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A review by wordsofclover
That Bonesetter Woman by Frances Quinn
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Endurance Proudfoot knows she is no beauty - tall and ungainly, broad and muscular, she's very different from her delicate beautiful sister Lucinda. However, this makes Durie perfect for learning the family trade - bonesetting. But when Lucinda gets into trouble and is shipped off to an aunt in London, Durie is made to go with her and leave her bonesetting dreams behind. But Durie uses her skiulls in London's wealthy circles to get noticed but this also means she attracts the wrong sort of attention.
This was such an enjoyable audiobook - I really loved Durie's POV and she is someone that is very easy to like and to root for. Coincidentally, I ended up reading a few books all set in the 1750s-1800s around the same time but set in different areas of London, and within different social classes but it made me feel like I had a really well-rounded view of London during this time and it improved my reading experience.
I did find Lucinda a very annoying character, not to mention spoiled and selfish but I enjoyed the maturity growth and character development in her by the end of the novel. And Durie also learns (the hard way) that just because she is good, honest and straight-talking, it doesn't mean everyone is.
This book is a real testament to real women who have come before us and had to find a way to pave their way and make a living in a world that was occupied by men who didn't want to move over to make room. Durie's endurance and strength despite every obstacle that is thrown at her from heartbreak, betrayal and unfair accusations against her character, is brilliant to read despite it being hard to witness all these hard things.
I loved the romance between Durie and George, the tenderness and innocence between them and the way George really truly saw Durie for exactly who she is and loved her for it. I won't say too much about the other romance in the other book other than that every step of the way of it gave me the feeling of dread and there was one part where I felt I couldn't even go on as I was so afraid for Durie - I just didn't want her to get hurt!
This is a brilliant, quieter type of historical fiction novel and I will be reading the author's other book as soon as I can!
This was such an enjoyable audiobook - I really loved Durie's POV and she is someone that is very easy to like and to root for. Coincidentally, I ended up reading a few books all set in the 1750s-1800s around the same time but set in different areas of London, and within different social classes but it made me feel like I had a really well-rounded view of London during this time and it improved my reading experience.
I did find Lucinda a very annoying character, not to mention spoiled and selfish but I enjoyed the maturity growth and character development in her by the end of the novel. And Durie also learns (the hard way) that just because she is good, honest and straight-talking, it doesn't mean everyone is.
This book is a real testament to real women who have come before us and had to find a way to pave their way and make a living in a world that was occupied by men who didn't want to move over to make room. Durie's endurance and strength despite every obstacle that is thrown at her from heartbreak, betrayal and unfair accusations against her character, is brilliant to read despite it being hard to witness all these hard things.
I loved the romance between Durie and George, the tenderness and innocence between them and the way George really truly saw Durie for exactly who she is and loved her for it. I won't say too much about the other romance in the other book other than that every step of the way of it gave me the feeling of dread and there was one part where I felt I couldn't even go on as I was so afraid for Durie - I just didn't want her to get hurt!
This is a brilliant, quieter type of historical fiction novel and I will be reading the author's other book as soon as I can!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying