The Girl in His Shadow by Audrey Blake

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 The Forbidden Field of Medicine for Women



A woman trying to pursue her passion in a time when it was illegal for her to be surgeon was fascinating.  It made me realize not just how much women’s roles in healthcare have evolved, but also the enormous challenges and discoveries in the medical field of a bygone era. Hooray for Nora, who quickly won my respect, and later my full admiration!

 

It’s the middle of the nineteenth century in London, and the cholera epidemic left little Nora an orphan.  Dr. Croft took her into his home, under his wing where she immersed herself into learning all about the medical field. Yet in that time and age, Nora was not allowed to become a surgeon as she wanted, and even Dr. Croft’s medical license could be in jeopardy if anyone knew how involved she was.  This dilemma hanging over their heads eventually becomes an imminent threat.  What will Nora do? What will Dr. Croft do?  What will their new, young assistant doctor do when all their livelihoods and reputations hang in the balance? 

 

Good story! In the past, when I thought of the restrictions against women in the Victorian age, I had never considered how they had to fight for their positions in the medical field, how constrained they were.  This was eye-opening.

 

Happy Reading,

 

Annette 

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