Review of 'Under Her Skin' by Sue Williams
Review of Under Her Skin - By Sue Williams
Released October 5th, 2022
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About the book:
The remarkable story of Professor Fiona Wood AM, world-leading burns specialist and one of Australia's most innovative and respected surgeons, whose groundbreaking research and technology development has changed the lives of burns patients.
When three bombs tore out the heart of Bali and destroyed so many Australian lives in 2002, burns surgeon Professor Fiona Wood and her team were there to help. A pioneer in the field of burns and reconstructive surgery, Fiona made world headlines with the use of her groundbreaking invention of 'spray-on skin' to help minimise her patients' terrible scarring.
Fiona was later made Australian of the Year, voted Australia's Most Trusted Person for an unprecedented six years running in the annual Reader's Digest poll and acclaimed as a 'National Living Treasure'.
This is the story of her extraordinary life. Against all the odds, Fiona, the daughter of a fifth-generation coalminer in the north of England, became one of Australia's most innovative, respected and dedicated surgeons and researchers. She talks candidly of the moving valour of her burns patients, and the heartbreak, triumph, tears and controversies that have stalked her stellar career.
Remarkably, she has achieved all of this while raising six children.
In Under Her Skin, Sue Williams, a bestselling author and award-winning journalist who has written a number of biographies - most notably about Father Chris Riley, Father Bob Maguire and Dr Catherine Hamlin - presents a searingly honest, no-holds-barred account of all aspects of Fiona Wood's remarkable life.
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REVIEW
Under Her Skin is one of the most compelling biographies I have ever read. Sue Williams has an incredible gift with words that certainly brings Professor Fiona Wood’s life into full view. Fiona is a world leading burns specialist and to say I admire her even more after reading this book is an understatement. For it is not only the amazing things she has done for burns patients but it is also the fact she never gave up: especially when faced with endless challenges. Earlier on in her career, as an exceptional innovative doctor in a male centred world, she was told she could not do certain things because she was either female or what she wanted to accomplish was impossible. Yet the word ‘no’ is not really in her vocabulary. She was up against the same age old challenges powerful independent free thinking women have faced for centuries. But this five foot one powerhouse not only had the vision of a giant who talked tall, she ultimately proved to her naysayers that she could deliver what she said she could do. And that was making her dreams and hopes of creating better survival odds for burn victims a reality through her pioneered research and technology development.
As I read Under Her Skin I kept thinking: how did she have the energy to do all she did (and continues to do so)? We can have strong ambitions and the will to turn those goals into actions but it can be like climbing Mount Everest. The challenges Fiona faced would discourage many to continue but she never gave up. Maybe her passion to help others, her skill as a surgeon and her athletic training gave her the fuel and resilience she needed. Thankfully she kept pursuing her dream and now has been acknowledged for her achievements in the current age. Her tireless work with the victims of the Bali bombings may have been the major event that brought her technology into the world’s spotlight. The fact she saved twenty eight people is pretty remarkable. But there have even more people she has helped over the years and it is wonderful she has been deservedly awarded with various titles such as the Member of Order of Australia in 2003.
What made her so special? Fiona was a daughter of a coal miner in Yorkshire, England: a life that her parents did not want for their children. Nor did they want to see them trapped in low paying jobs. So, they infused in Fiona and her siblings (two brothers and a sister) an ambition to excel. They were a high achieving family, possibly because their father was a dreamer and told them they could do anything they wanted, if they were prepared to worked hard enough.
I loved this book from the first page to the last but the final chapter title says it all: Dare to Dream. That’s Fiona’s motto really. Even in that section she is pondering some fascinating theories of how the body might be able heal itself if we can harness the realm of thought. Sounds like science fiction? Maybe but thinking outside the box as Fiona hints, is how great discoveries happen. She says “we all have a gift to give and maybe some have not discovered it yet … but we need to connect, and then have the courage to share our gifts.” In many ways it seems she is asking us to share in her vision and dare to dream, too.
Sue Williams has provided a fascinating portrayal of a resilient innovative determined woman who had a tough career start but a triumphant outcome. Yet Fiona has not been alone on the journey and this book is not only about her life but also the heroes she has met, the burns victims she has helped and the mentors she has admired. I was deeply moved by the many stories that spilled across these pages of the people she has helped survive and of those she lost. It certainly shakes up your heart, thinking and views. If you are human, you will be touched deeply by this biography. I highly recommend Under Her Skin. It is a must read for 2022. Hats off to Sue for an exceptional seamless delivery of a true story worth telling. It is clear to see why Fiona is one of Australia’s National Living Treasures. 5 Stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Many thanks to Allen & Unwin for my review copy.
Note: I watched Bali 2002 - a 4 part mini-series on Stan and highly recommend it, too. Fiona is played by Rachel Griffiths. And she is wearing a pearl necklace and earrings, just as Fiona does on the cover of the book and in real life at work.
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