Book Review: The Medicine Woman of Galveston by Amanda Skenandore
I loved reading The Medicine Woman of Galveston. The author has made the story of a woman who bucked social acceptance in order to become one of the first woman doctors feel so authentic, right down to her trouble finding a job as a doctor. Concerned about childcare for her handicapped son and losing her job, Tucia was desperate. Meeting a man who offered to actually employ her as a doctor instead of the factory was a much-needed escape.
The way she tries to settle into her new role in the traveling medicine show is heartbreaking, shocking, and inspirational. It’s easy to root for her as she gets around her restrictions and resists giving in to the shady demands her “savior” puts on her. There’s lovely moments as she makes friends with the others in the show, and a sweet romance is a bonus.
And that’s only the beginning! There’s a lot of action and the suspense builds throughout. The Galveston hurricane of 1900 was a terrifying event even in non-fiction. The storm adds yet another dimension to the novel and makes it unforgettable!
As a little girl, I was taken to a traveling carnival with a “freak show.” What I saw there was very similar to what Amanda Skenandore has described. Though the show I saw took place decades after the setting in Medicine Woman, the acts were still very like those in the book.
Thank you to author Amanda Skenandore, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for the free advance reader’s copy of the book. I’m not under any obligation to them to give a favorable review but I will anyway: it’s a terrific read!
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