There had to have been many Noras that were practicing and learning in secret. Do you think historical fiction gives them a deserved voice and is it adequate?

While reading this book I thought a lot about who these women were, because there had to be many Noras that were practicing and learning in secret. Of course they probably used disguises in forms of acceptable behavior for the times such as midwifery or nursing assistants. I wonder about their lives and how we will never hear their wonderful stories in their own voices. Do you think Historical fiction gives them a deserved voice and is it adequate?

I think we are getting better with sharing these stories - The Alice Network and Hidden Figures are 2 recent examples that popped into my mind. I do think we can do better sharing these stories and more acknowledgement that during the time, it was out of the norm to have women, people of color, LGBTs, etc to have to hide.

I agree AmberH
It’s so important the these women’s stories as well as other marginalized people get told. It feels inadequate to me but bless the writers who continue to dig for their hidden stories! And let’s keep reading them!!

Over the centuries, so many woman have been subjugated by society and what was "proper". More and more stories/facts are now being explored by journalists and authors. Historical fiction is based on much research (I call it realistic historical fiction), with little tweaking in the final product. Woman authors, scientists, nurses yearning to be doctors, explorers, inventors, etc. had to hide their true identity, often using a man's name or having a brother/husband publish for them.

Women have been the focus in many historical fiction novels and some of whom we may not have known the important role they played even if it was kept secret, two examples The Girls of Atomic City and The Radium Girls, however I do agree we can do more especially with contributions from minority and LGBTQ communities.

I agree that this book is a step in the right direction. I can't even imagine how many women in history were doing what they loved, in secret, with only a few people knowing their truths. Hopefully over time, more of their stories will be told via print and other forms of media. It would be nice to see more widely distributed documentaries via streaming services to reach a wide audience.

I would like to see that as well Melissa c!

Until the latter part of the 20th century women really had few opportunities to pursue their interests and dreams if they differed from what was considered socially acceptable and the norm by society. Obstacles were placed in their way to prevent them from making these very choices, and laws enacted to validate the obstacles. Were it not for women standing up for themselves and enduring the hardships society threw at them, women still would not have the opportunities we enjoy today. We still have a long way to go, but we're getting there. I so appreciate the researchers and writers who tell the stories of these courageous women! Historical fiction is but one venue, but it's a start. I love reading the true accounts even more. I get angry about the societal attitudes which marginalized women through history. But we need to acknowledge it and move forward.

I believe it is important to hear these women's stories.. we sometimes look at our world and feel as women that we are oppressed without realizing how far we have come. Historical fiction does a great job bringing some of these heroes to life and to the forefront of history so we can see how important women have been ...even when they have been hidden from the headlines.

I do believe that, due to theorems at the time, there were many women "practicing" medicine at the time but the story should still be told,

I agree with all of you, these women’s stories in history are so important and even though we know they must exist I feel their stories are still under represented and needs all our attention readers, authors, and publishers alike.