In 1849, Lucas Whitaker has lost his entire family to consumption. The morning after he buries his mother, he leaves his family farm and wanders around aimlessly. He happens upon a house with a sign—“Apprentice wanted”. Dr. Uriah M. Beecher, the local dentist, apothecary, barber and undertaker accepts Lucas as his apprentice. As with Lucas’ community, the community where Dr. Beecher works is being faced with the spread of consumption. The local people want to try a grizzly technique that Lucas has heard of, but has never seen performed. The technique involves digging up the body of the first family member to die from consumption, cutting out the heart and burning it. The ailing people breathe in the smoke and even drink a potion made from the ashes. Lucas feels sure that the technique is worth trying, but Dr. Beecher isn’t so sure. This story by Cynthia deFelice looks at the medical practices of the past and takes us into Lucas’ life as we realize how far we have come.
Cynthia deFelice may be known to some readers as an author of supernatural fantasy tales. She brings a bit of the macabre to nineteenth century medicine as Lucas and the community members attempt to stop the spread of a deadly disease; “the inclusion of corpses and exhumations, though not described in detail, adds—for some readers—an appealingly grisly touch” (Kirkus Associates, 1996). Through Lucas’ eyes, readers see his evolution from a grief-stricken victim of a deadly epidemic to a more thoughtful, modern-thinking character in this fast-paced story that gives readers a glimpse into the historical attitudes regarding health, hygiene, and superstitions.
Due to the macabre images and subject matter, I would recommend this book for students in grades 4-7.
Keywords associated with this book: consumption, apprentice, medicine, doctor, grief, hygiene, cure, epidemic, tradition, historical fiction
Cynthia deFelice may be known to some readers as an author of supernatural fantasy tales. She brings a bit of the macabre to nineteenth century medicine as Lucas and the community members attempt to stop the spread of a deadly disease; “the inclusion of corpses and exhumations, though not described in detail, adds—for some readers—an appealingly grisly touch” (Kirkus Associates, 1996). Through Lucas’ eyes, readers see his evolution from a grief-stricken victim of a deadly epidemic to a more thoughtful, modern-thinking character in this fast-paced story that gives readers a glimpse into the historical attitudes regarding health, hygiene, and superstitions.
Due to the macabre images and subject matter, I would recommend this book for students in grades 4-7.
Keywords associated with this book: consumption, apprentice, medicine, doctor, grief, hygiene, cure, epidemic, tradition, historical fiction
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