Cut is a thrilling, provocative novel set against the backdrop of a major Melbourne hospital’s surgical team in the time before #metoo blew the lid off institutionalised misogyny and sexism (and will appeal to readers of Love & Virtue and Emotional Female).
Carla is a young doctor striving to become the first female surgeon at a prestigious Melbourne hospital. When a consultant post opens up, she competes with her lover for the job and thinks she can be judged on merit. But an assault after a boozy workplace dinner leaves her traumatised and struggling to cope with the misogyny coming from every corner of her workplace. Recovering her fragmented memories from that night, Carla begins a fight for justice that will shake the foundations of the hospital she loves.
Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
Cut is a very well written book about a young and talented doctor named Carla who strives to be the first female surgeon at a prestigious Melbourne hospital. Carla is a very likeable and inspiring character and I enjoyed her development throughout the novel. The sexism and misogyny experienced by Carla had me so emotional and her fight for justice had me hooked the whole time. I liked the use of medical terms in the story which made it feel so real. I was so engrossed in this story it was actually hard to believe it was fiction, considering how relevant the themes are today, especially for women who are in a world dominated by men. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and look forward to reading more from Susan White. Brittany, VIC, 5 Stars
I found “Cut” to be a very thought-provoking book, and more than once I had to remind myself that I was reading a piece of fiction. Too often I found myself cringing and the misogyny that seemed part of the day to day hospital culture which the young and aspiring female doctors had to fight against. While normally not a fan of books that jump rapidly between different characters or perspectives, in this case the style worked well. The central character, Carla, is very likeable – strong when she needs to be (well, mostly) but still with layers of vulnerability, to which we warm. I found myself wanting to give more than one of the ogres masquerading as department leads a really good slap! My hope is that this remains a work of fiction, and that recent years have progressed society past accepting such behaviours as the norm in environments that until recently had been perceived as a male-dominated place. Jane, NSW, 5 Stars
‘It dawned on me that it was the females who had to carry the burden of vigilance’ ‘You never get used to oppression. You just get worn down by it.’ In Cut, Susan White bestows upon us an alarmingly insightful look into deeply ingrained sexist and misogynistic cultures that still permeate society. Carla, a budding doctor striving to become a female surgeon in a male dominated hospital, faces prejudice from her colleagues and mentors on a daily basis. She brushes off much of it in an attempt to assimilate with the toxic patriarchy as a strategy to win their respect and her own promotion. But, Carla comes to learn that the “boys club” will always band around their own in spite of her allegiance and she must turn to her female allies to empower them and herself in the fight for feminist justice. An excellent and timely read, full of tension, turmoil and triumph. Thank you Better Reading Preview for the advanced copy. Sarah, VIC, 5 Stars
I am a big fan of tv shows like Grey’s Anatomy and this book was like watching a season of one of these shows. I was completely engrossed in this story right from the beginning. The main character, Carla is determined to succeed and does her best to stand up for herself and her female colleagues. However the culture in the hospital is sexist and misogynistic and it seems the boys club are able to take away everything she has worked so hard for. But Carla is a strong woman and with the support of other women in her network, she is able to fight back and gain what she truly deserves. Belinda, NSW, 5 Stars
What a great read! It hooks you, then twists and turns. Just when you think its heading one way, off it goes in another direction. I loved that its Melbourne based, so you can picture the settings. Connie, VIC, 5 Stars
I loved this medical drama. Strong and flawed characters makes this a must read. This story is about Carla a young doctor who wants to be a surgeon in a man’s world. What she has to put up with would make most people break. A great read that you don’t want to put down. Highly recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Judy, NSW, 5 Stars
Thanks to the Better Reading Team for my advance reading copy. A thrilling story of a female surgeon in Melbourne hospital. Carla is a young and talented doctor who aims to be a consultant. She needs to compete with her lover and experience traumatised sexual assault just before her important interview. Finding support from her colleagues, friends, and family, she fights for justice. Margaret, NSW, 5 Stars
Cut is a story line that resonates through time and location. As women, we all know, hear or experience misogyny and sexism. What makes this story a stand out, is Carla and the hospital backdrop. It’s heart wrenching, relatable and infuriating, all in one. Kept me up much too late and even flowed into some afternoon coffee conversations with friends. The best kind of book! Tess, TAS, 5 Stars
Cut by Susan White was definitely a novel I could not put down. I appreciated the modern issues it explored (although very uncomfortable at times) such as sexism, misogyny and sexual abuse in the workplace. It has been written very well as it is descriptive yet straight to the point and fast passed and full of suspense which pulls the reader in from the very beginning. I enjoyed that the setting scene is in Melbourne so it is fondly relatable too. The character of Carla as a young passionate doctor who is striving to become a surgeon at a prestigious Melbourne hospital is very strong. It is great to read about a character that listens to her gut instincts and knows the feeling of right from wrong. She unfortunately falls into the ‘boys club’ of surgery thinking that they are her friends but soon finds out that the toxic environment does not suit her. It was invigorating to read about the positive characters that came into Carla’s life like Tess and Xander to make her realise that true friends do exist and that they support in times of crisis. A thrilling novel if you love reading about modern topics, women’s rights and their fight for justice. Two thumbs up. Raffaela, VIC, 5 Stars
