A review by tourmaline_and_tomes
The Book of the Unnamed Midwife by Meg Elison

challenging dark tense slow-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? No

5.0

First things first, check the content warnings. This book is rough. I listened to the audiobook, so the content was even more jarring.
The book starts right off at the beginning of a plague that has wiped out humanity, and then we followed the "unnamed midwife," who takes on several different names and personas to protect herself, as she seeks to survive in a post apocalyptic hellscape. The majority of the population have all died, and the remaining men have taken to raping and enslaving the women whenever they find them. As a woman, I found this book equal parts touching and terrifying.  What happens to women's rights and reproductive justice in a post-apocalyptic landscape? The Book of the Unnamed Midwife goes for answers to that question.  I don't normally go for post-apocalyptic fiction but I would definitely recommend this one. Again, check the content warnings if you are sensitive to graphic content, especially violence against women.
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