Reviews with content warning for Child death - The Frozen River

I feel like those who recommended this book to me did not do so in the right tone of voice or with the right facial expressions. They said, “this is a really good book about a midwife asked to identify cause of death when a local man is found dead in the frozen river of a small Massachusetts town in the 1790s.”

They acted as if this were some typical historical fiction book about an impressive woman. Like it could just be some casual reading you occasionally pick up to glean insight into the past.

Nope.

Okay, imagine me with my brows raised, a smirk on the edge of a devious grin playing at my lips, and a twinkle in my eye that says “just you wait” as I say, “this book is not your run-of-the mill historical fiction, it’s actually a biographical fiction about Martha Ballard (a real person), an 18th century master midwife and healer and she’s got no patience for bullshit, particularly of the male and upper class varieties. She’s gonna get to the bottom of all the violence, shenanigans, and ineptitude going on in her god forsaken frozen town, while basically being the pillar of that god forsaken frozen town! Even exhausted , this woman is the coolest person in the room. You should read it. I think you’ll like it.” *I slide the book across the table to you*

I will say, this book did make me ponder on what morality, ethics, justice, and “common decency” looks like to me and how that differs from person to person across time and culture. I, like most people, walk around with an inaccurate assumption that we’re all in the same page. I adore the Martha of this book. But like any well written character, she is not necessarily the paragon of morality she may occasionally think she is. But then again, the same could be said of me.

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julsmarshall's review

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dark emotional hopeful reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

So good! Captivating and powerful, Lawhon’s novel is a gripping read that you won’t want to put down. Based on a true story of a midwife in 18th century America, I loved this strong, courageous woman who was fighting for justice and truth, no matter what it takes. This is a story of resilience, compassion, family, and the relentless pursuit of equality.

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thurau's review

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emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

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