A Country Doctor

A Country Doctor

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  • Create Date:2021-06-25 09:51:25
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
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  • Author:Sarah Orne Jewett
  • ISBN:1513279823
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Summary

A brilliant and ambitious woman is eager to establish her career as a doctor but is forced to choose between her occupation and married life。 This timely tale presents an internal conflict facing women in the nineteenth century and beyond。 Nan is a bright young woman who grows up under the tutelage of the widowed physician, Dr。 Leslie。 She became interested in medicine at an early age and decides to pursue it as an adult。 Unfortunately, her desire to start a career goes against the social conventions of the day。 Women are expected to prioritize marriage and children over any profession。 Yet, Nan struggles to desert her goals to appease others。 It's a trying dilemma that pits her against her family, friends and local residents。 A Country Doctor is a semiautobiographical story influenced by the author's personal path to independence。 The novel explores the many limitations women encounter when attempting to establish a career。 It's a forward-thinking tale and source of encouragement for those seeking professional growth。 With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of A Country Doctor is both modern and readable。

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Reviews

Darcy

Jewett's premise, that not all women are suited for marriage, is a novel one for literature of this time period。 It started out well。 There are some lovely descriptions of Maine and some interesting character sketches; unfortunately, the main character ended up being nothing more than a vehicle for Jewett's social vision。 Nan, the orphan bound for medical school, didn't seem human at times。 Her thoughts were wooden as she grew up, her experiences and interactions too limited to make her interest Jewett's premise, that not all women are suited for marriage, is a novel one for literature of this time period。 It started out well。 There are some lovely descriptions of Maine and some interesting character sketches; unfortunately, the main character ended up being nothing more than a vehicle for Jewett's social vision。 Nan, the orphan bound for medical school, didn't seem human at times。 Her thoughts were wooden as she grew up, her experiences and interactions too limited to make her interesting, and towards the end, everything her and the Doctor who raised her thought sounded like an essay on women's rights。 I appreciate what Jewett was trying to do in this novel。 I found a lot to ponder。 There were many valuable quotes, such as, "It is only those who can do nothing who find nothing to do。" I'm glad I read it, but it did end up being a bit boring and I doubt I'll be revisiting it。 。。。more

Jamieanna

3。5

Kathleen Harvey

Interesting as a period piece, a tale which is basically a feminist polemic from the 1880's。 Worth the read, but not very emotionally involving。 Interesting as a period piece, a tale which is basically a feminist polemic from the 1880's。 Worth the read, but not very emotionally involving。 。。。more

Rachel Crain

A classic of the victorian, turn-of-tide women's vocational advances。 Well written with compassion, without feminism or rebuff。 I enjoyed and found myself wondering about if I had been born during that time。 Enjoyed and recommend。 A classic of the victorian, turn-of-tide women's vocational advances。 Well written with compassion, without feminism or rebuff。 I enjoyed and found myself wondering about if I had been born during that time。 Enjoyed and recommend。 。。。more

Lytton Bell

It wasn't as stunning nor as charming as I remembered, but it's still a classic。 It wasn't as stunning nor as charming as I remembered, but it's still a classic。 。。。more

