The Medicine Woman of Galveston
In a uniquely vivid story of women in medicine, found family, and conquering fear for readers of Kristin Hannah, Ellen Marie Wiseman, and Audrey Blake, an impoverished former doctor and her disabled son join a traveling medicine show and its family of strangers on a collision course with the deadliest natural disaster in American history – the Galveston Hurricane of 1900. From the acclaimed author of The Nurse's Secret and The Second Life of Mirielle West.
"Perfect on so many levels that I don't even know where to begin." —Addison Armstrong, Author of The War Librarian
Once a trailblazer in the field of medicine, Dr. Tucia Hatherley hasn’t touched a scalpel or stethoscope since she made a fatal mistake in the operating theater. Instead, she works in a corset factory, striving to earn enough to support her disabled son. When even that livelihood is threatened, Tucia is left with one option—to join a wily, charismatic showman named Huey and become part of his traveling medicine show.
Her medical license lends the show a pretense of credibility, but the cures and tonics Tucia is forced to peddle are little more than purgatives and bathwater. Loathing the duplicity, even as she finds uneasy kinship with the other misfit performers, Tucia vows to leave as soon as her debts are paid and start a new life with her son—if Huey will ever let her go.
When the show reaches Galveston, Texas, Tucia tries to break free from Huey, only to be pulled even deeper into his schemes. But there is a far greater reckoning ahead, as a September storm becomes a devastating hurricane that will decimate the Gulf Coast—and challenge Tucia to recover her belief in medicine, in the goodness of others—and in herself.
"Perfect on so many levels that I don't even know where to begin." —Addison Armstrong, Author of The War Librarian
Once a trailblazer in the field of medicine, Dr. Tucia Hatherley hasn’t touched a scalpel or stethoscope since she made a fatal mistake in the operating theater. Instead, she works in a corset factory, striving to earn enough to support her disabled son. When even that livelihood is threatened, Tucia is left with one option—to join a wily, charismatic showman named Huey and become part of his traveling medicine show.
Her medical license lends the show a pretense of credibility, but the cures and tonics Tucia is forced to peddle are little more than purgatives and bathwater. Loathing the duplicity, even as she finds uneasy kinship with the other misfit performers, Tucia vows to leave as soon as her debts are paid and start a new life with her son—if Huey will ever let her go.
When the show reaches Galveston, Texas, Tucia tries to break free from Huey, only to be pulled even deeper into his schemes. But there is a far greater reckoning ahead, as a September storm becomes a devastating hurricane that will decimate the Gulf Coast—and challenge Tucia to recover her belief in medicine, in the goodness of others—and in herself.
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Community Reviews
âï¸ 4.25
Just wow. The Medicine Woman of Galveston reads like the love child of The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon and Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen: rich in historical detail, gripping in its emotional depth, and utterly immersive.
The novel follows Dr. Tucia Hatherley as she struggles to care for her son, Toby, who has Down syndrome, at the turn of the 20th century. After losing her job at a corset factory and narrowly escaping a horrifying encounter with her supervisor, Tucia receives an unexpected offer: settle her debts in exchange for providing medical services to The Amazing Adolphus Medicine Show. But what first appears to be a lifeline soon reveals itself as another form of oppression under the control of the ruthless showman, Huey.
Yet amid the exploitation and hardship, Tucia finds unexpected friendships among the performers, gradually realizing that her initial judgments were misplaced. Her journey of self-discovery is deeply compelling, as she sheds self-doubt, gains confidence, and ultimately stands up to the men who have long sought to control her. Her growth is palpable, and her transformation is nothing short of inspiring.
This novel delivers a rich, well-rounded plot that weaves together themes of addiction, injustice, oppression, friendship, resilience, and even romance, plus, there's a monkey! The Medicine Woman of Galveston is a stunning, multi-layered story that lingers in the heart long after the final page.
Just wow. The Medicine Woman of Galveston reads like the love child of The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon and Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen: rich in historical detail, gripping in its emotional depth, and utterly immersive.
The novel follows Dr. Tucia Hatherley as she struggles to care for her son, Toby, who has Down syndrome, at the turn of the 20th century. After losing her job at a corset factory and narrowly escaping a horrifying encounter with her supervisor, Tucia receives an unexpected offer: settle her debts in exchange for providing medical services to The Amazing Adolphus Medicine Show. But what first appears to be a lifeline soon reveals itself as another form of oppression under the control of the ruthless showman, Huey.
Yet amid the exploitation and hardship, Tucia finds unexpected friendships among the performers, gradually realizing that her initial judgments were misplaced. Her journey of self-discovery is deeply compelling, as she sheds self-doubt, gains confidence, and ultimately stands up to the men who have long sought to control her. Her growth is palpable, and her transformation is nothing short of inspiring.
This novel delivers a rich, well-rounded plot that weaves together themes of addiction, injustice, oppression, friendship, resilience, and even romance, plus, there's a monkey! The Medicine Woman of Galveston is a stunning, multi-layered story that lingers in the heart long after the final page.
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