The Invincible Miss Cust by Penny Haw

THE INVINCIBLE MISS CUST by Penny Haw is a newly published historical fiction novel. The title character is an English aristocrat who stands up to her family in order to attend veterinary school. Haw relates episodes beginning in the 1870s – her character’s childhood – which include the horse races with her brothers in Ireland, an unconventional education, and the many family pets. The story itself continues through the 1930s and is a study in determination as well as an outline of how relatively small, kind actions (a bequest, an introduction) can greatly impact someone else. Although fictionalized, the novel parallels the life and times of Aleen Cust who actually was the first female veterinary surgeon to be recognized by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. That finally happened 100 years ago (after she had practiced for years), and is certainly worth exploring. Despite the recounting of obvious prejudice and many obstacles, THE INVINCIBLE MISS CUST is an entertaining and quick read. Haw describes Cust’s story as having “all the ingredients I relate to and love: animals, a strong, driven woman, a rural life, and a positive outcome.” Fans of the pbs series (and James Herriot books) All Creatures Great and Small will enjoy these adventures, too. For a more modern day memoir dealing with life in agriculture from a woman’s perspective see The Growing Season by Sarah Frey (2020).