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The Woman With the Cure
She gave up everything— and changed the world.
A riveting novel based on the true story of the woman who stopped a pandemic, from the bestselling author of Mrs. Poe.
In 1940s and ’50s America, polio is as dreaded as the atomic bomb. No one’s life is untouched by this disease that kills or paralyzes its victims, particularly children. Outbreaks of the virus across the country regularly put American cities in lockdown. Some of the world’s best minds are engaged in the race to find a vaccine. The man who succeeds will be a god.
But Dorothy Horstmann is not focused on beating her colleagues to the vaccine. She just wants the world to have a cure. Applying the same determination that lifted her from a humble background as the daughter of immigrants, to becoming a doctor –often the only woman in the room--she hunts down the monster where it lurks: in the blood.
This discovery of hers, and an error by a competitor, catapults her closest colleague to a lead in the race. When his chance to win comes on a worldwide scale, she is asked to sink or validate his vaccine—and to decide what is forgivable, and how much should be sacrificed, in pursuit of the cure.
A riveting novel based on the true story of the woman who stopped a pandemic, from the bestselling author of Mrs. Poe.
In 1940s and ’50s America, polio is as dreaded as the atomic bomb. No one’s life is untouched by this disease that kills or paralyzes its victims, particularly children. Outbreaks of the virus across the country regularly put American cities in lockdown. Some of the world’s best minds are engaged in the race to find a vaccine. The man who succeeds will be a god.
But Dorothy Horstmann is not focused on beating her colleagues to the vaccine. She just wants the world to have a cure. Applying the same determination that lifted her from a humble background as the daughter of immigrants, to becoming a doctor –often the only woman in the room--she hunts down the monster where it lurks: in the blood.
This discovery of hers, and an error by a competitor, catapults her closest colleague to a lead in the race. When his chance to win comes on a worldwide scale, she is asked to sink or validate his vaccine—and to decide what is forgivable, and how much should be sacrificed, in pursuit of the cure.
400 pages, Paperback
First published February 21, 2023
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February 21, 2023
The Woman with the Cure by Lynn Cullen
Although I'd heard of Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin, brilliant scientists racing each other to find a cure for polio, I'd not heard of Dorothy Horstmann until I read the synopsis of this book. I think the cover of this book is so fitting, showing a woman whose face is cut off by the top of the book. Dorothy worked alongside all the men searching for a cure, sometimes arriving at answers before they did, but she remained mostly invisible, her name left off articles when her name should have come ahead of the men's names. Another reason the cover is fitting is that Dorothy was 6'1", towering over most men, always hearing comments on her height, as if she should be as surprised as everyone else that she could be that tall. So tall that even the cover of a book couldn't fit all of her on it.
The thing is, while the men of her profession were in a race to beat each other in developing a vaccine for polio, Dorothy wanted a cure to save lives, to rid the world of this devastating disease that took lives, paralyzed it's living victims, and paralyzed parents with the fear that their children could be stricken. This story is fiction, based on the work of Horstmann, Salk, Sabin, and so many others, including successful women who never were allowed the credit they deserved. The story shows very well what it was like to live in the 40s and 50s, so many little things in the story are almost shocking when placed against what we know and do today. I felt 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.
Dorothy was the daughter of immigrants, with a father robbed of his ability to provide for his family after he suffered a devastating illness. Her mother worked hard to take care of Dorothy, her disabled brother, and her sister and I think 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 here mother very well. After all, Dorothy's mother was always working, a trait that Dorothy takes on and one that is a blockade to other areas of her life. It's mentioned more than once that the men scientists could have wives to take care of the home, deal with social responsibilities, have and raise the kids but unless Dorothy gave up her profession kids would not be in her future, whether she wanted them or not. But really, Dorothy was married to her mission and that was to wipe out polio.
Dorothy is 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, those things can't be taken away from her even if the accolades went to those willing to grab them out of her hands. The story made me want to know more about Dorothy and the other real people we meet in this book. So many egos are driven by the desire for fame and notoriety as opposed to making life better for humans (and animals). The race to cure polio is not a pretty one, often it's the loudest voice with the most monetary backing that gets the attention but I thought it was so very interesting as we follow Dorothy on this journey.
Pub: February 21, 2023
Thank you to Elisha at Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC.
Although I'd heard of Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin, brilliant scientists racing each other to find a cure for polio, I'd not heard of Dorothy Horstmann until I read the synopsis of this book. I think the cover of this book is so fitting, showing a woman whose face is cut off by the top of the book. Dorothy worked alongside all the men searching for a cure, sometimes arriving at answers before they did, but she remained mostly invisible, her name left off articles when her name should have come ahead of the men's names. Another reason the cover is fitting is that Dorothy was 6'1", towering over most men, always hearing comments on her height, as if she should be as surprised as everyone else that she could be that tall. So tall that even the cover of a book couldn't fit all of her on it.
The thing is, while the men of her profession were in a race to beat each other in developing a vaccine for polio, Dorothy wanted a cure to save lives, to rid the world of this devastating disease that took lives, paralyzed it's living victims, and paralyzed parents with the fear that their children could be stricken. This story is fiction, based on the work of Horstmann, Salk, Sabin, and so many others, including successful women who never were allowed the credit they deserved. The story shows very well what it was like to live in the 40s and 50s, so many little things in the story are almost shocking when placed against what we know and do today. I felt 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.
Dorothy was the daughter of immigrants, with a father robbed of his ability to provide for his family after he suffered a devastating illness. Her mother worked hard to take care of Dorothy, her disabled brother, and her sister and I think 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 here mother very well. After all, Dorothy's mother was always working, a trait that Dorothy takes on and one that is a blockade to other areas of her life. It's mentioned more than once that the men scientists could have wives to take care of the home, deal with social responsibilities, have and raise the kids but unless Dorothy gave up her profession kids would not be in her future, whether she wanted them or not. But really, Dorothy was married to her mission and that was to wipe out polio.
Dorothy is 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, those things can't be taken away from her even if the accolades went to those willing to grab them out of her hands. The story made me want to know more about Dorothy and the other real people we meet in this book. So many egos are driven by the desire for fame and notoriety as opposed to making life better for humans (and animals). The race to cure polio is not a pretty one, often it's the loudest voice with the most monetary backing that gets the attention but I thought it was so very interesting as we follow Dorothy on this journey.
Pub: February 21, 2023
Thank you to Elisha at Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC.
January 5, 2023
I usually don’t compare authors and often find publishers’ recommendations of the ‘perfect for fans of…” to be wildly off base. But I would definitely recommend The Woman with the Cure for fans of Marie Benedict.
Cullen has written about Dr. D. M. Horstmann, who helped arrive at a cure for polio.
