Fever

A Novel

By: Mary Beth Keane

Narrated by: Candace Thaxton

Length: 9 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

A bold, mesmerizing novel about the woman known as "Typhoid Mary", the first known healthy carrier of typhoid fever in the early 20th century - by an award-winning writer chosen as one of "5 Under 35" by the National Book Foundation.

Mary Mallon was a courageous, headstrong Irish immigrant woman who bravely came to America alone, fought hard to climb up from the lowest rung of the domestic service ladder, and discovered in herself an uncanny, and coveted, talent for cooking. Working in the kitchens of the upper class, she left a trail of disease in her wake, until one enterprising and ruthless "medical engineer" proposed the inconceivable notion of the "asymptomatic carrier" - and from then on Mary Mallon was a hunted woman.

In order to keep New York's citizens safe from Mallon, the Department of Health sent her to North Brother Island where she was kept in isolation from 1907-1910. She was released under the condition that she never work as a cook again. Yet for Mary - spoiled by her status and income and genuinely passionate about cooking - most domestic and factory jobs were heinous. She defied the edict.

Bringing early 20th-century New York alive - the neighborhoods, the bars, the park being carved out of upper Manhattan, the emerging skyscrapers, the boat traffic - Fever is as fiercely compelling asTyphoid Mary herself, an ambitious retelling of a forgotten life. In the hands of Mary Beth Keane, Mary Mallon becomes an extraordinarily dramatic, vexing, sympathetic, uncompromising, and unforgettable character.

©2013 Mary Beth Keane (P)2013 Simon & Schuster Audio

An Excellent Work Of 'Fact-ion"

I just heard the word "Faction"-a mix of fact and fiction and it's made for books such as "Fever". Any casual reading of fact resources (i.e.:Wickipedia) make no mention of a man in 'Thyphoid Mary's' history, yet much of the 'fiction' aspect of 'Fever' revolves around Alfred, supposedly Mary's lover for many years and his issues with substance abuse.

I can understand the author adding a bit of romance interest to what might have been a dry book. And a reader can understand that a writer has to make up dialogue where none is recorded. The factual information about Mary herself is interesting and nicely written, however. I have to agree with other reviewers who have stated that author Keane goes astray when she writes on about Alfred, Mary's supposed lover, especially his trip to Minnesota - this is pure fiction which is presented as fact.

In any case, I found this a quick listen and very informative. Mary had an unfortunate life and in todays era it's difficult to understand how she was treated-isolated for years on an island in the river outside NYC.

If you're in the medical profession, or even if you enjoy historical fiction, which is how this should be presented, "Fever" is a good book for you.

Narrator Candace Thaxton did a good job with the varied accents but they were more modern than what one might hear in the early 1900's-still if the listener can overlook these issues, the book is informative and enjoyable.

Well worth the credit.

Narrator ruins fine story

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

To read, yes. Not to listen to with this narrator.

What did you like best about this story?

The author's re-creation of the times and certainly of the character of Typhoid Mary.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

She pronounces "the" as "thuh," instead of "thee" before vowels. If you can live with this Hollywood affectation, then no problem in listening. It certainly is regarded as incorrect in English and American, grated on my ears every time, and quite ruined the reading.

Very slight differentiation of male and female characters. Very poor attempt at accents, and very inconsistent when she used them.

Did Fever inspire you to do anything?

Write this notice, if it might be called "inspiration."

Any additional comments?

Yes. I think the narrator might be a good one if she practiced before reading the book and a good director took her in hand. I do blame the publisher, however, for producing the audio book, not her..

Typhoid Mary

Would you consider the audio edition of Fever to be better than the print version?

Candace Thaxton did a fantastic job with the accents of the characters. It added interest to the story.

What did you like best about this story?

I didn't know anything about Mary Mallon going into this story. She was a stubborn Irishwoman who didn't believe that she could be healthy and still infect people. For the most part I did not like her. However, the things done to her were not nice either. The turn of the 20th century was a hard time for foreigners with few available jobs and places to live. Mary tried hard to better herself in terrible circumstances. Then she was forced to live in the asylum for years without knowing what could become of her.

