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The Secret Life of Dr James Barry: Victorian England's Most Eminent Surgeon by Rachel Holmes
yyc_heather's review
4.0
A fascinating bio of an amazing historical figure. Holmes makes a convincing case that, rather than previous characterizations of Barry as a woman who disguised herself as a man in order to pursue a medical career, Barry was in fact a trans man and possibly intersex as well. Regardless of his gender, he lived an amazing life as a medical innovator and acquaintance of some of the leading figures of the day.
soodleth's review
5.0
I do not frequently read nonfiction – in fact I think the only nonfiction I have read was for children (and the only biography Jackie Daydream, which was written almost exactly like one of Jacqueline Wilson’s novels apart from being true) – so I expected this to be a mixture between a dry academic paper and a newspaper article. I was wrong. It read more like an exciting novel with a sprinkling of academia. I found it easy to read other than a few medical heavy sections where I got a little lost. Rachel Holmes’ writing style was engaging, and Dr Barry’s life was certainly exciting enough to keep one entertained for the duration of the book. Holmes took her time to stop and expand on some cultural context when necessary which rather than drawing you out of the tale, made everything easier to understand. I found these parts fascinating and very useful in placing Barry in his world.Holmes was witty and included several humorous quotations from when Barry was alive, though she did note that the accuracy of these anecdotes was questionable.
Despite having read as much about Barry as I could online before procuring this book there was so much more to discover. As well as telling us about his work, achievements and downfalls it also gave me a feeling of familiarity with Barry’s character. By all accounts Barry was a hot-headed, stubborn, argumentative but caring and unflappably loyal man. He made himself many enemies due to his inability to back down and his passion for improving all people’s conditions. Barry particularly focused on care for prisoners and lepers which made him unpopular in Cape Town. However, he was also popular with the women which made him disliked by several men. He fought in at least one duel (and won).
I was bored by the very end (a whole chapter on hernias) and felt that there was too much time given to the speculation that Dr James Barry was intersex considering the lack of evidence (due to his body not being examined after death pretty much everything is speculation).
Very importantly, I must also make sure you’re all aware that Dr James Barry was a fashion icon.
“After the fashions of the time, Barry took the conventions of military dress and overstated them with a dandy’s embellishment. Barry’s boots were thigh height; his breeches were worn uncompromisingly tight on the thighs; his jackets were long bodied, high collared, and finely structured to encourage a striking deportment; and his dress sword was worn long enough to trip over.”
Despite having read as much about Barry as I could online before procuring this book there was so much more to discover. As well as telling us about his work, achievements and downfalls it also gave me a feeling of familiarity with Barry’s character. By all accounts Barry was a hot-headed, stubborn, argumentative but caring and unflappably loyal man. He made himself many enemies due to his inability to back down and his passion for improving all people’s conditions. Barry particularly focused on care for prisoners and lepers which made him unpopular in Cape Town. However, he was also popular with the women which made him disliked by several men. He fought in at least one duel (and won).
I was bored by the very end (a whole chapter on hernias) and felt that there was too much time given to the speculation that Dr James Barry was intersex considering the lack of evidence (due to his body not being examined after death pretty much everything is speculation).
Very importantly, I must also make sure you’re all aware that Dr James Barry was a fashion icon.
“After the fashions of the time, Barry took the conventions of military dress and overstated them with a dandy’s embellishment. Barry’s boots were thigh height; his breeches were worn uncompromisingly tight on the thighs; his jackets were long bodied, high collared, and finely structured to encourage a striking deportment; and his dress sword was worn long enough to trip over.”
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