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  • The Invincible Miss Cust

  • A Novel
  • Written by: Penny Haw
  • Narrated by: Lucy Rayner
  • Length: 11 hrs and 2 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (31 ratings)

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The Invincible Miss Cust

Written by: Penny Haw
Narrated by: Lucy Rayner
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Publisher's Summary

Must-hear historical fiction for fans of Marie Benedict and Tracey Enerson Wood, based on the real life of Britain’s first woman veterinary surgeon.

Aleen Cust has big dreams. And no one―not her family, society, or the law―will stop her.

Born in Ireland in 1868 to an aristocratic English family, Aleen knows she is destined to work with animals, even if her family is appalled by the idea of a woman pursuing a veterinary career. Going against their wishes but with the encouragement of the guardian assigned to her upon her father’s death, Aleen attends the New Veterinary College in Edinburgh, enrolling as A. I. Custance to spare her family the humiliation they fear. At last, she is on her way to becoming a veterinary surgeon! Little does she know her biggest obstacles lie ahead.

The Invincible Miss Cust is based on the real life of Aleen Isabel Cust, who defied her family and society to become Britain and Ireland’s first woman veterinary surgeon. Through Penny Haw’s meticulous research, riveting storytelling, and elegant prose, Aleen’s story of ambition, determination, family, friendship, and passion comes to life. It is a story that, even today, women will recognize, of battling patriarchy and an unequal society to realize one’s dreams and pave the way for other women in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

©2022 Penny Haw (P)2022 Blackstone Publishing

What listeners say about The Invincible Miss Cust

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Female pioneer in the veterinary field

Really enjoyed this glimpse into a time and place to see the struggle to get to where we are and the strong women who paved the way in recognizing equality

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2 people found this helpful

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Intriguing story and a delight for animal lovers

A pleasure to listen to and a very engaging story enhanced by the historical research. It was an intriguing portrait of a time my grandmother lived through.

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Loved it!

Interesting, inspiring, and easy listen! Overall I really enjoyed this book and would recommend.

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Loved it!

Very well done, inspiring and relatable on so many levels. I am in awe of the life of Miss Cust. The story grabs you from the start in the hills of Ireland and doesn't let go.

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She had more balls than most men!

What a great book, I really enjoyed the story, the narration & the notes at the end about what was fiction & what was researched as true! So well told! I highly recommend this book!

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  • JJ
  • 2023-07-17

A beautiful, impeccably written story...

I enjoyed this novel so much. The writing was crisp and layered, and the narration was excellent.

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Inspiring

What an incredible story of strength, dedication and perseverance! I am greatly inspired. Everyone should know about this woman.

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Very enjoyable

I would highly recommend this book to anyone. The narrative was excellent. The story was interesting and remarkable and I did not want to put it down. I will look for more books from both author and narrator.
Thank you

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  • MLD
  • 2023-05-23

Enjoyable

Enjoyable and intriguing which caught my interest to lookup Alden Cust as well as the history on wartime horses.


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  • Candace Bank
  • 2023-04-19

Unassuming

Unexpectedly a very good story. Not necessarily a book I would have chosen based on the title or cover. I have never thought about the first woman to become a vet, it was definitely a story that needed to be told. A recommendation from a friend, and I am so glad i listened to her.

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24 people found this helpful

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  • Elizabeth C. Top
  • 2023-01-19

if you love animals you'll love this book!

if you love animals you'll love this book! We as women have come so far and still have farther to go.

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17 people found this helpful

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  • Joie P.
  • 2022-10-27

great story of the 1st female vet

in this 21st century it still astounds me how women were suppressed to be nothing more than an ornament on their husbands arm with no legal rights. The struggle that Ms. Cust endured to become a vet surgeon was both shocking and admirable. Great story to the end!

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14 people found this helpful

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  • marissa williamson
  • 2023-03-30

Invincible Miss Cust

Amazing book!!! This story is for anyone in or out of the Veterinary field. I don’t usually read fiction, but this was such a compelling story with.

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12 people found this helpful

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  • Ashli Nalley
  • 2023-03-31

Enjoyed Thoroughly

The story of Miss Cust is one that even as a woman in the "modern era" I felt a connection with. So many strong women have paved the way for women in the workforce but there is still so much to be done and undone. I highly recommend giving it a read.

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10 people found this helpful

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  • Pattye
  • 2023-04-27

Narrator

Terrible narration!! Her intonation is awful. I barely got through the first chapter. It’s too bad because the plot sounded great. Who picks these narrators????

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7 people found this helpful

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  • Sue Pace
  • 2023-05-05

Excellent book… annoying narrator

Loved the book… well written, fascinating, and engaging! Narrator was annoying as there was a vocal downturn at the end of every sentence.

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2 people found this helpful

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  • Amazon Junkie in Tyler, Texas
  • 2023-05-03

Excellent Story But ...,

The story was very interesting but the narrator almost caused me to stop listening. She used the same inflection for every sentence, making the character seem stodgy rather then the vibrant, energetic person she probably was. May be better to read this one.

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  • lynn
  • 2023-05-17

If you’re an animal lover

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a story worth learning about. It is about courage and determination. Ms Cust has a indomitable spirit. It is also about history and animals. A great listen.

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  • mary winston
  • 2023-05-04

Good story but narrator…

This historical fiction was very well written and very interesting. However and although…the narrator has a beautiful voice but her inflection!! I almost quit before I got started!! Reading her characters was good but the commentary in between…gnawing! But glad I finished. Inspiring story of a determined woman.

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