The book is a vivid reminder of the devastation that polio brought to the country in the 1940s and 50s. And also a vivid reminder of how women were discounted - last to be hired, first to be fired, fighting to get even the slimmest credit for their ideas. Not just Horstmann, but Sister Kenny, an Australian nurse who came up with a better idea for treating those who developed polio and Dr. Jessie Wright, who used the rocking bed as a substitute to the iron lung.
It seems fitting that I’m reading this on the day that a study proved conclusively that women have more empathy than men. Because Dorothy was willing to put the good of the children ahead of her own prestige. I was engaged with her from the first pages of the book. Cullen does a great job of blending her personal life with her professional one. There’s a romantic angle but it never overtakes the main story.
Cullen switches between POVs and included a few side stories that I felt were unnecessary, especially that of Sabin’s wife. Flip side, I was glad that she found ways to include Isabel Morgan, Bernice Eddy and Elsie Ward.
It was interesting to learn that the “clinical trial” for Sabin’s vaccine were 77 million Russian children, for which Dorothy was the overseer. It just goes to show that countries on opposite ends of the political spectrum can work together for the good of the world. (It also was an interesting comment on what a dictatorship can get away with).
My thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for an advance copy of this book.
Cullen has written about Dr. D. M. Horstmann, who helped arrive at a cure for polio.
The book is a vivid reminder of the devastation that polio brought to the country in the 1940s and 50s. And also a vivid reminder of how women were discounted - last to be hired, first to be fired, fighting to get even the slimmest credit for their ideas. Not just Horstmann, but Sister Kenny, an Australian nurse who came up with a better idea for treating those who developed polio and Dr. Jessie Wright, who used the rocking bed as a substitute to the iron lung.
It seems fitting that I’m reading this on the day that a study proved conclusively that women have more empathy than men. Because Dorothy was willing to put the good of the children ahead of her own prestige. I was engaged with her from the first pages of the book. Cullen does a great job of blending her personal life with her professional one. There’s a romantic angle but it never overtakes the main story.
Cullen switches between POVs and included a few side stories that I felt were unnecessary, especially that of Sabin’s wife. Flip side, I was glad that she found ways to include Isabel Morgan, Bernice Eddy and Elsie Ward.
It was interesting to learn that the “clinical trial” for Sabin’s vaccine were 77 million Russian children, for which Dorothy was the overseer. It just goes to show that countries on opposite ends of the political spectrum can work together for the good of the world. (It also was an interesting comment on what a dictatorship can get away with).
My thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for an advance copy of this book.
June 20, 2025
Get ready for a wild ride through 1940s medicine, feminism & science with one of literature’s strongest heroines ever: Dorothy Horstmann from The Woman With The Cure! Mark your calendars for February 21st, 2023.
If you are like me, you love a good book about science. And if you are like me, you also love a good book about women who shattered barriers and overcame all odds. The Woman with the Cure by Lynn Cullen is both of those things, and more.
This beautifully written novel tells the story of Dorothy Horstmann, a woman who defied all expectations and became a successful doctor in 1940s and '50s America - when it was an incredibly difficult thing to do as a woman. What's even more impressive is that she did this in the face of polio, a disease that was feared just as much as the atomic bomb. Dorothy and her colleagues were on the forefront of the race to find a vaccine for polio.
This book is about more than just polio though; it’s about the many women of medicine who eventually erradicated it. It is a lyrical, striking portrayal of the human spirit in the face of adversity. It is hard to believe that these events actually happened, but they did, and Lynn Cullen has captured them beautifully.
This book is definitely worth the read. It is grueling at times, but nothing short of extraordinary. These women were truly stout hearted - they faced down disease and discrimination with equal determination.
The Woman with the Cure is a must read for anyone interested in science, history, or simply strong women characters. It's an absolutely amazing story, beautifully told. If you loved Lessons in Chemistry, you will adore this one.
Huge thanks to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy of this absolute gem.
If you are like me, you love a good book about science. And if you are like me, you also love a good book about women who shattered barriers and overcame all odds. The Woman with the Cure by Lynn Cullen is both of those things, and more.
This beautifully written novel tells the story of Dorothy Horstmann, a woman who defied all expectations and became a successful doctor in 1940s and '50s America - when it was an incredibly difficult thing to do as a woman. What's even more impressive is that she did this in the face of polio, a disease that was feared just as much as the atomic bomb. Dorothy and her colleagues were on the forefront of the race to find a vaccine for polio.
This book is about more than just polio though; it’s about the many women of medicine who eventually erradicated it. It is a lyrical, striking portrayal of the human spirit in the face of adversity. It is hard to believe that these events actually happened, but they did, and Lynn Cullen has captured them beautifully.
This book is definitely worth the read. It is grueling at times, but nothing short of extraordinary. These women were truly stout hearted - they faced down disease and discrimination with equal determination.
The Woman with the Cure is a must read for anyone interested in science, history, or simply strong women characters. It's an absolutely amazing story, beautifully told. If you loved Lessons in Chemistry, you will adore this one.
Huge thanks to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy of this absolute gem.
September 25, 2023
The Woman With the Cure brings the fascinating story of Dorothy Horstmann, whose research set the stage for the development of the polio vaccine.
I was looking forward to getting to know this incredible woman, but the story heavily focuses on interaction and dialogue. There is a lot of talk about bacteria, but not much about the woman who is the center of this story.
With this style of writing, I struggled to get attached to the character. Without that, I couldn’t get into the story, which is rich in medical research.
The story is very descriptive, and the main character is burden in all those descriptions. She doesn’t truly stand out in this story.
I was looking forward to getting to know this incredible woman, but the story heavily focuses on interaction and dialogue. There is a lot of talk about bacteria, but not much about the woman who is the center of this story.
With this style of writing, I struggled to get attached to the character. Without that, I couldn’t get into the story, which is rich in medical research.
The story is very descriptive, and the main character is burden in all those descriptions. She doesn’t truly stand out in this story.
February 28, 2023
During the last few years of a worldwide pandemic, I had Covid eight times and now have been diagnosed with Long Covid. I’m not saying that Covid is anything like polio, but the fear that I’ve felt during some really serious bouts and the long-term side effects I’m left with makes me very empathic to what the world must have gone through in the 1940s and 1950s before a vaccine was discovered.
⚕️ Horstmann is an inspiration for women everywhere. She was a daughter of immigrants with humble beginnings and faced that diversity head-on becoming a doctor. Dorothy has given up so much to find a cure for polio.
⚕️ A dedicated doctor in the 1940s–1950s she was instrumental in eradicating the polio virus, but in a man’s world she is an unsung hero. As I read Horstmann story, I couldn’t help but wonder how many women and minorities there are today that are still overshadowed by men in our society. It may be over seventy years later, but we still have a glass ceiling in some professions.
⚕️ Searching for a cure, she found that the polio virus travels through the bloodstream of its host. Her discovery was overlooked by her male counterparts fighting to be the first to uncover a vaccine. Unfortunately, these roadblocks caused many people to suffer and/or die that may have otherwise been saved.
