THE PHYSICIAN'S DAUGHTER

Gwendalyn's Books

Sep 26

Hello Everyone

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for

THE PHYSICIAN'S DAUGHTER
BY MARTHA CONWAY

Publication Date: September 1, 2022
Zaffre

Genre: Historical Fiction

From the author of The Underground River comes this compelling new novel of female perseverance. Set in the aftermath of the Civil War, The Physician's Daughter is the story of two people trying to make their way in a world that is struggling to escape its past.

It is 1865, the American Civil War has just ended, and 18-year old Vita Tenney is determined to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a country doctor like her father. But when her father tells her she must get married instead, Vita explores every means of escape – and finds one in the person of war veteran Jacob Culhane.

Damaged by what he's seen in battle and with all his family gone, Jacob is seeking investors for a fledgling business. Then he meets Vita – and together they hatch a plan that should satisfy both their desires. Months later, Vita seemingly has everything she ever wanted. But alone in a big city and haunted by the mistakes of her past, she wonders if the life she always thought she wanted was too good to be true. When love starts to compete with ambition, what will come out on top?

WATERSTONES | AMAZON | INDIEBOUND | BAM

Praise

"Vividly realised, and impeccably researched, with a determined female lead"
–Kayte Nunn, author ofThe Botanist's Daughter

"In the proud tradition of female characters from Jo March to Meredith Grey, Vita Tenney takes her place as a determined woman unwilling to let society or her family control her destiny. I was captivated by The Physician's Daughter. The novel stays with you."
–Tony Phelan, executive producer of Grey's Anatomy and Council of Dads

"A riveting read set during the American civil war about a pioneering young woman dead-set on becoming a doctor."
–Inga Vesper, author of The Long, Long Afternoon

REVIEW

This book was received from the Author, and Publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is a non spoiler review, because you as reader need to read this book. Also, I feel sometimes I have in the past gave away to much of the plot line. This has diminished the pleasure for would be readers.

The Physician's Daughter, is Martha Conway's newest novel. A superb historical fiction that is set post Civil War.

In 1865 we follows Vita Tenney Culhane, who's aspirations to be a doctor is completely disregarded because she is a woman. Boldly she confronts her farther, who is the village doctor in Lark's Eye, Massachusetts. Dr. Arthur Tenney dismissing his daughter notions of wanting to aspire to be like him and follow in his footsteps. Instead he secures her a husband, just returned from war, Jacob Cultane. Vita and Jacob's marriage of convenience, might just prove to be something more to both of them.

Her desire to attend medical school comes with challenges and setbacks. As a woman who seeks to attend Cleveland Medical College, in the late 19th century she is a heroine that we can all root for. The struggles for women are daunting during this time period. Those who want to throw off the bonds of strict society and overcome obstacles place before them, are brave and courageous women. Martha Conway draws the reader effortlessly into Vita's life. Meticulously researched and beautifully written, this is a book that I will treasure on my library shelf. Wonderfully detailed, with seamless narration and a thought provoking storyline. Once you begin reading you will find yourself unable to stop.

I highly recommend this book to my family and friends! a 5 read for me

AUTHOR

Martha Conway is the author of several novels including The Underground River, which was a New York Times Book Editor's Choice (titled The Floating Theatre in the U.K. and Europe). Her novel Thieving Forest won the North American Book Award for Best Historical Fiction.

Martha's short fiction has appeared in the Iowa Review, Mississippi Review, The Quarterly, Carolina Quarterly, and other publications. She has reviewed fiction for the San Francisco Chronicle and the Iowa Review, and is a recipient of a California Arts Council fellowship in Creative Writing. In addition to writing, Martha is an instructor of creative writing at Stanford University's Continuing Studies Program. She received her BA from Vassar College in History and English, and her MA in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University. Born and raised in Ohio, she now lives in San Francisco with her family, where the fog reminds her of lake-effect cloud cover in Cleveland.