Foodie Lit
Alina Rubin. A Girl With A Knife
Hidden identities are a major part of the historical novel, A Girl With A Knife. They add to the tension in the plot and the complexity of the characters. Fifteen year old Ella (Eloise) Parker hides much in her young life. She hides the abuse from her father after her mother dies in childbirth. Ella escapes from the abuse away and hides her status as a runaway. And she hides her gender, pretending to be a young man, when she applies for and is accepted at the male only medical schools of 1810 England.
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The Girl with a Knife is filled with pain and betrayal. The novel is also balanced with great friendship and loyalty.
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How realistic is this tale of a woman pretending to be a man to attend medical school? Others told her it was impossible. Author Alina Rubin explained her inspiration. “Then an article about surgeon James Barry caught my eye. All through Barry’s life, people knew him as a man and a great surgeon, and only at his death people learned this was a woman. This was a perfect solution for my character.” The story of James Barry, née Margaret Ann Bulkley, is an interesting story in itself.
The lack of rights and opportunities for women in education and exposed in so many other areas in this novel, not only makes most of us furious but also shows the strength of character of Ella and those who help her. The author includes others who must hide identities to enter medical school and social settings, whether from religion or race. Alina has developed a series, so those who have fallen in love with her characters, as I have, do not have to say goodbye at the end of The Girl With a Knife.
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For those who are interested in medical history, this novel is a treat. I have read a number of historical novels on this topic, and all include the lack of sanitation and the prevalence of mortality from infection. We also see the condescension of the male surgeons and physicians not only towards women but also toward the poor, uneducated and unfortunate.
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The one area women were accepted was as midwives. We are shown the birthing techniques of the era and the high maternal and infant mortality. We see the precariousness of life and the lack of protections then, that now we take for granted in much of what we call developed nations.
In each of the novels that make up her series, Alina takes Ella on a journey. “And each time, she must overcome not only challenges of treating patients, but an internal conflict as well. Also, starting with Book 2, each book has a male protagonist who goes through his own journey and transformation. Writing the character’s inner growth is just as important to me as seeing them through an exciting plot.”
I highly recommend Alina’s Hearts and Sails series. What a great Book Club selection.
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Coming from the upper class, Ella frequently had tea with other ladies of the ton, the wives and daughters of titled nobles. A favorite dessert were tarts. Using a variety of fresh fruit, I have made a large tart and small mini hand tarts, more likely to be served at the traditional English tea. So traditional and still so delicious!