⚕️ I couldn’t help but think of those that have/are doing research on Covid & Long Covid and how they might be struggling like the doctors in the 1940s. Hopefully, our doctors work better together today no matter what their race or sexual orientation is and a cure isn’t being overlooked.
🎧 @hillaryoutloud did a great job of differentiating the male/female voices and made it very easy to follow along.
⚕️ Horstmann is an inspiration for women everywhere. She was a daughter of immigrants with humble beginnings and faced that diversity head-on becoming a doctor. Dorothy has given up so much to find a cure for polio.
⚕️ A dedicated doctor in the 1940s–1950s she was instrumental in eradicating the polio virus, but in a man’s world she is an unsung hero. As I read Horstmann story, I couldn’t help but wonder how many women and minorities there are today that are still overshadowed by men in our society. It may be over seventy years later, but we still have a glass ceiling in some professions.
⚕️ Searching for a cure, she found that the polio virus travels through the bloodstream of its host. Her discovery was overlooked by her male counterparts fighting to be the first to uncover a vaccine. Unfortunately, these roadblocks caused many people to suffer and/or die that may have otherwise been saved.
⚕️ I couldn’t help but think of those that have/are doing research on Covid & Long Covid and how they might be struggling like the doctors in the 1940s. Hopefully, our doctors work better together today no matter what their race or sexual orientation is and a cure isn’t being overlooked.
🎧 @hillaryoutloud did a great job of differentiating the male/female voices and made it very easy to follow along.
March 10, 2023
*2.5 I so badly wanted to like this book. A badass woman in stem? Sign me up. But there was just so much unnecessary filler and the writing style was not for me. Skimmed the last third of the book.
June 2, 2024
The Woman with the Cure by Lynn Cullen is a historical novel that tells the story of Dr. Dorothy Horstmann. Dorothy is a pioneering virologist who played an important role in the development of the polio vaccine. This novel was well researched taking place during the 1940s and 1950s. During this time there was intense rivalry between scientists and breakthroughs. Especially when including a woman who will not take no for an answer. A woman who will not give up, sacrifices much and ventures into a “man’s world.” Strong female led book. Excellent!
March 1, 2023
In 1940s and 1950s America, polio is destroying lives, causing paralysis and death, especially to children. Some of the world’s best researchers are racing to find a cure and the scientific glory that comes with that. This is the story of one of those researchers, who happens to be a woman. Dorothy Horstmann, unlike the others, is not concerned with fame or glory. She is an epidemiologist who just wants to find a cure. Her race to prove that the polio virus exists in the blood will be an important step in finding that cure.
Told from the points of view of Dorothy and other underappreciated women in this fight, such as a nurse, a secretary, a mother, and a wife, this novel looks at Dorothy’s efforts in a unique way. The way the top male scientists are portrayed is shocking, as many are not only looking for a cure, but for money and celebrity. The opportunity to follow Dorothy’s work and her travels to various polio hotspots is fascinating. Dorothy herself is such an intriguing study. She truly wants a cure and knows as a woman she is not going to get accolades anyway. Her fight to be heard in a career field that dismissed women at that time is inspiring. The inside look at all of the science and politics involved in developing a vaccine is still relevant in the present time. This is a well-written, captivating look at a woman who would help find a polio vaccine and would eventually be the first tenured female professor at the Yale School of Medicine. Fans of science, history, and women’s fiction will love this fictional look at a real-life, underappreciated figure in medical and scientific history.
My review is 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 on sites with no half-star option.
I received a free copy of this book from Berkley Publishing via The Historical Novel Society. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
Told from the points of view of Dorothy and other underappreciated women in this fight, such as a nurse, a secretary, a mother, and a wife, this novel looks at Dorothy’s efforts in a unique way. The way the top male scientists are portrayed is shocking, as many are not only looking for a cure, but for money and celebrity. The opportunity to follow Dorothy’s work and her travels to various polio hotspots is fascinating. Dorothy herself is such an intriguing study. She truly wants a cure and knows as a woman she is not going to get accolades anyway. Her fight to be heard in a career field that dismissed women at that time is inspiring. The inside look at all of the science and politics involved in developing a vaccine is still relevant in the present time. This is a well-written, captivating look at a woman who would help find a polio vaccine and would eventually be the first tenured female professor at the Yale School of Medicine. Fans of science, history, and women’s fiction will love this fictional look at a real-life, underappreciated figure in medical and scientific history.
My review is 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 on sites with no half-star option.
I received a free copy of this book from Berkley Publishing via The Historical Novel Society. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
January 5, 2024
THE GOOD:
A fascinating look into the race against polio. Quite compelling reading. The devotion of these historical medical professionals, as portrayed in the novel, is profound.
THE BAD:
Inspired by true events, but due to the focus, or perspective, much had to be made up out of whole cloth.
The tale suffers a bit too much from a contemporary feminist view that all women are oppressed and the chip on the shoulder shows. Plus, included is the modern-day "diversity checklist" of packing in racism, (non-polio) disabilities, and same-sex (female) relationship references.
CONCLUSION:
All things considered, highly recommend. This is a period of history we should not forget.
A fascinating look into the race against polio. Quite compelling reading. The devotion of these historical medical professionals, as portrayed in the novel, is profound.
THE BAD:
Inspired by true events, but due to the focus, or perspective, much had to be made up out of whole cloth.
The tale suffers a bit too much from a contemporary feminist view that all women are oppressed and the chip on the shoulder shows. Plus, included is the modern-day "diversity checklist" of packing in racism, (non-polio) disabilities, and same-sex (female) relationship references.
CONCLUSION:
All things considered, highly recommend. This is a period of history we should not forget.
October 2, 2022
I blew through this book in less than 24 hours. A page-turner with heart + an amazing history lesson about a little-known woman who made major scientific contributions. One of my favorite books of the year.
March 26, 2023
The power of persistence, passion and fearlessness.
Telling the stories of pioneering, powerful, strong women is underrated and underrepresented in literature, I suppose sadly, it also reflects life. So it is fantastic to read about amazing women!
Cullen has done a brilliant job bringing to the fore the life of Dr Dorothy Holtsmann. Her fearless and dogged determination to find a cure for polio despite the societal adversities is inspiring. Her brilliance and sacrifice are motivation enough to read this documentary novel.
Excellent audio narration of a worthwhile, wonderful read.
Telling the stories of pioneering, powerful, strong women is underrated and underrepresented in literature, I suppose sadly, it also reflects life. So it is fantastic to read about amazing women!
Cullen has done a brilliant job bringing to the fore the life of Dr Dorothy Holtsmann. Her fearless and dogged determination to find a cure for polio despite the societal adversities is inspiring. Her brilliance and sacrifice are motivation enough to read this documentary novel.
Excellent audio narration of a worthwhile, wonderful read.