What does Candace Thaxton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She brought out Mary's frustration with the men in her life. Alfred and her employers could be difficult.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Much of the story made me angry. The doctors inability to make Mary understand that she was a danger was irritating. But Mary's stubbornness about her impact on others was my main issue. She went so far as to change her name and sneak into jobs in order to defy what she was told, but didn't believe. I am glad that she questioned her role in making people sick. I just wish she had acted on it.

Could Have Been Great...

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Listening to this book was not an entire failure but the story just never fufilled it's promise...

Would you be willing to try another book from Mary Beth Keane? Why or why not?

I would be willing to try another book from this author because this wasn't a complete loss.

What about Candace Thaxton’s performance did you like?

I thought Candace Thaxton was good, the story just didn't deliver.

Did Fever inspire you to do anything?

It inspired me to do a little research about Mary since I had heard the reference of Typhoid Mary before.

Who Was Typhoid Mary?

Was Mary Mallon just a scapegoat? A victim of a paranoid society willing to vilify and discard a poor, Irish immigrant and domestic worker based solely on shoddy science and sensationalism? Fever tells the story as "Typhoid Mary" may have told it herself. Through her eyes we get an insider's view of early 20th Century New York City and of the perfect storm she was swept up in. Not a meek, unsophisticated victim at all, Mary is a woman ahead of her time in many ways: unmarried by choice, a bread winner, a skilled cook, and a fighter. She does not simply accept her diagnosis, and by questioning the science behind the accusations she adds pressure on the doctors to better understand the spread of disease, and on the legal system to address issues of public health and civil liberties. This is historical fiction at its best.

Fever

I LOVED this book!It had me enthralled to the end.Candace Thaxtons narration was wonderful.Very interesting indeed.

Keeps attention and gives facts and news

Mary liked being a cook, but then people started getting sick. She thought it was unfair to isolate her for a time. The novel covers what she lived like, where, and what her relationships were. Well-researched and written. Seems like it could be accurate as possible.

Great story of a real life experience

Every life has a story. This one is touching, authentic and inspiring for all learners on life’s journey.

Fever: a hot summer listen

I just finished listening to Fever by Mary Beth Keane, narrated by Candace Thaxton.

Fever is a fictional account of the life of Mary Mallon (1869-1938) better known as Typhoid Mary. It's the the 27th book I've read (or listened to) in 2013 and so far my favorite.

Keane brings Mary Mallon to life as a complex and even likeable character although as a cook and an asymptomatic carrier of typhoid fever Mary infects at least fifty people, at least three of whom die. After outbreaks are traced back to her, Mary is quarantined against her will on an island clinic for over two years and released only when she agrees never again to work as a cook.

Mary is portrayed as realistically complicated in her fierce denial, good intentions, failures, doubts, financial struggles, and her role as enabler to her longtime live-in boyfriend.

Keane is a master of description. I have a hunch that a couple of my book club friends might say there is too much description, but I would disagree. It is this element that transported me to early 20th century New York City where I felt a baby leave this world as I held it in my arms, bought a blue hat, hid from the authorities on a snow cold day, loved and hated and loved a man who was addicted to alcohol and then drugs, rationalized a return to my first-love - cooking, and finally accept my typhoid carrier status, my heart breaking under the weight of it.

This book will haunt me for days.

The many themes of Fever make it an ideal pick for a book club: the power of denial, forcible quarantine, co-dependency, this era of New York City.

Candace Thaxton's narration is top-rate. As far as audiobooks go, perhaps my all-time favorite.

Story: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Narration: 5/5

Wow!

Who knew! Not me. I thought this was a great story, outlining the life of a misunderstood woman in American history. Was it her fault? Was it the doctors? Or the rampant filth that lined the streets of New York? A fascinating look at medical practice in early stages of understanding immunity and the way disease is transmitted. Equally fascinating is the story of Mary as told by Keane. Top rate narration, too!