"My Name Is Mary Sutter" by Robin Oliviera

"My Name Is Mary Sutter" was a great book!  This book takes place in the 1860's and from the  beginning I found the characters  endearing and I wanted to know more about them.  The main character, Mary Sutter, is a highly respected midwife living in Albany New York.  Her mom Amelia is also a midwife and has taught her everything she knows.  Mary wants to take the next step and become a doctor but the medical colleges will not accept her as she is a woman.  The Civil War starts and she thrusts herself into the chaos of caring for wounded soldiers in an unorganized, filthy dilapidated hotel turned military hospital.  She learns on the fly how to amputate a limbs, goes in the field to the battles and has to pick who can be saved and who should be left to die.

My favorite part of the book is Abraham Lincoln.  He enters the book as one of the main characters about half way through.  We hear about the war from him and his perspective which was fascinating..purely fictional though. 

I would definitely recommend this book, especially if you like medical drama.  Although there is no overtly gory spots in this book the author does certainly get the point across.

Hmmmm...what to read next!???

"My Name Is Mary Sutter" by Robin Olivieri

"My Name Is Mary Sutter" is about a young woman in the 1860's who wants to go to medical school but is not allowed.  Mary's mom is a midwife and has trained Mary to be one as well. Mary's thirst for education during a time when women were not educated and the begining of the civil war provides the backdrop for this book.  I know I always say it..but since I'm a history buff this book sounds right up my alley!!

More soon!!!