing descriptions here as Oliveira does not shy away from the chaos and blood of a hospital swarmed with casualties. In fact they're not even really hospitals but barns, houses, open fields where the medical officers set up and struggle to save what they can without even a fraction of helpful supplies. Amputations were very common and are described. While many were disgusting to me, it's a truthful aspect of the story and I didn't find it gratuitous. In fact I generally preferred the narrative to the dialogue which is basically the opposite of what I usually prefer.
Ending: Did not much like the end. My favorite part (no it's not a spoiler) is the realization of some scientists that if the doctors/surgeons/nurses had washed their hands in between patients, more might have survived.
Overall: While the characters did not appeal to me, the story is still important as it reveals an under-reported aspect in Civil War fiction.
Cover: I think it reflects the determination of Mary as she stands straight and grips her bag.
4.5 stars. Intense and fascinating story about a midwife turned doctor during the horrors of the Civil War. Got a little draggy in the middle, hence the half star subtraction.
It was ok. The history chapters (while necessary) were boring because I've already read many Civil War time period books. It wasn't very romantic and the ending was disappointing. A lot of blood (which is to be expected because of the poor medical skills at the time).
There were things I loved about this book, but the ethereal and atmospheric writing, the fluid timeline, and the personalities of some of the characters kept me from really being in the story. Not what I expected at all, but it was good enough that I finished it.
http://www.gerberadaisydiaries.com/2010/06/book-review-my-name-is-mary-sutter.html
How many things did you want to be when you grew up? It’s a common refrain from my daughter – “When I grow up, I want to be a waitress at IHOP!” Her love of pancakes currently outweighs her long term life goals. But at least, heaven forbid, it’s an option.
For Mary Sutter, her dream of becoming a surgeon is not an option. Prepared as a midwife by her mother, Mary has midwifery in her veins. But she dreams of something more. Her solicitations to train at the hands of other doctors are turned down. That doesn’t stop Mary. On the eve of the Civil War, Mary travels from her home of Albany, NY, to Washington DC, where she begs and pleads with every medical professional she encounters to give her a chance, they all tell her to go home. Even Dorothea Dix, a woman who is in charge of organizing nursing for the anticipated onslaught of war casualties, tells she isn’t wanted. Thus, Mary’s courage and stubbornness take over, and she witnesses and participates in the horrible suffering that the Union is about to encounter.
I was very skeptical of this book at first. The first 60 pages were slow to develop. We meet Mary in Albany where she lives a privileged life with her mother, sister and brother. The author also introduces Thomas Fall, a potential suitor for Mary, but who ends up falling in love with her sister Jenny. It was all very awkward and one dimensional for me, and I nearly gave up on this book.
However, my patience paid off, and once Mary decides to make the break from the safety of home to pursue her dreams, the book really takes off and the author finds her groove.
I loved Mary’s narrative once she arrives in Washington DC. The author does a fabulous job of intertwining historical figures (Pres. Lincoln, John Hay, Dorothea Dix, among others) with fictional characters. I must admit a bias here, having lived in DC for many years, I love most books dealing with or talking about our Nation’s Capital. This is no exception. The author’s description of 19th century, Civil War-era Washington DC was perfectly swampy and sticky. Even modern day DC hasn’t changed much (except cows grazing on the Mall are gone).
Mary really blossoms as a character under the worst possible circumstances. She assists a Dr. Stipp in a deplorable hospital, treating patients with very few supplies. She witnesses the butchery the doctors are reduced to perform on the wounded in an attempt to save their lives. But she preservers. This is what she wants to do, and she goes to the White House herself in order to obtain the necessary supplies to help the wounded.
The Civil War back drop was also well done. The author’s research was evident as she describes military maneuvers, battle formations, leadership conflicts and the devastation of war. I also appreciated the author’s ability to bring to light how the Civil War really changed the medical field. So much of what we know now about infection and sanitation was learned as a result of this awful war.
Finally, there was an interesting love triangle the author deftly wove throughout this book. It was always in the shadows, never taking away from the seriousness of Mary’s goal of taking care of the injured. And it left you guessing until the end. It was a pleasant surprise.
I ended up adoring Mary and her bravery. I truly enjoyed the author’s writing and appreciated her comprehensive research.
