Domina

By: Barbara Wood

Narrated by: Marion Castle

Length: 20 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

Set in London, New York, and San Francisco from the late 19th century through the first decades of the 20th, Domina is the inspiring saga of one woman's personal and professional triumph against the prejudices of her time.

Beautiful and courageous, Samantha Hargrave dares to dream that she will become one of the first female doctors - and surgeons - in America. Born in the slums of London and possessing a special gift for healing, Samantha struggles to enter the all-male medical profession. When her ambition encounters hostile rejection in England, she sails to America, where she meets an eccentric doctor who takes her on as an apprentice. But at the high-profile Astor Ball in New York, Samantha is introduced to the second of the three men who will change her life forever - and love just might interfere with her ambition.

Acclaimed novelist Barbara Wood reveals her remarkable talent by capturing Samantha's indomitable spirit, making Domina a literary triumph.

©2012 Barbara Wood (P)2016 Cherry Hill Publishing, LLC

Critic reviews

"Wood creates genuine, engaging characters whose stories are fascinating." ( Library Journal)

"It is rare and pleasurable to find a novel that expresses the glories and disgraces of the medical profession from a woman's perspective." ( Booklist)

"Wood crafts vivid sketches of women who triumph over destiny." ( Publishers Weekly)

Really bad.

The plot has been modified, the original ending cut completely, although the audiobook claims to be unabridged. The narrator's accent is poor, she is unable to shift between British and American pronunciation, vital to the plot, and, worst of all,her mispronunciation of certain English words denotes a high level of ignorance of the English language. I am extremely disappointed and dismayed. If audiobook producers are becoming so undiscerning as to accept such a performance, then what we can expect in the future is anyone's guess.

Good Story, Bad Narrator

The narrator doesn't do the voices. She's obviously British but most of the characters are American. She doesn't even try to do an American accent. Or the male voices. And she narrates every character with breathy. hysterical inflection. Ugh, painful to listen to. The story itself is actually good. I suggest actually reading the book to get the most out of the story.

Historical fiction at its best: Female doctors

Late 1800's, Britain then New York and San Francisco. Memoir of girl who became a doctor, through her own inner strength, at a time when women were second class citizens or worse. Development of her life as well as the progress made in gynecology, obstetrics in that time. Story held my attention throughout, with personal debts and medical achievements woven together.

highly recommend!

About 12 years ago I had read a book called the Blessing Stone by Barbara Wood and fell in love with it. it's been that long since I've read any of her work and welll worth the wait. She once again tells an epic tale of a woman who against all odds manages to find that strength and courage lies within as she triumphs in the face of so much of the adversities one might face during that period in history.

Samantha Hargraves finds love and success while induring a multitude of ignorances and prejudices of the late 1800's, as she never gives up fighting for her dream of becoming one of the first female doctors in history. The story also includes many historical facts by adding knowledge of non fictional characters, places and events of the times which adds so much relevance to the story .

An empowering must read that I am highly recommending to all of my book fanatics out there. And, if you get the chance, be sure to read the Blessing Stone by this author as well...there is even a connection and reference to this story in Domina which was a really nice surprise. Will be reading more of her work ASAP!! She is a very underate author!!