March 1, 2023
Clinical epidemiologist Dorothy Horstmann is determined to create a vaccine for polio.
I was fascinated by this true story based on the life of Dorothy Horstmann as she and her colleagues traveled around the world to study polio and find a cure. There was so much interesting information presented in this historical fiction novel, ranging from the immense seriousness of polio, iron lung machines, and strep to the origins of penicillin and the classic Candy Land board game. There was a touch of romance too with Arne who was kind and hilarious and quickly became one of my favorite characters. And, of course, a novel set in the 1940-60s wouldn't be complete without a bit of misogynism. Early in her work, Dorothy had a hunch that polio could be found in the bloodstream, but yet again like so many women before and after her, she was dismissed and undervalued by her male colleagues. I, however, was inspired by her grit and dedication to her work. After reading this, I feel thankful and grateful that creating a vaccine for COVID-19 didn't drag on for decades like it did for polio!
Lastly, if you enjoyed this book about a pandemic, then I would highly recommend the following:
• Wish You Were Here (5 stars) by Jodi Picoult (COVID-19)
• The Stolen Marriage (4 stars) by Diane Chamberlain (polio)
• As Bright as Heaven (4 stars) by Susan Meissner (1918 Spanish Flu)
• The Orphan Collector (4 stars) by Ellen Marie Wiseman (1918 Spanish Flu)
Location: Tennessee (Nashville), Connecticut (New Haven), Georgia (Warm Springs), North Carolina (Hickory), California (San Francisco), New Jersey (Paterson), New York City, Queen Mary, Denmark (Copenhagen), Pennsylvania (Hershey), Michigan (Detroit), Ohio (Cincinnati), and USSR (Moscow)
Additional notes I felt compelled to save but there are spoilers!
I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I was fascinated by this true story based on the life of Dorothy Horstmann as she and her colleagues traveled around the world to study polio and find a cure. There was so much interesting information presented in this historical fiction novel, ranging from the immense seriousness of polio, iron lung machines, and strep to the origins of penicillin and the classic Candy Land board game. There was a touch of romance too with Arne who was kind and hilarious and quickly became one of my favorite characters. And, of course, a novel set in the 1940-60s wouldn't be complete without a bit of misogynism. Early in her work, Dorothy had a hunch that polio could be found in the bloodstream, but yet again like so many women before and after her, she was dismissed and undervalued by her male colleagues. I, however, was inspired by her grit and dedication to her work. After reading this, I feel thankful and grateful that creating a vaccine for COVID-19 didn't drag on for decades like it did for polio!
Lastly, if you enjoyed this book about a pandemic, then I would highly recommend the following:
• Wish You Were Here (5 stars) by Jodi Picoult (COVID-19)
• The Stolen Marriage (4 stars) by Diane Chamberlain (polio)
• As Bright as Heaven (4 stars) by Susan Meissner (1918 Spanish Flu)
• The Orphan Collector (4 stars) by Ellen Marie Wiseman (1918 Spanish Flu)
Location: Tennessee (Nashville), Connecticut (New Haven), Georgia (Warm Springs), North Carolina (Hickory), California (San Francisco), New Jersey (Paterson), New York City, Queen Mary, Denmark (Copenhagen), Pennsylvania (Hershey), Michigan (Detroit), Ohio (Cincinnati), and USSR (Moscow)
Additional notes I felt compelled to save but there are spoilers!
I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
February 18, 2023
As someone who remembers lining up in grade school for a sugar cube containing the polio vaccine but not remembering anything about the cure except the name of Jonas Salk, I looked forward to reading The Woman With the Cure.
It's about time we all learned about the women scientists who played crucial roles in medicine and other fields. I certainly appreciated learning about Dr. Dorothy Horstmann, from her humble beginnings as the daughter of immigrants to highly regarded virologist and medical researcher. Reading what she had to deal with on a daily basis is more than enough to make a feminist out of any reader, and my growing impatience with the men she worked with must mean that we live in (at least slightly) more enlightened times.
Yes, the historical and medical parts of The Woman With the Cure were fascinating and kept me reading, but I found that the execution of the story made that difficult at times. The book could have used a bit more editing and tightening to make the story flow better, and what surprised me was that, although this is the type of story that should've had me totally engrossed and cheering Dorothy on, I never really felt engaged with it. So... The Woman With the Cure is an important story that deserves a better telling. However, I am glad that I now know so much more about the fight for the polio vaccine and about Dr. Dorothy Horstmann, who went on to combat rubella after polio was conquered.
(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)
It's about time we all learned about the women scientists who played crucial roles in medicine and other fields. I certainly appreciated learning about Dr. Dorothy Horstmann, from her humble beginnings as the daughter of immigrants to highly regarded virologist and medical researcher. Reading what she had to deal with on a daily basis is more than enough to make a feminist out of any reader, and my growing impatience with the men she worked with must mean that we live in (at least slightly) more enlightened times.
Yes, the historical and medical parts of The Woman With the Cure were fascinating and kept me reading, but I found that the execution of the story made that difficult at times. The book could have used a bit more editing and tightening to make the story flow better, and what surprised me was that, although this is the type of story that should've had me totally engrossed and cheering Dorothy on, I never really felt engaged with it. So... The Woman With the Cure is an important story that deserves a better telling. However, I am glad that I now know so much more about the fight for the polio vaccine and about Dr. Dorothy Horstmann, who went on to combat rubella after polio was conquered.
(Review copy courtesy of the publisher and Net Galley)
March 30, 2023
I get that this is a fiction. But to take a character and take a very renowned epidemiologist and doctor and scientist, and turned her into an insecure, weak woman, who is only yearning for love, and children is pathetic. It’s a disservice to Dorothy Horstmann. To also suggest fictionally, that the only way her male peers would have her in their field is because they were in love with her is also pathetic. All of these characters could’ve been written as the strong people that they were, both men and women. Every single woman was weak paranoid, looking for love, thinking that their husbands were having an affair with Dorothy, because she was the only woman that worked with them. It was ridiculous and Lynn Cullen should stick to writing cheesy romantic books.
January 20, 2024
When I was an infant, I had a fever one summer's day and then drooped and wilted over the next few days. My mother was terrified that I had polio. There were so many stories: a friend of hers who contacted bulbar polio right before her wedding and was buried in her wedding gown, the young professional who eventually could use one arm and many more. I remember standing in line in 1960 to get a sugar cube. The line ran out of the high school, across the campus and into a market parking lot.
