Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collection
Publication
Sourcebooks Landmark (2021), Edition: Illustrated, 384 pages
Description
"When Dr. Croft takes in orphan Eleanor Beady, he doesn't realize that he's gained an apprentice. Raised amidst Croft's experiments, "Nora" becomes his most trusted assistant-an unthinkable and unlawful pursuit for a woman. Nora helps Croft's groundbreaking research and his clinic gain recognition, and she finds she doesn't mind working in the background, as long as she can continue to hone her skills. But the arrival of a new surgical resident threatens to undo all that Nora has strived for. Dr. Daniel Gibson is too proper to be trusted, too skilled to dismiss, and too smart to be fooled for long. He expects Nora to change her clothes before dinner and spend her evenings perfecting her needlework, not her sutures. Though Nora knows it's best not to reveal her expansive knowledge of human anatomy, she isn't going to give up the work that fascinates and fulfills her-no matter what it costs her"--… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member brangwinn
In the mid-1800’s Nora Beady, an orphan, is raised by an eccentric doctor, who sees nothing wrong with her learning his craft. Nora doesn’t practice her needlework skills on samplers, she’s suturing human skin together. This was at a time when women did not practice medicine. The suffering of
Show More
patients continually sets her down the wrong path of medicine. Historical fiction readers will enjoy this well-crafted book. Show Less
LibraryThing member wagner.sarah35
I love stumbling into a novel that's far more gripping than I expect and that was the case with this one! Set in 1840s London, Eleanor Beady is an unusual woman - orphaned as a child by a cholera epidemic, she's taken in by a prominent doctor and, in an effort to make herself useful, quickly starts
Show More
assisting the doctor in his work. Despite her intelligence and aptitude for medicine, Eleanor is barred from becoming a doctor by her sex and this limitation comes to the fore as Eleanor ventures into new procedures to help patients. Eleanor is surrounded by a fascinating cast of characters - I especially liked the housekeeper Mrs. Phipps and the patient John Prescott - which make this novel a delight to read. I finished it faster than I expected and I feel nearly as fascinated with nineteenth-century medicine as I am certain the authors of this book were. Show Less
LibraryThing member vernefan
When a wave of deadly Cholera devastates London in 1832, a young girl is swept up into the arms of a village doctor after her parents lose their lives to the disease. Brought to the home of Dr. Horace Croft, young Nora Beady survives the Cholera and is raised by the doctor and his housekeeper Mrs.
For 13 years Nora is trained to be the doctor's assistant in nursing, running his thriving medical practice, and being his right hand at surgery and autopsies. In addition she is a talented anatomy illustrator.
But in the mid nineteenth century women in England were not allowed to practice medicine other than nursing or midwifery. So Nora's skills are kept secret, until one day when Croft hires a young doctor to assist him in his practice, Nora is soon found out.
This novel is extraordinary! It tells a story of a strong minded young woman determined to let the world know of her knowledge, skills, and experiments with new medical techniques, even when it could ruin her mentor's livelihood and she could be imprisoned for practicing medicine. Some would cry witchcraft!
A Girl in His Shadow is a story of medical science, family and friendships, battles and betrayals, strength and determination, and of fighting against the odds. And yes. ....a beautiful love story too!
I loved this book! I have pre-ordered the sqeuel that will be published next Spring and can't wait! All the characters are vivid and real, I loved them all. The writing style and historical research show talent and excellence. I could not put the book down and whipped through it in 2 days. Bravo to Audrey Blake which is Pseudonym for two authors Jaima Fixsen and Regina Sirois! if you love fabulous historical fiction, and if you have an interest in the history of medicine, check out this novel. 5 stars without blinking!
Show More
Phipps. For 13 years Nora is trained to be the doctor's assistant in nursing, running his thriving medical practice, and being his right hand at surgery and autopsies. In addition she is a talented anatomy illustrator.
But in the mid nineteenth century women in England were not allowed to practice medicine other than nursing or midwifery. So Nora's skills are kept secret, until one day when Croft hires a young doctor to assist him in his practice, Nora is soon found out.
