Reviews tagging 'Misogyny'

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

39 reviews

amanda_reads13's review against another edition

emotional mysterious 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? Yes

4.5

In Maine, 1789, Martha Ballard, a midwife, is called to examine a dead man who was found in the frozen river. Martha immediately recognizes him as one of the men accused of raping a local woman. She's certain the two crimes are connected.

This an incredibly intriguing and thought provoking story. The author blends fact and fiction to bring this historical fiction to life. This is a heartbreaking story, and caution should be given as there is much discussion of rape. 

Maine acts as its own character in this book, with its difficult winters and beautiful landscape as a backdrop. I loved the vivid descriptions of the landscape throughout the story. 

During a time when women had no rights or freedoms, Martha was an outspoken advocate for her patients. She's a strong, empathetic, and courageous woman who goes to extreme lengths to protect and care for the women in her community. 

This book does a really great job at exploring the role and treatment of women at this time. Martha lived in a time when women were seen as less than. You could be charged for having a baby out of wedlock, but of course there were no repercussions for the man. Martha fought for justice even when all odds are against her. Even as a midwife, she was looked down upon by the male doctors. 

The murder mystery element within the story was very compelling.

We were given some clues that pointed to Sam as the murderer earlier on. So I had an idea that it may have been him, but I couldn't figure out his motivation. That came as a surprise.

 

I'm really happy that North got what he was due.

I actually burst out laughing when Martha cut off his *appendage*. As she said, he can't hurt any women now.

I felt as though the story could have been a little shorter, there were some scenes that didn't really add to the book. Also, there are a lot of characters who I lost track of and had to go back and figure out how they fit in the story.

The Frozen River was inspired by Martha Ballard (February 9, 1735 – June 9, 1812), a midwife who delivered hundreds of babies and never once lost a mother during birth. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Murder, Abandonment, Infidelity, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Blood, Chronic illness, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault

craftyanty's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

This is an engrossing story that gives insight into how women were treated in colonial times.  It is loosely based on a real historical figure, Martha Ballard. I absolutely loved the main character, as well as her husband and children. 
This could've a 5-star read for me, but the resolution of the climax felt a bit extreme. Still, I wholeheartedly recommend it .

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault

Moderate: Sexual violence and Misogyny

celery's review against another edition

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Murder, Religious bigotry, Body shaming, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Ableism, Classism, Death, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual harassment, Terminal illness, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Violence, Abandonment, Medical content, Animal death, Fatphobia, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Child death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Racial slurs, Sexism, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Grief, Infidelity, Medical trauma, Police brutality, Blood, Body horror, Colonisation, Gaslighting, Pregnancy, Vomit, Cursing, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Rape, War, Abortion, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Sexual content

juanat77's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Violence, Death, Murder, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Blood, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Vomit, Cursing, Grief, Sexism, Sexual content, Bullying, Medical content, Miscarriage, Rape, and Injury/Injury detail

ashleyhatton's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Child death, and Miscarriage

okapi_lover's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

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

3.75

I really, really wanted to love this one. It was fine. I enjoyed it overall, but it was slowww. I had a hard time getting into it, and there were so many characters to keep track of! I do appreciate the historical accuracy of the novel, and the ending--even though not historically accurate or very plausible, it was satisfying to see some justice.

Overall, I liked the book, but I found it forgettable. It isn't one that will stay with me.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pregnancy, Medical content, Sexual violence, Murder, Sexual assault, and Rape

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Medical trauma, Misogyny, and Infertility

novellearts's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Medical trauma, Blood, Sexual assault, Violence, Murder, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Rape, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Medical content, and Sexism

jazzsonnet's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Misogyny, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, and Child death

Moderate: Infidelity, Cursing, Ableism, Sexism, Animal death, Toxic friendship, Bullying, Child death, Gaslighting, and Death

Minor: Incest, Alcohol, and Abortion

kimveach's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative mysterious reflective medium-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

This year is getting off to a great start, as this is another five-star read!  This book had so many intriguing elements of life in 1790s Maine.  The story of the midwife, her family, her community, the early justice system, and the murder mystery that opens the book makes for a compelling book— I loved it!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Emotional abuse, Grief, Sexual violence, Classism, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexism, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, Miscarriage, Alcohol, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Colonisation, Animal death, Chronic illness, Gore, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Abortion, and Sexual assault

rarasreads's review against another edition

informative inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

This is a historical fiction x mystery inspired by the real Martha Ballard, who was an American midwife & healer in the 1700s. Martha kept a diary of the day to day occurrences in her tight-knit Maine community. This very diary provides key evidence in a rape trial involving the Pastor’s wife. However, when one of the assailants is found frozen in the Kennebec River, Martha takes it upon herself to investigate and uncover the truth.

I felt the author covered multiple different aspects of frontier life centered on a forgotten woman in history in an engaging manner and that too, with some insightful prose.

“I will never understand why men think that women work so hard to destroy them. In my experience it is usually the opposite.” 

At a time where women are viewed as inferior to men and whose experiences are easily dismissed or designated as promiscuous, Martha becomes an outspoken advocate for them. I admired her tenacity to fight sexism and misogyny as well as to seek justice. It was also very satisfying to see the ways in which Martha handled some male characters and their fragile egos on her own. I found one of her methods pleasantly shocking (iykyk)!

Additionally, I appreciated how Lawhon contrasts Martha’s strong-willed personality with her empathetic side as she extends her generosity to many. There is also tremendous depth to the love she has for her family and husband in particular. Romance readers may particularly enjoy the small dose of 🌶️ in here as well!

Overall, there is plenty to glean from Martha’s story and I highly recommend reading author’s note at the end if you pick this one up!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Racism, Rape, Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual assault