Mattie

by Judy Alter

Poor and illegitimate, young Mattie was introduced to the world of medicine when she was hired by an enfluential doctor to care for his daughter. By sheer determination, she grows up to become a doctor herself and sets up her practice amid the soddies and farmhouses of Nebraska. During the years of Mattie's practice, her life is filled with battles won and loved ones lost, challenges met and opportunities passed. This novel offers a portrait of life on the plains and of a most unforgettable woman.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Westerns, Historical, 19th Century, Womens Fiction

185 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Judy Alter was an American novelist and nonfiction writer whose work explored the history and literature of Texas and the American West, with a particular focus on women’s experiences in the nineteenth century. She authored numerous books for adults and young readers, including over fifty young adult nonfiction titles and a series of cozy mysteries, many set in Texas. Before turning to full-time writing, she worked as editor and later director of TCU Press. Alter earned degrees from the University of Chicago, Truman State University, and Texas Christian University. She received multiple literary honors, including the Owen Wister Award for Lifetime Achievement, and remained an influential voice in Western literature.

Reviews

[Kerri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice story

This is an enjoyable story of a girl who grows up in the late 19th century, and overcomes time-bound obstacles to create a meaningful life during a time when women's roles were more rigid and less friendly. There are some interesting historical references, particularly to homesteading the plains, but it reads more like a memoir.

Toward the end of the book there was a reference that I didn't think was historically accurate, so I looked into it, and verified that it was not correct. This was a bummer, because I assumed the historical details were accurate. Now I'm wondering if the homes were really built according to the author's description, if the field of medicine developed as she said it did, etc.

When I read historical fiction, I assume the history is accurate, and the story is created by the author.

[Darlene Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Resounding, earthy story

Every once in a while an author makes you feel as if you are living in their story world. Judy Alter accomplished this and more. This gritty tale of a lady pioneer doctor in Missouri has all the elements of a great novel: real life characters with real life emotions, needs, attributes and flaws; setting; pacing; conflict; and, above all, a story to care about. A definite must-read.

[Lorena Helfers · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing to me

I read this book because I thought it was about early trials of being a doctor. It was too simplistic. At times I thought I was reading a middle school level of writing. Ugh....I have read too many good doctor type books to enjoy this one.

[Jane Mettee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable fictional story about a young girl growing up in the 1800s, without her parents. She is able, with help from a benefactor, to get into medical school when women were not usually allowed. She ends up practicing rural medicine on the plains of Nebraska. This is a good book for mature junior high school girls on to adults who want a light story to escape to. The author did a good job developing characters and demonstrating the gradual decline in a marriage.
I read a similar but excellent non fiction account of a woman doctor, in the 1800s, “Pioneer Doctor: The Story of a Woman’s Work” by Mari Grana .
If you want to read an account of a woman doctor this true story is the one to read.

[Emily Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the story. I could relate to many of her feelings and concerns as she struggled with raising her family and succeeding within her career.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read about the life of a woman doctor in pioneer Nebraska. I enjoyed reading this tale of Mattie's establishing herself and her practice in such an outback of the west. I did hope there would be more about the rigors of being a woman doctor in such a harsh environment and not so much about her personal life, but I did enjoy this novel.

[lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written

Simple and realistic. Mattie doesn't follow the traditional cookbook formula of life in the new old west, rather the characters are surprisingly complex for such a story. I enjoyed it.

[SandyL · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be very interesting.

[Tiffany Jergenson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story line, but the writing was amateurish at times. A little distracting but it kept my interest non the less.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent solid five star book. I love historical fiction about the early west, and this one is a winner. We follow Mattie as she is a little girl in the mid 1800's whose mother is of "dubious background" as she has two children and nobody knows who their two fathers might be. Mattie is bullied, and hates her station in life. As we follow Mattie as she grows older, she is given a chance to be the first female to attend the Omaha Medical School which she does, graduating at the top of her class. Then to her dismay she is forced by circumstances to move from the bustling Omaha out west to the prairie lands to live with her brother and step father in a "soddie" - which she is shocked to learn is a dirt house!
The historical times and the people that started tiny prairie towns miles and miles away from anywhere are an amazing story in themselves. Maddie does become a prairie doctor, riding alone for miles, day and night, to get to ailing patients. To see how Maddie's life unfolds - much hardship and tragedy with enough good thrown in to keep her going, this is a book that I wished would never end. I highly recommend this book.