This is a terrific book. It's a historical novel so a mix of crafted story and verifiable occurrences. Most of us know about the Salk vaccine and the Sabin vaccine, with most of the focus on those two men. They're certainly in the story but the main character, a real scientist and doctor, was the one who first found virus in the blood which paved the way for vaccine development. Prior to Dr. Horstmann's work no one knew how the virus got into the nervous system and how it could be targeted. Her story is here: a woman's difficulty in finding a job where she could use her training, the lack of respect for professional women, her job loss due to funding cuts, the reluctance to make her more than an adjunct professor. And still, she persevered. There are other women in this story, too. Isabel Morgan and Elsie Ward and Bernice Eddy and Sister Elizabeth Kenny and Dr. Jessie Wright and Barbara Johnson and Eleanor Abbott who invented Candy Land to entertain children in iron lungs and wheelchairs during the days of their hospitalization.
Well written, fascinating to read, compelling story, this book is highly recommended.
This is a terrific book. It's a historical novel so a mix of crafted story and verifiable occurrences. Most of us know about the Salk vaccine and the Sabin vaccine, with most of the focus on those two men. They're certainly in the story but the main character, a real scientist and doctor, was the one who first found virus in the blood which paved the way for vaccine development. Prior to Dr. Horstmann's work no one knew how the virus got into the nervous system and how it could be targeted. Her story is here: a woman's difficulty in finding a job where she could use her training, the lack of respect for professional women, her job loss due to funding cuts, the reluctance to make her more than an adjunct professor. And still, she persevered. There are other women in this story, too. Isabel Morgan and Elsie Ward and Bernice Eddy and Sister Elizabeth Kenny and Dr. Jessie Wright and Barbara Johnson and Eleanor Abbott who invented Candy Land to entertain children in iron lungs and wheelchairs during the days of their hospitalization.
Well written, fascinating to read, compelling story, this book is highly recommended.
February 23, 2023
The Woman With the Cure is a fictionalized biography of Dorothy Horstmann who made great sacrifices to develop a vaccine for polio.
In the 1940s and 1950s, America (and the world) is battling Polio, and the best scientists are in a race to find a vaccine. While her male colleagues are in a race to be first, Dorothy Horstmann is deeply concerned for the children who are suffering. She has her own suspicions and ideas of where the virus lurks, but the men overlook her. The Woman With the Cure highlights the scientist who sacrificed and worked relentlessly for the cure but didn’t receive recognition.
Through the efforts of historical fiction authors, women who have been unrecognized for their contributions are receiving attention. I love this about histfic and I admire the authors who are committed to purposeful and informative stories like this one based on real women. (I have a post highlighting similar books coming in March)
The process of developing a polio vaccine is interesting content in light of our recent success in the development of a vaccine for COVID-19 (please, no political comments!). My mother tells stories of the fear of contracting polio for years when she was young. I’m old enough to remember going down to the local school to get my sugar cubes! It’s always interesting to read about times that you and/or your parents have experienced. At the same time, it’s also disconcerting that my childhood is now considered historical fiction! LOL
At a time when women had difficulty gaining acceptance to medical school, Dorothy Horstmann would not be deterred. The story highlights her journey to become a doctor and the first female professor at Yale School of Medicine as well as her important contributions in vaccine development. Yet she was basically invisible. It’s interesting that such a tall, brilliant woman would be invisible! Her name should have been listed on articles along with the men (or even ahead of the men). Very few men listened to her unique idea that the polio virus lurked in the blood.
Yes, there’s a great deal of science in this story. Some might find it dry for that reason and others might find it fascinating and informative. I admit skimming over some of the technical parts; yet, I found her story inspiring and intriguing.
I Wish…Strictly a personal opinion here….I wish authors could restrain themselves from imposing modern day feminist thought on the past. In this story, Cullen goes out of her way to place Horstmann in Times Square when the iconic picture is taken of a soldier kissing a stranger on V-J Day. Of course, Horstmann interprets this as the aggressive action of a man kissing a woman without consent. *Insert eye-roll here*
This is a story I appreciate for its historical content, and I recommend it for readers interested in science, medicine, and public health. Fans of stories about strong women breaking barriers will also enjoy this. Books clubs will find this highly discussable.
Thanks #NetGalley @BerkleyPub #BerkelyWritesStrongWomen #BerkleyBuddyReads for a complimentary e ARC of #TheWomanWithTheCure upon my request. All opinions are my own.
For more reviews visit my blog www.readingladies.com where this review was first published.
In the 1940s and 1950s, America (and the world) is battling Polio, and the best scientists are in a race to find a vaccine. While her male colleagues are in a race to be first, Dorothy Horstmann is deeply concerned for the children who are suffering. She has her own suspicions and ideas of where the virus lurks, but the men overlook her. The Woman With the Cure highlights the scientist who sacrificed and worked relentlessly for the cure but didn’t receive recognition.
Through the efforts of historical fiction authors, women who have been unrecognized for their contributions are receiving attention. I love this about histfic and I admire the authors who are committed to purposeful and informative stories like this one based on real women. (I have a post highlighting similar books coming in March)
The process of developing a polio vaccine is interesting content in light of our recent success in the development of a vaccine for COVID-19 (please, no political comments!). My mother tells stories of the fear of contracting polio for years when she was young. I’m old enough to remember going down to the local school to get my sugar cubes! It’s always interesting to read about times that you and/or your parents have experienced. At the same time, it’s also disconcerting that my childhood is now considered historical fiction! LOL
At a time when women had difficulty gaining acceptance to medical school, Dorothy Horstmann would not be deterred. The story highlights her journey to become a doctor and the first female professor at Yale School of Medicine as well as her important contributions in vaccine development. Yet she was basically invisible. It’s interesting that such a tall, brilliant woman would be invisible! Her name should have been listed on articles along with the men (or even ahead of the men). Very few men listened to her unique idea that the polio virus lurked in the blood.
Yes, there’s a great deal of science in this story. Some might find it dry for that reason and others might find it fascinating and informative. I admit skimming over some of the technical parts; yet, I found her story inspiring and intriguing.
I Wish…Strictly a personal opinion here….I wish authors could restrain themselves from imposing modern day feminist thought on the past. In this story, Cullen goes out of her way to place Horstmann in Times Square when the iconic picture is taken of a soldier kissing a stranger on V-J Day. Of course, Horstmann interprets this as the aggressive action of a man kissing a woman without consent. *Insert eye-roll here*
This is a story I appreciate for its historical content, and I recommend it for readers interested in science, medicine, and public health. Fans of stories about strong women breaking barriers will also enjoy this. Books clubs will find this highly discussable.
Thanks #NetGalley @BerkleyPub #BerkelyWritesStrongWomen #BerkleyBuddyReads for a complimentary e ARC of #TheWomanWithTheCure upon my request. All opinions are my own.
For more reviews visit my blog www.readingladies.com where this review was first published.
February 21, 2023
A fascinating story about the race for a polio vaccine with a kick ass woman protagonist.
This amazing story follows Dr. Dorothy Horstmann for over 20 years from the early 1940s to the 1960s. She was brilliant and resilient, so dedicated to her research to fight polio.
