The Doctor of Bellechester

Before I begin, I'd like you to know I have a PhD in medicine from Uppsala University in Sweden. Also, similar to the central character in this novel, my aunt happened to be the first female doctor in Sweden. So, hopefully, I can offer a little insight into many of the subjects this story looks at, including hospital life and how difficult it can be for women to work in what many still see as a man's role.

So, where to start? Let's begin with the plot. Basically, the story, which is set in England in 1959, follows Dr. Harold Merton who is concerned he has nobody to look after his practice if his illness worsens. So, he travels to London to find a young doctor to mentor. There he meets Mary Elizabeth Senty (Emme). What follows is a delightfully sweet story with elements of mystery - and plenty of suspense to keep the reader turning the page. I must say, reading this book, I very much enjoy getting to know Emme. Just like my aunt back in the day, she had to be stronger and smarter and better prepared than any other male doctor. Although things have changed in many ways, the idea that women have to work so much harder than men to get ahead is still prominent today. This part of the story adds relevance to the novel, and I suspect many professional women will understand the female protagonist and what she must go through to be a doctor.

All in all, this is a very relaxing read. It´s possibly not as gritty as I would like it to be, but the writing style is clear and easy to follow, and not taxing in any way. And the author works hard to immerse the reader in the medical world the two characters live in. I was particularly impressed by the author's knowledge of a 1950s English hospital, and how things worked - and how things often didn't! So, if you happen to be looking for a skillfully plotted, medical novel to curl up with on a cold, winter night, you probably won´t go too far wrong with The Doctor of Bellechester.
A Wishing Shelf Review

This was a delightful read! It has been at least a decade since I have read a book cover to cover. My schedule does not allow for that. I had no intention of doing that when I started this book. However, there was sufficient suspense and intrigue about what would happen to dear Emme that I could not put the book down. I decided it was better to lose two hours of sleep! I was not disappointed! In this divisive society, it was wonderful to read a book that demonstrates the best that a person can be. It was both heartwarming and uplifting. I heartily recommend it to all.

The Doctor of Bellechester by Margaret A. Blenkush, the first book in a series, starts with Doctor Harold Merton arriving in London from the small village of Bellechester on a hot August day in 1959. He is about to meet with his old friend and colleague, Dr. Basil Applegate, at Mother of Mercy
Hospital. Harold needs to find a young physician who will agree to share the practice with him and take his place after Harold's retirement. But the hot day takes its toll on Harold. He feels unwell right at the entrance of the hospital. A young woman notices Harold there and takes care of him. When Harold finally meets Dr. Applegate, he asks his friend to allow him to stay at the hospital as a patient to get a better look at the young doctors. Meanwhile, Dr. Mary Elizabeth Senty finds herself at a crossroads as her long-cherished plans may come to naught.

The Doctor of Bellechester is an engaging read for fans of women's fiction and medical dramas and is an enticing invitation to simpler times. We don't need a medical background to grasp all aspects of the narrative as Margaret A. Blenkush has a clear and appealing writing style. The author crafted her characters extremely well. We get to know Harold and Mary Elizabeth little by little. Mary Elizabeth loves praying the rosary with her patients, and Harold gets stubborn when it comes to his medical treatment. The more I learned about the main characters, the more I liked them. Margaret touches on the meaningful topic of women's roles in the medical field and the issues they faced in the middle of the twentieth century. Dedicated to her profession, Mary Elizabeth wanted to become a physician to help people. Yet she needed to overcome many obstacles on her way. Dr. Senty's fight for her right to get a proper practice is the centerpiece of this captivating story. I didn't want The Doctor of Bellechester to end. I highly recommend it to my fellow readers.