Helpful Score: 10
Taking place during the first World War, this book brings to light the hardship women had face before women's suffrage. The women of a small mountain town in Nova Scotia are used to home births by a kindly wise midwife and they would not have it any other way until challenged by a new doctor in town, who deems it unsafe and basically stupid to not want a hospital birth, where the mother is sedated, barely remembering the event at all. Dora, at first a young girl at the start of this novel is at the heart of this struggle, as she takes the lead role as midwife after a tragedy occurs. I really liked this book and although it took a bit to capture my attention, once it did I could not put it down.
Helpful Score: 8
This book was just fantastic-one of the best I've read all year! Highly recommend it. I felt like I was reading music and magic. Includes many interesting historical events of that time period and tells a great story at the same time. Dr. Thomas will drive you nuts, but you will fall in love with Marie B.! If you have or get this paperback copy, make sure you read the PS section. The author interview was just as intersting as the story!
Helpful Score: 5
A very easy look at some difficult history. I especially liked the way the author pulled in the newspaper articles and advertisements of the day..interesting. A definite read...
Helpful Score: 3
A wonderful story of a midwife in rural Nova Scotia. Lots of rich, well-researched details too.
Helpful Score: 2
Over all this was an OK book. It was interesting to read of what it was like to be a woman in the early 1900's. The midwifery aspect was good, and probably realistic for a rural village in the day.
I WANT TO STRESS THAT IT IS NOT A REALISTIC VIEW OF TODAY'S MIDWIVES. The majority of midwives today are professionals.
Also, I hate it when an author makes all the "Christians" in the book hypocrites and idiots, and those not Christians "Saints."
I WANT TO STRESS THAT IT IS NOT A REALISTIC VIEW OF TODAY'S MIDWIVES. The majority of midwives today are professionals.
Also, I hate it when an author makes all the "Christians" in the book hypocrites and idiots, and those not Christians "Saints."