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The River Midnight
The River Midnight
Author: Lilian Nattel
This stunning debut from a major new talent "brings to mind such diverse writers as Isabel Allende, E. L. Doctorow, and Isaac Bashevis Singer, though Ms. Nattel's sensibility is uniquely hers" (Julie Salamon). Combining prodigious research and a fevered imagination, The River Midnight brilliantly brings to life all the things that book...  more »

Myth meets history in Blaszka, a fictional village northwest of Warsaw, where angels and demons walk in the fin de siècle shadows, enticing the people of Blaszka to face their deepest wishes and fears. Listen. You can hear the excitement in the village square, the flimsy stalls piled high with everything, and in the center Misha the midwife laughing. She is a big, free, independent spirit in a world determined by strict rules -- men separated from women, meat from dairy, shabbes from everyday. When Misha was a girl she danced in the woods with her friends, the four vilda hayas, the "wild creatures" as they were known. But now the women have grown apart, divided by geography, by the pain of one's infertility next to the others' fecundity, and by love's demands. The River Midnight is the incredibly engrossing and moving story of what happens when the town midwife becomes pregnant. Misha, the keeper of village secrets, will reveal to no one the biggest secret of all: the identity of the father to her unborn child. Do the men and women of Blaszka abandon Misha, who is the wayward heart of the village? Or do they come together and keep God waiting for their prayers? This novel explores the tension between men and women, and celebrates the wordless and kinetic bond of friendship.
ISBN-13: 9781439501290
ISBN-10: 1439501297
Publication Date: 6/26/2008
Pages: 414
Edition: Reprint
Rating:
  • Currently 3/5 Stars.
 1

3 stars, based on 1 rating
Book Type: Library Binding
Other Versions: Paperback, Hardcover
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed The River Midnight on + 26 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
A story of many people who live in a village in Poland during the late 1800's. The lives of the people are intertwined and bonded by friendship. Very good book for those who love history and people.
reviewed The River Midnight on + 12 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
An amazing look at Shtetl life, a little glimpse of Chaggall in writing. Simply lovely reading. This one is a great find! It is so rare to be left with a feeling of awe and connectivity to past, present and future.
reviewed The River Midnight on + 43 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
It is always interesting to me to read about different cultures in different times, and this book certainly fits that. It wasn't a page turner, but i didn't not want to finsh it.
reviewed The River Midnight on + 32 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I absolutely LOVED this book!! Very interesting, engaging, and an innovative way to weave together the story from the perspective of several characters. I HIGHLY recommend it
Cattriona avatar reviewed The River Midnight on + 200 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is a good book for those who like reading other cultures (in this case, a Jewish village in Poland). The author uses an interesting writing style, telling the same events from the viewpoints of different people -- the women of the town, the men of the town, and the town's midwife/herbalist. It is a bit slow in parts, but very interesting to see how those in the town live their everyday lives, and the different interpretations of each event by different characters and genders. The women in this town are strong, a plus for those who enjoy strong female characters. Recommended.
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reviewed The River Midnight on
Enjoyed the well defined characters and a glimpse into life in a shtetl. Although the story told from the women's and men's views was enlightening. it became redundant. A well written and interesting book and definitely worth reading.