‘I bring to light a truth, which was unknown for many centuries with direful results for the human race.’ – Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis.
The Blurb
Imagine you’d discovered something. Something that could save hundreds of thousands of lives. But they wouldn’t let you tell anyone. Wouldn’t it drive you mad?
Young Hungarian doctor Ignaz Semmelweis uncovers the real reason thousands of young women are dying after childbirth. Yet, in mid-19th century Europe, his simple methods are ridiculed. Semmelweis faces the battle of his life to convince others that the cause is simple…
Based on the true story of a forgotten hero, A Theory in Vienna brings the remarkable story of this man to life.
My Review
Based on true events, this is the remarkable story of Ignaz Semmelweis, an unsung hero of the 19th century.
Semmelweis was a young doctor who was appalled by the high mortality rate of mothers and their babies who died from puerperal fever when in the doctors' lying-in ward. By contrast, those who delivered their babies on the midwives' ward were far more likely to survive.
Semmelweis made it his life's work – first discovering the cause and then trying to convince other doctors that they needed to implement his rigorous methods of hygiene. To the modern eye, his theory seems like nothing more than common sense; however, he had to battle ferociously to get the medical profession to take him seriously. Unfortunately, he was battling against the egos of experienced doctors who weren't willing to make changes to their practice.
I could feel Semmelweis's frustration oozing from the page and the author did a great job in portraying this. He was an ordinary man whose conviction in discovering the cause of such high mortality rates was second to none. He was a determined individual who became known as The Mothers' Saviour.
There are descriptions of the historical background in both Hungary and Austria - in itself a period of political uncertainty and upheaval. The descriptions are vivid and tangible.
This was an interesting novel that I am very glad to have read. Medical practices that we take for granted in our present age are thanks to this man – perhaps even for life itself. I knew nothing of him prior to reading this book and I heartily encourage you to read this book for yourselves.
Book Details
ISBN: 978 1835743072
Publisher: The Book Guild Ltd
Formats: e-book and paperback
No. of Pages: 320 (paperback)
Purchase Links
About the Author
Heidi was born in London in the Sixties. She grew up in South Wales, UK and moved to Paris as a young adult where she taught English for two years. She currently lives in Switzerland and recently completed an MA in Creative Writing.
Her first short story was published in Prima magazine (UK) in 2018. Heidi now writes historical fiction. Her first novel, Rebecca’s Choice is set in Tredelerch – an old house in Wales that belonged to her family generations ago. This novel won an award from The Coffee Pot Book Club in 2020, Debut Novel Bronze Medal.
Her second novel, A Theory in Vienna, is set in 19th century Vienna and Budapest. It tells the incredible story of unsung hero Ignaz Semmelweis, whose life-saving discovery was ridiculed at the time.
Heidi enjoys travelling (the further North the better!), singing and writing songs, and spending time reading and writing at her Swiss chalet where the views are amazing.
You can also find Heidi at:
Authors Page at The Book Guild
(ARC and media courtesy of The Coffee Pot Book Club)
(all opinions are my own)
(Bookshop.org affiliated)
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