The Invincible Miss Cust details how English Aristocrat Aleen Cust overcame a myriad of obstacles in the late 1800s and early 1900s to become Britain and Ireland's first woman veterinary surgeon, paving the way for aspiring female vets who have sought to follow in her footsteps.
As a lover of animals and the outdoors who grew up on a dairy farm, author Penny Haw merged her passion for nature with her love of writing, drawing on her own innate knowledge of animals but also honouring the need for accuracy within the genre.
Haw draws on the fascinating true-to-life details of Aleen’s friendships and love life, weaving romance and intrigue into the main story arc to keep the narrative alive. She captures Aleen Cust as a politely stubborn yet likeable renegade, and has the reader rooting for her as she fights for her rights during a doggedly patriarchal time.
Penny Haw recently chatted with Samantha Herbst about how she discovered the true story of Aleen Cust, and how she worked to separate fact from fiction to produce a reimagining of Miss Cust’s life and career.
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Penny Haw's Website ·
The Invincible Miss Cust – Penguin Books South Africa