Chrissie

This falls short of three stars—I cannot say I like it。 It’s OK。 It could have been better。The story is set in rural Maine in approximately the 1870s and 1880s。 It is about a woman who chooses between marriage or being a doctor。 We follow her from infancy, this way we see what has shaped her, and into her twenties。Some of the prose works for me。 The descriptions of nature are delightful。 Other sections are wordy and old-fashioned, to the point where I was unsure of what was meant。 Although the p This falls short of three stars—I cannot say I like it。 It’s OK。 It could have been better。The story is set in rural Maine in approximately the 1870s and 1880s。 It is about a woman who chooses between marriage or being a doctor。 We follow her from infancy, this way we see what has shaped her, and into her twenties。Some of the prose works for me。 The descriptions of nature are delightful。 Other sections are wordy and old-fashioned, to the point where I was unsure of what was meant。 Although the plot and what characters say and do is realistic, given the setting and time period, the tone is inspirational and there is too much talk about religion and faith, for my taste at least。 I prefer harsher, more nitty gritty realism--this I can bear, and it is this I prefer。 What is delivered is at times more a sermon than an engaging story。 There is a good balance between dialogue and narrative, and yet neither the events nor the characters engage me。 I found little new to think about。 The value of a general medical practitioner who knows their patients over many years is pointed out, and on this I thoroughly agree。 Here follows a nice line on the concept of time:“Towns that can be built in a hurry, can be left in a hurry。”I like also the idea stated that it is the slower hand of the clock that is the more important。 In today’s world, all we do is rush around, making it difficult to properly absorb, think about and appreciate that around us。 I want more such lines。 Such lines give me food for thought。Kate Reading narrates the audiobook。 I set the speed at 90%, allowing me time to absorb and think about the content。 The elderly are given an accent that is not always easy to decipher。 There is a rhythm to the reading that I find lulling and somehow artificial。 Three stars for the narration。 It’s fine but I was not blown over by it。This is the author's first novel, published in 1884, and said to be semiautobiographical。 Willa Cather, Harriet Beecher Stowe and Julia Ward Howe were the author's friends and contemporaries。 I see a similarity between Cather’s and Jewett’s prose。 On the basis of this one book, I find Cather's better。 My view may change when I have read more by Jewett。I am going to give the author another try。 I have immediately begun The Country of the Pointed Firs。 Hopefully, I will enjoy it more。***********************ETA: I certainly did enjoy it more ! See both ratings below!*The Country of the Pointed Firs 4 stars*A Country Doctor 2 stars 。。。more

Scott Hammond

An interesting, well-written story about a young orphan girl raised in the home of a Maine country doctor and then following this path on her own, against societal propriety。 It was written in 1870 and a product of the 19th century so the story was driven by internal dialogue and conflict rather than plot。 Though I am not a fan of Jane Austen, this book reminded me of an American version of a Jane Austen novel。 Nan must choose between her passion of medicine and marrying a man she does love, and An interesting, well-written story about a young orphan girl raised in the home of a Maine country doctor and then following this path on her own, against societal propriety。 It was written in 1870 and a product of the 19th century so the story was driven by internal dialogue and conflict rather than plot。 Though I am not a fan of Jane Austen, this book reminded me of an American version of a Jane Austen novel。 Nan must choose between her passion of medicine and marrying a man she does love, and, I'm glad, chose medicine。 I'm surprised she didn't have the option of medicine and marrying for love, but such was the life of a woman of those times。 My wife's grandfather was also a country doctor in Maine (though from the 1930's to 1980's) and the son of another Maine country doctor so this story had a particular interest for me。 Nan was certainly a strong woman and ahead of her time。 。。。more

Janisse Ray

This morning I finished A COUNTRY DOCTOR by Sarah Orne Jewett。 First published in 1884, it tells the story of a young New England woman, Nan Prince, who wanted to be a doctor and who made the decision not to marry in order to devote herself to her calling。 In the book, her mentor Dr。 Leslie sits thinking about Nan。 "He tried to assure himself that while a man's life is strengthened by his domestic happiness, a woman's must either surrender itself wholly, or relinquish entirely the claims of such This morning I finished A COUNTRY DOCTOR by Sarah Orne Jewett。 First published in 1884, it tells the story of a young New England woman, Nan Prince, who wanted to be a doctor and who made the decision not to marry in order to devote herself to her calling。 In the book, her mentor Dr。 Leslie sits thinking about Nan。 "He tried to assure himself that while a man's life is strengthened by his domestic happiness, a woman's must either surrender itself wholly, or relinquish entirely the claims of such duties, if she wold achieve distinction or satisfaction elsewhere。 The two cannot be taken together in a woman's life as in a man's。"Think how much things have changed, that my husband is as much in charge of our "domestic happiness" as I am our economics。 I have been able to marry and have children, yet still follow my calling and enjoy a career。 Jewett herself was the daughter of a country doctor; she never married; and she made the decision to become a writer when this was a profession (or service) mostly closed to women。 In fact, the novel is a feminist treatise on the need for women to express their God-given talents。 "The simple fact that there is a majority of women in any centre of civilization means that some are set apart by nature for other uses and conditions than marriage," Jewett writes on p。 250 of the edition of the book I read。I read the book because it was highly recommended by Willa Cather, whose work I have been intensely studying because I love it so much。 Cather, if you don't remember, wrote MY ANTONIA, which is a glorious work of American literature, and although it will always be classified as a novel, is really a work of nature-writing。 Cather's life fascinates me to no end because early on she sometimes dressed as a man, took a man's name (Willem, I believe it was), and chose a man's career。 She also never married。 I am appalled when I think of the cultural discrepancies between men and women, when so many things have been closed or made difficult for women。 。。。more

Penny Margaret

Book club!

