That Bonesetter Woman: the new feelgood novel from the author of The Smallest Man

Written by Frances Quinn

Narrated by Sophie Roberts

Pre-order UNSINKABLE, the astonishing new novel by Frances Quinn, coming February 2025.

‘What a heroine Endurance Proudfoot is! I loved her from the start. An unconventional woman who takes us on a fascinating - if bumpy - ride through a man’s world. I laughed, cried and most of all cheered! Can’t stop thinking about it… an absolute cruncher of a tale’ Janice Hallett, author of The Appeal

'A complete joy of a novel that, like it’s wonderful protagonist’s namesake, is a story of endurance against all odds. Full of heart and so eloquently written, THAT BONESETTER WOMAN had me cheering Durie on from start to finish - I absolutely loved it' Susan Stokes-Chapman, author of Pandora
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It’s usual, they say, for a young person coming to London for the first time to arrive with a head full of dreams. Well, Endurance Proudfoot did not. When she stepped off the coach from Sussex, on a warm and sticky afternoon in the summer of 1757, it never occurred to her that the city would be the place where she’d make her fortune; she was just very annoyed to be arriving there at all.
 
Meet Endurance Proudfoot: clumsy as a carthorse, strong as an ox, with a tactless tongue and a face she’s sure only a mother could love. Durie wants one thing in life: to become a bonesetter like her father. It’s physically demanding work, requiring nerves of steel, and he’s adamant it’s not a job for a woman.

Strong-willed and stubborn, Durie’s certain that in bonesetting, her big, usually clumsy hands have found their natural calling. So when she’s bundled off to London with her beautiful sister, she won’t let it stop her realising her dream. As her sister finds fame on the stage, Durie becomes England’s most celebrated bonesetter – but what goes up must come down, and her success may become her undoing.

Inspired by the true stories of two of Georgian England’s most famous celebrities, That Bonesetter Woman is an uplifting tale about finding the courage to go your own way, when everyone says you can’t – and about realising that what makes you different can also make you strong.
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio UK
• Release date: Jul 21, 2022
• ISBN: 9781398514461

Frances Quinn

Frances Quinn grew up in London and read English at King’s College, Cambridge, realising too late that the course would require more than lying around reading novels for three years. After snatching a degree from the jaws of laziness, she became a journalist, writing for magazines including Prima, Good Housekeeping, She, Woman’s Weekly and Ideal Home, and later branched out into copywriting, producing words for everything from Waitrose pizza packaging to the EasyJet in-flight brochure.  In 2013, she won a place on the Curtis Brown Creative novel writing course, and started work on her first novel, The Smallest Man. That Bonesetter Woman is her second novel. She lives in Brighton, with her husband and two Tonkinese cats.

Reviews for That Bonesetter Woman

[Jean Rich · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a wonderful story! It was a pleasure to listen to! I love that there was some reference to real people.

[Val Percy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I couldn’t help but cheer for Endurance the whole way through this book!

[rachael · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the second of Frances Quinn's novels I have listened to in a week and I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end. The writing has a great pace, the story gets going from the start and I found myself really invested in the main character. I even shed a happy tear at the end. I'd thoroughly recommend this novel as an enjoyable read for those who love interesting characters and historical writing. Great.

[Grace Douglas · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a good book…except I like more closure when reading about interesting fictional characters. If this were to be a serialized story, one that carries on with “Tom”, the ending would be fine.

[pam harrell · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great reader. I just wish everyone didn’t feel the need to yell when a character yelled!! We know they yelled because the writer tells us.

[Jerry Weis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I’m not usually a fan of period pieces. But this wonderful underdog story captured both my attention and heart.

[michelle wilson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful I couldn’t put it down
Great characters
I was able to get lost in the story

[Lize · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I absolutely loved this book! I loved the story line and it's such a breath of fresh air to have imperfect main characters. Loved the narraror as well!

[memechel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Exceptionally executed in writing and orally. Definitely worth the read. Marathon worthy.

[Amanda Sutton · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is my comfort book. Have read it multiple times and in between books I like to listen to it. Excellent story telling and the narrator is quite lovely as well. ?

[kim keller · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a sweet story! It made me laugh and cry. I fell in love with Endurance; her sweet soul,her ability to never give up and her character.

[Elizabeth McCune · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Meh- if you listen long enough, you might start to care. Extremely predictable.

[debbaworks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It's a really engaging story about family and love and betrayal and triumphing over it. I loved the characters, especially Durie.

[wendy bergren · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book presents a unique story and approach to conveying it to the reader.

[Laura I Wise · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I just loved this audiobook. The characters are interesting, even if the development is a bit lacking. I was thoroughly entertained by the story, and enjoyed the voice acting.

[Margaret Squires · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great read! Excellent recording of the book. The author has a sense of humor and a wonderful writing style that make a vivid impression.

[Sondra Anderson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely perfect! Nothing goes as predicted, and all goes as it ought. Definitely one to reread.

[Denise Johnson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a wonderful and refreshing story. If you are ready to be transported back to the 18th century, buckle up and open this book. The Author has the great talent of making you feel, see and smell exactly what is going on in Deary's world. I yelled NOOO, when Deary made an important decision, I felt the heartbreak Deary felt with her Sisters decision... I could see and smell the glorious goods in the Aunt's confectioners shop. I hated to leave when the story ended. Do yourself a favor and read this book, You will be happy you took this trip back in time.

[Eric RW Smith · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wonderfully narrated, such a joyful story, I highly recommend it.

[Catherine Mellert · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was an enjoyable read. Durie was such a character, sometimes she was annoying but mostly endearing. I was also very happy with the ending.

[kayla noftall · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Really enjoyed this story. It was a unique topic and I loved getting to know the characters!

[CW Sherwood · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very enjoyable with likeable characters and entertaining telling. Good, clean story.

[Hildy Karev · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I loved the book as I suffer from a bad hip and am positive the bonesetter could have helped me. Great listeb

[Pat Robbins · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. Highly recommend.

[Andrea Epperson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very interesting story and I enjoyed hearing about the people that it's based on

[elizabeth domas · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I would like to know more about Dury and George…and Tom.

[Emily Ray · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was an absolutely fantastic book! Some parts predictable but such wonderful storytelling. Feel good but not sappy. Poignant and also relevant.

[Jeanne Nichol · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very good story! I felt all the emotions for each characters life events. Sexism. Bullies. Lies. Deceit. Love. Assumptions. Communication hurdles. Career aspirations n disappointments. All this n more. Recommend.

[Camille Walker · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A heartwarming story of Endurance - Was enjoyable to listen to, enjoy the turns and twists, the historical aspect was interesting as well. Well written and loved the narration!

[KC · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The story of women determined to live independently in 18th century England was so inspiring! Dury Proudfoot is definitely a protagonist worthy of hero worship. Great read!!