3.5

Whenever we think that women are oppressed, we need to read something that points out quite aptly the struggle women who came before us. It's the nineteenth century where being a doctor is a man's work. Women are considered too weak, too needy, and can't see things of an indelicate nature.

One of the professions that women were banned from was that of becoming a doctor. However, in The Surgeon’s Daughter, we find a young woman, Nora Beady, who so desires this position. Nowhere in England will allow her to train so Nora's off to Bologna University in Italy since they allow women.

Her desire is to be a surgeon and one can imagine the barriers that are in place to stop her, from fellow students (all men) to teachers and others.

She is assigned to Magdalana Morenco a well known woman doctor, really the only one, and initially their relationship is tenuous at best. She needs to prove herself and as she moves forward to her desire Together the women use ether, a new way to deter pain and also Caesarean sections, a very dangerous procedure at the time. These methods were considered experimental and the men felt these practices to be barbaric, opposing change in most forms. The men threw invectives, while keeping their very wives away from medical attention they needed.

As they ladies, persevered, one had to wonder about how they could in an environment that seemed to want them to fail.

This was a fine story, a bit too lengthy, but once again pointing to the old world thought that women only belonged in the home catering to the whims of men.

I enjoyed the story that showed strength and perseverance in following the path you desire.

Thank you to Audrey Blake, and NetGalley for the audio version, narrated by Susan Lyons, of this story.

A richly detailed historical fiction set in the 1800s in Bologna, Italy. The story of a woman who pursued medical training despite the usual paths allowed to females at the time. There is a great deal of authentic sounding medical procedures- some are just a bit too real in their description if you are faint of heart.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story line and the characters. The handling of female expectations at the time was realistic and well explained. The protagonist along with her female mentor will face opposition, but in the end will open the doors for future women to pursue medical careers.

I liked pretty much everything about this book except for the title.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Thank you Netgalley and RB Media for this audiobook ARC.

When Nora faces the challenge of not being able to attend Medical School in England she travels to Italy to obtain her medical license where she is faced with numerous challenges and the need to prove herself.
When her mentor Dr Horace Croft falls ill she has to speed up her studies in the hope to obtain her degree and rush home to see Dr Croft before in his failing health.

This is a really riveting story of young woman in the 19th Century, were ladies are not meant to work and not suited for this field. It tells the story of Nora's successful journey and what she had to endure to get there. I loved the insight into how the hospitals worked and the challenges they faced.

Packed and ongoing until the end, I loved it!

The only female student at a prestigious medical school in Bologna, Nora Beady learns from her colleagues in the most unconventional ways. The male surgeons around her do not like her ambitions.
She meets Magdalena Morenco with the only female doctor at the school. Both Nora and Magdalena develop ground breaking surgery, the Cesarean. In the 19th century it was very dangerous. They are not taken seriously by the mail staff.
Nora meets a patient who could die without the surgery. If she succeeds will she get the respect of her male counterparts? Will the woman survive? Does she need to get permission? If she fails, her world and training can come to a halt.
Very interesting novel, and shows how far the medical world has come. This novel is captivating, innovative and thought-provoking.

Thank you Net Galley for the audio ARC of The Surgeon's Daughter by Audrey Blake. This is about Nora, a female going to school to become a surgeon in Italy in the 19th century. Such an awe inspiring novel. Who doesn't love a book with girl power?