The Unlocked Path

By: Janis Robinson Daly

Narrated by: Patricia Shade

Length: 10 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

The Unlocked Path presents and embraces a “New Woman” of the early 20th century: educated, career-minded, independent. In 1897 Philadelphia, after witnessing her aunt’s suicide, Eliza Edwards vows to find ways to help and heal. Rejecting her mother’s wishes for her society debut, Eliza enters medical college at a time when only five percent of doctors are female. With the support of a circle of women and driven by a determination to conquer curriculum demands, battle sexism, and overcome doubts, Eliza charts a new life course. Combining science and sympathy, can she triumph to heal others and herself?

©2022 Black Rose Writing (P)2022 Beacon Audiobooks

Great women who paved the way for todays women!

This story had even more meaning to me after reading Ms. Daly's authors notes and realized she wrote the story based on her own family history. My husband and I have been working on my family tree for over 20 years now so to hear Ms. Daly fell down the same genealogical web with her family, then wrote a book on the facts that she found, filling in the banks as she felt they may have gone is something I can only wish I had the talent to do. Its 1897 and Eliza has just been requested to join the society debut, which her mother is over the moon about. But, Eliza wants more then what is expected for a women of the times. "Shouldn't there be more to a woman's life? Eliza ask herself thinking a woman's life has to be more than being put on display to find a husband then produce children from that marriage. After loosing her Aunt to suicide, because her aunt felt there was nothing left for her in life after loosing her husband and son, Eliza decides she wants to do more, for woman, and be more as a woman. This is not a romantic, happy tale, but a retailing of the trials and tribulations women went through during this time period. As a woman, it is so encouraging to read about the woman that helped pave a path for us today. Beautifully writen by Ms. Daly and a great narration by Patricia Shade.

Interesting Read

Interesting story. I can definitely relate, but I it feels very much like a story of the privileged.

Fabulous debut!

The Unlocked Path is a well researched debut novel with well developed characters and an interesting plot which reinforces the importance of persistence and resilience in the face of adversity. Eliza is a strong role model for women and lays the foundation for future generations of women who aspire to reach for their dreams. A well narrated journey worth taking. Bravo!!

Amazing!

This story is one that needed to be told. Women's struggles for equality, to follow their passion, to be recognized as, not only as good as, but better than most of their male counterparts can never be stated too much. Why do they call it "man hours"? Because a woman can do it in 20 minutes. When males no longer enjoy entitlement simply by birth, will they touch the hems of these brave women.

Good read!

Enjoyed the history of the early 1900s. Lovely story of strong females that succeeded. Highly recommend

An excellent debut

I thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel by Janis Robinson Daly. Having recently read a couple of books about a woman attempting to obtain a medical degree in England in the mid-1800s, I was interested in reading about the experiences of women attending the first women’s medical school in the United States. Several of the characters in The Unlocked Path are inspired by real people, some of them the author’s ancestors. To say the main character, Eliza Edwards is courageous is an understatement. Not only does she reject societal norms by choosing to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor, but she also becomes an advocate for women, especially those who are poor. Some of the issues she addressed are unfortunately still being debated over a century later. Eliza and her friends understand the value of embracing the friendship of other women by being mutually supportive; that the success of others does not lessen the chance of their own success and above all, that fighting for the rights of others is fighting for the good of the community. The author’s research for this book is both evident and exemplary.

I listened to the audiobook, a gift from the author. Many of us know how a narrator can make or break an audiobook There have been times when I couldn’t bear the voice of the narrator for more than a couple of chapters and others that interpret the content so beautifully that I became completely absorbed in the story in the same way I am when I watch a play or, in the past, listened to a radio play. The narrator for Unlocked Path, Patricia Shade, does a superb job. There is quite a bit of narrative in the first few chapters, but once the story begins to develop and more characters emerge, she really shines as she masterfully interprets both male and female characters of different ages and from different cultural and geographic backgrounds. Narration is much more than reading a book, it is the interpretation of the content. Ms. Shade really nailed this one.

Fantastic!

The Unlocked Path by Janis Robinson Daly is a fantastic work of Historical Fiction based off of real life family history of Ms Daly. Her grandfather was the president of a woman’s medical college. His grand-daughter at the age of 18 in 1897 decided to attend giving up her debutant ball. Her family though comfortable were not close to wealthy. Back then women went to college to find a husband not a degree. We follow Eliza and later her two friends through their journey of being med students to later becoming the 3 graduates from the school. Later we follow Eliza through becoming doctor to wife/mother. Until the end, doctor again. Fantastic research of the times. Showing how difficult it was for women to gain respect and to prove themselves in a very man’s world. If I had to take away anything at all, it would be the ending. I was more than a little surprised by the abrupt end. All is forgiven with a wonderfully told and researched book. An equally wonderful narrator! Congratulations Janis on this book. It has been fun watching you write it, talk about it and succeed throughout!

Loved this novel.

I very much enjoyed getting lost in the past with this book. So rich in great history, and wonderful narration.