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The Unlocked Path: A Novel (The Path) Paperback – August 25, 2022

by Janis Robinson Daly (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 326 ratings
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"Flawlessly researched with characters that come alive on the page, debut author Janis Robinson Daly writes with a fresh voice that brings her readers instantly into a story that, in many ways, is shockingly similar to today's world." –Barbara Conrey, USA Today bestselling author of Nowhere Near Goodbye

"An often riveting fictional testament of a doctor's life at the turn of the 20th century." –Kirkus Reviews

The Unlocked Path presents and embraces a "New Woman" of the early 20th century: educated, career-minded, independent. In 1897 Philadelphia, after witnessing her aunt's suicide, Eliza Edwards vows to find ways to help and heal. Rejecting her mother's wishes for her society debut, Eliza enters medical college at a time when only five percent of doctors are female. With the support of a circle of women and driven by a determination to conquer curriculum demands, battle sexism, and overcome doubts, Eliza charts a new life course. Combining science and sympathy, can she triumph to heal others and herself?

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Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 1
    The Path
  2. Print length
    345 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    August 25, 2022
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.87 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1685130143
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1685130145
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"In The Unlocked Path by Janis Robinson Daly, the author has taken an exhilarating time in history and written a wonderfully heartfelt, inspirational, enthusiastic, energetic, and courageous story about events between the years 1897 to 1920 and how brave the women of the era were." -Readers' Favorite

"People looking for a touching story about a woman seeking a professional life in a time when that was not widely accepted will be delighted by Daly's novel." -Manhattan Book Review

"Bursting with historical detail on every page." -Juliette Fay, USA Today bestselling author of The Tumbling Turner Sisters and the recent highly acclaimed, Catch Us When We Fall

"An often riveting fictional testament of a doctor's life at the turn of the 20th century." -Kirkus Reviews

"Eliza's discovery of "the why" echoes a story that we all carry in our hearts. Great historical fiction is timeless." -Eliza Lo Chin, MD, MPH, Executive Director, American Medical Women's Association and editor, This Side of Doctoring: Reflections from Women in Medicine

"Flawlessly researched with characters that come alive on the page, debut author Janis Robinson Daly writes with a fresh voice that brings her readers instantly into a story that, in many ways, is shockingly similar to today's world." -Barbara Conrey, USA Today bestselling author of Nowhere Near Goodbye

"Eliza sees the best and worst of humanity, but never falters from her mission to limit suffering and save lives. It's a story of the ties of family, and friends and colleagues who become family. It's about love and loss, and the eternal struggle to live one's best life. Fans of literary medical historical fiction such as Abraham Verghese's Cutting For Stone or The Girl In His Shadow by Audrey Blake will enjoy the rich period detail and emotional impact of The Unlocked Path." -Tracey Enerson Wood, author of International Best Seller The Engineer's Wife

"In The Unlocked Path, Janis Robinson Daly movingly depicts the monumental struggles early women physicians faced, and the much-needed niche they filled. Meticulously researching a fascinating era in our history and creating an engaging narrator to guide us through it, Janis Robinson Daly has delivered a winner." -Sally Cabot Gunning, author of The Widow's War and Painting the Light

"Eliza Edwards chooses an unconventional path. Choosing to ignore high society and commit to medical school, she must possess an unwavering belief in herself. She decides that to succeed, she must change the system. Eliza will win you over with her quiet strength and kind heart." -Kerry Chaput, author of Daughter of the King

"The setting, in terms of time and place, is expertly developed, indicative of the author's thorough research into the topic." -Benjamin Franklin Awards


About the Author

Intrigued by the discovery that an ancestor was a founder of the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania, Janis Robinson Daly found her next career direction: unearthing the stories of women whose lives have remained in the shadows. With a love of history, she balances a need for authenticity and details with a fictional flair to create deeper emotional connections to characters than what biographies provide. A graduate of Wheaton College, MA, with a B.A. in Psychology, Daly explores female-centric issues and the power of supportive relationships developed among women. Daly, her husband, and rescue pup reside on Cape Cod, MA.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Black Rose Writing (August 25, 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 345 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1685130143
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1685130145
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.87 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 326 ratings

