My Name Is Mary Sutter

A Novel

By: Robin Oliveira

Narrated by: Kimberly Farr

In this stunning historical novel, Mary Sutter is a brilliant, headstrong midwife from Albany, New York, who dreams of becoming a surgeon. Determined to overcome the prejudices against women in medicine—and eager to run away from her recent heartbreak—Mary leaves home and travels to Washington, D.C., to help tend the legions of Civil War wounded. Under the guidance of William Stipp and James Blevens—two surgeons who fall unwittingly in love with Mary’s courage, will, and stubbornness in the face ofsuffering—and resisting her mother’s pleas to return home to help with the birth of her twin sister’s baby, Mary pursues her medical career in the desperately overwhelmed hospitals of the capital.

Like Charles Frazier’s Cold Mountain and Robert Hicks’s The Widow of the South, My Name Is Mary Sutter powerfully evokes the atmosphere of the period. Rich with historical detail (including marvelous depictions of Lincoln, Dorothea Dix, General McClellan, and John Hay among others), and full of the tragedies and challenges of wartime, My Name Is Mary Sutter is an exceptional novel. And in Mary herself, Robin Oliveira has created a truly unforgettable heroine whose unwavering determination andvulnerability will resonate with readers everywhere.

©2010 Robin Oliveira (P)2010 Penguin

Critic reviews

"Oliveira depicts the amputation of a leg, the delivery of a baby, and soldierly life; these are among the fine details that set this novel above the gauzier variety of Civil War fiction. The focus on often horrific medicine and the women who practiced it against all odds makes for compelling reading." ( Publishers Weekly)

Civil War from another point of view

The reader and story held my interest. I learned more about women serving in the civil war. Very believable story. I loved they way the author described the scenes. Great details. Can't wait to listen to another one of her books. However I have been unable to find any more she has written. Janet ( Northener)

Compelling Civil War Story

If you could sum up My Name Is Mary Sutter in three words, what would they be?

Compelling, educational, and inspiring

Have you listened to any of Kimberly Farr’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened to Kimberly Farr previously, reading "The Engagements". She did better with that story than with this one, although she was good one this, too.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

There is a lot of historical detail incorporated into the story, so it requires some concentration. Also, the descriptions of war injuries are quite intense, as are the conditions faced by medical personnel and the soldiers facing battle without supplies or training. A great deal of research went into the writing of the book.

Any additional comments?

Mary Sutter is an interesting and inspiring character, representative of the restrictions women of that time faced if they had ambitions to step outside of the prescribed "woman's place".

Great Civil War Narrative from Women's View

What made the experience of listening to My Name Is Mary Sutter the most enjoyable?

Love the performance by Robin- what a great job with al characters. She voice was perfrct for the story.

Which scene was your favorite?

The ending was so special as she accomplished her goals and got the man she loved but how hard it was to get there. The journey was worth it and even if some parts were very real in surgery.

Any additional comments?

Great historical read on the medical side of the Civil War. I had never thought of the horrible conditions and lack of everything. No one was prepared the wounded men- on both sides.

5 Stars!

Loved this piece of historical fiction. Well narrated. Mary Sutter is a heroine to admire.

More poetic than I expected

Would you try another book from Robin Oliveira and/or Kimberly Farr?

I would probably not try another book. I didn't really like the narration either. I expected a story about a woman trying to be a surgeon during the Civil War. The book got boring for me because the language was too poetic for the subject matter. I could not wait for it to be over.

What was one of the most memorable moments of My Name Is Mary Sutter?

I liked the parts that were more historical in nature.

A relaxing, enlightening listen

I enjoyed this work of fiction, somewhat reminiscient of "Cold Mountain" movie era. I gained a much greater understanding of the American Cival War (as a Canadian listener) proving that this author has really done her homework to bring history to life. The heroine is inspiring as she follows her dreams despite loss and despair. I found this a relaxing listen,,intriguing but not too intense.

Inspiring

I enjoyed this book for the most part. It was an inspiring story highlighting the strength of the human spirit. Thankfully, it didn't get too deep into the politics of the civil war, but misses the mark by insinuating that Lincoln's motive was slavery, which he was not against, at least at the onset of the war. Lincoln's motive was ALWAYS the preservation of the Union. It was the courage of those who refused to turn in runaway slaves that stopped slavery, which was still legal even after the North won. The description of Mary's medical practice was very good and her struggle to become a surgeon against all odds was very well written, but the details of the strategy of the Generals went on a bit in my opinion and was not wrapped up for the ending.

Unique but captivating

This book is very unique but the history and the lives all intertwined make it worth a read or maybe two!

I didn't like it

I am afraid there isn't much I liked about the book. I didn't like the way it was written, the characters the author tried to portray, nor her attempt at writing about the civil war.

Where have you been Robin Olveira?

Robin Oliveira weaves a tale so perfectly you feel as if you are walking right alongside each of the characters.

If you have even a passing interest in medical history, this is perfect. The frustrations of both the limitations of woman in the 1800's and the horror by the male physicians trying to care for patients under unimaginable conditions.

Young men thinking that they are going off on a grand adventure. And then reality sets in.

The heartbreak of mothers and wives. The comradery that happens when going through hard times.

This woman is brilliant in her writing. Kimberly Farr is perfect as the narrator.

I have listened to this already three times since I purchased it. That's how much I enjoy it.