The Medicine Woman of Galveston by Amanda Skenandore. Kensington Books, 2024. Historical fiction.
Dr. Tucia Hatherley had a traumatic incident during an operation and has given up surgery and medicine. She scrapes by, working in a corset factory, and trying to raise her son who has special needs. When she is faced with an opportunity to travel with a rather unreliable "medicine" show, she takes a chance. Unexpected friendships develop with the other outcast show people including a female "giant" and a Native American man who both defy stereotypes. As the show moves from St. Louis and approaches a stay in Galveston, Texas, the Great Storm of 1900 also approaches. Can Tucia survive? Can she ever find love?
Well developed characters make this novel a pleasure to read. It is unusual for Down syndrome to pop up in a historical setting and this little boy Toby adds much to the story. Readers will find hope and much to admire in the story of a valiant mother and woman alone in the world at the turn of that century.
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