Summary and Reviews of The Girl in His Shadow by Audrey Blake

PROLOGUE

Hefting his black bag, Dr. Horace Croft stumped down the uneven pavement. Despite the afternoon sunshine, the street was silent and the air thick with fear. Shop doors were shut and bolted, and too many anxious faces watched from the windows. For fifteen years London had dreaded the cholera. Now it had come.

Croft had tried to prepare, studying initial reports of the epidemic from India, Russia, and Japan. An irreligious man, he gave silent prayers of relief when the outbreak of 1827 died in the Caucasus before reaching Europe. Foolish of him. Four years later, the deadly disease advanced from the dark forests of the East into the shadowy Balkans. The following year it breached England's rocky shores. Miraculously, the outbreak was contained in Sunderland, but this was respite, not reprieve. Three months later, the disease erupted in London.

He'd paid ten calls already today, all within a mile of each other. He frowned, still troubled by the last.

Jemmy Watt had first sent ...

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. Though she's more qualified, Nora worries about being replaced by Daniel. Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation? What did you do about it?
2. Dr. Croft often resorts to disreputable methods of getting subjects, such as paying grave robbers or taking advantage of grieving family members. For him, the ends justify the means. Do you agree with him? To what extent?
3. Throughout the story, Nora conducts a series of experiments and independent studies. What was she hoping to learn?
4. We get to see nineteenth century medical techniques through Nora's eyes. Which treatments surprised you the most? Are there any techniques that carried over into modern medicine?
5. Nora is one of only a few women in a field dominated by men. Do you see any parallels...

Please be aware that this discussion guide may contain spoilers!

Here are some of the comments posted about The Girl in His Shadow.
You can see the full discussion here.


Can the respect of a mentor and care of a devoted housekeeper supplant parental affection?
I agree that they were family but still with a sense of loss of Nora's parents and siblings. - bill

Can you disapprove of a person without disapproving of their upbringing?
As a child, your upbringing is not within your control - how could you hold that against someone? You can however disapprove of the adult’s behavior - upbringing is not an excuse for bad behavior - you can be sympathetic and understanding ... - christinec

Compare Daniel's relationship with Mae and his relationship with Nora. How are they different? Are they similar in any way?
Based on her looks and social standing, Daniel appeared to be in love with Mae and, based on her letters, it appeared that Mae was in love with Daniel. However, it appeared that Mae was controlled by her parents, who like Daniel's parents, were... - bill

Do you see any parallels between Nora's situation in the nineteenth century and today?
Yes for many of the reason above but definite improvement from actions taken by women and men with actions such as the suffragette movement and in the courts with Ruth Bader Ginsburg and other male and female lawyers and judges. - bill

Do you think "disciple" is the right word to describe what Nora is to Croft? Do you think it’s better to pledge yourself to an ideal or to another person?
Don’t like word disciple - devoted to and respected and loved him - believed in his work and felt he was selfless in wanting to help people - - christinec