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Susan Neuhaus - The Surgeon of Royaumont
Susan Neuhaus - The Surgeon of Royaumont
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Book Title: The Surgeon of Royaumont
Author: Susan Neuhaus
The Surgeon of Royaumont by Susan Neuhaus is a compelling historical novel that illuminates the often-overlooked contributions of women in medicine during World War I. The story follows Clara Heywood, one of the few female medical graduates in early 20th-century Sydney, who defies societal norms to pursue her ambition of becoming a surgeon. As her male counterparts enlist, Clara seizes the opportunity to serve by joining the Scottish Women's Hospital at Royaumont Abbey in France—a facility entirely managed by women on the Western Front. Under the mentorship of Miss Frances Ivens, Clara confronts the brutal realities of war, honing her surgical skills amidst the chaos and carnage. Her journey is one of resilience, self-discovery, and unwavering dedication, highlighting the profound impact of women in wartime medicine.
About the Author:
Dr. Susan Neuhaus AM CSC is an Australian surgeon and former army officer with extensive experience in both military and civilian medical fields. Her distinguished service includes deployments to Cambodia, Bougainville, and Afghanistan, where she served as Clinical Director of the multinational NATO hospital in Uruzgan Province. Dr. Neuhaus has been recognised with numerous honours, including the Conspicuous Service Cross and membership in the Order of Australia. Her deep understanding of military medicine and passion for uncovering the stories of women in war inform her writing, bringing authenticity and depth to her narratives.
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Blurb
Blurb
A young Australian woman on the battlefields of World War I finds her calling through her work as a surgeon - and her legacy in compassion. Based on real-life characters and events this thought-provoking novel is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit amidst the ravages of war.
As one of only a handful of female medical graduates working at the Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, Clara Heywood refuses to be denied the chance to become a surgeon because of her sex. As her male colleagues, including her unofficial fiance Edward, head off to war, Clara grapples with a sense of her own unfulfilled purpose. In defiance of her own family and all convention, she leaves for France to work at the Scottish Women's Hospital at Royaumont Abbey, a hospital managed entirely by women on the Western Front.
There, under the tutelage of Miss Frances Ivens, Clara is thrust into the brutal realities of war, the technical intricacies of surgery and the profound ethical and emotional toll it exacts. Surgery tests not only her skills but her values and Clara discovers that her greatest adversaries are not the wounds of war but the internal conflicts that shape her understanding of humanity, and the heavy burden of her own ambition.
Clara's journey transcends the confines of history, embodying the timeless struggle for identity, purpose, and humanity amidst the horrors of war, and bringing to light the courage and sacrifice of women.
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