MY NAME IS MARY SUTTER

Kimberly Farr narrates this remarkable Civil War novel with refinement and precision. Mary Sutter is an appealing and capable protagonist—yet she’s far from perfect. Farr gives her voice a gentle strength. A midwife who longs to be a surgeon but is perpetually refused entrance to medical school, Mary finds opportunity in the war to learn about medicine. But it also forces her to confront the imperfections of her family and to discover her ability to endure the ordeals she encounters. Farr successfully portrays a wide range of characters—from Abraham Lincoln to Mary’s twin sister, Jenny—using subtle variations to differentiate their individual voices. Fans of historical fiction will be hard-pressed to find better. K.O. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2010]