A mysterious outbreak of typhoid fever is sweeping New York. Could the city's future rest with its most unlikely scientist? If Prudence Galewski is ever going to get out of Mrs. Browning's esteemed School for Girls, she must demonstrate her refinement and charm by securing a job appropriate for a young lady. But Prudence isn't like the other girls. She is fascinated by how the human body works and why it fails. With a stroke of luck, she lands a position in a laboratory, where she is swept into an investigation of the fever bound to change medical history. Prudence quickly learns that an inquiry of this proportion is not confined to the lab. From ritzy mansions to shady bars and rundown tenements, she explores every potential cause of the disease. But there's no answer in sightuntil the volatile Mary Mallon emerges. Dubbed "Typhoid Mary" by the press, Mary is an Irish immigrant who has worked as a cook in every home the fever has ravaged. Strangely, though, she hasn't been sick a day in her life. Is the accusation against her an act of discrimination? Or is she the first clue in a new scientific discovery? Prudence is determined to find out. In a time when science is for men, she'll have to prove to the city, and to herself, that she can help solve one of the greatest medical mysteries of the twentieth century.
Overall I enjoyed reading this book. At first it was difficult to get into but I am glad I stuck with it. It took me till chapter seven to get an understanding of what was happening. What I enjoyed in this book was seeing how Prudence transformed from a little girl in school to a mature women helping fight death. I might recommend this book to a friend.
ReplyDeleteI found this book to be slow at first, but it soon picked up the pace with the novel about a quarter through the it. I enjoyed the storyline because it was not what I expected it would be about, so it caught me off gaurd. As a whole I liked this book because I think that it was well written, I liked the point of view, and the ending waws what really got me, but I'll let you figure that out for yourself.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I found it to be slow at first too but I enjoyed reading it
DeleteI have to side with you on this one because it was slow to get into because it takes a while to introduce everyone. Plus, it's not a fast paced book.
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I liked this book a lot, but it was a little slow at the beginning. It picked up around the middle of the book. I liked how it was about a woman in the science industry, and how she could do whatever she liked even though she was a girl (and it was especially surprising since it took place in 1906/07). I didn't like the ending that much though, it seemed kind of off to me. But you can decide when you read the book.
ReplyDeleteAt first while I was reading this book I thought it was very slow and confusing. Although, Prudence standing up to her mom really stuck out to me! It made me feel proud of her and her decision. She did what pleased her. Not her mom. This makes me feel strong knowing that women can do the same thing as men. It was very confusing at first, but works out in the end. I would recommend this book.
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