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Lynn Cullen’s latest historical fiction, The Woman with the Cure, is a gripping and powerful story inspired by the true story of Dr. Dorothy Horstmann, a female doctor who contributed significantly to the development of the polio vaccine. The novel is set in the 1940s and 50s when polio was a dreaded disease that had become a public health emergency, with many people becoming paralyzed or spending their time in iron lungs.
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In this review, I’ll take a closer look at what makes The Woman with the Cure such an engaging and thought-provoking read. From the historical context to the writing style to the characters and themes, I’ll go through some of the main elements that contribute to the book’s success.
Whether you’re already familiar with Cullen’s work or you’re a newcomer to her writing, you’ll find plenty to enjoy and appreciate in this latest offering. So settle in, grab a cup of tea, and let’s dive into The Woman with the Cure.
Dorothy Horstmann’s life and work
The central plot of the story follows Dorothy Horstmann, a tenacious woman who was rejected from Vanderbilt’s residency program in 1940 because she was a woman, and the program was given to a man. The novel highlights the challenges that women faced in the scientific community in those days, where they were not expected to be researchers or scientists.
Dorothy tirelessly worked alongside male scientists to find a cure for polio. Although she arrived at answers before they did, she remained mostly invisible, with her name left off articles when it should have come ahead of the men’s names.
Dorothy was presented with great compassion and empathy, and I really liked her as she is portrayed in this story. She was living and working in a man’s world, and those things can’t be taken away from her, even if the accolades went to those willing to grab them out of her hands. She was the daughter of immigrants, with a father who suffered a devastating illness that robbed him of his ability to provide for his family.
Her mother worked hard to take care of Dorothy, her disabled brother, and her sister, and that self-sacrificing, work oneself to the bone, frame of mind was taken up by Dorothy even though she felt like she didn’t know her mother very well.
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Writing style
The writing style is realistic and filled with facts, which makes the story even more fascinating. Cullen has done an excellent job of bringing the 1940s and 50s to life, with so many little things in the story that are almost shocking when placed against what we know and do today.
The book made me feel like I was watching one of those old 50s comedies, except this wasn’t a comedy, it was life and death, with polio winning the fight for way too long.
Lynn Cullen’s writing style is characterized by a rich, evocative prose that immerses readers in the historical periods and characters she depicts. She has a talent for vividly capturing the details of the past and bringing them to life on the page, creating a sense of authenticity and immediacy that draws readers in. Her writing is often described as poetic, lyrical, and lush, with a strong emphasis on sensory description and emotional nuance.
One of Cullen’s strengths is her ability to blend fact and fiction seamlessly. Her historical novels are meticulously researched, and she is careful to stay true to the historical record as much as possible. However, she also uses her imagination to fill in the gaps and create plausible fictional scenarios and characters that enhance the narrative. This blending of fact and fiction creates a compelling blend of history and storytelling that is both informative and entertaining.
Ethical considerations
The novel highlights the ethical considerations involved in scientific research and the race to find a cure for polio. The race was not a pretty one, often it was the loudest voice with the most monetary backing that got the attention. Dorothy wanted a cure to save lives, to rid the world of this devastating disease that took lives, paralyzed its living victims, and paralyzed parents with the fear that their children could be stricken.
Dorothy’s mission was to wipe out polio, and she was married to it. However, unless she gave up her profession, kids would not be in her future, whether she wanted them or not. It’s mentioned more than once that the male scientists could have wives to take care of the home, deal with social responsibilities, have and raise the kids, but Dorothy had to choose between her profession and motherhood.
The book also brings to light the contributions of successful women who were never allowed the credit they deserved. Dorothy’s theory, which could have saved many lives, went against the theory the scientific community thought at the time was correct.
It took over ten years and much more painstaking research for her hypothesis to be proven correct, and she had to share the credit with a man, David Bodian, who came up with this information years after she did.
Final thoughts
Overall, “The Woman with the Cure” by Lynn Cullen is a thought-provoking and inspiring novel that sheds light on the challenges faced by women in the field of science during the mid-20th century. Through her portrayal of Dr. Dorothy Horstmann, Cullen highlights the important role that women played in the fight against polio and the significant contributions they made to the development of the vaccine.
This book is a reminder of the power of perseverance and determination, and the important role that individuals, regardless of gender, play in shaping the course of history. It is a beautifully written tribute to Dr. Horstmann and all the other women who have been overlooked and undervalued throughout history, and a call to action for the recognition of their achievements.
I highly recommend “The Woman with the Cure” to anyone interested in history, science, and women’s studies. It is a captivating and emotional read that will leave you both informed and inspired.
I hope you enjoyed my book review for The Woman with the Cure by Lynn Cullen! And as always, I wish you happy reading! ❤️