I’m especially excited to feature The Solitary Sparrow by Lorraine Norwood Book 1 of 1: The Margaret Chronicles thanks to Kate Rock Book Tours.
Lorraine Norwood
Publication date: 2/27/2024
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Genre: Historical Fiction
My Review
This amazing debut novel takes readers back into medieval times and brings to life all aspects of 14th century Europe–especially what life was like for women. Readers meet Meg who was born with facial deformities and is shunned by everyone and left to fend for herself practically since birth. A healer named Alice decides to take Meg under her wing as Alice’s apprentice. Meg learns all she can and is determined to become a medical doctor even in the face of terrible prejudices and treatments for society.
This was a meticulously researched saga from beginning to end and we followed Meg from England to France with a cast of characters that kept me on my toes. It does not shy away from the harsh realities of this time and I found myself unable to look away while also so glad I didn’t live back then. My understanding is that this is the first of a trilogy and readers can trust they are in good hands with Norwood.
About the Book
TOO MANY WOMEN ARE DYING.
SHE CAN SAVE THEM.
BUT FIRST SHE MUST CHANGE HER DESTINY.
In 14th century England, Meg of St Michael’s Mead is reviled and feared, beaten and shunned.
Branded The Devil’s Daughter due to a birth deformity, her future changes when the village wise woman teaches her the ancient ways of healing. After she witnesses a shocking birth, Meg finds her true calling. Despite her disfigurement, her gender, and her lack of education, she vows to become England’s first licensed doctor of physik. Her goal—to treat female patients with the respect and care they deserve.
She meets William of Oxford, a cantankerous surgeon who chooses her as an apprentice, but first she must agree to keep a secret—William and his son Gerard are performing illegal dissections and she is required to assist them. As Meg and Gerard work together, their mutual respect grows to love.
Meg soon runs afoul of universities that won’t accept her, religious extremists whose rules govern women’s bodies, and male doctors who viciously fight against the licensure of women.
Meg also makes an enemy of the Queen of England who accuses her of treason. Forced to flee to Montpellier, France, Meg attempts another path to medicine only to be told that women should marry, stay at home, and please their husbands. Meg refuses to conform. When a deadly epidemic breaks out in Montpellier, Meg has one last chance to prove herself, but at the risk of losing Gerard, the love of her life.
A story of one woman’s courage and persistence, this captivating tale follows Meg’s arduous journey of overcoming prejudice and adversity as she battles societal expectations amidst the specter of a lethal epidemic. THE SOLITARY SPARROW will appeal to fans of strong female protagonists in historical fiction.
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Publisher Information
@LorraineNorwoodWrites @Katerockbooktours @AtmospherePress #TheSolitarySparrow #HistoricalFiction #14thcentury #LorraineNorwood #BookstagramTour #KateRockBookTours #TheMargaretChronicles
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