Shannon

I began reading this novel around five years ago and was enraptured by the first three chapters: Jewett's three-dimensional characters come to life in carefully crafted dialogue between country neighbors。 Brilliant foundation laying of exposition, small town ideals, and character attributes。 But the chapters afterwards slow down drastically; there's a lot of "telling" instead of "showing," as entire chapters are devoted to relaying facts or reasons about a character (major and minor), and none o I began reading this novel around five years ago and was enraptured by the first three chapters: Jewett's three-dimensional characters come to life in carefully crafted dialogue between country neighbors。 Brilliant foundation laying of exposition, small town ideals, and character attributes。 But the chapters afterwards slow down drastically; there's a lot of "telling" instead of "showing," as entire chapters are devoted to relaying facts or reasons about a character (major and minor), and none of the sharp dialogue or interiority that was showcased in the opening chapters。 I found it interesting that the novel is called A Country Doctor; A Doctor's Country would be a more apt title, as Jewett documents meticulous details concerning the flora and fauna, as well as minor characters (e。g。 Mrs。 Graham and Mrs。 Meeker, neighbor women)。 But save for two isolated incidents--and one of them not even described in real time but relayed by one character to another--and a wrapped up denouement of Nan making house calls in the final chapter, we the reader do not actually see Nan Prince being a doctor。 There is a bit more description about her med school life, but even that is scant compared to the volume of detail given to her simply talking about her career。 Nor do we see much struggle with her chosen career until she takes a brief holiday in Dunport; her hometown of Oldfields, where she resides and ultimately practices medicine, gradually accepts her position with no drama and limited controversy。 Jewett herself wraps up any hesitation or conflict in a few sentences that more or less detail that everyone eventually came around。 In fact, Nan's only real struggles to reconcile her chosen career and deliberate singlehood involved her once-estranged aunt and a "lover" whom we never saw engage in any romantic affair--simply because Nan was never interested。 My book copy describes the plot as one in which Nan must choose between marriage and career, but for Nan, it is evident that her desired vocation was never threatened, only defended。 It is Jewett's thesis for the unmarried woman professional, and indeed, later dialogues between Nan and the Dunport citizens read like manifestos rather than actual character banter or debate。 From the scant little I know of Jewett's own life, I imagine much of this novel was drawn from her own life and decisions and may have used this novel as a vehicle to voice them。 It doesn't make for much of a plot, but the writing is heartfelt and engaged and the characters sincere。 Whether or not I ever return to this novel, I am glad that I sat down and finally finished this book! 。。。more

Carol Bakker

After listening to the first half I was exultant, sure this was a five star read。 Jewett's descriptive writing shines。 But it swerved out of that lane (in my mind) to a not-quite-satisfying end when the plot made a crash landing。 However, there will be more Sarah Orne Jewett in my reading future。 I read and enjoyed The Country of Pointed Firs a few decades ago。This book asks a good question: What is a young woman to do who has no inclination to marry and raise a family? Funny thing — the first d After listening to the first half I was exultant, sure this was a five star read。 Jewett's descriptive writing shines。 But it swerved out of that lane (in my mind) to a not-quite-satisfying end when the plot made a crash landing。 However, there will be more Sarah Orne Jewett in my reading future。 I read and enjoyed The Country of Pointed Firs a few decades ago。This book asks a good question: What is a young woman to do who has no inclination to marry and raise a family? Funny thing — the first doctor in the plot is not the doctor of the title。 This confused me, because he appeared to be a minor character。 And then the lightbulb flashed and it all became clear。 It is a splendid thing to have the use of any gift of God。 It isn't for us to choose again, or wonder and dispute, but just work in our own places, and leave the rest to God。Jeannie, on Librivox, did an splendid job narrating。 。。。more

