Book Review: Anatomy

Author: Dana Schwartz

Series: The Anatomy Duology #1

Pages: 288, paperback

Pub date: 19/1/2022

Rating: 4/5

"It was an impossible situation, a trick of society as a whole: force women to live at the mercy of whichever man wants them but shame them for anything they might do to get a man to want them."

Set in 19th century Edinburgh, this historical gothic romance is guaranteed to make you look at Anatomy in a different light.

Hazel Sinnett is not your typical 16 year-old noble girl. Instead of spending her days dreaming of balls and extravagant gowns, she flips through the pages of Dr. Beecham's Treatise on Anatomy, despite knowing the book from cover to cover. You see, Hazel is destined to become a surgeon. Simple as is. And she is willing to do anything to achieve her dream.

Atmospheric, romantic and unconventional, this book has a little bit of everything, with Edinburgh being the ideal setting for a gothic romance. Hazel is a woman ahead of her time, uninterested in upholding the appropriate etiquette of her noble status and possessing a gift for science that most of her peers would kill for.

Throughout the book, there is a constant discussion of societal restrictions and prohibitions that women faced during the 19th century, and -alarmingly so- Hazel's struggles all but resonate with today's audience, as equality in the academic and work spaces is a privilege few, if any, women are privy to. Many doors were closed, because she was a woman, as she mentions in the book.

The romance is a note of fresh air among the grime and blood of the surgical table. Captivating, pure and born out of admiration, between two people with completely different backgrounds but hearts that synced at first glance. I loved how proud Jack was of everything Hasel achieved and how fascinated he was by her mind, abilities and resilience. He offered support instead of critisism, without vanity or envy, was actively hewr biggest fan. And we love him for it!

This book was immersive, pleasant and dreamy and I hope so will be the sequel.

It deserves a mood board & a playlist, and I hope you enjoy both!

Favourite quotes

"My heart is yours, Hazel Sinnett," Jack said. "Forever. Beating or still."

"Be patient, be silent, be beautiful and untouched as an orchid, and then and only then will your reward come: a bell jar to keep you safe.”

"We men fear death. Death! Gruesome and terrible! Inevitable and senseless! We dance towards her as we might a beautiful woman and Death waltzes back towards us, beckoning, always beckoning. Once the veil is pierced, we never return."