Where the Light Enters

September 2, 2019
Donati (The Gilded Hour) captivates in this story of two female physicians in 1884 New York. This narrative encompasses half a year in the lives of wealthy cousins, Anna Savard Mezzanotte, a surgeon, and Sophie Savard Verhoeven, an obstetrician, who are forced to battle misogynistic attitudes about women becoming doctors. Sophie must also endure prejudice against her race; she’s black, white, and Native American. On top of the challenges they face, both women are also involved in searching for an apparent medical practitioner who murders women requesting abortions. Anna’s husband, Jack, is a police detective investigating the serial crimes, and both women contribute with their professional observations of the victims. Although appearances suggest that the perpetrator might be a religious male doctor who is righteously punishing women, the truth may be more complicated. The number of interwoven relationships among all characters is occasionally distracting, but this is offset by exceptional characterizations. Elegant prose, entrancing era descriptions, and occasional bits of wit add to the impact. This is a riveting medical mystery.