Dell Hilton

Beautiful narrative prose, an artistic masterpiece in the written word。

LadyCalico

This book was such a disappointment after reading The Country of the Pointed firs。 It was lacking the character, charm, and beauty of her later work and was so dragged out, repetitious, and boring。 Rather than use her story and characters to express her points, the author used a jackhammer hammer technique to lecture the reader on her opinions, hammering the poor reader on the head with them over and over until this work felt more like a street corner soapbox than a novel。

Katie

Just ran out of time to finish for American Lit。

Tracey

4。5 rounded down。A sort of an American Anne of Green Gables, it even has a Marilla。 This book is based on the relationship between Sarah and her physician father。 The main character Nan is a woman who feels called to serve others by not marrying but becoming a doctor instead。 She has to overcome the confines of society at the time。 The book has been listed as an example of the shift in perception of the role of women in society。 It has a lot of philosophical elements and heavily Christian。

LdyGray

Charming。 It reminded me of Christy, and a little bit of L。M。 Montgomery's writing。 All of those books are about young women finding their way in the world and learning about who they are。 They are also about small towns and the joy of certain places。 Charming。 It reminded me of Christy, and a little bit of L。M。 Montgomery's writing。 All of those books are about young women finding their way in the world and learning about who they are。 They are also about small towns and the joy of certain places。 。。。more

Alex

I was complaining a while ago, I said: when people talk about how environment shapes people, the next thing out of their mouths is they talk about prostitutes。 Like, in the whole wide world shaping the whole wide race, folks really just want an excuse to shriek “Poor people are sluts。” I’m talkin’ shit about Stephen Crane here, so buckle up。 But here comes Sarah Ann Jewett from the sleepy hamlets of Maine, with the rebuttal。 What if, she says - bear with me - but what if some poor orphan was rai I was complaining a while ago, I said: when people talk about how environment shapes people, the next thing out of their mouths is they talk about prostitutes。 Like, in the whole wide world shaping the whole wide race, folks really just want an excuse to shriek “Poor people are sluts。” I’m talkin’ shit about Stephen Crane here, so buckle up。 But here comes Sarah Ann Jewett from the sleepy hamlets of Maine, with the rebuttal。 What if, she says - bear with me - but what if some poor orphan was raised by a doctor?Not a doctorIt’s 1884 and this is the naturalist movement in America, a series of mild books making obvious points - stick with Flaubert, shit - and Jewett is doing something worthy here。 Women weren’t often doctors - they were supposed to be biologically suited for housekeeping, more or less - and Jewett suggests that the only reason they aren’t doctors more often is that people keep shutting them in houses。 By tying her story into the naturalist movement, she cranks it screaming into feminism。"Conformity is the inspiration of much second-rate virtue。"Unfortunately she can’t crank it into a plot, and the result is worthy but boring。 And my favorite book is Middlemarch, so when I say something is boring it’s very boring。 There’s a good deal of talking here, and almost no action。 There’s a whole chapter called “A Serious Tea Drinking,” and that’s a funny title but it doesn’t change my rule that nothing interesting ever happens over tea。There’s one scene that really comes alive。 Nan is off on one of the 19th century’s inevitable “boating with beaus” expeditions when she comes across a man who’s dislocated his shoulder and calmly stomps it back into place。 Her boyfriend, the banally shitty George, feels emasculated。 “It is in human nature to respect power; but all his manliness was at stake, and his natural rights would be degraded and lost, if he could not show his power to be greater than her own。” It says everything - her competence, his fear - and it’s terrific。 That’s it, that’s the only good scene。"It is so easy to be thankful that one’s friends are no worse that one sometimes forgets to remember that they might be better。"Jewett herself, raised by a Maine doctor, was a part of the “regionalist’ movement, which is even more boring than the naturalist one so if you can’t figure out what it means from the word you’re on your own。 She was in a “Boston Marriage,” a term I just learned and am delighted with: it’s when two independent women choose to live together, sometimes even with a commitment ceremony, and everyone assumes they’re roommates because it’s the olden days。 It seems like Jewett was gay - if this shitty poem to her wife isn’t romantic, I don’t even know anymore:Do you remember, darling A year ago todayWhen we gave ourselves to each other Before you went awayAt the end of that pleasant summer weatherWhich we had spent by the sea together?How little we knew, my darling, All that the year would bring!Did I think of the wretched mornings When I should kiss my ringAnd long with all my heart to seeThe girl who gave the ring to me?。 。 。We have not been sorry darling We loved each other so --We will not take back the promises We made a year ago --。 。 。And so again, my darling I give myself to you,With graver thought than a year ago With love that is deep and true。 The book doesn’t come off as gay to me, so I’m only on this tangent because “Boston Marriage,” lol。 Imagine - gay marriage in plain sight, and no one even noticed because they couldn’t imagine it! Now that’s interesting! If only Jewett had written about it, instead of this boring-ass doctor。 。。。more

