The Girl in His Shadow: A Novel

It has been a while since I became lost in a book and enjoyed it as much. The writing is superb, the story is compelling, the research is extensive. Great book by two brilliant ladies. I have read "On Little Wings" by one of the authors, and loved it as well.

Time & Place: Mid 1800s England. This book was SO MUCH BETTER than I anticipated, based on the title and book cover. It is so deserving of a more creative/descriptive title and book cover graphic! I love all things medically related so the reviews piqued my interest. Little did I know or expect such fine writing, character development, perfect pace to keep moving me forward and evidence of the authors’ (yes – there were 2 crafting this novel) extensive research into medical history of the Victorian England era. The narrative transported me to the gritty disease infested Dickensian world of mid 1800s London. Dr and Surgeon Croft practiced at a charity clinic as well as caring for wealthy patients. He gained his knowledge by conducting experimental surgery and autopsies on stolen cadavers which he bought on the ‘black market’. He rescued Nora from a family which was all claimed by cholera; she was the sole survivor. As she grew, he taught her to assist him in surgery by suturing, researching and illustrating anatomy from his autopsies. There were many advancements in medicine during the 1840s; ether was introduced during this time and made its appearance in several of the medical vignettes of the book. Dr Croft hired and mentored Dr Gibson to advance his medical skill and the three began experimenting with ether. Nora learned at their sides yet outsmarted them with her own diagnoses and remedies. A third physician enters the storyline and competes for her attention and intentions. This could have been a light and fluffy romance novel where two men fight over the girl with a predictable ending but the plot was full of twists and turns, suspenseful and characters well developed. There is a romance theme throughout the book but it is restrained and contributes to the overarching theme of an unconventional woman attempting to follow her calling and training to become a doctor in a man’s world. Women could go as far as being a nurse or midwife yet forbidden to practice medicine or surgery. There were high mortality rates, studying the dead was an underground and illegal activity, yet necessary for learning and teaching and any type of abdominal surgery was considered as deadly. In order to save the life of a man with a strangled hernia and obstructed bowel, Nora performed a typically prohibitive surgery that anyone else would not have attempted and the patient lived though a story had to be concocted that the two younger surgeons did it in order to protect her (she could have been jailed if word got out) and document the use of ether for the advancement of it in surgery. A “court hearing” of the medical counsel follows and her involvement becomes public, Nora a victim of the scandal. Despaired, she lashes out to her mentor: “That is the great benefit of being a man with every opportunity in the world before you. You cannot ...

This book is why I love reading. Its so well crafted. Its rare that you can read a story where the author allows you in to multiple characters heads with a balance between knowing them but not giving away the story. Also there is no repetitive introspection like so many books I have read. (One of my pet peeves.) The story itself pulls you in right from the beginning. You feel the greatness of the people but also of the story. Like hearing an amazing song that moves you and you don’t want it to end. I love how all the people develop and it feels right. The growth happens gradually and seems real and not forced. Can’t wait to read book 2 and see how the story continues.

London in the 1840’s felt medicine was not an appropriate area of study for a woman. But Nora Beady is raised by a quirky surgeon when she is orphaned as a young girl. Under his tutelage she learns about medicine, helps with surgeries and performs experiments. In a time when women were banned from science and training was controlled by powerful surgeons, Nora struggles to find her place in the world. I thought the science was well described and Nora’s plight is intriguing. A great read for those who like historical fiction and tales of strong women stuck in a world that limits theIr options.

As a retired nurse and avid reader, I have always enjoyed reading and learning about the evolution of the medical field. I also enjoy fiction and a touch of romance- this wonderful book had it all. Will be searching for similar books and would love the authors to continue this story in a second book.