Review: The Gilded Hour by Sara Donati

Title: The Gilded Hour
Author: Sara Donati
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: September 1, 2015
Edition: Hardcover (732 pages)

The Gilded Hour by Sara Donati

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Doctors Anna and Sophie Savard, both graduates of the Women's Medical School in New York City, are about to have their lives changed by their love interests, targeting by the anti-vice crusader, Anthony Comstock, and their involvement with four orphaned children. Though this is a fictional account, it is based on historical fact, and gives the reader an up close and personal view of the culture in America and New York City concerning the treatment of women, the poor, disabled, orphaned and/or homeless children and people of color in the 1880s.

I love the character development in this book, the detailed depiction of life--from the everyday to the practice of medicine--and the culture of the day. Anna and Sophie are strong and caring women who are not afraid to do what they believe is right, and they do this with respect, yet with compassion and authority.

This book made me angry about the treatment of women, the poor and the disabled, as well as the entitlement many with money seemed to feel. Those prejudices are still with us, sad to say. This is a book I will reread, and I plan to continue with more of the author's 'Wilderness' Series, also.