Sharon Barrow Wilfong

While not a riveting story, the plot is a simple one, the beauty of the writing and the landscape of New England she portrays is truly a beautiful record of a time gone。A young girl is orphaned and raised by a reluctant aunt until a doctor takes over her raising。 The girl's name is Nan and she turns out to be an independent, spirited, highly intelligent young lady。 Custom says she must marry, but she wants to be a doctor。 I guess back then, women weren't doctors or weren't allowed to combine car While not a riveting story, the plot is a simple one, the beauty of the writing and the landscape of New England she portrays is truly a beautiful record of a time gone。A young girl is orphaned and raised by a reluctant aunt until a doctor takes over her raising。 The girl's name is Nan and she turns out to be an independent, spirited, highly intelligent young lady。 Custom says she must marry, but she wants to be a doctor。 I guess back then, women weren't doctors or weren't allowed to combine career and family。The plot is fairly straight forward, not exciting, but still interesting and valuable for the time period it captures and the beautiful picture it paints of New England。 。。。more

Karen

Lovely language and picture of a young woman's "call" to become a doctor, at a time when it is uncommon for women to do so。 I'm surprised that I didn't lose patience with the ever-present question of the appropriateness of her desired vocation, instead of marriage。 It was interesting to see the discussion played out in a very different time。 For her it had to be a choice -- either marriage or a professional career。 She couldn't be both。 Lovely language and picture of a young woman's "call" to become a doctor, at a time when it is uncommon for women to do so。 I'm surprised that I didn't lose patience with the ever-present question of the appropriateness of her desired vocation, instead of marriage。 It was interesting to see the discussion played out in a very different time。 For her it had to be a choice -- either marriage or a professional career。 She couldn't be both。 。。。more

Andie

Somehow I had never read a book by Sarah Orne Jewett, so I was glad to be introduced to her through a book group as this book is a remarkable feminist novel for being written in 1884。Anna Prince is brought to her grandmother's house in Maine by her dying mother, and then is taken to live with the town doctor when her grandmother dies。 She is a charming little girl, but serious and bookish and becomes interested in medicine at an early age。 Her interest in medicine increases as she grows older。 A Somehow I had never read a book by Sarah Orne Jewett, so I was glad to be introduced to her through a book group as this book is a remarkable feminist novel for being written in 1884。Anna Prince is brought to her grandmother's house in Maine by her dying mother, and then is taken to live with the town doctor when her grandmother dies。 She is a charming little girl, but serious and bookish and becomes interested in medicine at an early age。 Her interest in medicine increases as she grows older。 Although the ladies in the town do not approve of her pursuing such an unladylike profession, she remains adamant in her choice of a vocation and goes off to medical school after high school。Halfway through her studies, she receives an invitation from her her father's sister, Nancy, to visit in the seaside town of Dunport。 Her aunt, who has been sending the doctor checks for her support her whole life has never shown any interest in her niece, but now seems to want to connect with her only living relative。 Aunt Nancy is stern and austere, but is quickly charmed by Nan's generous spirit and begins to hope that Nan will marry her protege, George Gerry and settle down in Dunport。Nan, however, has other ideas。 and how she stands up for what she wants would make any feminist today very proud。 。。。more

