Reviews with content warning for Medical content - The Frozen River

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.

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danielledtetreau's review

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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!)

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amanda_reads89's review

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adventurous challenging emotional 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

jess_d84's review

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

This is one of the cases where I don't remember placing a hold on it or why, but read the book jacket when it showed up on my desk and decided it sounded intriguing. I'm so glad past-me placed a hold on this because it was such a compelling story inspired by real events in the life of midwife Martha Ballard.

Told from Ballard's POV the book is part historical fiction, part murder mystery, part women's literature.

Lawhon has a delicate, yet practical way with words. One that had me at once nodding and wondering why I'd never thought of "the stuff of life" in that way before.

This is my first by Ariel Lawhon, but certainly won't be my last!

Content Warnings

just_one_more_paige's review

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mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

So, I got an ALC of this novel from Libro.fm, but I may not have picked it up as quickly without the recommendation/push from a library coworker. And color me glad for that, because I really liked this one! (Also, this maybe means it's time for me to finally pick up the book by Lawhon that's been on my shelf unread for years, I Was Anastasia, soon too; I have always had a soft spot for that story, thanks to the animated 1997 movie.)

It's winter 1789 in Maine when a body is found in the frozen Kennebec River and the local midwife, Martha Balalrd, is called in to examine the body. And so begins a months-long saga including a murder investigation and trial (ish) for two prominent men accused of raping a woman (one of whom is the body that was found in the river). Because Martha's role as a midwife puts her in close contact with so many in the town, and as a safe space for many major confidences, she finds that the records of it all that she keeps in her daily journal are pivotal to the search for truth (and her own efforts towards finding justice). Weaving this larger murder mystery and legal story into a thrilling narrative of small town secrets, relationship drama, Martha's own family and history, plots to grab power and land, and the prejudices that have been woven into this nation since it's very beginning, Lawhon brings to life a real page-turner of a story built around a strong, but previously under-recognized, female figure in American history.

Like I said, this was a page-turner. The narrative voice and story-telling style were so relatable and personable. I found it to be a really compelling read (or listen, as it were). This was enhanced by how steadily paced it was, with Lawhon fantastically balancing the unfolding of the dramatics of the story with historical details and interpersonal interactions. And really, it was clear from all of it how much research and effort she put into making sure the setting, the time period, and all the other specifics that make for great historical fiction world-building, were correct. Reading this made the characters and location feel as real to me as it was for these people, once upon a time. It was a wonderful experience, as far as being totally engrossing. However, it's worth noting that some aspects of the time period did make that engrossing reality a frustrating and angering one too.

To that point, let me just say... The buttoned-up notions of sexual propriety are honestly infuriating to read, even as I know we’ve come so far, those are the morals that built this country and why we struggle so much with acceptance of sexuality today still. UGH. Though props to Lawhon for juxtaposing that external/societal preference with lots of recognition of sexual activity and pregnancy before marriage. This puritanical culture shit couldn’t stop it then (and of course it couldn’t, it was just easier to hide and lie with the layers of clothing and lesser medical technology/knowledge), so why we think to try it again now with hope for a different outcome is pure stupidity. Lawhon also does a nice job making the central family, the Ballards, exemplar of something better, within the confines of the time, but also realistic. Some of the "courting" with their daughters was so endearing. I mean I love that we’re past that and girls can speak for themselves more now, but the way it's carried out here in the Ballard family it’s clear that love and safety is foremost and I can’t help but smile and swoon a bit at that. Also, a word: they do have a "acts like a more typical guy" son (no matter what the family/home is like, the influence of the greater world is always still there) and like I said, that makes them a much more relatable and realistic family, but Martha also address it in a way that gives some hope, that a family can still make inroads in counter-acting that greater societal culture. And it's those observations/reflections about people and families, that each child/characters can act in ways unique from the others and unexpected, that was such a big part of what made this read so good.

A major content warning, for any potential readers: the descriptions of rape and attempted rape and assault on a woman is a lot, and detailed. Just, be aware. And on that note, oooof the rhetoric of “would you ruin the life of a respected man, a judge/colonel/insert whatever title, on the word of a woman?” is too familiar and just enraging. And what a highlight of the unevenness of justice (weighted so much in the favor of powerful men) that has always prevailed and been a cornerstone of American history and present day. How are we not further past that kind of BS??

I have a bunch of other random details that I want to add, but that don't really go with anything else, so I'm going to smoosh them together here. First, the book smelled great. It's one of my biggest book nerd traits, loving how certain books smell, and this one was a winner. The sprinkling of Shakespearen insults throughout was so fun. They're always so creative and cutting in equal measure and I imagine saying them to/about people is as satisfying and hilarious as reading them. Look, this was unexpected for me, as in I didn't think I'd be ending this novel with a book crush, but seriously: Ephraim is my favorite new book husband (vibes similar to another deep favorite of mine, Whiskey & Ribbons, just a bit older). His words, his actions, the way he treats Martha so tenderly and sweetly and strongly supportive in a way that still allows her to stand on her own strength; ohhhh yes. Sort of on that note, this has a lovely and realistic account of the process of aging, while still owning and claiming one’s sexuality; I loved that for Martha and in general. I really enjoyed the amount of time we spent with Martha as she cared for and attended to women perinatally, and of course during childbirth (content warning here for any readers for whom that might be a concern). There was so much great insight into the experience of pregnancy and childbirth and motherhood in a way that complemented the overall story, but never overwhelmed it. The afterward was really interesting, as far as giving real historical context and explaining what was “true” and what was fictionalized or embellished about this novel. A great way to close out the reading experience.

This was not just a novel of crime and murder mystery, but a fully developed period piece as well, with many fully developed characters and relationships, and a gorgeous look at the important and far-reaching role of a midwife in the community. Honestly, just a super entertaining and well-written novel.

“A woman is never more vulnerable than while in labor. Nor is she ever stronger.”

“…pretty faces and misfortune often go hand in hand…”

“Men and death: either culprits or cowards.”

“Memory is a wicked thing that warps and twists. But paper and ink receive the truth without emotion, and they read it back without partiality. That, I believe, is why so few women are taught to read and write. God only knows what they would do with the power of pen and ink at their disposal.”

“Words can be a gift, but so can silence.”

“How is it honorable to ignore that undisputed facts that a woman was raped and is now pregnant as a result? No one denies that. They only question her word. Her account. They shout 'witness!' as though crimes such as this are ever performed in broad daylight. In the middle of a street. Evil is always done in secret. You know that. [She] is a witness!"

“There is no bringing new life into this world without pain, however, and sometimes it assaults us at both ends.”

“Men aren’t so brave in the daylight as they are in the dark.”

Content Warnings

madsmcw_reads's review

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dark emotional informative mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I read and loved one of Lawhon's books at the beginning of the year and then when I saw everyone talking about this one I was so excited to dive in. While I didn't love this one as much as the last one I read this still an impeccably written story inspired by real life midwife Martha Ballard.

First off, Martha is as fierce of a woman as you can come by and the fact that she never lost a single mother in all of her years as practice is incredible. That aside, this is a twisty read that keeps you engaged. As infuriating as it was I thought the court system of the time was I thought the "justice" system of the time was portrayed really well. While it was a little graphic I felt it was fitting how Joseph North finally paid for his wrongs.

One thing I didn't like is that there did feel like there was a lot of fluff that didn't really help you figure out what was going on in the various conflicts. And there were a couple of different things that I didn't totally get. Overall I'm glad I read this and still want to read the books on her backlist!

Content Warnings

celery's review

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dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

juanat77's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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