About the author

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Janis Robinson Daly

Janis Robinson Daly

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Discovery that her great-great grandfather was a founder of the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania inspired Janis Robinson Daly’s writing of The Unlocked Path. Balancing authenticity and rich historical detail with a flair to create emotional connections to fictional characters, she seeks to unearth the stories of women whose lives have remained in the shadows. A graduate of Wheaton College in Massachusetts, at the time, an all-women’s college, stimulated a fond appreciation of the supportive relationships established between students, faculty, and alumnae and a heightened awareness of female-centric issues. Both directed the writing of The Unlocked Path. Splitting her time between Cape Cod, New Hampshire, Florida and hotels along Route 95, more adventures beckon Daly to document other women in history whose stories need to be discovered. Daly can be reached at www.janisrdaly.com.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
326 global ratings
A Woman’s journey to becoming a doctor in the early 1900’s
5 Stars
A Woman’s journey to becoming a doctor in the early 1900’s
This story Chronicles Eliza Edwards amazing journey of becoming a doctor and practicing medicine in the early 1900’s. She makes the momentous decision to attend The Women’s Medical College instead of preparing for her Philadelphia debut. Eliza knows that this will be a challenge at a time when less than five percent of doctors were women.We follow Eliza and her supportive group of fellow students, her aunts and her mother in this fascinating novel based on the author’s family history.This was a volatile time in American history. The push to ratify the 19 th Amendment, use of contraception and abortion are topics woven into the story. The sinking of the Titanic, WWI and the Influenza Pandemic of 1918 all occur during this time period.I loved that Janis Robertson Daly portrays these women as strong, determined and proactive. The story is both interesting and emotional. I had a hard time putting this book down , eager to find out what Eliza would face next!Well written and thoroughly researched this book is a must read !
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Top reviews from the United States

Christine Terrell
5.0 out of 5 stars An important read!
Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2022
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When I saw The Unlocked Path on Net Galley, I immediately knew it was for me. I have an interest in any nonfiction or historical fiction book that deals with women trying to enter the medical profession back “in the day.” It was once a man’s world, one in which women did not belong. It took time, courage, sacrifice, and dogged determination back then for a woman to successfully break into clinical medicine and become a physician. Thus, my interest in The Unlocked Path.

This story is a wonderful historical fiction novel based on Ms. Daly’s family history. Make sure to read her Author’s Note where she reveals the intriguing tie-in. The book starts around the time of Eliza’s 18th birthday in 1897. Eliza’s mother is very excited about planning her daughter’s social debut as 18 is the age that a young woman was expected to prepare to find a husband and start a family. Eliza did not want to do that. Eliza wanted to do more with her life, much more. Hence her ultimate decision to go against her mother and enter The Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania (now a part of Drexel University), one of the very first schools in the country to offer women the opportunity to become a physician.

From that point we follow Eliza for the next 23 years as time takes us through her successes and her struggles over the backdrop of politics (including differences over rights for contraception and abortion), the sinking of the Titanic and the Lusitania, the Great Influenza Pandemic of 1918, WWI, and the passage of the 19th Amendment. What I loved most was the drive Eliza mustered to live up to what she felt was her responsibility to be not only a dedicated physician but also a great citizen and the risks taken and sacrifices made by her to attain her goals. I also really liked the family dynamics with her mother and aunts, her deep long-lasting relationships with her best friends from medical school, and how she dealt with the issues surrounding her own primary family. I know Boston well and it was depicted perfectly in the book as was Philadelphia. I was also impressed with the medical expertise showcased in the novel. In all aspects—historical facts, politics, medical expertise, and settings—the author’s research was thorough.