I am always in awe of the courageous women of our past who had to fight their way to be successful in a man's world. Although inequities remain, we are blessed to be able to work while being married with or without children. The lack of respect for women in the professional world in years past always leaves me speechless.
I personally didn't know much about polio, and I'm embarrassed to say I didn't realize it was plaguing our nation during WWII. Seriously, how did people emotionally survive with the war going on while being petrified of a virus. I really think we couldn't handle that as a nation, or even a world, today.
The author's note was a great final touch.
Although the main characters were based on real people, their stories were a work of fiction. I do wish the character development was a bit more robust. Although not a biography, it reads more like a biography than fiction. Written to share facts more than to entertain.
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thank you berkleypub, netgalley and prhaudio for my gifted ebook and audiobook
This amazing story follows Dr. Dorothy Horstmann for over 20 years from the early 1940s to the 1960s. She was brilliant and resilient, so dedicated to her research to fight polio.
I am always in awe of the courageous women of our past who had to fight their way to be successful in a man's world. Although inequities remain, we are blessed to be able to work while being married with or without children. The lack of respect for women in the professional world in years past always leaves me speechless.
I personally didn't know much about polio, and I'm embarrassed to say I didn't realize it was plaguing our nation during WWII. Seriously, how did people emotionally survive with the war going on while being petrified of a virus. I really think we couldn't handle that as a nation, or even a world, today.
The author's note was a great final touch.
Although the main characters were based on real people, their stories were a work of fiction. I do wish the character development was a bit more robust. Although not a biography, it reads more like a biography than fiction. Written to share facts more than to entertain.
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thank you berkleypub, netgalley and prhaudio for my gifted ebook and audiobook
June 16, 2024
This was a fascinating historical fiction about the years of work to conquer polio. Very, very interesting!
January 29, 2023
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
The Woman with the Cure has a great concept, exploring the race to create a polio vaccine from the perspective of Dorothy Horstmann, a woman who played an instrumental role, but who has gone largely uncelebrated compared to her male colleagues, which was an unfortunate reality for women in science in the past. And I also appreciate the author’s hindsight, exploring this time period while living through the COVID-19 pandemic, presenting a challenge for readers to draw parallels between the past and today.
But I don’t know that this story lends itself well to a novel structure, at least not in a way that personally keeps me engaged. I’ve often struggled with historical fiction that takes place over long periods of time, and the issue here is that there’s a long timeline of work that goes into the creation of the polio vaccine. With each passing year, the story just dragged on and on, and my investment flagged.
The writing style also didn’t give me a sense of intimacy with the characters either, so while the story attempted to incorporate stuff from Dorothy’s personal life, I just didn’t care. She goes through some romantic and domestic dramas, but it was all so forgettable.
While this book didn’t work for me, my opinion is definitely in the minority. If you enjoy biographical historical fiction, you might enjoy it more than I did.
The Woman with the Cure has a great concept, exploring the race to create a polio vaccine from the perspective of Dorothy Horstmann, a woman who played an instrumental role, but who has gone largely uncelebrated compared to her male colleagues, which was an unfortunate reality for women in science in the past. And I also appreciate the author’s hindsight, exploring this time period while living through the COVID-19 pandemic, presenting a challenge for readers to draw parallels between the past and today.
But I don’t know that this story lends itself well to a novel structure, at least not in a way that personally keeps me engaged. I’ve often struggled with historical fiction that takes place over long periods of time, and the issue here is that there’s a long timeline of work that goes into the creation of the polio vaccine. With each passing year, the story just dragged on and on, and my investment flagged.
The writing style also didn’t give me a sense of intimacy with the characters either, so while the story attempted to incorporate stuff from Dorothy’s personal life, I just didn’t care. She goes through some romantic and domestic dramas, but it was all so forgettable.
While this book didn’t work for me, my opinion is definitely in the minority. If you enjoy biographical historical fiction, you might enjoy it more than I did.
February 28, 2023
This novel was absolutely fascinating. A virus that had doctors stumped in the 40’s, and the woman behind the cure. Sounds like Covid, but it was Polio. Dorothy Horstmann goes to medical school and is looking for a job in the medical field. When she gets a job, she has to prove herself over and over. The last thing you expect is to have a male colleague steal your work, because woman are in the wrong field.
Cullen has meticulously done her research on this amazing woman. Dorothy Horstmann was an American epidemiologist, virologist, and pediatrician whose research on the spread of the poliovirus helped set the stage for the polio vaccine.
Cullen has meticulously done her research on this amazing woman. Dorothy Horstmann was an American epidemiologist, virologist, and pediatrician whose research on the spread of the poliovirus helped set the stage for the polio vaccine.
February 23, 2023
Author Lynn Cullen has penned a number of historical fiction novels, but I think the one she is best known for is Mrs Poe. I love Poe so naturally I wanted to read Mrs Poe when it came out. I loved it and was so excited to see what other books Cullen put out. Since I read that book, she had come out with a number of other novels, but I think that Mrs Poe remains her most well known book.
I love how well researched Cullen’s novels are and she often takes the untold, behind the scenes stories of unknown figures in famous people’s lives and brings them out of the shadows and into the light. She has written books not only about Poe, but also about Mark Twain, Rembrandt, and Michelangelo all from the perspective of characters in their orbit. If you are a fan of historical fiction, there is no doubt Lynn Cullen is on your radar already but if for some reason you haven’t heard of her then you need to check out her books!
When this one came across my desk for review, I couldn’t pass on it. It just sounded too good! Plus while it might be a piece of historical fiction, it could also have modern relevance as this book features a pandemic. I mean how much more relatable can you get with that? I have never actually heard of Dorothy Horstmann, so I was eager to read more about this woman and see how she impacted the world with her knowledge and research.
This book was excellent. Part of me had some reservations. I am not a huge science person and I was worried that some terms or figures might go over my head. I had similar fears with the film, Hidden Figures, which I ended up loving, while I had some reservations they were unfounded. Cullen does a great job presenting the story of a brilliant scientist and doctor who developed a cure for polio, a complex virus. I didn’t know much about polio so learning about it through an approachable medium was really beneficial and helpful for me. I loved how presentable all the history and science was in this book. It wasn’t overwhelming and it was all very interesting, this is one of the reasons I love reading, you get to learn something new with every book!
I also loved the story and message this book sent. Dorothy Horstmann was a woman ahead of her time. She worked hard and was focused solely on patient care and how to cure sick people. She didn’t get caught up in her ego or the politics of science. She was a woman breaking barriers and the mould for what a woman ‘should be’ and I thought her story would really resonate with modern readers. Especially with the STEM angle. There have been a lot of books in recent years about STEM (STEM romances, STEM mysteries etc) all of the books note how hard it is for women in science. I really loved how this book showed that historically women struggled in STEM fields but for those pioneers, they never gave up. This was an excellent read and modern readers will find a kindred spirit in Dorothy Horstmann.
