My Name Is Mary Sutter

A Novel

By: Robin Oliveira

Narrated by: Kimberly Farr

Length: 14 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

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)

great read

Kept my interest through the entire book. Excellent narrator. Historically correct without sounding like a lecture.

Expertly narrated compelling story

Well-written and expertly narrated, this compelling story of a woman who wants more than anything to work in a profession that eschews her every effort to enter it. The narrator seemed to embody each character with precision and empathy. And her voice was rich with undertones that clearly conveyed the emotion at hand. I could not turn it off. Thank goodness for Thanksgiving weekend’s holiday from everyday tasks.

first rate history, second rate plot

Tons of interesting detail about the practice of medicine during the Civil War. I found most of the actual plot very routine. It's worth the listen if you like historical/medical stuff, but don't expect to be carried away by the story.

Great story about perserverence and compassion

The story was told in a very logical way, and it kept my interest throughout. Anna always has a wonderful personal interest point of view. I look forward to her next book also

Good story -- narration computer like

Great story. The narration took all emotion from the book, in a book which was filled with emotion.

wonderful book !!!!

I really loved this book. The reading is outstanding. The ture context of the hardships all people went thru during the civil war is period correct. As is the discription of clothing and battles. I've never heard a book so close to history as this. Thank you for writing this book.

Very nice

I love Civil War stories, and this one does not disappoint - there is brutal detail in the story that only reminds us that a mere century and a half ago (or so) we were a savage people who did nnot understand the importance of basic hygiene, much less the equality of women (and race).
The narrator does make some mistakes that I feel were silly, but the story is not predictable and the heroine is not typical - these factors set this period piece apart from others set in this era.
In all, a story that is challenging, yet intriguing, fulfilling, yet merciless in the details of war. This book is not for the feint of heart, but is satisfying if you stay with it.

Phenomenal Passionate Romantic Realistic and Horrific

Excellent story! Review on Goodreads-no spoilers.
Historic fiction intertwining women’s liberation and war. Relationships abound with intense emotion and develop continuously during the story. Beautifully written and executed!

Performance was exceptional! One of best narrations I’ve heard on audible!

Mary Sutter

I love historical fiction and Civil War history. This book took me there and fed my thirst for information while giving me a sense of the struggles of individuals involved in a beautifully written story. Hats off to the narrator, Kimberly Farr, as well.

Good medical historical fiction

Good story about a young woman in the Civil War period who wants to become a doctor. Interesting details about medical treatments and conditions.