“Death was not an uncommon visitor to Edinburgh in the year of our Lord 1817.”
Looking for a complete breakdown of “Anatomy: A Love Story” before you commit to reading it? You are in the right place.
This guide gives you everything you need to know about Dana Schwartz’s Gothic romance novel. You’ll discover the plot, characters, and key themes without major spoilers.
Are you not sure if this book is right for you? We’ll help you decide based on detailed reviews, content warnings, and similar book recommendations.
Our analysis is based on extensive research and reader feedback. We’ve read the novel carefully to give you accurate insights.
From the dark streets of 1817 Edinburgh to the forbidden romance between a high-born lady and a grave robber, this summary will tell you exactly what to expect from this unique historical fiction.
Plot Summary
“There is nothing more important than the pursuit of knowledge. Even at the expense of propriety.”
Storyline
I’m going to tell you what happens in this exciting book set in 1817 Edinburgh.
Lady Hazel Sinnett dreams of becoming a surgeon. But there’s a problem – women can’t study medicine. So what does she do? She dresses as a man to attend university lectures!
When she gets caught, she makes a deal with Dr. Beecham: if she passes the medical exam, he’ll help her get into Surgeons’ Hall.
Then there’s Jack Currer.
He’s a “resurrection man”—he digs up fresh bodies to sell to medical schools. When Hazel and Jack meet, they make a perfect team. She needs bodies to study, and he needs money to live.
But something strange is happening in Edinburgh. People are getting sick. Others are vanishing.
As Hazel and Jack dig deeper, they find a dark secret involving Dr. Beecham. He’s doing weird experiments that mess with life and death!
Can they stop him? Will Hazel achieve her dream? And what about the feelings growing between them?
You’ll have to read to find out!
Characters You’ll Meet
- Hazel Sinnett: She’s a noble lady with big dreams. I love how she grows from a sheltered girl into a brave woman fighting for justice and her passion.
- Jack Currer: This guy is street-smart and tough. He starts just trying to survive. But meeting Hazel changes him. He begins to care about more than just himself.
- Dr. Beecham: Watch out for this one! He’s brilliant but hiding dark secrets.
- Lord Almont: Hazel’s cousin and fiancé. He represents everything Hazel is fighting against.
Big Ideas in the Book
You’ll find these themes as you read:
- Breaking Gender Rules: Hazel fights a system that says women can’t be doctors.
- Rich vs. Poor: You’ll see how different life is for Hazel (who has everything) and Jack (who has nothing).
- Medical Ethics: The book asks: How far should we go in the name of science?
- Finding Yourself: Both main characters must decide who they really are.
- Gothic Vibes with Romance: Think foggy streets, grave robbing, and two people falling in love while solving a mystery.
Exploring Its Genre & Storyline
The Genre
This is a Gothic romance with historical fiction elements.
What makes it Gothic? The creepy setting of old Edinburgh, graveyards at night, body snatching, and strange medical experiments.
What makes it historical fiction? It shows real medical practices and social rules from the early 1800s.
What makes it romance? The slow-burning relationship between two people from totally different worlds.
Story Patterns You’ll Recognize
I spotted these classic patterns in the book:
- Love Across Social Classes: A noblewoman and a grave robber? Talk about forbidden love!
- Disguise: Hazel pretends to be a man to attend medical school.
- Spooky Settings: Dark Edinburgh streets, anatomy theaters, and graveyards create the perfect Gothic mood.
- Medical Horror: There are some detailed descriptions of dissections and experiments. Not for the squeamish!
- Strong Female Lead: Hazel doesn’t accept the limits society puts on her.
What to Expect When Reading
You’ll get rich historical details that don’t sugar-coat the harsh realities of early 1800s medicine.
The love story builds slowly alongside the mystery. This creates tension that keeps you turning pages.
Just a heads-up—there are some graphic descriptions of medical procedures and dead bodies. However, these balance with the developing relationship between Hazel and Jack.
What Other Readers Think
“We are all the same beneath our skin… Beneath our skin, we are already dead. It’s what we do with our time among the living that matters.”
Goodreads Ratings
On Goodreads, this book scores 3.84 out of 5 stars from over 115,000 ratings.
That’s pretty good!
What Goodreads Readers Say
I’ve collected some real reviews:
- “I could practically smell the damp Edinburgh streets and feel the chill in the air.”
- “The romance between Hazel and Jack was slow-burning and believable.”
- “The ending felt a bit rushed, but overall a captivating read.”
What Amazon Readers Say
- “As a medical professional, I appreciated the research in this book.”
- “Hazel and Jack stayed with me long after I finished reading.”
- “A page-turner that combines romance, mystery, and history.”
What Makes This Book Special
You won’t find many YA books about body snatching and early medical history. This makes “Anatomy” stand out.
The book doesn’t make the past seem prettier than it was. You get the real, sometimes ugly truth about medicine in the 1800s, especially for women and poor people.
It mixes Gothic elements, historical facts, medical details, and sweet romance in a way that keeps you hooked.
Age and Content Warnings
I recommend this for readers 14 and up.
Be aware of:
- Detailed descriptions of medical procedures
- Death and dead bodies
- Grave robbing
- Class inequality
- Disease and illness
- Some violence
You Might Like This Book If You Enjoyed
- “The Madman’s Daughter” by Megan Shepherd
- “Stalking Jack the Ripper” by Kerri Maniscalco
- “These Violent Delights” by Chloe Gong
- “The Female of the Species” by Mindy McGinnis
- “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
Other Books to Try Next
If you enjoy “Anatomy: A Love Story,” you might want to check out these books:
- “The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy” – Another story about a woman fighting to become a doctor in historical times.
- “Stalking Jack the Ripper” – More Gothic historical fiction with medical themes.
- “A Curse So Dark and Lonely” – Has a similar strong female lead and romantic elements.
- “The Diviners” – Great atmospheric historical fiction with supernatural parts.
- “The Infernal Devices” trilogy – Victorian setting with strong female characters.
Conclusion
I found “Anatomy: A Love Story” to be a perfect blend of Gothic atmosphere and a determined heroine.
What makes this book special? It’s the unique setting of 1817 Edinburgh’s medical world, with body snatchers and secret dissections providing a backdrop for an unlikely romance.
Hazel’s fight to become a surgeon when women weren’t allowed in medicine feels both historical and timely. Her partnership with Jack crosses social boundaries in ways that create real tension.
The book doesn’t shy away from the gritty realities of early medicine. This honesty gives the story weight.
If you enjoy historical settings with strong female characters, medical mysteries, and slow-burn romance, this book deserves a spot on your reading list.
More Books by Dana Schwartz
Dana Schwartz wears many hats. She’s a journalist, screenwriter, and author who has written for The New Yorker, The Guardian, and Entertainment Weekly.
She also hosts the “Noble Blood” podcast about royal history. Her writing often explores identity, history, and relationships, especially women’s experiences.
- “Immortality: A Love Story” – Continues Hazel and Jack’s story.
- “The White Man’s Guide to White Male Writers of the Western Canon” – A funny illustrated guide that pokes fun at literary culture.
- “Choose Your Own Disaster” – A memoir written like a choose-your-own-adventure book about Dana’s early twenties.
- “And We’re Off” – A YA novel about a young artist traveling through Europe.
