A Thought-Provoking Novel: Read an Extract from The Surgeon of Royaumont by Susan Neuhaus

As one of only a handful of female medical graduates working at the Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, Clara Heywood refuses to be denied the chance to become a surgeon because of her sex. As her male colleagues, including her unofficial fiance Edward, head off to war, Clara grapples with a sense of her own unfulfilled purpose. In defiance of her own family and all convention, she leaves for France to work at the Scottish Women’s Hospital at Royaumont Abbey, a hospital managed entirely by women on the Western Front. 

There, under the tutelage of Miss Frances Ivens, Clara is thrust into the brutal realities of war, the technical intricacies of surgery and the profound ethical and emotional toll it exacts. Surgery tests not only her skills but her values and Clara discovers that her greatest adversaries are not the wounds of war but the internal conflicts that shape her understanding of humanity, and the heavy burden of her own ambition.

Clara’s journey transcends the confines of history, embodying the timeless struggle for identity, purpose, and humanity amidst the horrors of war, and bringing to light the courage and sacrifice of women.

Susan Neuhaus is a surgeon and distinguished ex-army officer. Having served as a military surgeon in both peacekeeping and combat operations, Susan has a deep interest in experiences of women surgeons at the turn of the century and the contribution of Australian women in times of war.

What an eye-opening glimpse into the formidable challenges women confronted in medicine during World War I. Set in the Scottish Women’s Hospital at Royaumont Abbey, near the front lines, the story offers an authentic exploration of the barriers women faced in medicine during World War I. Through the courageous and resilient character of Clara, we gain a deeper appreciation for the women who fought not only to serve, but to be recognized as equals in their field. Clara’s determination to prove herself as capable as her male counterparts makes her a truly inspiring role model. As she grows more confident and passionate with each injury treated and surgery performed, I found myself admiring her even more. Her journey is a testament to the doors these trailblazing women opened for generations to come.

Neuhaus’s expertise shines through every page, drawing on her own experience as an army surgeon. Her deep knowledge of battlefield medicine vividly brings the story to life, immersing the reader in the gritty, urgent work of doctors and nurses on the front lines. Don’t skip the author’s notes at the end—they add powerful context and even greater depth to Clara’s journey, making her story resonate all the more.

As a longtime fan of historical fiction, The Surgeon of Royaumont only deepened my love for the genre. I was completely hooked from the first page and stayed up late into the night, unable to put it down. I’m eagerly looking forward to whatever Neuhaus writes next!

Buy a copy of The Surgeon of Royaumont here.