The storyline is addictive and flows extremely well. The writing is excellent. The ending is realistic. When I read the final page, my eyes filled with tears that the story was over. How surprising and gratifying to go to the author’s Goodreads page 5 minutes later and see that she is working on a sequel to cover the later years of Eliza’s life! Clearly, I am very impressed with this debut effort and recommend it highly to all interested in an engrossing historical fiction read.
13 people found this helpful
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Joan McElroy
4.0 out of 5 stars Well-researched and engaging historical fiction
Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2024
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Believable and well-drawn characters are a strong point of this novel. The author shows the power of female friendships and the key support of older women family members in helping Eliza and her classmates achieve their dreams. The characters' lives are set against a vivid historical backdrop that reveals the challenges the young women doctors faced. I appreciated the author note that reveals how she blended historical fact and fiction. In addition, a nice list of resources for those who'd like to find out more about women doctors in the early 20th century.
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Peirce Daly
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully crafted, engaging from the start
Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2024
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Tremendous work! Masterfully weaving through the historical nonfiction segment of the early days of women in medicine! The depth of characters keeps the reader engaged as they flip each page! Shedding light on an amazing story of triumph and determination. Can't wait for the next !!
One person found this helpful
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Barb Klein
3.0 out of 5 stars Worthwhile reading
Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2023
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While the book was hard for me to embrace initially, it became quite interesting as the story developed. The pandemic and women's health issues were the highlights for me. I'd have liked more closure to some of the relationships too.
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EHB
5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful and Inspiring Novel
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2022
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The Unlocked Path, by Janis Robinson Daly, is a very special book. Not only is it the author’s debut novel, but it is a story that will resonate with virtually every woman who reads it.

Eliza Edwards faces many challenges, starting with her struggle to understand herself. As a young woman about to make her social debut, the desire for “something more” in life than marriage and childbearing begins as a mere inkling of uncertainty. Soon, however, it blossoms into a courageous commitment to becoming a doctor—a rarity at the turn of the twentieth century. The author takes readers on a fascinating journey through the rigors of an early medical school education at the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania (WMC). Interestingly, many medical schools of the era were not much more than diploma mills, destined to be shut down following the release of the Flexner Report in 1910 which proposed sweeping reforms in medical education. Notably, Flexner opposed the idea of medical schools specifically for the education of women and recommended that all three of the existing schools be closed, claiming there was neither a strong interest among women in the medical profession nor a demand for women physicians. Fortunately, WMC survived despite his biased views. I relate these facts merely to emphasize how surprised I was to learn about the thoroughness with which women attending WMC were instructed. Undoubtedly, these women were among the best-trained physicians of their time.

But these insights into women’s medical training at the College, fascinating as they may be, are only one aspect of the novel’s appeal. Even more important, Daly creates characters that we truly care about, and she places them in challenging and poignant situations that test their strength, resiliency, and compassion. In the book’s first half, we come to know Eliza’s family and close friends, all of whom contribute substantially to the story. Eliza’s personal life, as opposed to her professional pursuits, emerges to a greater extent in the book’s second half, and in such a way as to keep the reader glued to the page, anxious to know what will happen to her next. Will Eliza find fulfillment beyond her work as a doctor? Will she show as much courage in her personal relationships as she does in her role as a doctor? Seeing her experience many of the difficulties of “ordinary” women adds yet another dimension to Daly’s sensitive portrayal of the novel’s protagonist.

There is a lot to love about this book and a lot to learn from it. I recommend it highly to fans of historical fiction, especially those with an interest in medical history and women’s issues during the early 1900s in America. A wonderful and inspiring novel!
7 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Louise B.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great
Reviewed in Canada on July 15, 2023
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Women's historical story at it's best.
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Mark Wavra
2.0 out of 5 stars Boring
Reviewed in Germany on November 18, 2023
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I finished and that’s about it.
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