A clever tale with a great protagonist
Rich in historical knowledge and depth of character, this novel will intrigue anyone curious about the lives of the citizens of Dorset during the English civil war.
The protagonist, Jayne Swift, is clever, witty, sharp and (perhaps most importantly) neutral, committed to using her physician's abilities to heal both Parliamentarians and Royalists, despite the ongoing rivalry. Because of this, we not only get to know Jayne and her principles well, but we also find out what went on on both sides of the war. I thoroughly enjoyed reading from Jayne's perspective, as it allowed for hope in humanity even amidst the heights of destruction, and told the story of the brave women who supported their troops as best they could.
I also enjoyed the way Jayne and her stubborn friends navigate their obligations to their families and society, shirking conventions wherever possible and forging their own way in the world. I would have liked to read even more about the social politics of the time, and the arduous process Jayne would have had to go through to get physician's training as a woman in the first place.
At times this book became a bit too factual for my tastes, and I felt as if I were reading non-fiction rather than fiction. However, I appreciate the incredible amount of research that must have gone into it, and I know fans of this kind of historical read will be delighted by the wealth of information in its pages.
The protagonist, Jayne Swift, is clever, witty, sharp and (perhaps most importantly) neutral, committed to using her physician's abilities to heal both Parliamentarians and Royalists, despite the ongoing rivalry. Because of this, we not only get to know Jayne and her principles well, but we also find out what went on on both sides of the war. I thoroughly enjoyed reading from Jayne's perspective, as it allowed for hope in humanity even amidst the heights of destruction, and told the story of the brave women who supported their troops as best they could.
I also enjoyed the way Jayne and her stubborn friends navigate their obligations to their families and society, shirking conventions wherever possible and forging their own way in the world. I would have liked to read even more about the social politics of the time, and the arduous process Jayne would have had to go through to get physician's training as a woman in the first place.
At times this book became a bit too factual for my tastes, and I felt as if I were reading non-fiction rather than fiction. However, I appreciate the incredible amount of research that must have gone into it, and I know fans of this kind of historical read will be delighted by the wealth of information in its pages.