Description
Book SynopsisIt’s usual, they say, for a young person coming to London for the first time to arrive with a head full of dreams. Well, Endurance Proudfoot did not. When she stepped off the coach from Sussex, on a warm and sticky afternoon in the summer of 1757, it never occurred to her that the city would be the place where she’d make her fortune; she was just very annoyed to be arriving there at all. Meet Endurance Proudfoot, the bonesetter’s daughter: clumsy as a carthorse, with a tactless tongue and a face she’s sure only a mother could love. Durie only wants one thing in life – to follow her father and grandfather into the family business of bonesetting. It’s a physically demanding job, requiring strength, nerves of steel and discretion – and not the job for a woman.
But Durie isn’t like other women. She’s strong and stubborn and determined to get her own way. And she finds that she has a talent at
Trade Review'Among the most impressive historical fiction out this July is Frances Quinn's
That Bonesetter Woman (Simon & Schuster), based on a real story about two sisters in Georgian London, one who is desperate to be a female bonesetter and the other who is a determined social climber' * Independent *
‘Quinn’s second book is a true celebration of courage, resilience and embracing being different’ * CultureFly *
‘Endurance Proudfoot is an enduring heroine and her story is told with wit and warmth’ * Yours, Book of the Month *
‘[An] intriguing tale, told with wit and compassion’ * Choice, Book of the Month *
'This rambunctious ride of a book mixes historical fact with a really memorable lead character (I completely fell in love with her!). Endurance Proudfoot wants to be a bonesetter like her father and won’t let the fact that she’s a woman get in her way. Entertaining historical fiction'
* Good Housekeeping *
'The narrative is fast-moving and lively… this is an enjoyable read, feminist history which does not neglect sources of humour or romance. It deserves to be reach a wide audience'
* Historical Novel Society *
'Frances Quinn’s debut novel,
The Smallest Man, was about a dwarf in the employ of Henrietta Maria, wife of Charles I.
That Bonesetter Woman shares similar themes about being an outsider trying to succeed in a hostile society. Like
The Smallest Man it is written with a warmth and tenderness for the characters that makes it irresistible'
* The Times *
'This second novel by the author of historical hit
The Smallest Man takes its inspiration from two of Georgian England’s most famous celebrities. Endurance Proudfoot is determined to go into the family trade and become a bonesetter, despite being a woman. But when she finds herself packed off to London with her sister, disgraced beauty Lucinda, the pair embark on a rollercoaster adventure'
* BBC History *
‘Durie Proudfoot is a brilliant heroine: stubborn, flawed and so entertaining to spend time with. I loved every step of her journey, and Frances Quinn is fast becoming one of my favourite historical novelists’
Louise Hare ‘I adored every second of this book - historical fiction at its finest, and Quinn is a natural storyteller. Quirky, funny and original. Durie and her lions will stay with me’
Ericka Waller ‘I feel as if I left a little bit of my heart between the pages of this extraordinary book’
Nicola Gill ‘Filled with hope and humour,
That Bonesetter Woman is a novel that truly champions the underdog. I devoured it with as much gusto as the inimitable heroine sets people’s bones’
Polly Crosby ‘
That Bonesetter Woman is a wonderfully uplifting, charming, addictive and unusual story. Quinn delivers astute and acutely observed aspects of human behaviour delivered with great humour and compassion. Replace the coffee houses and newspaper scribblers with Twitter and YouTube and I’d say, not so much has changed!’
Louise Fein ‘Frances Quinn has done it again! Georgian London is vividly brought to life in a fast-paced story full of quirky characters, wry wit, warmth and wisdom. I was completely charmed!’
Anita Frank
