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ashdawn's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
The story telling and characters are incredible! And so many of the romantic relationships are so sweet. It made me cry and I'm definitely going to be thinking about this one for a while.
Just a heads up, there are some graphic descriptions of childbirth, blood, and rape in this book.
Just a heads up, there are some graphic descriptions of childbirth, blood, and rape in this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Rape, Blood, and Sexism
Moderate: Violence, Medical content, and Medical trauma
shelbydm's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Blood, Medical content, Pregnancy, Child death, and Death
rosemaryandrue's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
When midwife Martha Ballard is called to inspect the body of a man found frozen in the Kennebec River, the last person she expects it to be is the accused rapist of one of her patients - and when she determines that he has been murdered, the situation only becomes more complex.
I first heard about Martha Ballard a few months ago, when I picked up the Pulitzer Prize-winning book based on her life (A Midwife's Tale: The Life of Martha Ballard, Based on Her Diary, 1785-1812 by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich). While I have not read it yet, Ballard's name was fresh on my mind when I came across The Frozen River, and that on top of the intriguing premise persuaded me to move it up my TBR list.
This is an oddly tough book to explain, because I really don't want to spoil the story. The blurb mentions the mystery of who killed Joshua Burgess, but there's rather more focus in the story on the case of Rebecca Foster, as well as Martha's daily life in a community split on the veracity of Rebecca's story. The characters are complex and vividly drawn, the writing picturesque without becoming overblown, which made me feel like I was really getting an insight into daily life in post-Revolutionary New England.
However, I had a couple of small complaints that, gathered together, lowered my rating of the book. I wasn't fully sure that the flashbacks into Martha's past were completely needed, as it interrupted the flow of the story for me - and much of the information is relayed in the main storyline anyway. Also, while I enjoyed reading about the loving relationship between Martha and her husband Ephraim, I thought a couple of those scenes could have been cut, as they slowed down the pace in an already lengthy book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Misogyny, and Rape
Moderate: Medical content and Pregnancy
Minor: Child death and Miscarriage
staceymadams's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
Beautifully written. My second Lawhon book; I’ll definitely be checking out her backlist. Very strong Outlander vibes, especially once they’ve set up the homestead in America. Fantastic strong female character and voice. Very informative and infuriating subject matter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Pregnancy, Murder, Sexism, Grief, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Medical content, and Child death
jennamurray10's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Child death, Medical content, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Gore
astifel21's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-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? No
5.0
"As I rise from the table it occurs to me, that part of what I feel, watching my grown children, is a sense of betrayal. I carried these children into the world, paid their entrance fee with dues rendered upon my own body and now they no longer need me."
I listened to this on audio and I adored the narrator. It felt like the main character was talking in your ear. The author wrote a stunning novel. Some of my favorite aspects of the book were the solid and loving marriage the author depicts between Martha and Ephraim Ballard. As a newlywed myself I’d say their marriage is relationship goals. I also loved how each chapter in the audiobook shows the headings of her diaries. The book is told partially in diary entries as that is what the real life Martha Ballard is known for. Without her diary the work she did would probably have gone unnoticed in history.
“But, I remind myself, that is the happy ending to a story like ours. It is a vow made & kept. Till death do us part. It is the only acceptable outcome to a long & happy marriage…”
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes the show “Call the Midwife” as this book depicts stories of Martha’s deliveries over one winter in Maine during the 1700s. The story starts in November 1789 as the river freezes and a man is found dead in that very river. The man was accused of rape several months prior along with another gentleman. The book follows Martha’s quest to uncover the cause of the man’s death, her evidence of her friends rape as the case moves to trial, and her interactions with the townspeople in her role as neighbor and midwife. It’s a beautifully written novel but I would recommend checking out the trigger warnings before reading.
"The fact of the matter is that I am lonely, and then I laugh. If anyone had told me two decades ago when I was buried in small children and endless chores that one day I would sit at my desk, in a warm quiet house while the snow fell outside, and complain of loneliness. I would have slapped them"
"The fact of the matter is that I am lonely, and then I laugh. If anyone had told me two decades ago when I was buried in small children and endless chores that one day I would sit at my desk, in a warm quiet house while the snow fell outside, and complain of loneliness. I would have slapped them"
TW: rape, sexual assault, murder, abortion, miscarriage, child death
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Rape, Medical content, Murder, and Sexual assault
Minor: Miscarriage and Abortion
victoriatalksbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was an enjoyable read if you like historical fiction by authors such as Marie Benedict. The tone of the book reminded me of The Giver of Stars. There is a mystery element throughout that kept me interested but felt unnecessarily prolonged (and at times annoyed - if you need your MC to be a shrewd detective this is not for you). Definitely read the detailed author's note as it helps frame the story and answered several questions I had.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Murder, Rape, Religious bigotry, Child death, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Sexism, Death, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault
deltadam's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content, Rape, and Misogyny
turrean's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A tender and enthralling portrait of a woman and the time and place in which she lives. The narrative is based loosely on the life of an actual historical person.
I found myself furious at times at the misogyny, sexism, and casual cruelty toward women so evident in every event in the story, and at the same time, so grateful to people like Martha, Doctor, and Elspeth fighting for the dignity of each person. I am not certain how much of Martha’s sane, reasoned, and generous outlook on things like race, illegitimacy, medicine, and the patriarchy reflect this admittedly amazing historical person, and what reflects the desires of the modern writer and reader.
The mystical presence of the fox felt a bit…intrusive? But people find spiritual comfort in many things.
I found myself furious at times at the misogyny, sexism, and casual cruelty toward women so evident in every event in the story, and at the same time, so grateful to people like Martha, Doctor, and Elspeth fighting for the dignity of each person. I am not certain how much of Martha’s sane, reasoned, and generous outlook on things like race, illegitimacy, medicine, and the patriarchy reflect this admittedly amazing historical person, and what reflects the desires of the modern writer and reader.
The mystical presence of the fox felt a bit…intrusive? But people find spiritual comfort in many things.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Medical content and Child death
Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic
suzywong's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Death, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, and Medical content
Moderate: Child death and Abandonment