[Carol Mauro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Real life characters are developed in the story. Mattie was born into poverty to a single mother during the latter part of the 19th century in the Midwest. To escape her greatest fear of repeating her mothers life, she is taken in by a married doctor to care for his daughter. His wife is plagued with depression which was little understood then. Mattie is very bright and eventually becomes the first woman doctor in Nebraska. She moves to a small prairie community to become the only doctor for a hard-working group of farmers in a town that was in its infancy. She has many loves and many disappointments, successes and failures but she dedicates her life to the people of the planes.

[Shelly Dabbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read the book Libbie by Judy & being from the area that some of the story was set, I really enjoyed it. I wanted to read something else of hers to see how she did in a different setting. I enjoyed reading Mattie. It showed what a determined woman can do even if she comes from a past she would like to forget. She overcame many things in her life to become a woman doctor & invested her time & money into a sanitarium that would help others. She made some bad decision about relationships but still became successful. A great bit of history.

[ELIZABETH SABINS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read about a turn-of-the-century woman, the first female doctor in Nebraska...loved the story. Extremely well written!

Great story, written in first person, about Mattie Armstrong and her life in Nebraska. Clear, concise writing, a great story of adventure, romance, and a hard life on the prairie in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Mattie is stronger than she is pretty, and not always honest with herself, but her life is interesting and a very good read. Read it in one sitting. Highly recommend this book!

[Mary Prigioni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought I knew all about Nebraska

She opened my eyes about a lot of things. I gained a new perspective about the women who helped settle the west: how strong they were, the way they worked, the boredom they experienced, the love they had for family. I want to read another one of her books right away.

[Teresa Radoslovich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Woman

This book was about a woman who was at
strong, smart, go-getter! I enjoyed the journey she took from her childhood to her becoming a woman. The writer detailed this woman as who wanted to help people even from a young age! A woman doctor was not heard of, but she did and became a well respected one. Awesome book and highly recommended.

[Josephine M Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in one day, because I couldn't lay it down. What a sweet story of love and loss, overcoming and triumph. The characters are real, some flawed, most strong and brave, all very human. I thoroughly enjoyed it..

It just proves that obstacles can be overcome with perseverance and determination and hope. I will look forward to reading more of Judy Alter's books.

[Gene Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once great read about life and living.

Pleased to be able to review this refreshing book about a simple life with the same problems we experience in today's society. A must-read for all.

[Pamela Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to remind us of the selfless acts of women during the early years in Nebraska. I grew up in that great state, and the historical aspects of this book were brought to life in the writing of this book.

[Madeleine Kuehnel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the story, hated the outcome.

Super good reading. I enjoyed how the story flowed from one scenario to another. Loved the era in which she lived. Very disappointed in her losing her lover at the end. Then felt even worse with the epilogue which left her alone.

[Sarah B White · Rating 5 out of 5]

The First Woman Doctor in Nebraska

Mattie is the story of the first woman doctor in Nebraska. The story begins in Maggie's childhood and continues through her life. Mattie was determined to help others and that is exactly what the book describes.

[Sandy Wedel · Rating 4 out of 5]

SURVIVAL

I would say this story is very similar to the many ways that people have found their way through the life they made for themselves. I enjoyed the history details included and the ways and means people had to find a way just to survive from day to day.

[Rena · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was pretty good, but I enjoyed it a lot less after it's started talking about her sex life with her husband and also with another man later on. The main character's personality grated on me, too.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bentsen Bound

My 1st Judy Alter book.Won't be my last!! Enjoyed Mattie..Grit..Guts and Gusto. And A little Glory!!.She Set the mark as a Woman Doctor in the last century which was a Hard thing for some folks to swallow..

[Elizabeth West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical

Mattie by Judy Alter. A story of the life of a young girl that becomes a doctor. Her struggles with her practice of medicine on the prairie and her life sharing her career and family.

[Margaret Sailsbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Review

I enjoyed reading the story of Mattie and how her life evolved. I gave it four stars because I thought Mattie should have taken Sara away from Omaha. Also she didn't marry Eli. The ending was very disappointing.

[Lois Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written

I really enjoyed reading this book. Would have liked more detail about the daily lives of the people of that period in history.

[Phalyn Harwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story of strength and perseverance

I found this to be a quick and delightful read. I had a hard time putting it down and finished it in one day.

[V.J. Fadely · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant read

I found this to be longer than it needed to be; a bit slow in parts, but an interesting story.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read

I liked Mattie's story of her life. Not everything was tied up neatly so it had a ring of truth. Very good fiction!

[mike pouncey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding read

I don 't know how I've missed Judy Alter's books but I won't make that mistake again. A beautiful novel!