This novel is extraordinary! It tells a story of a strong minded young woman determined to let the world know of her knowledge, skills, and experiments with new medical techniques, even when it could ruin her mentor's livelihood and she could be imprisoned for practicing medicine. Some would cry witchcraft!
A Girl in His Shadow is a story of medical science, family and friendships, battles and betrayals, strength and determination, and of fighting against the odds. And yes. ....a beautiful love story too!
I loved this book! I have pre-ordered the sqeuel that will be published next Spring and can't wait! All the characters are vivid and real, I loved them all. The writing style and historical research show talent and excellence. I could not put the book down and whipped through it in 2 days. Bravo to Audrey Blake which is Pseudonym for two authors Jaima Fixsen and Regina Sirois! if you love fabulous historical fiction, and if you have an interest in the history of medicine, check out this novel. 5 stars without blinking!
Show Less
LibraryThing member deslivres5
Historical fiction, Overdrive's July 2022 Big Library Read title.
Nora Beady is the ward of a famous, eccentric surgeon, Dr. Horace Croft, in 1840s London.
She has an unconventional upbringing for a woman of her time.
Her quest to further her medical and scientific endeavors comes up against the
I believe this can be read as a stand-alone, but #2 in the series, The Surgeon's Daughter, has been published as well.
Nora Beady is the ward of a famous, eccentric surgeon, Dr. Horace Croft, in 1840s London.
She has an unconventional upbringing for a woman of her time.
Her quest to further her medical and scientific endeavors comes up against the
Show More
prejudices and biases of the period.I believe this can be read as a stand-alone, but #2 in the series, The Surgeon's Daughter, has been published as well.
Show Less
LibraryThing member rmarcin
I read this as part of The Big Library Read in July 2022. This book details medicine and surgery in the 19th C. It was very interesting to read about how women were not allowed to practice medicine, how there were to be no surgeries on the abdomen, and how they amputated many limbs once there was
Show More
an infection. It also detailed the beginning of anesthesia. Very interesting historical fiction. Show Less
LibraryThing member EllenH
Great historical fiction! Part of the Big Library Read 2022. So very readable, interesting. Although this one is not actually based on a real person, it certainly captures a time period where women were not allowed to be Drs. and much of what was happening in the medical field.
LibraryThing member bookczuk
2022 pandemic read. Read as part of a one city one book type event. Some interesting history about women in medicine in a given period, but I found myself put off by the ending, which clearly indicated it wasn't an ending but the end of part of a series. The story didn't grab me enough to envision
Show More
myself reading more in the series. Show Less
LibraryThing member novelcommentary
Nora Beady is the ward of a famous, eccentric surgeon, Dr. Horace Croft, in 1840s London.
She has an unconventional upbringing for a woman of her time.
Her quest to further her medical and scientific endeavors comes up against the prejudices and biases of the period.
That from the blurbs let's you
She has an unconventional upbringing for a woman of her time.
Her quest to further her medical and scientific endeavors comes up against the prejudices and biases of the period.
That from the blurbs let's you
Show More
know some of the facts. The story was pleasant enough, like an early version of watching Virgin River, especially the character of Nora who lost her parents to cholera and became a skilled surgeon under the tutelage of Dr. Croft. Of course she falls in love with the new assistant that comes to work with him and the new use of ether as an anesthetic was interesting, but overall I wouldn't look to read the sequel to this, which incidentally picks right up where this leaves off. This is the joint venture of two writers under the name of Audrey Blake. Show Less
LibraryThing member kenf
If you can get past the gorier details, you’ll learn a bit about 19th century medicine and better yet, get to know Nora. ;
LibraryThing member witchyrichy
The Girl in His Shadow tells the story of Nora Beady, orphaned by a pandemic and taken in by a quirky but skilled doctor. He functions more as mentor than father for his ward, and she quickly gets involved in his work with both live and dead people. When Dr. Croft takes on an assistant, Nora must
The authors created rich historical fiction that celebrates the pioneers in medicine--women like Nora who hear the calling and ignore convention and men like Croft who are willing to learn and experiment, both opening themselves to criticism and even professional censure. The authors have written a second volume, The Surgeon's Daughter, as Nora continues her pursuit of medicine. I am looking forward to reading it.