Tackling real-life issues such as misogyny and sexism, Cut by Susan White is an interesting and thrilling novel set in a major Melbourne hospital. The protagonist is Carla, a young doctor who has aspirations to become the first female surgeon in the Melbourne hospital. Sexism appears to be the norm and Carla finds it easier to ignore so she can try to fit in. However, when she suffers a traumatic experience at a work function, Carla knows she must fight for the injustice of it all. This is a thrilling story that was very hard to put down, especially towards the end of the novel. I absolutely loved Carla’s character and really felt her pain. Thank you very much Better Reading for the opportunity to read and review this amazing book. I highly recommend it. Christine, QLD, 5 Stars
A thrilling, tense and utterly unputdownable book! 👩⚕️I started this yesterday and finished this morning & it was during a migraine attack but this book wanted, needed to be read. 👩⚕️From the very first page, I was hooked. The author has written this in fractured (sorry about the pun) chapters which added to the tension of this book. 👩⚕️Chapters of: Before, During, and After give you a real sense of the struggle of females in the health system and everywhere. The subtle looks not aimed at your face, the “accidental” touches, the jokes of you, about you, aimed at you. The innuendo, the sexism, the glaring and obvious attacks at our supposed weaknesses and to top it all off, the righteousness of men in power to believe they can attack and use females to make themselves feel better absolutely had me furious. Then I was saddened by the disbelief that occurs when an attack is reported, at any level. This book also had me again reeling at the continued ignorance of the patient. At what point does a Dr, Surgeon, Specialist forget that they are tending to a human? 👌Such was the power of this book. And yet there are those that will listen and actually see us a real person, with real pain, anguish, feelings. This is what all Drs should be aiming for. 👉While this is fiction it is based on things that Susan has seen in her career and I applaud her for a brilliant book. Ali, TAS, 5 Stars
Carla Di Pieta is a trainee surgeon at a fictional Melbourne hospital. She’s ambitious, hard-working, aiming for a prestigious position as the hospital’s first female surgery ‘consultant’. She’s also only 27 years old, single, juggling romance, long work hours, and family expectations. Added to that is her need to manage with good grace the constant stream of casual sexism from the ‘boys’ club’ of entitled males with whom she works. Should she smile at the sexist jokes, ignore the slights, remember to keep her distance from the senior surgeon with wandering hands, or should she speak out, rock the boat, and put her promotion in jeopardy? A line is crossed. Carla speaks out. Consequences accumulate and finally reach an horrendous and defining moment. Cut reminded me of my early years as a junior academic, preparing morning teas, choosing presents for retiring staff and pretending not to understand sleazy innuendo. Probably most career-oriented women have stories to tell about workplace sexism although perhaps not as shocking as Carla’s. Cut gives us a truly relatable picture of sexism and misogyny in a professional environment. It is also a thriller that builds to a dramatic crescendo. I couldn’t put it down. A great read. Susan, VIC, 5 Stars
“Cut”, by Susan White, explores the harrowing world of a fictional Melbourne hospital from the point of view of Carla, one of only a handful of female doctors. This is a riveting novel that takes the reader inside a world of power, trauma and abuse. In stark contrast, we also see the touchingly human side of medicine, as Carla connects with patients as individuals, walking their journeys with them. I sometimes find myself put off by books that alternate between the past and present, however this style of presentation works perfectly in this novel. The author skilfully presents the events in a disjointed manner, mirroring Carla’s recollections and mental state, before finally merging the storylines into one, as the consequences of a life-altering event are laid bare and dissected. “Cut” explores themes of trust, both earned and misplaced, misogyny, and the lengths to which some people will go in the pursuit of ego-driven, entitled goals. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and the short chapters kept me turning the pages well into the night. The chapter titles and descriptions were clever and fitting, subtly adding to the tension as the novel progressed. It was a privilege to review this book. Alison, QLD, 4 Stars
Cut by Susan White takes the reader on an insightful journey focused on the life of aspiring female surgeon Carla as she tries to rise through the ranks of a male dominated field. Set in the backdrop of a prestigious Australian Hospital in 2014 prior to the #metoo moment the author focuses on institutionalised misogyny and sexism faced by the female staff. As the story progresses you switch between different time periods across the space of 12 months in which Carla and her female colleges are confronted with workplace sexual harassment and degrading treatment while trying to push it aside and focus on furthering their careers, bettering their surgical skills and learning from their mistakes. But eventually enough becomes enough and they must face their personal traumas, stand up to their perpetrators and let their voices be heard. It is great to witness the strength, fortitude and personal growth these women go through as they fight for equality. It is a great piece of feminism fiction, which I personally found very inspiring to read. Jamye, VIC, 4 Stars
