Anatomy: A Love Story: The Anatomy Duology Book 1 book cover

Anatomy: A Love Story

The Anatomy Duology Book 1

Dana Schwartz
3.84(111475 Reviews)

Overview of Anatomy: A Love Story

In 1817 Edinburgh, a young woman defies society to become a surgeon, partnering with a corpse-thief in this gothic romance. Reese Witherspoon's YA pick reveals real medical horrors from history - what dark secrets await in this #1 NYT bestseller?

Key Themes in Anatomy: A Love Story

  • historical body snatching
  • female surgical ambition
  • nineteenth century medicine
  • gendered intellectual barriers
  • underground cadaver trade

Quotes from Anatomy: A Love Story

  • The novel forces readers to confront how scientific progress has often been built upon hidden suffering.

  • At what price is acceptable for medical advancement?

  • Science and madness-blurs with every turn of the page.

  • His intellectual capabilities and medical aspirations are systematically undermined by the men who control her world.

  • Bodies aren't just being taken from graves-living people are disappearing too.

Characters in Anatomy: A Love Story

  • Lady Hazel SinnettA noblewoman who secretly studies anatomy
  • Jack CurrerA seventeen-year-old grave robber
  • Dr. BeechamA renowned physician and anatomy lecturer
  • Bernard AlmontHazel's cousin and presumed future husband
  • Lady SinnettHazel's mother who upholds societal expectations

About the Author

About the Author of Anatomy: A Love Story

Dana Schwartz is the bestselling author of Anatomy: A Love Story and a prominent voice in historical fiction, podcasting, and pop culture. Born in 1993 in Highland Park, Illinois, Schwartz graduated from Brown University in 2015, where she initially studied pre-med before pursuing her passion for writing.

Her debut YA gothic romance, Anatomy, hit #1 on the New York Times bestseller list in 2022, drawing on her fascination with science, medicine, and Regency-era Edinburgh to craft a darkly romantic tale of grave robbing and surgical discovery.

Beyond novels, Schwartz created and hosts the popular history podcast Noble Blood, exploring the lesser-known stories of royals throughout history. She has also written for television, including Disney+'s She-Hulk, and contributed to major publications like The New Yorker, Entertainment Weekly, and Vanity Fair. Her books have been published in over 20 countries and translated into more than a dozen languages, cementing her reputation as a versatile storyteller who seamlessly blends history, science, and compelling narrative.

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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
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