Show More
figure out how to continue her work, some of which is illegal. All three of them end up in trouble, in the end, but we also see how the world is changing in its attitudes even as some would drag their feet. Author Audrey Blake is a pseudonym of Jaima Fisxen and Regina Sirois. I picked it up as it is part of the Big Library Read happening now until July 27.The authors created rich historical fiction that celebrates the pioneers in medicine--women like Nora who hear the calling and ignore convention and men like Croft who are willing to learn and experiment, both opening themselves to criticism and even professional censure. The authors have written a second volume, The Surgeon's Daughter, as Nora continues her pursuit of medicine. I am looking forward to reading it.
Show Less
LibraryThing member debs4jc
This author was new to me but I'm so glad I took a chance and read this book. I was immediately sucked into the story as the main character, Eleanor, loses her entire family but it taken in by the doctor who attempts to treat them. She's already survived cholera, now she must survive living in a
I loved the historical details, the strong female character who defies societies conventions, and the realistic interpersonal relationships depicted in this book. There is also a sequel, which I hope to read soon!
Show More
doctors household with all manner of gruesome things - severed fingers in jars and the like - scattered about. She ends up not just surviving but thriving as she discovers she has an aptitude for medical work. However it is the mid-1800's and in England it is illegal for woman to practice medicine so she has to keep her efforts a secrets. But then a new apprentice doctor arrives to live with them and Eleanor wonders if she will able to keep her talents a secret - or if she even wants to.I loved the historical details, the strong female character who defies societies conventions, and the realistic interpersonal relationships depicted in this book. There is also a sequel, which I hope to read soon!
Show Less
LibraryThing member Carrieida
Received a copy to discuss from BookBrowse . An engaging historical fiction about one woman’s struggle to use her abilities and knowledge in medicine and science during Victorian times in London and the societal roadblocks she faced. Nora has mentors that support and encourage her but there are
Show More
obstacles and decisions she must reach including going beyond boundaries set for her and breaking of an agreed upon confidence. One of her initial skeptics and later supporters develops into a mutual romantic interest. An excellent book for book groups because there are many points and views to discuss. Show Less
LibraryThing member Maret-G
I was already hooked after reading just a few sentences in the prologue.
Story takes place in London in 1800s when it was illegal for women to practice medicine. They had to do it anonymously or in the shadow of husbands or other close family male member.
This story was about Nora Beady. Her whole
One of the top best books I've read this year. Brilliantly written. Beautiful historical fiction about strong and talented woman. This was the book that I couldn't put down. The plot was very engaging and reading about medical experiments, surgeries and scientific researches performed at that time of the history was extremely interesting. I truly believe that most people would like this book.
I highly recommend it.
Story takes place in London in 1800s when it was illegal for women to practice medicine. They had to do it anonymously or in the shadow of husbands or other close family male member.
This story was about Nora Beady. Her whole
Show More
family died during the cholera pandemic. When Dr. Horace Croft found Nora in her family house, she was very sick but still alive. She recovered and Dr. Croft together with his housekeeper decided to raise her. Thirteen years later, Nora was helping Dr. Croft in the clinic. Nobody knew about her involvement in surgeries. Her knowledge about scientific medicine was better than some of the doctors in London but her talent had to be kept in secret. They were careful not to reveal Nora's involvement until that one emergency that had happened which could bring huge changes in the medical field. And Nora was involved in it.One of the top best books I've read this year. Brilliantly written. Beautiful historical fiction about strong and talented woman. This was the book that I couldn't put down. The plot was very engaging and reading about medical experiments, surgeries and scientific researches performed at that time of the history was extremely interesting. I truly believe that most people would like this book.
I highly recommend it.
Show Less
Physical description
384 p.; 8.25 inches
ISBN
1728228727 / 9781728228723
UPC
760789303371