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lhazen's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Child death
motherjones21's review
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Moderate: Child death
librariessavelives's review
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Many trigger warnings are necessary for this book. I was glad to have read some reviews before jumping in, because the book itself had no content warnings on it (I would've rated it slightly higher if it had).
Martha is a badass. Ephraim seems almost too good to be true (especially for the era the book takes place). The fact that it is historical fiction was very fascinating to me throughout the book. I appreciated the authors explanation of what she changed, written at the end, to get a better understanding of what really happened.
I had a hard time remembering who some of the characters were, because there were many, but it didn't really take a lot away for me. It was a book I looked forward to reading everyday, and had a hard time putting down toward the end.
Definitely recommend, as long as the content warnings are made very clear to the potential reader.
Martha is a badass. Ephraim seems almost too good to be true (especially for the era the book takes place). The fact that it is historical fiction was very fascinating to me throughout the book. I appreciated the authors explanation of what she changed, written at the end, to get a better understanding of what really happened.
I had a hard time remembering who some of the characters were, because there were many, but it didn't really take a lot away for me. It was a book I looked forward to reading everyday, and had a hard time putting down toward the end.
Definitely recommend, as long as the content warnings are made very clear to the potential reader.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, and Murder
atuin's review
4.0
A somber, yet not hopless walk through a midwife's life in the early U.S. Martha, the main character, is a very interesting point of view, as she is an older woman in an era where sexism makes her options much more limited. She is blessed both with talent/experience in medicine and a loving family. The main theme of this book is woman helping other women. This is most clear in Martha helping other women give birth, but this is sadly not often reciprocated, with many women still bad mouthing her or refusing to hire her after everything she does. Still, it speaks to Martha's character that she always helps other except for one instance where she ignores North's wife, but even then she feels guilty and goes back to help her.
Another theme of the book is the problem with victim blaming and sexist double standards. The high bar for proof of rape contrasted with the low bar for "fornication laws" indicate how men are allowed to get away with far more than woman. In addition, Dr. Page is a clearly incompetent in comparison to Martha, and yet his word is frequently valued more highly because he is a man.
One issue I do have is that the main villain North, fails to be interesting to me. He is exactly as he seems, and angry thug with too much money and power. I realize that is sadly realistic, yet I found nothing unique about him compared to the other characters. Finally, I'm not sure how I feel about some artistic liberties the writer took. I am aware this is historical fiction, yet these were still real people, so having certain factsMartha being a rape victim, one of the rapists being murdered invented for a fictional story creates an odd feeling.
Overall this book was very interesting, it introduced me to a real historical figure and reminded me that many issues we face today have deep roots.
Another theme of the book is the problem with victim blaming and sexist double standards. The high bar for proof of rape contrasted with the low bar for "fornication laws" indicate how men are allowed to get away with far more than woman. In addition, Dr. Page is a clearly incompetent in comparison to Martha, and yet his word is frequently valued more highly because he is a man.
One issue I do have is that the main villain North, fails to be interesting to me. He is exactly as he seems, and angry thug with too much money and power. I realize that is sadly realistic, yet I found nothing unique about him compared to the other characters. Finally, I'm not sure how I feel about some artistic liberties the writer took. I am aware this is historical fiction, yet these were still real people, so having certain facts
Overall this book was very interesting, it introduced me to a real historical figure and reminded me that many issues we face today have deep roots.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Child death
Child Birthbrittanyncloyd's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Disappointed at author’s note that explained a few fictional points. I’d hoped for a few to have been true. Otherwise, it was excellent.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Hate crime, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Violence, Medical content, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and War
lauren_k_k's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Child death
renaytaylor's review
inspiring
mysterious
3.5
This murder mystery is set in the colonial times and follows a midwife. It is written based off a journal she kept (which is so interesting that much of this is based off true events, though the author details the liberties she took to write the story).
TWs: Descriptions of births, loss of child, rape
TWs: Descriptions of births, loss of child, rape
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Child death and Blood
hazelgirl21's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Medical content, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Death and Blood
Minor: Child death
hazel_rah's review
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Sexual assault