A review by kchessrice
The Art of Dying, by Ambrose Parry
4.0
Edinburgh 1849. Dr Simpson's invention of chloroform has begun to transform medical practice, but it's still very new and remains unreliable. With patients continuing to die across the city even after being treated with chloroform, a whispering campaign against the good doctor takes hold - can Will Raven and Sarah Fisher uncover who is behind it, at the same time as keeping their own struggles under control?
This is the second novel in the Raven, Fisher and Simpson series and was just as enjoyable a medical/historical fiction/detective story as the first, The Way of All Flesh. 19th century Edinburgh is brought to life, in all its dark, smelly and painful glory. I particularly enjoy the strong female characterisation and watching Sarah Fisher navigating her way through a man's world feels realistic - she is easily just as intelligent and capable as the male doctors, however just because she is a woman, she can expect to reach no further in a medical career than a nurse. At least, in the UK... I am already looking forward to the third instalment, which I hope will see Sarah continue her efforts to become a medical doctor.
As this is a historical fiction novel with a medical theme, this book might be best avoided if you are at all squeamish! There are graphic descriptions of various types of surgery including the removal of an ectopic pregnancy that had me feeling a little green about the gills and I'm fairly hardy! There is still plenty to enjoy including social commentary, politics and the frisson of attraction between Will and Sarah.
This is the second novel in the Raven, Fisher and Simpson series and was just as enjoyable a medical/historical fiction/detective story as the first, The Way of All Flesh. 19th century Edinburgh is brought to life, in all its dark, smelly and painful glory. I particularly enjoy the strong female characterisation and watching Sarah Fisher navigating her way through a man's world feels realistic - she is easily just as intelligent and capable as the male doctors, however just because she is a woman, she can expect to reach no further in a medical career than a nurse. At least, in the UK... I am already looking forward to the third instalment, which I hope will see Sarah continue her efforts to become a medical doctor.
As this is a historical fiction novel with a medical theme, this book might be best avoided if you are at all squeamish! There are graphic descriptions of various types of surgery including the removal of an ectopic pregnancy that had me feeling a little green about the gills and I'm fairly hardy! There is still plenty to enjoy including social commentary, politics and the frisson of attraction between Will and Sarah.