Thanks Better Reading Preview and Affirm Press for the chance to read and review this book. I enjoyed reading this book about a female doctor trying to break into the boys club as a surgeon in a hospital here in Melbourne. Carla is a strong person, feels she isn’t being judged fairly by the boys club of surgeons, especially after misrepresentation of events that took place after a workplace dinner involving a lot of alcohol, and Carla being the subject of an assault. Carla receives the support of friends, family and some of her colleagues, doesn’t give up she fights for justice. Debbie, VIC, 4 Stars
Cut was an engrossing read – filled with plenty of drama and emotion. I loved the way the story progressed and the character of Carla was inspirational. The story didn’t get too bogged down with medical terminology – just enough to provide an understanding. Overall a great book. Susan, NSW, 4 Stars
Cut is a timely and sophisticated medical thriller. It gave great insight into the cut-throat (no pun intended), high pressure world of surgical residency. It’s not the type of book I would normally choose to read, but I’m so glad it did. Raw and honest, it was tough to read at times due to the abuse and injustices the protagonist faced. Highly recommended for anyone who likes a thriller that’s more than just make believe. Kerrie, NSW, 4 Stars
A very ‘real’ fiction read highlighting the inequity and disadvantages between genders in the medical field. Similar in style to The Registrar; told from the perspective of a female in medicine, shining the light on burnout, and the story of an oncology patient evolving throughout. Written in a way which evoked emotions in the reader; I felt Carla’s frustrations, fears, and trepidation as events escalated at the hospital. Switching between tenses: ‘before’, ‘during’, and ‘after’, was effective and built suspense. Overall an engaging read with an important message at it’s heart. Christelle, TAS, 4 Stars
A page turning read, where the sickly sense of impending doom propels the reader to a hopeful ending. Mopsy, VIC, 4 Stars
Cut is set in Melbourne at a large hospital, Carla is young and hopes to become a surgeon – she would be the first female surgeon at this hospital, unfortunately after suffering an assault she struggles to cope and her work colleagues don’t help her situation at all, but Carla is a fighter and she will not rest until justice is served. An interesting book that I enjoyed. Deborah, NSW, 4 Stars
I really enjoyed this engrossing book about young Doctors trying to find their place in a major Melbourne hospital. The story centres around Carla who strives to be the first female surgeon at the hospital. She has her eye on a consultant post which she will be competing for with her lover who happens to be the son of one of the top surgeons at the hospital. The hospital is run by sexist, misogynistic male surgeons which is pretty much a “boys club”. Carla gives her patients the honesty and kindness they deserve which is seriously lacking from most of the other surgeons. I found when Carla confronted her patient Liv about her botched surgery intense and emotional. There are lots of medical terms and walk throughs on operations and also drama from some of the patients. The descriptions of the disgusting surgeon Benson who is a hands on pervert were very realistic and made my skin crawl. Each chapter heading is either a medical term or Before, During and After in reference to the assault on Carla. The story flowed well and also included relations of Carla and outside friendships. There is also plenty of back stabbing and it’s hard to know who are the good guys with some strange goings on. Tracy, WA, 4 Stars
The real strength of this book is Carla’s relationships with her real, flawed co-workers. We often spend more time with them than our families (particularly in a hospital set drama) and yet we don’t really know them as people. Realising that the entire cast of the book were potentially unreliable or bad people really gave the whole thing an air of a murder mystery. The back cover tells us a crime is committed so trying to work it out in advance was interesting – who were the red herrings, who is sending the weird texts, who was that in the parking garage. The mystery definitely cranked this up to a 4 out of 5 and a worthwhile, engaging read. Richard, VIC, 4 Stars
It’s always shocking to think that women can still be treated this way even if only in a novel. I enjoyed the development of the main character as she was lead towards a better understanding of the part we all play in allowing this sexist, misogynistic treatment when we don’t speak up. The snapshots of the ending throughout the book kept me on the edge of my seat. A very timely novel. Lauren, VIC, 4 Stars
Cut by Susan White is a book based in a Melbourne hospital following Dr Carla’s experiences. She works hard as a surgeon and is keen to fulfil her dream of a surgical consultant. But her life takes a terrible turn when she is sexually abused at a work function. She starts a fight for justice for herself and other female hospital employees. But life is never the same. This book is based before the #metoo movement but looks at the same issues and consequences. This is a deeply personal read looking the effect on one woman’s life after an assault. Definitely worth the read. Maree, VIC, 4 Stars
I loved this book. Susan White put a spotlight on Misogyny and sexism within the medical corridors. Why do woman have to work so hard to prove themselves? And protect themselves. And why, when a man explores his sexual life is he a stud, but a woman is a slut? Susan’s characters were well defined and all so different, with them she brought a lot of complex issues to the story. Everything from mental problems, alcoholism, drug use, foreign families and Uni drop outs. I worked in a hospital in the 1960’s and am appalled that women have not gained more ground in that time. We need the “Metoo” movement to highlight what is happening in Politics, the film industry and probably every workplace. I enjoyed how the author wove the past and present into the story, leaving us guessing at who attacked her. A very readable book about many serious issues. Joy, VIC, 4 Stars
I wasn’t familiar with this author so had no particular expectations. Was pleasantly surprised. A solid psychological suspense tale with good characterisation. Christina, WA, 4 Stars
Leave a Reply