If you are like me, you love a good book about science. And if you are like me, you also love a good book about women who shattered barriers and overcame all odds. The Woman with the Cure by Lynn Cullen is both of those things, and more.

This beautifully written novel tells the story of Dorothy Horstmann, a woman who defied all expectations and became a successful doctor in 1940s and '50s America - when it was an incredibly difficult thing to do as a woman. What's even more impressive is that she did this in the face of polio, a disease that was feared just as much as the atomic bomb. Dorothy and her colleagues were on the forefront of the race to find a vaccine for polio.

This book is about more than just polio though; it’s about the many women of medicine who eventually erradicated it. It is a lyrical, striking portrayal of the human spirit in the face of adversity. It is hard to believe that these events actually happened, but they did, and Lynn Cullen has captured them beautifully.

This book is definitely worth the read. It is grueling at times, but nothing short of extraordinary. These women were truly stout hearted - they faced down disease and discrimination with equal determination.

The Woman with the Cure is a must read for anyone interested in science, history, or simply strong women characters. It's an absolutely amazing story, beautifully told. If you loved Lessons in Chemistry, you will adore this one.

This was an excellent historical fiction title. It was reminiscent of the Marie Benedict titles, Her Hidden Genius and The Only Woman in the Room, featuring women scientists who persevered in their quests even though they were not given the same respect and opportunities as male scientists in the same field. An enjoyable and educational read.