Lauren

Eh。

Marie French

I loved the portrayal of Maine, but the book's tone started to become a little dull and like a list of things being said。 I don't agree that for a woman to follow a career she can't also have a happy married family life。 That Nan chose a career over ever getting married was fine and her choice, but it did not have to be only that way。 I loved the portrayal of Maine, but the book's tone started to become a little dull and like a list of things being said。 I don't agree that for a woman to follow a career she can't also have a happy married family life。 That Nan chose a career over ever getting married was fine and her choice, but it did not have to be only that way。 。。。more

Kimberly

Beautifully written but so。。。wordy。 There were parts that felt long and rambling without purpose。 I read a lot of “spinster literature” and the story was good but at times this felt preachy and over-explained。

E。d。

Moments in this book deserve a five star rating but overall it is a two star book。 It is worth reading because of its feminist content and the heartwarming relationship between the doctor and Nan。 The characters are not well developed and the plot is not very compelling until we get to the part of the book where Nan becomes determined to follow her heart and become a doctor。

Joann

Not as good as The Country of the Pointed Firs but interesting。 Looks at how a young girl makes a choice between being a wife or a doctor。

Ruth Schrott

I liked this book but not as much as "The Country of the Pointed Firs"。 This is about the childhood and young adulthood of Nan who wants to become a doctor which was very much against the grain at the time。 The author gave strong reasons why a young woman should have the same opportunities as a male to enter whatever profession she chose。 Definitely an early "women's rights" book。 There is an error in the description of this book。 It says that Nan wanted to be a doctor like her father was。 Nan n I liked this book but not as much as "The Country of the Pointed Firs"。 This is about the childhood and young adulthood of Nan who wants to become a doctor which was very much against the grain at the time。 The author gave strong reasons why a young woman should have the same opportunities as a male to enter whatever profession she chose。 Definitely an early "women's rights" book。 There is an error in the description of this book。 It says that Nan wanted to be a doctor like her father was。 Nan never knew her father who died before she was born。 She was raised by a very kind guardian, who was a physician。 。。。more

Randa Mcnair

Not much of a plot or storyline。 It was pleasant enough to just listen to the narrator while I worked, tho。

Julia

I was disappointed in the writing which was very preachy and judgemental。 The story of little Nan and her doctor (foster parent) could have been salvaged, I don't know the history behind this novel, but it seems very unlike her more polished pieces。 I was disappointed in the writing which was very preachy and judgemental。 The story of little Nan and her doctor (foster parent) could have been salvaged, I don't know the history behind this novel, but it seems very unlike her more polished pieces。 。。。more

Molly

Pretty cool 1884 feminist novel, plus Jewett's luminous descriptions of plants/flowers/Maine landscapes。 Nan isn't literature's most exciting character, but she does want to be a doctor, and defends that choice—and rejects marriage—via some earnest speeches about the nature of men and women。 Ambition in women, says Jewett, is as natural as a flower, and shouldn't be pruned back。 (To be sure, she also points out that some species of flowers are better off just getting married。) Favorite line: "Co Pretty cool 1884 feminist novel, plus Jewett's luminous descriptions of plants/flowers/Maine landscapes。 Nan isn't literature's most exciting character, but she does want to be a doctor, and defends that choice—and rejects marriage—via some earnest speeches about the nature of men and women。 Ambition in women, says Jewett, is as natural as a flower, and shouldn't be pruned back。 (To be sure, she also points out that some species of flowers are better off just getting married。) Favorite line: "Conformity is the inspiration of much second-rate virtue。"As a quick side note, I appreciate that the would-be groom is the biggest weenie on the planet—a longstanding tradition in rejected literary suitors。 (Looking at you, Eurymachus。) When Nan and Mr。 Weenie meet an injured man, Nan confidently yanks the guy's dislocated arm back into the socket while Mr。 W。, in a corner somewhere, "did not yet like to think of the noise the returning bone had made。" Then, of course, he gets indignant: "It is in human nature to respect power; but all his manliness was at stake, and his natural rights would be degraded and lost, if he could not show his power to be greater than her own。" 。。。more

Illiterate

The charming pastoral setting holds up better than the thin story of a woman called by God to medicine。