 |
Reviewed by: Becki Truelson, High School Librarian Title: Anatomy: A Love Story Author: Dana Schwartz Publisher: Wednesday Books
Year: 2022 Good for Grades: 9-12 Genre/Type of Book: Historical Fiction/Romace
Content Warnings, or things that other School Librarians should be aware of: Descriptions of gruesome medical procedures and corpses Recommended for a school library: Yes Reason(s) for choosing the book: Grave robbers? I'm in! If you were tasked by the publisher with writing a short quote for the back cover of this book, what would it be: “Dead bodies are never going to bite you. They're never going to do anything to you. It's living things that hurt you.”
|
Review:
Cemeteries, stolen bodies and dissections – oh my! It is the early 1800s and the medical profession is rudimentary and barbarous. Hazel, a young aristocratic woman, dreams of being a doctor in a society where that is impossible. Her drive is so strong that she disguises herself as male to attend lectures and labs as a medical student. She is found out and kicked out, but still intends to learn on her own and fulfill her dream. The problem? She needs bodies to dissect...... Jack struggles to exist in his city. He spends his days working in a local theatre and his nights in the cemetery as a “resurrection man”. He is one of several men who dig up recent graves and sell the bodies to the medical schools who need them. It has become an increasingly mysteries and dangerous occupation. Jack has access to what Hazel needs. Although Hazel is recently engaged to her cousin, she can’t deny what she feels for Jack. I loved everything about this book! Dana Schwartz is a sophisticated writer, and her writing style drew me in from the first page. Hazel is a force to be reckoned with. She digs up partially decomposed bodies and brings them home and does not hesitate to provide medical care to the poor who come to her. Jack pursues his forbidden crush on Hazel and takes the opportunity to kiss her while knee deep in a grave. In addition to the love story, there is a mystery of resurrection men going missing. Something dark (and possibly a little magical) is discovered by Hazel. The ending of Anatomy left me wanting more, so stay tuned for the review of book 2 in the duology, Immortality!
Number of party hats:
Find this video and other resources for Anatomy: A Love Story at Teachingbooks.net
For more information about this book, see the Publishers Website
Find this title in the Monroe 2 Sora collection:
Find this title in the Monroe One SORA collection: