Robin Oliveira’s debut novel, My Name is Mary Sutter, is arriving in stores on May 19! This novel tells the story of a young midwife’s struggle to become a doctor; here’s the publisher’s description:
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 of suffering – and resisting her mother’s pleas to return home, Mary pursues her medical career in the desperately overwhelmed hospitals of the capital.
The publisher, Penguin/Viking, has generously offered a signed copy of the book to one lucky reader of She is Too Fond of Books!
To enter the giveaway, leave a comment below, indicating what grabbed your attention when you read about My Name is Mary Sutter – did you identify with Mary’s headstrong ways? Does the setting in Washington, DC draw you? The theme of a women overcoming obstacles? All of it, wrapped up in historical fiction?
Entries will be accepted until midnight ET on Saturday, May 22; I’ll draw one random winner on Sunday, May 23. Giveaway is open to US/Canada mailing addresses only.
*** update 5/30/10 ***
the winner is:
* #19 – Beth Nolan Conners – Well — of course I love historical fiction and the Civil War era in particular — but I think I can often forget that women (and others) have struggled to be at the place they are today and take for granted things like women being doctors. So I’d like to read this!
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I was attracted to this book because of the time setting and because she wanted to be in the medical field. I am in the medical field and this is a huge attraction for me.
A few months ago I read a historical novel about Clara Barton and Louisa May Alcott working as nurses in a hospital in DC during the War. And then last month I visited one of the buildings that had served as a Civil War hospital. Such an interesting, yet tragic, period. This book sounds fascinating. Thanks for the giveaway.
Thanks for this wonderful giveaway. This book which contains history and medicine interests me greatly. The heroine, Mary is compelling and unique. The book sounds captivating and special.
Just yesterday this book came up as recommended for me. Strong capable women have been the theme of several books I have recently read, so naturally this book sounds perfect.
I’m attracted to Mary’s brilliance and tenacity. Thanks for the great giveaway!
I like stories of women wanting to advance in the medical field. I always wished I had done better in school so I could have entered medical school. But I was an average student.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
The cover art…..the title….both simple, yet look at her hands and how she grips that bag. This lady has got plans….
I love all books that have to do with Women and Medicine. My father was a doctor back when they still did house calls. Also love story that have to do with the Civil War. Would really love this book!
interesting story line ,midwife wanting to be surgeon,historical fiction,would love to read it.
I love anything about the Civil War era.
mj.coward[at]gmail.com
I just saw this at Barnes & Noble yesterday. It kind of reminds me of Louisa May Alcott’s service during the Civil War in Washington DC as a nurse. I’m sure LMA would have made a mighty fine Dr! I would love to be entered in the giveaway! melmccurdyATsbcglobalDOTnet
I am interested in Historical fiction.
I am drawn to the cover, and the story. Thanks for draw.
I would love the read this book. I am a nurse so anything that has to do with medicine intrigues me. Thanks so much.
i love the idea of a woman going into “man” work in historical fiction. i would love to read this book!
What gets me is the historical fiction setting, with the main character being a woman. I like to read historical fiction with a pencil to make my own changes and corrections.
It’s a hobby.
What drew me to the book was the subject matter – the prejudices against women in medicine (that still exist today to some degree!). Thanks for the giveaway!
I love books! This books sounds like something I would enjoy reading very much. Thanks for giving me a chance to win this
Maggie
Well — of course I love historical fiction and the Civil War era in particular — but I think I can often forget that women (and others) have struggled to be at the place they are today and take for granted things like women being doctors. So I’d like to read this!
Thanks for hosting!! -beth
I love historical fiction, and I love books set in the Civil War ear, and I am interested in midwifery. So this sounds like a great book! Thanks for the giveaway.
I was drawn to the cover. Its beautiful. Then the summary – Love books about strong women.
Sounds very interesting, I love books that give a glimpse of how things were during that era. Would love to win the book. Thanks for including us!!Sherri
I love books about the Civil War era. Not sure why. It just fascinates me!
Please enter my name. Thanks!
I was interested in the Civil War woman doctor idea. The last Civil War era book I read kinda left me disappointed – I think this one won’t!
Two things pique my interest about this one–the fact that Mary is a midwife and the fact that it’s set during the Civil War, a period of time I find endlessly fascinating.
What grabbed me was a woman tending to soldiers both in the “hospitals” and in the field. Especially during that period in time. Can’t wait to read it. Thank you for the chance to win.
I love the fact that a woman, Mary Sutter, could dream such a big dream during this period in American History.
I’m always fascinated by stories, fictional, and true, of women who are willing to risk the scorn of society to pursue their dreams. Painful as war can be, it is also an opportunity for those who might never have the opportunity in “normal” times, to work outside the norm. Mary clearly has the advantage of a very major need for medical personnel in wartime Washington, this resonates for me, with our own modern day women soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.
It was the midwifery that caught my attention, plus the headstrong-ness. I’ve been seeing some books lately about women midwives, but this one definitely looked the most interesting – it’s got that historical angle, plus the woman-being-told-she-can’t part that I can’t resist.
I love the DC setting as I live here, and totally gobble up all books about historical DC. And I’m also really intrigued by the midwire aspect of it. Would love to read this one!
Oh just about everything: Civil War, women’s issues of the time, medical history. Civil War era is one of my must-read time periods.
BFish dot Reads at gmail dot com
What grabbed my attention most is the Civil War, I love reading books about it. I think it is a book I would find hard to put down until I finished it. Please enter me. Thanks!
All of it grabbed me! I enjoy reading historical fiction!
i love historical fiction…the story of this novel…and’s it’s cover
The theme of women as healers is one I keep coming across in books. It’s fascinating to me the way our perspectives have changed throughout the centuries — healing women have been accused of everything from witchery to “uppityness.” Maybe they just want to help people, not start a revolution! I’m dying to read this one, so thanks for the chance to win a copy!
The historical time period of the Civil War grabbed my attention when reading the book’s description.
Please enter me in this giveaway!
I identified most with a woman trying toget into a male dominated field.
[...] Use this link to enter and for more info. [...]
What grabs me is the idea of a woman of the time pushing on and becoming a doctor. Please enter me in the contest.
whitreidsmama at yahoo dot com
Sounds like great historical fiction — my favorite genre. Thanks for having a contest!
mary’s courage in the face of suffering sounds inspiring please enter me & thx for the contest..
I like reading stories about strong, determined people!
*** update 5/30/10 ***
the winner is:
* #19 – Beth Nolan Conners – Well — of course I love historical fiction and the Civil War era in particular — but I think I can often forget that women (and others) have struggled to be at the place they are today and take for granted things like women being doctors. So I’d like to read this!
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