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A review by bookphenomena_micky
The Girl in His Shadow by Audrey Blake
challenging
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
Headlines:
More than an assistant
Masculinity threatened
Medical science forefront
There is so much to sell this story centred on Nora Beady, a young woman taken in as an orphaned child by a doctor/surgeon who craved to push medicine forward through experimentation and autopsy. Nora grew up to be much more than his assistant, she was his colleague, friend and companion and she was an excellent anatomist.
Their equilibrium was upset by the invited arrival of a doctor wanting to study under her guardian. She had to hide her skills, her treatment of patients and her frankly superior knowledge to his. The middle of the book went a little slow as the two doctors and Nora found their place amongst one another and a reluctant respect developed. However, this book is full of the patriarchy of the time and in particular, the fact that Nora could not become the doctor on paper that she already was in practice.
I found Daniel, the student of her guardian, irrirating for much of the book but he did have some redemption in the final quarter and he began to want the things Nora deserved to happen for her. I loved where this book ended, the hope, the opportunities and the potential ahead.
There is some romance in this book and it didn't detract from the core themes of this book. I'll definitely read the next installment.
More than an assistant
Masculinity threatened
Medical science forefront
There is so much to sell this story centred on Nora Beady, a young woman taken in as an orphaned child by a doctor/surgeon who craved to push medicine forward through experimentation and autopsy. Nora grew up to be much more than his assistant, she was his colleague, friend and companion and she was an excellent anatomist.
Their equilibrium was upset by the invited arrival of a doctor wanting to study under her guardian. She had to hide her skills, her treatment of patients and her frankly superior knowledge to his. The middle of the book went a little slow as the two doctors and Nora found their place amongst one another and a reluctant respect developed. However, this book is full of the patriarchy of the time and in particular, the fact that Nora could not become the doctor on paper that she already was in practice.
I found Daniel, the student of her guardian, irrirating for much of the book but he did have some redemption in the final quarter and he began to want the things Nora deserved to happen for her. I loved where this book ended, the hope, the opportunities and the potential ahead.
There is some romance in this book and it didn't detract from the core themes of this book. I'll definitely read the next installment.