For the sensitive reader: There are many detailed battle scenes and descriptions of the savageness of surgery and amputations. And one "F bomb."
Book source: Public library
How many things did you want to be when you grew up? It’s a common refrain from my daughter – “When I grow up, I want to be a waitress at IHOP!” Her love of pancakes currently outweighs her long term life goals. But at least, heaven forbid, it’s an option.
For Mary Sutter, her dream of becoming a surgeon is not an option. Prepared as a midwife by her mother, Mary has midwifery in her veins. But she dreams of something more. Her solicitations to train at the hands of other doctors are turned down. That doesn’t stop Mary. On the eve of the Civil War, Mary travels from her home of Albany, NY, to Washington DC, where she begs and pleads with every medical professional she encounters to give her a chance, they all tell her to go home. Even Dorothea Dix, a woman who is in charge of organizing nursing for the anticipated onslaught of war casualties, tells she isn’t wanted. Thus, Mary’s courage and stubbornness take over, and she witnesses and participates in the horrible suffering that the Union is about to encounter.
I was very skeptical of this book at first. The first 60 pages were slow to develop. We meet Mary in Albany where she lives a privileged life with her mother, sister and brother. The author also introduces Thomas Fall, a potential suitor for Mary, but who ends up falling in love with her sister Jenny. It was all very awkward and one dimensional for me, and I nearly gave up on this book.
However, my patience paid off, and once Mary decides to make the break from the safety of home to pursue her dreams, the book really takes off and the author finds her groove.
I loved Mary’s narrative once she arrives in Washington DC. The author does a fabulous job of intertwining historical figures (Pres. Lincoln, John Hay, Dorothea Dix, among others) with fictional characters. I must admit a bias here, having lived in DC for many years, I love most books dealing with or talking about our Nation’s Capital. This is no exception. The author’s description of 19th century, Civil War-era Washington DC was perfectly swampy and sticky. Even modern day DC hasn’t changed much (except cows grazing on the Mall are gone).
Mary really blossoms as a character under the worst possible circumstances. She assists a Dr. Stipp in a deplorable hospital, treating patients with very few supplies. She witnesses the butchery the doctors are reduced to perform on the wounded in an attempt to save their lives. But she preservers. This is what she wants to do, and she goes to the White House herself in order to obtain the necessary supplies to help the wounded.
The Civil War back drop was also well done. The author’s research was evident as she describes military maneuvers, battle formations, leadership conflicts and the devastation of war. I also appreciated the author’s ability to bring to light how the Civil War really changed the medical field. So much of what we know now about infection and sanitation was learned as a result of this awful war.
Finally, there was an interesting love triangle the author deftly wove throughout this book. It was always in the shadows, never taking away from the seriousness of Mary’s goal of taking care of the injured. And it left you guessing until the end. It was a pleasant surprise.
I ended up adoring Mary and her bravery. I truly enjoyed the author’s writing and appreciated her comprehensive research.
For the sensitive reader: There are many detailed battle scenes and descriptions of the savageness of surgery and amputations. And one "F bomb."
Book source: Public library
4.5 Stars for this strong historical fiction - well-researched, with a striking combination of fictional characters and actual people as well as a gruesome realism about battlefield medicine. I felt like I learned a lot from a different perspective on the Civil War (doctors vs. soldiers), but was deeply engrossed by the plot as well. The writing style, jumping between viewpoints, was slightly jarring at first, but this technique paid off at several points later in the book to heighten the drama. The romance was low-key but still riveting and the relationships (familial and otherwise) were well-developed, probably because the individuals involved were so well-rounded. My other minor complaint was that several of the peripheral people dropped from the story towards the end, and so it felt like there were a few loose ends; however, I was overall incredibly satisfied by the ending, both with the factual information presented on the evolution of medical practice and about the personal storylines.
I'm not normally a fan of historical fiction, but this book was really interesting. The characters were well defined and interesting and the relationships were tealistic given the horrors of the Civil War highlighted in the story. Mary's determination and struggle in being a midwife and trying to become a surgeon felt real and made for an inspiring tale of triumph and heartbreak. Overall an intriguing, inspiring read.
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced