I’ve read two previous books by Dana Schwartz, Choose Your Own Disaster and The White Man’s Guide to White Male Writers of the Western Canon. Both were non-fiction(ish?) – the first a memoir with a “Choose Your Own Adventure” conceit and the second a satirical look at famous authors from the persona of Schwartz’ @GuyInYourMFA twitter account. I also enjoy her podcast Noble Blood, though I am waaay behind on it (it’s a mystery to me how people manage to make time in their lives for podcasts).

Anyway, when I heard she had a young adult book coming out and read the blurb, I was excited. Even moreso when I saw the beautiful cover. Suffice to say, I was jazzed to read this.

Aforementioned blurb:

Edinburgh, 1817.

Hazel Sinnett is a lady who wants to be a surgeon more than she wants to marry.

Jack Currer is a resurrection man who’s just trying to survive in a city where it’s too easy to die.

When the two of them have a chance encounter outside the Edinburgh Anatomist’s Society, Hazel thinks nothing of it at first. But after she gets kicked out of renowned surgeon Dr. Beecham’s lectures for being the wrong gender, she realizes that her new acquaintance might be more helpful than she first thought. Because Hazel has made a deal with Dr. Beecham: If she can pass the medical examination on her own, Beecham will allow her to continue her medical career. Without official lessons, though, Hazel will need more than just her books – she’ll need corpses to study.

Lucky that she’s made the acquaintance of someone who digs them up for a living, then.

But Jack has his own problems: Strange men have been seen skulking around cemeteries, his friends are disappearing off the streets, and the dreaded Roman Fever, which wiped out thousands a few years ago, is back with a vengeance. Nobody important cares – until Hazel.

Now, Hazel and Jack must work together to uncover the secrets buried not just in unmarked graves, but in the very heart of Edinburgh society.

So, Hazel is a lady; I think she’s about 19. She’s engaged-to-be-engaged to marry a cousin, who is appropriately boorish (but could probably be worse as far as boorish cousins/fiances go; I’ve read so many). When we first meet Hazel she is attempting to reanimate a dead frog. She has always been interested in medical matters and has longed to have the opportunity to study to be a doctor, but her gender and her class present considerable barriers.

Hazel lives with her mother and younger brother in a castle near Edinburgh; her father is off guarding Napoleon on St. Helena for the Royal Navy. Her beloved older brother died from the same “Roman Fever” that Hazel recovered from, and ever since her mother has been super-protective of Hazel’s younger brother and neglectful of Hazel (presumably her gender makes her not worth worrying about).

A note on the “Roman Fever”: the internet mostly points me to the Edith Wharton story of the same name, and other references suggest it’s another name for either malaria or pneumonia. In the course of this story, it seems like perhaps a fictitious ailment somewhat similar to bubonic plague.

When we first meet Jack, he’s robbing a grave. It’s distasteful work (more on that in a bit), and I had to give some thought to the moral implications. As presented in the story, the graverobbers strip the bodies because if they take anything *other* than the body they can be charged with theft, which is a more serious charge than just graverobbing. Families of the recently deceased do take measures to prevent the desecration of their loved ones’ remains (putting a concrete slab over the coffin was one popular option).

I guess I kind of disapprove of graverobbing on the grounds that you’re potentially giving pain to the recently bereaved. While I find it very yucky (again, more on that), I don’t think it really matters to the person who is dead. And: 1) doctors and students did need bodies to learn from that were well nigh impossible to get at that time and 2) graverobbers needed money to survive.

Whereas I had previously, if ever gave it any thought, felt that graverobbers of past centuries were Not Good People, I am willing to aver that the truth is more complicated. For the purposes of the story, Jack is really quite decent and not even all that hardened given the circumstances of his life. He is also about 19.

So, the story: as blurbed, Hazel and Jack meet and then meet again, and she starts using him to provide bodies. She has first started to attend Dr. Beecham’s lectures disguised as a male, but is found out fairly quickly. Hazel and Jack develop a friendship and when his gravedigging partner mysteriously disappears (dun-dun-dun!), Hazel even accompanies Jack on his nocturnal missions.

All this stretches credulity quite a bit – not that Hazel is intent on becoming a doctor, because history serves up plenty of examples of women ahead of their time. But it seems unlikely that she’d be left to her own devices to such a degree as she is (her mother, spooked by the return of the fever to Edinburgh, whisks Hazel’s brother to Bath, leaving Hazel alone). Even though she lives in a castle, the only staff appear to be Hazel’s maid and one footman, both of whom abet Hazel when she starts bringing stiffs into the castle’s dungeon (!) and cutting them up.

Ultimately, my bigger issue with this book was really my own fault – I didn’t really think about how squeamish I am. I find the subject matter interesting but I have probably too faint a heart for the nitty gritty – sights and smells are described in a fair amount of detail. I ended up feeling somewhat alienated from Hazel as a character because I didn’t *understand* how she wasn’t grossed out by it all (I judged Jack less harshly because it wasn’t like he got into dealing with dead bodies because he wanted to).

I mean it when I say – this was my issue. I fully acknowledge that the world needs people willing to do all sorts of things that I find gross. But I do wish I’d understood Hazel better – maybe I needed more background on how and why she became so fascinated with human anatomy. I didn’t dislike Hazel, but I found Jack both more likable and relatable.

My last complaint is that there are unexpected fantastical elements introduced late in the story that I really wasn’t expecting and didn’t feel were necessary to the story. I think there may be a sequel, and these elements do intrigue me in regards to what direction the story will take. But I wish the turn into fantasy/sci-fi (sort of? I don’t really know what to call it) had been better telegraphed. In retrospect, there were a couple of things that didn’t really make sense for a story grounded in reality, but these were too subtle for me.

This is one of those books/reviews where I have more to say about the things I didn’t like than the things I did, making it sound like I *really* didn’t like the book, which isn’t quite the case. Complaints aside, this was well written and the setting and characters interested me. I enjoyed Anatomy: A Love Story enough to give it a B grade, and I will very likely pick up the sequel; I think knowing about some of the things that bothered me in this book will make me less likely to be bothered in the next one.

3 stars!
ty to netgalley and st. martin's press for the digital arc :)

'anatomy: a love story" follows hazel and jack. hazel is a female surgeon, which isn't accepted in society at the time. after getting kicked out of her class (which she attended disguised as a boy), she enlists the help of jack - who is a resurrection man - to gain the proper experience to be certified as a surgeon. the two soon work together to help figure out the secrets that shroud them.

i think this was a decent book. reminded me a lot of stalking jack the ripper and i believe fans of that particular book would enjoy it. i do want to say that i don't really view it as a love story? didn't really feel a lot of chemistry between the characters. it's a bit on the slower-paced spectrum of books but not too bad that you end up falling asleep. not a fave but not bad either.

Anatomy: A Love Story is about Hazel who live in the late 1800s in Edinburgh. Hazel wants to be a surgeon, in a time before female physicians. After Hazel sneaks into a physicians class and is exposed as a woman she makes a bet with the residing doctor that she can pass the exam without his class. She soon realizes though she can't learn it all from book, cue Jack the resurrection man to help provide her with bodies. And why are the poor in Edinburgh showing up with missing pieces of their bodies?

I listen to Schwartz' Noble Blood podcast, and she continues her electrifying writing style in this book. I could not put this book down. I was thoroughly invested in the plot and characters. Hazel and Jack's chemistry was undeniable. Also the B plot hits you like a ton of bricks at the end and I'm just sitting with my book screaming "Wait what? Huh? WHAT!" So highly recommend.

I love Dana Schwartz's podcast, and was definitely not disappointed by this book! It was such an eerie book, which some incredible twists. I grew to love all of the characters!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC.

Hazel desperately wants to learn anatomy by dissecting things. We first meet her when she stumbles onto a lucky find: a dead frog to anatomize. It's the early 19th century in Edinburgh, and Hazel is a girl, so options for studying anatomy, even as a woman of wealth, are non-existent. But when Hazel finds out that a renowned anatomist will be starting a course, she is determined to find a way.

This was charming. I loved how Hazel Sinnett is odd but not in a "shucks, this lady likes BOOKS and wears glasses" sort of way. Hazel wants to cut things up to learn and will happily cross dress to do so. And she finds the perfect man to help her! While there is a love story here, I was most focused on seeing Hazel evolve, channeling that quest to learn to helping those most in need. Refreshing.

I've enjoyed Data Schwartz's podcast Noble Blood and many guest appearances on Stuff You're Wrong About. If you haven't listened to those yet, highly recommended.

Anatomy was amazing! This story’s main character did what Kerri Maniscalco couldn’t do with Audrey Rose. I loved this so much and I can totally see why this was chosen as a Reese Witherspoon book club pick!

This was such a gorgeous book! Nothing makes me happier than gothic historic fiction and this one definitely checked all those boxes! The writing style was stunning as well!

Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz is primarily a historical fiction story at it’s core. This one also has a bit of fantasy, a bit of romance and an air of mystery all in a gothic setting so of course it grabbed my interest being a fan of books that define being classified as any one thing.

The story is set in Edinburgh in the year 1817 where Hazel Sinnett is at the age where she is discovering who she is and who that is doesn’t like being stuck in the female role. Hazel would much rather become a surgeon than be married off to her suitor.

Hazel grasps her opportunity to study by sneaking into lectures as a male but when Hazel meets Jack Currer she sees an opportunity to take her studies one step further. You see, Jack is a resurrection man and he can bring Hazel the bodies she needs to further her education with practice on a real corpse.

Anatomy: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz was such a fun book to read. This was a unique story with a strong female lead trying to break out of society’s expectations. It’s odd to say there is gruesome and gore but still some romance and more in this novel. Definitely one that kept the pages turning wondering where the story would lead next.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

This was so much fun! I really enjoyed the narrative style of this, and the characters were likable and entertaining. The vibes in this was great. This was absolutely a romp and such a good time. I won't say I was deeply affected by this but sometimes you just need something kind of ridiculous, kind of trophy, and overall a good time. Recommended if you like historical mysteries.

I was totally drawn in by the gorgeous cover of this book, and the description sounded like something that I was absolutely going to love. Unfortunately this didn't live up to my expectations. I found it very slow in the beginning, and the ending then felt very rushed.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my review copy!

Two young lives intersect in this unique novel set during the early 1800s in Scotland. Hazel and Jack come from two different backgrounds, and are both looking to survive in a difficult time. With Roman Fever rearing its ugly head again, being a resurrection man and a woman interested in curing the disease, both Jack and Hazel find themselves facing social and other challenges...

I really enjoyed the book overall, and would recommend! It was a quick read and kept me on my toes.

Wow! The cover of this book is gorgeous, but man, the plot is so quirky and engaging. I found the Gothic mystery to be very enticing, set in the early 1800s of Edinburgh, Scotland. The city is,being plagued by illness and murders and aspiring surgeon Hazel, befriends a "resurrection man" or grave robber named Jack. The author researches the backdrop of the city at that time and I found some of the things that were occurring to be quite horrifying, but in a "I can't stop reading....how did this actually go on?!" way. Dana is a great author and weaves the story and characters together so well. Some of the characters could have been a bit more well developed, but I really loved Hazel and Jack!

I would recommend this book to my teen patrons who like historical fiction. This book was like reading a BBC historical drama and I mean that as a compliment. It was difficult to put down. I became quickly invested in the characters and had to know what happened to them. When I read this book I expected a romance because of the title, but I would say there isn’t that much romance. This is more of a coming of age story and a good one.

While the setting and circumstances of this novel were unique, grotesque, and interesting, I was not impressed by either the characters or the plot of this story. In my opinion, the author had an original, gritty, and fascinating idea that fell apart during the execution. I just wasn’t invested in the characters, and found myself struggling to stay attached to what was taking place on the page. This book could have been really amazing, but it fell short, for me.

Every now and then I decide to take a chance on a YA read and Anatomy: A Love Story did not disappoint! How could I pass up mystery and romance in 1817 Scotland?

This book was so original and beautifully written. Hazel was wonderful. I loved her ambition to be a doctor and surgeon and how she viewed people. Social standing meant nothing to her. Through her studies in medicine, she grows more empathetic and determined to help people. Jack was lovable from the start. He immediately saw Hazel for her beautiful mind and I love that he encouraged her to pursue her dreams. Jack and Hazel’s love grew naturally and was believable. It came off very mature and not at all cheesy or unrealistic.

I loved the mystery surrounding people disappearing and the Roman plague. It added a darkness to the story that made it hard to put down. The mystery and romance was so well balanced and I enjoyed the hints along the way that made the reveal at the end so intriguing. I highly recommend this if you’re looking for something both mysterious and fanciful, dark but still fun. Schwartz’s writing is truly lyrical. The only question now is: Is this just the beginning of Hazel Sinnett?

When I first saw the title of this book I knew I had to read it no matter what! Im a female, a doctor, in a man's world....so the premise behind this book was truly intriguing! add in a love story, a strong female character and gross medical references - I was completely sold! Thorough enjoyed this book and loved that Reese picked it for her YA winter choice!

A lot of this book's problems could have been solved if it had been NA instead of YA - to have 16 year old Hazel practicing medicine was wild. Even as a 16 year old I would have found that unbelievable. And the characters seemed more mature than teens, too, and not in the way that 17 seems like adulthood when you're 13.

But a lot of this book's problems would have persisted all the same: it's not spectacularly written, with a lot of repetition and some language choices that made me question historical accuracy. Maybe its worst offense, though, is that it's woefully underplotted and then the entire book is jammed into the last 30%. There's really nothing that happens in the first 70% besides Hazel going to medical school (!!) and Jack being like "I will steal bodies for this pretty girl," and then all of the sudden there's a black market for organs? And then an IMMORTALITY SUBPLOT?

Honestly just kind of ridiculous overall.

I picked up this book because it gave me Frankenstein vibes, and while historical fiction is not my go-to genre, I’m a sucker for a female-led science-fiction novel, especially when it’s equal parts gruesome and lovely. And that’s what you’ll find in Anatomy: A Love Story. The title hides a double meaning, because while our intrepid heroine, Hazel, indeed does find love in the book, it’s truly her infatuation with the human body that takes center stage.

As far as characters go, Hazel is one of the best I’ve read in a while. She’s wildly intelligent and frustrated by the fact that she’ll never get to be a surgeon all because she was born a woman. Although we have many more opportunities than our 19th century counterparts, it’s a struggle that many of us can still relate to, and Hazel’s confidence in her own abilities is inspiring, to say the least.

With excellent pacing, good character moments, and just enough science and romance to please any fan of this genre, I’d be hard-pressed not to recommend this novel to those of you looking for something equal parts warm, spooky, and brave.

This book was fun. It gave me some Stalking Jack the Ripper and Frankenstein vibes. I thought it was a great start but did slow down just after halfway through and the ending became a bit predictable. The epilogue was also a little confusing and left things open ended. Overall it was a fun YA Historical Fiction and was what I needed in this moment.

This is billed as a YA Alternative History, but I think I’d call it YA Fantasy.

Set in 1817 Edinburgh, Hazel is an aristocratic young lady who is determined to be a surgeon. Jack is a poor, streetwise resurrection man just trying to survive and avoid arrest. After being turned away from classes at the Anatomist’s Society, Hazel studies on her own for the medical examination. Jack provides the cadavers for her studies. But strange (at times gruesome) things begin happening, including people disappearing and then reappearing not as “whole” as they once were, and all of this while a miraculous discovery is made by a renowned surgeon whose grandfather became a recluse obsessed with the occult and longevity. They must work together to uncover dark secrets and save lives.

I enjoyed the first half of this one more than the second. I absolutely loved the spunky, tenacious Hazel and her devotion to her craft. And her interactions with Jack were fun. But I felt as the story wore on it became more implausible (and yes, I KNOW it’s fantasy) and too “convenient”. And there were instances where I felt confused about aspects of the plot (including the ending).

Overall, I’d give this a thumbs-up just for Hazel alone.

My sincere thanks to #NetGalley and #WednesdayBooks for providing me the free early arc of #AnatomyALoveStory for review. The opinions are strictly my own.