This book is difficult to classify but I hope that won’t stop people from choosing it as it is fascinating, entertaining and educational. Is it a mystery? Yes. Is it historical fiction? Yes. Is it an exploration of medical practices? Yes. And all of this comes together in one remarkable book, With just the right level of detail, the reader is educated almost by stealth about the history of medicine and anatomy. The characters are more relatable that I expected, noting their complexity. Definitely a book to read, regardless of your usual genre of interest.

Nicely done historical fiction with a cast of interesting characters - I mean when do you get to read about early anatomists? I found the topic and the characters engaging and the story flowed across the 1500's as if you are there. If you like well-written fiction from the middle ages, don't pass this one up!

This was a lovely book to read and being loosely based on true events I found it fascinating to read! The author writes beautifully you can almost touch and smell the story as you read. A read I will be recommending to all my friends as I know they will enjoy it as much as I did

This was a fascinating well written historical novel. A book of medicine anatomy mixed in with a really interesting story. Will be highly recommending .#netgalley the king’sanatomist,

Part adventure, part mystery, part romance, this nostalgic historical-based novel has something for everyone.

As the protagonist looks for closure following the death of his friend (a renowned anatomist and servant to King Phillip II of Spain), the reader is taken on a journey across 16th century Europe where memories are relived and secrets are revealed.

Jan van den Bossche is a sympathetic and unlikely hero, tied in loyalties to his best friend and unrequited love, in the form of his best friend’s wife. This debut by Ron Blumenfeld will have readers hooked.

I loved this book. For me, it ticks all the boxes. I am interested in the history of medicine and this book did a great job of discussing the early anatomists. I found the method of story-telling fascinating, as a first-person narrative through the eyes of Vesalius’s friend. There was an interesting mystery involved as well. The pacing is great as is the character development. I even enjoyed the banter between characters. I also enjoyed the way that art was incorporated into the narrative. Also appreciated is the Afterword where the author discusses the historical liberties taken. This is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of medicine. Thank you to Netgalley for the advance reader copy.

The advance praise for the King's Anatomist had me hope for a well-researched but entertaining novel, and I was not disappoiónted.

The book is written in the first person; the narrator being the fictional Jan van den Bossche, Vesalius' lifelong friend. Through Jan's reminiscences of Vesalius, there evolves the picture of an impetuous genius; an admired lecturer, an envied consultant of kings. Jan's narrative moves in the present as well as the past and, to my particular delight, includes many internal monologues, some humorous, some angry, directed at Vesalius. After a lively start to the story, entailing memories of entertaining as well as gruesome occurrences and adventures with Vesalius, as well as descriptions of his present life and state of health, the aging Jan begins his journey of loyal reverence to his friend's grave in faraway Zante. The journey depicts the dangers of travelling in 16th century Europe: uncomfortable travel on broken or muddied roads, filthy and sparse lodgings, bypassing scenes of war and pestilence. On the way, meeting up with old acquaintances, Jan gathers snippets of information and insights that are in stark dissonance with his knowledge of his lifelong best friend. Once Jan's final destination, Zante, has been reached, the story is driven forward rapidly to an astounding end.

I found the novel compelling and entertaining, as well as educational. Its particular value to me was the focus on friendship and the understanding of the other in such a twosome. It made me ponder the fact that one can never fully know another person, no matter how close. I came to think that relationships are most often interpreted from a standpoint of one's own needs and gains. These are not necessarily material ones, but rather emotional, behavioral, and intellectual. Thus, friendships fulfill needs for emotional support, physical assistance, companionship, protection, and more, and the friend's nature is interpreted along these needs; there is no reason to look further. If one did, one might be, like Jan, sorely disillusioned.

The book is richly illustrated; unfortunately, some of the illustrations in the digital edition are distorted in order to fit the page.

I wish to thank Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.