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

Tragic

It wasn't bad. In some ways tragic that a woman as apparently smart as Ms Mallon still didn't have the imagination to understand germs and therefore willfully put people in harms way.

A true story of fear of the unknown

very interesting but sad story in the history of medical science. I particularly liked that the background of Mary's friends was included as well. Today you could substitute the name AIDS and the fear and questions would be the same.

A Little Slow

Interesting story, but it tended to drag. Enjoyed the historical descriptions of this time period.

Fascinating

Fever is a terrific historical & literary novel. Don't miss it! Ms. Thaxton's performance is a notable. She channeled Mary's vulnerability & obtuseness extremely well.

Great Narration, Excellent POV

This was very interesting and thought provoking. I love books that teach me while giving me a story to digest. Well written -- Mary is thoroughly believable as the character that she must have been, as is the man who is essentially her common law husband. Can you imagine being told that you are a disease carrier, so many have died because of you, and in a time when many didn't have much training, told that you can't do your job, the special job you are good at? Can you imagine being basically imprisoned without a trial? Can you imagine wondering, but not being really convinced, that you were responsible for many, many deaths? This book helped me really imagine all of that.

Oh and the narrator, with her Irish defensive accent, was all that! Sounded perfect.

captivating

If you could sum up Fever in three words, what would they be?

Worth the listen!

What did you like best about this story?

It kept me listening till the end. I didnt want it to end.

Which character – as performed by Candace Thaxton – was your favorite?

Mary was my favorite. did the Irish accent well.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The life and times of Typhoid Mary.

Any additional comments?

Definitely will recommend it !

Like science? Read this novel.

This book has ruined me for for all the historical fiction novels I have yet to read. It set the bar so high, I feel that whenever I compare another historical fiction novel to this, I cannot help but be disappointed. I bought this on Audible to listen to while I ran on the treadmill. It made my time fly by because it actually felt like I was watching a movie.

Thank you Mary Beth Keane for coming up with the brilliant idea to write about Typhoid Mary.
Absolutely recommend. A+

This is an amazing book!

I stumbled upon this book by accident, and I'm so glad I did. I may actually go out and buy a hard copy as well. I immediately wanted to know more about the subject of the book, and couldn't stop listening. I loved this novel!

Great

Great. Beautifully imagined inner life of Mary Mallon. Enjoyed the tidbits of history woven through the story.

fascinating

I was engaged throughout. historical fiction at its best. I knew a bit of the story, but to hear it this way was wonderful. great performance as well.