The Unlocked Path - by Janis Robinson Daly (Paperback)

About the Book

Philadelphia, 1897: After witnessing her aunt's suicide, Eliza Edwards vows to find ways to help and heal. Rejecting a society debut, she enters medical college.

Book Synopsis

"Flawlessly researched with characters that come alive on the page, debut author Janis Robinson Daly writes with a fresh voice that brings her readers instantly into a story that, in many ways, is shockingly similar to today's world." -Barbara Conrey, USA Today bestselling author of Nowhere Near Goodbye

"An often riveting fictional testament of a doctor's life at the turn of the 20th century." -Kirkus Reviews

The Unlocked Path presents and embraces a "New Woman" of the early 20th century: educated, career-minded, independent. In 1897 Philadelphia, after witnessing her aunt's suicide, Eliza Edwards vows to find ways to help and heal. Rejecting her mother's wishes for her society debut, Eliza enters medical college at a time when only five percent of doctors are female. With the support of a circle of women and driven by a determination to conquer curriculum demands, battle sexism, and overcome doubts, Eliza charts a new life course. Combining science and sympathy, can she triumph to heal others and herself?

Review Quotes

"In The Unlocked Path by Janis Robinson Daly, the author has taken an exhilarating time in history and written a wonderfully heartfelt, inspirational, enthusiastic, energetic, and courageous story about events between the years 1897 to 1920 and how brave the women of the era were." -Readers' Favorite

"People looking for a touching story about a woman seeking a professional life in a time when that was not widely accepted will be delighted by Daly's novel." -Manhattan Book Review

"Bursting with historical detail on every page." -Juliette Fay, USA Today bestselling author of The Tumbling Turner Sisters and the recent highly acclaimed, Catch Us When We Fall

"An often riveting fictional testament of a doctor's life at the turn of the 20th century." -Kirkus Reviews

"Eliza's discovery of "the why" echoes a story that we all carry in our hearts. Great historical fiction is timeless." -Eliza Lo Chin, MD, MPH, Executive Director, American Medical Women's Association and editor, This Side of Doctoring: Reflections from Women in Medicine

"Flawlessly researched with characters that come alive on the page, debut author Janis Robinson Daly writes with a fresh voice that brings her readers instantly into a story that, in many ways, is shockingly similar to today's world." -Barbara Conrey, USA Today bestselling author of Nowhere Near Goodbye

"Eliza sees the best and worst of humanity, but never falters from her mission to limit suffering and save lives. It's a story of the ties of family, and friends and colleagues who become family. It's about love and loss, and the eternal struggle to live one's best life. Fans of literary medical historical fiction such as Abraham Verghese's Cutting For Stone or The Girl In His Shadow by Audrey Blake will enjoy the rich period detail and emotional impact of The Unlocked Path." -Tracey Enerson Wood, author of International Best Seller The Engineer's Wife

"In The Unlocked Path, Janis Robinson Daly movingly depicts the monumental struggles early women physicians faced, and the much-needed niche they filled. Meticulously researching a fascinating era in our history and creating an engaging narrator to guide us through it, Janis Robinson Daly has delivered a winner." -Sally Cabot Gunning, author of The Widow's War and Painting the Light

"Eliza Edwards chooses an unconventional path. Choosing to ignore high society and commit to medical school, she must possess an unwavering belief in herself. She decides that to succeed, she must change the system. Eliza will win you over with her quiet strength and kind heart." -Kerry Chaput, author of Daughter of the King

"The setting, in terms of time and place, is expertly developed, indicative of the author's thorough research into the topic." -Benjamin Franklin Awards