The Cape Doctor

The Cape Doctor by E. J. Levy
Narrated by: Mary Jane Wells
Publication Date: June 15, 2021
.
Description
“E. J. Levy’s enthralling novel, inspired by the life of Dr. James Miranda Barry, brings this captivating character vividly alive.”
 
“Beginning in Cork, Ireland, the novel recounts Perry’s journey from daughter to son in order to enter medical school and provide for family, but Perry soon embraced the new-found freedom of living life as a man. From brilliant medical student in Edinburgh and London to eligible bachelor and quick-tempered physician in Cape Town, Dr. Perry thrived. When he befriended the aristocratic Cape Governor, the doctor rose to the pinnacle of society, before the two were publicly accused of a homosexual affair that scandalized the colonies and nearly cost them their lives.”
.
Thank you to @netgalley @hachetteaudio @littlebrown @hgbcanada for the ALC in return for my honest review.
.
My thoughts…
Eye-opening historical fiction. The narrator was okay, but the story was jaw-dropping. I really enjoyed listening to the life of Dr. Jonathan Mirandus Perry and what he went through to accomplish his goals. Wow, this was sacrifice and hard work defined. This book was inspired by the life of Dr. James Miranda Barry. His early life details are unclear. He was probably born as female, with the name Margaret Anne Bulkley. After his death, it was reported that he was assigned female at birth. He was born in Cork, Ireland in 1789 and when he embarked on a voyage to the University Edinburgh in 1809, to study medicine, he was already using his chosen name. His life is so interesting, that I know I will research more about it. This book certainly peaked my interest. The story was thought-provoking, truly heartbreaking and a profound narrative on identity.

I received The Cape Doctor as part of a NetGalley giveaway.

Dr. Jonathan Mirandus Perry was a skilled and renowned physician. Entering the field of medicine to save his family from penury, he accepted posts throughout the British Empire, demanding better conditions for the poor and oppressed. But behind his professional success, Dr. Perry holds a secret, one that would threaten to destroy the life and career he has built for himself, and one that, once uncovered, . Based on the life of Dr. James Miranda Barry, The Cape Doctor explores issues of gender, identity, and status in the 19th century British Empire through the lens of a brilliant, complex, and still-somewhat-elusive person.

This was a fascinating read about a fascinating historical figure. I don't know enough about the real-life Dr. Barry to address the accusations of transphobia that others have leveled at the author, so I'll try to I'll say that in the review. The story was poignant and really fascinating; I had no idea about Barry's place in history and the sheer breadth of what he accomplished was really impressive. From what I've read, I feel like Levy did a good job of adapting Barry's story in a historically-accurate way while still being able to put her own spin on it. I did think the story lagged a bit in the middle, and I wasn't wild about Somerton as a person: I thought he treated James terribly, and while I understand he was bound by the strictures of the times, I didn't understand James' ongoing loyalty to him and the conviction that he was somehow heads and tails above all other people. That said, I think its shortcomings are well worth it to introduce readers to Dr. Barry's story.