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readingwhilemommying 's review for:
Anatomy: A Love Story
by Dana Schwartz
This YA debut from Schwartz is more than just the story of young love. Set in Georgian-era Edinburgh, this gothic/romance mash-up is enhanced by compelling narratives about the subjugation of woman at the time and the social ramifications of stark income inequality. Not for the squeamish, it explores how physicians-in-training operated on subjects as spectacle and how one young society woman upends the social strictures of the time to make her mark, uncover a fiendish mystery, and find love.
As the danger of the fictional Roman fever loosens its grip on the city of Edinburgh, Hazel Sinnett is inspired anew to become a doctor and find a cure. While Hazel survived the deadly illness, her other brother did not. Hazel's mom, devastated by his death, is terrified for the health of her youngest son (and heir), so she takes him to the celebrated waters of Bath, leaving Hazel alone in her family's mansion (her father's in the Royal Navy and is rarely home). Hazel has long been expected to marry her cousin Bernard Almont and seems to be willing to go along with it, until he chastises her for wanting to go to a live surgery performed by the esteemed Dr. Beecham. Annoyed at Bernard's derision, Hazel sneaks off to see the surgery...and meets "resurrection man," Jack Currer. Jack, who works at a theater, also digs up dead bodies and sells them to the Anatomists's Society, so doctors and surgeons can practice dissection. He starts providing Hazel with bodies so she can practice.
Underneath Hazel's quest to become a surgeon and her burgeoning romance with Jack, is a city-wide mystery: Poor people are dying, some with odd mutilations. Hazel is concerned, particularly when she starts treating those who can't afford a doctor. It's a win-win: she helps those who need it, while enhancing the skills society deems women aren't smart or skilled enough to master.
While the "reveals" are pretty obvious, it's still fun getting to the a-ha moments. I loved Hazel and really liked Jack. As a YA book, this one puts a gruesome yet engaging twist on the young love story.
As the danger of the fictional Roman fever loosens its grip on the city of Edinburgh, Hazel Sinnett is inspired anew to become a doctor and find a cure. While Hazel survived the deadly illness, her other brother did not. Hazel's mom, devastated by his death, is terrified for the health of her youngest son (and heir), so she takes him to the celebrated waters of Bath, leaving Hazel alone in her family's mansion (her father's in the Royal Navy and is rarely home). Hazel has long been expected to marry her cousin Bernard Almont and seems to be willing to go along with it, until he chastises her for wanting to go to a live surgery performed by the esteemed Dr. Beecham. Annoyed at Bernard's derision, Hazel sneaks off to see the surgery...and meets "resurrection man," Jack Currer. Jack, who works at a theater, also digs up dead bodies and sells them to the Anatomists's Society, so doctors and surgeons can practice dissection. He starts providing Hazel with bodies so she can practice.
Underneath Hazel's quest to become a surgeon and her burgeoning romance with Jack, is a city-wide mystery: Poor people are dying, some with odd mutilations. Hazel is concerned, particularly when she starts treating those who can't afford a doctor. It's a win-win: she helps those who need it, while enhancing the skills society deems women aren't smart or skilled enough to master.
While the "reveals" are pretty obvious, it's still fun getting to the a-ha moments. I loved Hazel and really liked Jack. As a YA book, this one puts a gruesome yet engaging twist on the young love story.