Book Review: The Surgeons Daughter

This book is about Menie Grey, daughter to a Scottish surgeon Dr. Gideon Grey. The story starts before Menie's birth, when an illegitimate child is born under his roof. The surgeon offers to keep the child, as he had no children of his own, when the grandfather takes the mother but refuses her son. The father, after delivering the mother to the doctor, disappears. Before her departure, the child is named Richard Middlemas, after the town. So life goes on, Gideon Grey gains a daughter, though he loses the mother. Richard shows a promising character, and as he grows up determines to be a doctor. At a young age, Menie and Richard fall in love, and become betrothed secretly. His fellow apprentice Adam Hartley does not approve of this, as he is also in love with her, but continues in his practice and does not say a word.  But an old acquaintance, the rogue Tom Hillary, convinces Richard that the duties of a country doctor with a wife are far below what he could expect from his life, and encourages him to go to India. Adam also went to India, having received a commission to treat the natives there. After several unexpected encounters, Richard reaches India and meets Adela Montreville, too whom he becomes a paramour to, and schemes with her. He turns into a wicked, scheming, stealthy liar, which, though seen sometimes in Scottland, was not expected. Under her direction, he invites Menie to India, to become his bride, but things do not go as planned.


 I liked Menie, she had a strong but gentle character, there was really nothing to not like about her. Richard's mother, Zilia, was a nice woman, though distressed whenever I met her. Adam Hartley was a clear minded, strong, consciences man. He was sensible and cautious, but also willing to help others.

 I liked the author's interesting focal point, how the main character was the evil one with no remorse. Usually a main person is either good, or bad with remorse. This book has a good person, Menie and Adam, but the real main character is a wicked betrayer to the end of his days. The book is well written, it makes you want to keep reading. It also is worded so that you feel all the proper emotions for the different scenes.

I hated Richard, I found him all the more evil because he was good at the start. This showed a weakness of character that I had not expected. I did not like the sudden switch over from a graceful, well-mannered lad, who had a good career ahead of him. He was popular with everyone, he was well liked, and had a woman by his side. But with first Tom Hillary's and then Adela Montreville's voice in his head, he quickly changed into a thieving, rash, monster whom no one liked. At the end he did not even care about Menie.

I would recommend this book to a sympathetic reader who also likes adventures or exotic places, as a good part of the book is based in India. Overall it was a good read, one worth enjoying, I would personally rate it a 7/10.