Sometimes it can be difficult to balance historical fiction with research, character development, and pacing. Cullen flawlessly weaves them all together. The book has great pacing and presents well researched facts without feeling like a history book. And getting to know the characters and their own individual stories worked seamlessly in the story. Dorothy Horstmann is a character readers can look up to and cheer for. I adored reading this story and I cannot wait for more of Cullen’s books. In fact I downloaded two others! So far this is one of my favorite books of 2023 and it shouldn’t be missed. Don’t let the STEM portion intimidate you, Cullen is a master storyteller and you will not be disappointed!
I love how well researched Cullen’s novels are and she often takes the untold, behind the scenes stories of unknown figures in famous people’s lives and brings them out of the shadows and into the light. She has written books not only about Poe, but also about Mark Twain, Rembrandt, and Michelangelo all from the perspective of characters in their orbit. If you are a fan of historical fiction, there is no doubt Lynn Cullen is on your radar already but if for some reason you haven’t heard of her then you need to check out her books!
When this one came across my desk for review, I couldn’t pass on it. It just sounded too good! Plus while it might be a piece of historical fiction, it could also have modern relevance as this book features a pandemic. I mean how much more relatable can you get with that? I have never actually heard of Dorothy Horstmann, so I was eager to read more about this woman and see how she impacted the world with her knowledge and research.
This book was excellent. Part of me had some reservations. I am not a huge science person and I was worried that some terms or figures might go over my head. I had similar fears with the film, Hidden Figures, which I ended up loving, while I had some reservations they were unfounded. Cullen does a great job presenting the story of a brilliant scientist and doctor who developed a cure for polio, a complex virus. I didn’t know much about polio so learning about it through an approachable medium was really beneficial and helpful for me. I loved how presentable all the history and science was in this book. It wasn’t overwhelming and it was all very interesting, this is one of the reasons I love reading, you get to learn something new with every book!
I also loved the story and message this book sent. Dorothy Horstmann was a woman ahead of her time. She worked hard and was focused solely on patient care and how to cure sick people. She didn’t get caught up in her ego or the politics of science. She was a woman breaking barriers and the mould for what a woman ‘should be’ and I thought her story would really resonate with modern readers. Especially with the STEM angle. There have been a lot of books in recent years about STEM (STEM romances, STEM mysteries etc) all of the books note how hard it is for women in science. I really loved how this book showed that historically women struggled in STEM fields but for those pioneers, they never gave up. This was an excellent read and modern readers will find a kindred spirit in Dorothy Horstmann.
Sometimes it can be difficult to balance historical fiction with research, character development, and pacing. Cullen flawlessly weaves them all together. The book has great pacing and presents well researched facts without feeling like a history book. And getting to know the characters and their own individual stories worked seamlessly in the story. Dorothy Horstmann is a character readers can look up to and cheer for. I adored reading this story and I cannot wait for more of Cullen’s books. In fact I downloaded two others! So far this is one of my favorite books of 2023 and it shouldn’t be missed. Don’t let the STEM portion intimidate you, Cullen is a master storyteller and you will not be disappointed!
March 2, 2023
Over six feet tall, and one of the strongest, female protagonist I have read in a long time. In fact, if not fighting for the vaccine for the polio virus, Dorothy Horstmann had to fight against people who do not take what she did seriously. All they see is her height, her past, and the fact that she is a woman, often the only woman in the room.
But Dorothy puts her life, her fears, her desires, all behind her with a single goal in mind. Not only does she want to find the vaccine to stop the polio virus, but she wants to beat her colleagues, most notably, all whom are male. There is one scene in this book that made me appreciate how hard Dorothy had to fight. There was a meeting of the minds when they were getting close to a vaccine and one of the doctors turned to her and said “Dorothy, is there coffee”? How demeaning!
Dorothy was much more than a doctor, however, she was a brilliant scientist, one who really sensed where polio was hiding in the human body. Will she be the first one to create the vaccine or will she have to support one of her male counterparts? Then it becomes a question of does it really matter who is first, as long as countless children stop dying or suffering unspeakable injuries to their little bodies?
Considering where we are in the stream of time with Covid not being completely wiped off of the map, especially with people still suffering with different types of Covid, including Long Covid, reading a book about stopping a pandemic took my breath away more than once.
It should come to no surprise that there were two very noticeable names in this book, those of Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin. Anyone like me who remembers science from school will remember those names. It was very interesting to see their roles in this book alongside Dorothy in her fight for what she knew would only be a vaccine and not a cure. Time after time, history places women in the background, making them rather invisible when they are meeting the same achievements as their male coworkers, and that was truly the case with Dorothy Horstmann.
I love that Lynn Cullen showed her tremendous research into the life of the real-life epidemiologist and pediatrician who fought for the discovery of the vaccine. She was a stellar historical figure whom this author has given great attention to in this amazing book. I would like to offer this link that shows how extensive Ms. Cullen’s research was for this book, https://lithub.com/research-id-rather...
While this may be a fictional story, the fact that it is based on a real life historical figure, and the amazing work she did, it goes a long way to give credit to successful women like Dorothy Horstmann. While Covid has taken the lives of millions, the numbers do not match with polio. However, at the time when polio was most rampant, during the 1940s and 1950s when its peak hit hard, and hit suddenly, the devastating effect on the lives of children and their parents made discovering a vaccine incredibly necessary. How can we not be reminded of the fight to find effective vaccines for Covid today?
This amazing book has had a powerful impact on me, and makes me want to look up more women in history, whether medical, space, aviation, or other vocations, where they get pushed behind the accolades of men. Kudos to Lynn Cullen for placing this magnificent book in the hands of its readers.
Many thanks to Berkley Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
But Dorothy puts her life, her fears, her desires, all behind her with a single goal in mind. Not only does she want to find the vaccine to stop the polio virus, but she wants to beat her colleagues, most notably, all whom are male. There is one scene in this book that made me appreciate how hard Dorothy had to fight. There was a meeting of the minds when they were getting close to a vaccine and one of the doctors turned to her and said “Dorothy, is there coffee”? How demeaning!
Dorothy was much more than a doctor, however, she was a brilliant scientist, one who really sensed where polio was hiding in the human body. Will she be the first one to create the vaccine or will she have to support one of her male counterparts? Then it becomes a question of does it really matter who is first, as long as countless children stop dying or suffering unspeakable injuries to their little bodies?
Considering where we are in the stream of time with Covid not being completely wiped off of the map, especially with people still suffering with different types of Covid, including Long Covid, reading a book about stopping a pandemic took my breath away more than once.
It should come to no surprise that there were two very noticeable names in this book, those of Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin. Anyone like me who remembers science from school will remember those names. It was very interesting to see their roles in this book alongside Dorothy in her fight for what she knew would only be a vaccine and not a cure. Time after time, history places women in the background, making them rather invisible when they are meeting the same achievements as their male coworkers, and that was truly the case with Dorothy Horstmann.
