Lindas Book Obsession Reviews “The Medicine Woman of Galveston” by Amanda Skenandore, Kensington Publishing Corp. May 21, 2024. On Tour with Suzy Approved Book Tours

My Review

Wow! Amanda Skenandore, the Author of “The Medicine Woman of Galveston had written an intriguing and captivating Historical Novel that depicts the difficulties for women and handicapped people during the turn of the century. I appreciate the amount of research that the author has done. In this well written novel, the author vividly describes the landscape, plot, props, scenery and the dramatic characters. There are several historical story lines set within the novel, and the author does a fantastic job weaving them together. The author is a health care worker and discusses the earliest female physicians, and the discrimination and bias they received from both the male physicians, and the public.

The female protagonist, Tucia Hatherley is a physician, and a single mother to a son with Down syndrome. One if the male physicians has Tucia perform surgery in a hospital, and the patient expires. Tucia gets fired, and she experiences panic attacks, and pulls her hair out, when stressed. Tucia keeps her medical license but stops practicing medicine, and has fears.

Tucia has difficulties with other jobs, and is having financial difficulty providing essentials for her disabled son. She finds employment with a medical traveling show, where she provides her medical license to secure the show’s location. The man that runs this show makes money from selling “Medicine “ in a bottle and snake oil. There are handicapped talented people that are used for a side show to attract people. The owner of this medicine show will go any length to find something to hold over these people and is controlling Tucia as well. Tucia also becomes a performer, and wants to find a way to leave with her son.

One of the deadliest hurricanes, The Galveston Hurricane of 1900 arrives at the same time that the medicine show reaches the town. There is tragic loss of life and property. Tucia is forced to have the courage to make life or death decisions.

I appreciate that the author discusses medical issues and mental health issues that caused discrimination. There was inequality between men and women. Women were discriminated against. There was little compassion for people with handicapping conditions. I love that the author mentions the importance of family, self-worth, proper educational training. There are twists and turns, and the character’s individual stories were heartbreaking. I highly recommend this thought-provoking and memorable novel to others.