The Surgeon's Daughter: A Novel

Inspirational, historical and page turning. This story of one woman's fight for the career which is her life's passion is brilliant. I spent all day reading this book , I just could not put it down. Nora, has been working under the great surgeon Doctor Horace Croft. She was not allowed to attend medical school in England so was taught in secret by her guardian Dr. Croft, who took her in when she was orphaned. Now with Dr. Croft's help she has been accepted to medical school in Bologna, Italy. She soon finds that although women are allowed to study at the university they are not welcomed. She finds she must not only do well in her studies and her work, but she must excel more so than any of the other students. Putting up with prejudice from the other students who are all male, she fights her way . When she gains the trust of the only woman Doctor on staff, Dr. Marenco, she tutors with her and they work together to perfect a surgery to help pregnant women in time of distress. This is to be called the Cesarean Section. They also worked on perfecting the use of Ether in these surgeries which although used in England had been a new concept in Italy. At home in England her fiancée Daniel works with Dr. Croft to help children with diphtheria. They must fight the other doctors, especially Dr. Vickery who wants to use traditional methods of treatment and scoffs at the newer methods that Daniel and Dr. Croft are working on. I applaud the brave pioneers in medicine that pushed the limit to find new and better ways to treat those with illness, never giving up and working long hours to save the ill. New and improved methods of treatment saved so many lives. It was sad to see the reception and the prejudice that Nora received just because she was a woman. The prejudice still exists to a certain extent but now women have the freedom to embrace their dreams and go for the career they have a passion for. Although some still think women should be home being wives and mother's only there are those now that believe women can excel at careers that only men were allowed before. I think women still have a ways to go to break through that prejudice that still exists but we are forging foreword. It is because of the brave women in history that today we have that chance. This was a truly inspiring book and I am so fortunate to have had the chance to read it. I would definitely recommend it to all women and men as well. Thanks to Audrey Blake for writing this inspiring book, to Sourcebooks Landmark for publishing it and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review it.

historical-fiction, historical-places-events, historical-research, historical-setting, history-and-culture, medical-doctor, education, internship, women-in-science, medical-treatment, 19th-century***** This book is a fictionalized and personalized account of a female medical student in the nineteenth century. Even as she is ridiculed and bullied at every turn, she demonstrates that she can make a big difference in the care and treatment of patients. Having been raised by a noted surgeon after her parents died in an epidemic, she has a much greater understanding of the field than her fellow students. She also shares a love with another medical student who has returned to London while she must continue on in Italy. The descriptions of conditions and treatments of the day are spot on but may not be comfortably appreciated by non-medical readers. Excellent read. I requested and received a free e-book copy from Sourcebooks Landmark via NetGalley. Thank you!

The Surgeon's Daughter by Audrey Blake is Historical Medical Fiction set in mid 19th Century Bologna and England. This book is the exciting story of a young woman determined to become a Physician in a time when that was forbidden in England. I loved Audrey Blake’s first book and was delighted to read her new book. Excellent medical details and procedures on the training of medical students. Women had to work even harder than men to achieve their medical degrees. Even after obtaining their degree they had to struggle in licensing in medical practice and cultural prejudices. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 5 Stars