I love that Lynn Cullen showed her tremendous research into the life of the real-life epidemiologist and pediatrician who fought for the discovery of the vaccine. She was a stellar historical figure whom this author has given great attention to in this amazing book. I would like to offer this link that shows how extensive Ms. Cullen’s research was for this book, https://lithub.com/research-id-rather...
While this may be a fictional story, the fact that it is based on a real life historical figure, and the amazing work she did, it goes a long way to give credit to successful women like Dorothy Horstmann. While Covid has taken the lives of millions, the numbers do not match with polio. However, at the time when polio was most rampant, during the 1940s and 1950s when its peak hit hard, and hit suddenly, the devastating effect on the lives of children and their parents made discovering a vaccine incredibly necessary. How can we not be reminded of the fight to find effective vaccines for Covid today?
This amazing book has had a powerful impact on me, and makes me want to look up more women in history, whether medical, space, aviation, or other vocations, where they get pushed behind the accolades of men. Kudos to Lynn Cullen for placing this magnificent book in the hands of its readers.
Many thanks to Berkley Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
March 22, 2023
This was a fascinating historical fiction account of the work that went behind finding a polio vaccine told from the perspective of Dorothy Horstmann, one of the women who played a key role in helping beat the virus.
Set in the 1940s and 50s, we get a really good sense of the sexism of the medical community at the time and how urgent finding a vaccine was, particularly the risks that went into the work as the world was gripped in yet another pandemic!
Great on audio narrated by Hillary Huber and recommended for fans of books like The lobotomist's wife by Samantha Greene Woodruff or Her hidden genius by Marie Benedict. A perfect read for Women's history month too!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
Set in the 1940s and 50s, we get a really good sense of the sexism of the medical community at the time and how urgent finding a vaccine was, particularly the risks that went into the work as the world was gripped in yet another pandemic!
Great on audio narrated by Hillary Huber and recommended for fans of books like The lobotomist's wife by Samantha Greene Woodruff or Her hidden genius by Marie Benedict. A perfect read for Women's history month too!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
October 28, 2022
I loved the main character,Dorte, all 6 feet of her.She tried so valiantly to find a cure for Polio with all the backlash from the men scientists. This book was so well written , characters flow and story line just wants one to read on! Thank you Lynn Cullen for writing this historical novel and the publisher Berkeley Publishing.Group . Scientists Salk and Sabin , and unknown scientist Dorothy do find a cite for Polio but Dorothy’s name is never mentioned in all the credits, that was the era sadly. Finally in this book her story is told!
February 12, 2023
Four and a Half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭒
The Woman with the Cure by Lynn Cullen is a historical fiction novel that follows the race for the cure for Polio. It highlights the unknown work of the women who worked towards the cure but did not get credit for any of their work.
Story Recap:
In the 1940s and 1950s, the world is in fear of Polio, a dreaded disease that struck down mostly children. The cause is unknown, and so is the cure.
Dorothy Horstmann started researching polio as a young doctor. One of the rare women doctors of her time, she was devastated to see so many young children suffering so much from this horrible disease. Dorothy is determined to do what she can to find a cure. Her male colleagues are more concerned with “being the first” to find the cure, but Dorothy just wants to find a way to destroy the disease.
My Thoughts:
I was a bit worried that this book would have a lot of science and medical terms in it, and it does, but the author does a wonderful job of simplifying the science, which allowed me to follow the story without having to look up terms and words all the time. Her writing is surprisingly easy to read and very straightforward, even with all the scientific jargon.
The first part of the book covers the horrors of polio, making the reader aware of the disease and its devastating effects on children and parents everywhere. This part was difficult to read at times, but necessary to demonstrate the horrific way the disease destroyed families everywhere. Then the search for the cure takes over and that part of the book was fascinating.
The men were in a race to see who could discover the cure first, and Dorothy was in a race to save the children. Dorothy was such a fascinating character and so devoted to finding the cure.
Recommendation:
I highly recommend The Woman With the Cure to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The Woman with the Cure by Lynn Cullen is a historical fiction novel that follows the race for the cure for Polio. It highlights the unknown work of the women who worked towards the cure but did not get credit for any of their work.
Story Recap:
In the 1940s and 1950s, the world is in fear of Polio, a dreaded disease that struck down mostly children. The cause is unknown, and so is the cure.
Dorothy Horstmann started researching polio as a young doctor. One of the rare women doctors of her time, she was devastated to see so many young children suffering so much from this horrible disease. Dorothy is determined to do what she can to find a cure. Her male colleagues are more concerned with “being the first” to find the cure, but Dorothy just wants to find a way to destroy the disease.
My Thoughts:
I was a bit worried that this book would have a lot of science and medical terms in it, and it does, but the author does a wonderful job of simplifying the science, which allowed me to follow the story without having to look up terms and words all the time. Her writing is surprisingly easy to read and very straightforward, even with all the scientific jargon.
The first part of the book covers the horrors of polio, making the reader aware of the disease and its devastating effects on children and parents everywhere. This part was difficult to read at times, but necessary to demonstrate the horrific way the disease destroyed families everywhere. Then the search for the cure takes over and that part of the book was fascinating.
The men were in a race to see who could discover the cure first, and Dorothy was in a race to save the children. Dorothy was such a fascinating character and so devoted to finding the cure.
Recommendation:
I highly recommend The Woman With the Cure to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 1, 2023
A great story, based on sound research. The fictional (but oh so true) story of the race to find a vaccine for Polio and, more particularly, the untold story of the women behind the research. Women like Dr Dorothy Horstmann, who dedicated decades of her life to the research that underpinned the vaccines of Salk and Sabin.
This is a novel that is both inspiring and anger inducing in its portrayal of these dedicated women and the way society, and the medical profession they inhabited, treated them.
A well written, good read.
This is a novel that is both inspiring and anger inducing in its portrayal of these dedicated women and the way society, and the medical profession they inhabited, treated them.
A well written, good read.
January 14, 2024
Couldn't finish. Not complete sentences, but more like scattered thoughts when highly intoxicated. Disappointed.
March 21, 2023
An easy 5 stars!! My dad sent me this book as a little surprise in the mail a couple weeks ago. He picked this one perfectly for me, I really loved it. Kind of like historical fiction but surrounding the hunt for the polio vaccine. It was fun reading the author’s versions of the scientists and their backstories. I did not realize how long polio was devastating communities before the vax came along- decades and decades. Really fascinating perspective from one of the female scientists at the forefront of polio research, and the unsurprisingly difficult fight to have her voice heard in the male-dominated field.
December 6, 2024
2,5 Sterne
March 10, 2023
If you love Marie Benedict's stories centered around women in science that aren't talked about in history books, this one is for you.
I absolutely loved this.
I absolutely loved this.
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