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jenny_higgins's review
adventurous
dark
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
The main character and her husband were a bit too flawless, a bit too self-assured that they were okay/right and others were not okay/wrong. But I learned a lot about the time period from reading the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence
katiejohns's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Medical content, Misogyny, Death, Sexual violence, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Incest
dkamada's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Martha reminds me of Claire from the Outlander series
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Pregnancy, Death, Grief, Infidelity, Sexual violence, Murder, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Colonisation, Medical content, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Child death, Misogyny, and Rape
nimeneth's review
adventurous
emotional
slow-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
4.0
I very much appreciated this tale of Martha Ballard and what was likely the way of things in late 18th century Maine. Interesting look at how the legal system looked, and also the beginning of the transition from trusting the midwives to trusting doctors to deliver babies even if it's only touched upon briefly in the book. As it's fiction, I appreciate the fact that most of the women presented are strong and independent in their own way, but I do have to take that with a grain of salt because it was probably very unusual during that time-frame for a woman to be the one to piece together a murder mystery...
Still, really enjoyed the plot overall and I was a little surprised by the culprit of the murder, Lawhon crafted that part of the tale very well and it's not outlandish within the scope of the story. Glad my book club picked this one and I was able to get my hands on a copy to read it.
Still, really enjoyed the plot overall and I was a little surprised by the culprit of the murder, Lawhon crafted that part of the tale very well and it's not outlandish within the scope of the story. Glad my book club picked this one and I was able to get my hands on a copy to read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual violence, Blood, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual harassment
lizreadsbooks's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
4.25
One of the most compelling books I’ve read recently. There are numerous content warnings for this one (seriously!) and historical fiction isn’t typically my genre. However, I loved stepping into Martha’s world and the seeing the ways in which she loved her husband, her family, and her patients. If you like badass women who take no guff, this might be for you. Yes, there is murder and violence in this book, but the heart of it is about human relationships and helping each other to survive in a messy world. Liked it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Murder
kgc8's review against another edition
challenging
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
While a little slow to start, I loved the historical detail. Written in first-person POV, there was a lot of exposition in the first third of the book as Martha explains how things work in colonial times. But once we got further into the case Rebecca Foster brought against Joseph North for rape, along with more rich details of Martha's daily life, things really picked up. It was fascinating to read daily accounts of a woman's activities, back when most women did not leave a historical footprint (except to be documented as wives/daughters). Martha Ballard's real diary was very sparse and not introspective, but the author does a good job of filling in the gaps and imagining her life and community.
Though the book uses a murder to grab your attention, I honestly found the legal case more interesting because of how nascent the U.S. legal system was at the time (and I'm not even a lawyer!). The author's note at the end (don't read until you're done because there are spoilers) tells you you have to throw out all your preconceived notions about due process and the law before reading because it's so vastly different and primitive. Colonel Joseph North, despite not having studied law, was the judge in the area given his rank and deeds during the War. Not only that, he was able to preside over the case locally and didn't recuse himself in spite of the conflict of interest! (Don't worry, he gets scolded for that by the regional court).
If you enjoy history and immersing yourself in a different period, check out this book. I took off a star because I think the author dumbed a few things down for "modern" readers in her exposition and I loved the idea of Martha Ballard's story being told more than the author's writing style.
Though the book uses a murder to grab your attention, I honestly found the legal case more interesting because of how nascent the U.S. legal system was at the time (and I'm not even a lawyer!). The author's note at the end (don't read until you're done because there are spoilers) tells you you have to throw out all your preconceived notions about due process and the law before reading because it's so vastly different and primitive. Colonel Joseph North, despite not having studied law, was the judge in the area given his rank and deeds during the War. Not only that, he was able to preside over the case locally and didn't recuse himself in spite of the conflict of interest! (Don't worry, he gets scolded for that by the regional court).
If you enjoy history and immersing yourself in a different period, check out this book. I took off a star because I think the author dumbed a few things down for "modern" readers in her exposition and I loved the idea of Martha Ballard's story being told more than the author's writing style.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Pregnancy and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Violence, Blood, and Death
lbuck303's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Child death, Rape, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, and Abortion
danielledtetreau's review
adventurous
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book has mystery, midwifery, independent women in a time when that wasn’t acceptable. I was hooked and the story was both tense and tender. Lots of familiar names from my local area!
My only complaint about this historical fiction is the mention of a species of oak tree that doesn’t grow in Maine (nerdalert!)
My only complaint about this historical fiction is the mention of a species of oak tree that doesn’t grow in Maine (nerdalert!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Pregnancy
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Blood, Child death, and Sexual violence
katosta8815's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Rape
Moderate: Child death
20sidedbi's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Grief, Ableism, Sexual violence, and Child death