First Chapter ~ First Paragraph

 It's Tuesday . . . time for . . . 

. . . First Chapter ~ First Paragraph Tuesday Intros . . . now hosted by Yvonne at Socrates' Book Reviews, where bloggers share excerpts from a book they have read, are currently reading, or are planning to read.

 

Today I'm featuring The Cape Doctor by E.J. Levy. The excerpt shared is from a hardcover version of the book borrowed from the library.

First Chapter:  Fortunate Son

She died, so I might live. Margaret. I owe her my life. Not a day goes by when I don't think of it. Of her. As not a day goes by when I don't think of him.

She died, so I might live, but isn't that the lot of women? To sacrifice, as our Lord was said to have done. Few speak of Mary's sacrifice, of course; that, we are to assume, was unexceptional. To martyr oneself for others is the expected lot of mothers and daughters. It's rarer in sons, except in war. So naturally, given the choice, I chose to be a son. Given the choice, who would not?

 

What do you think?  Would you continue reading? 

This novel is a work of historical fiction about a poor Irish girl who pursues her dream of attending medical school at a time when females were not accepted as students by hiding her gender. As Jonathan Perry, this brilliant student becomes an eminent doctor during the nineteenth century. The story is inspired by the life of Dr. James Miranda Barry, born Margaret Anne Bulkley, whose deception wasn't discovered until after death. 

 

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