Midwives

Rating:
Summary: A good coming of age daughter's view of her mother's trial
Review: As a male reader who recieved an autographed copy of this book as a gift, the title confounded me a bit along with the girl's narrative written by a man. However once I got into the book, I found it an absorbing read. With writings from her mother's journal interspersed with Connie's narrative, I was able to get into the minds of both of them. I enjoyed the manner in which the pieces to the story's puzzle were dropped in throughout the book, as the narrator bounced about chronologically, even up to its final pages. I also appreciated the manner in which the reader is allowed to speculate on many details, such as the relationship between her mother and the lawyer, as this provided realism to the 1st person perspective of Connie who didn't know everything herself. A lot of comparisons have been made to "To Kill a Mockingbird", although I think the darker aspects of the mother's struggles of conscience reminded me a bit of "A Separate Peace".

Rating:
Summary: A surprisingly wonderful book!
Review: As a woman who had all four of her babies at home (two with only the assistance of family and friends in the early 1970s, and two with nurse-midwives), I was at first skeptical to read this book. I wondered how a man could write about the profession of midwifery without condemnation, or how a trial of such could be presented without seeming cold and clinical. His treatment through the eyes of a 14-year-old girl was an interesting way to add a third viewpoint - one of unconditional love from a child. Because I view home birth as a viable option for many women, I respected the way he included statistics about its general safety. But since I'm older now, and have learned about inherent dangers with all births, I enjoyed the suggestion for sound medical training that should be expected of anyone conducting home deliveries, complete with backup systems. This was a compelling book, and I found it hard to put it down at night to get some sleep! Thank you, Chris Bohjalian.

Rating:
Summary: Birth and Death
Review: Birth and Death

Midwives, by Chris Bohjalian, shakes all preconceptions one might have about the practice of midwifery. Regardless of any bias one might hold, for or against, the story of Vermont midwife, Sibyl Danforth, on trial for the death of one of her patients, brings us up short. With the jury, the reader is forced to examine the evidence. The events unfold, retrospectively, through the eyes of Sibyl's 14-year-old daughter, Connie - a fact which somehow makes the story more poignant and wrenching. This frightened young girl stands to lose her mother and her home, as well as her innocence.

Author Bohjalian deftly gives the reader new background and information only when the story requires it, keeping the suspense from first to last. The characters are believable - if not people you know, people you can respect and to whom you can lend your sympathy. Your heart will ache for all the innocent victims as the story plays out.

Oprah Winfrey chose well for her Book Club. Read this book.

Rating:
Summary: A thoughtful novel of Vermont life
Review: Chris Bohjalian is a truly amazing storyteller, lovingly (and with humor) portraying life in his adopted home of Vermont. In this book, not only is a wonderful story told, but the reader is invited to think about a world in which natural childbirth is put into direct conflict with modern views on health care, resulting in a difficult legal situation.

Rating:
Summary: A good read, you won't want to put it down
Review: Good book. I read it in one sitting, something I have not done in a very long time. Chris writes with a woman's voice, not something that male writers are usually very good at doing, but he has captured his subject very well. Recommend this book highly.

Rating:
Summary: Took time...
Review: I had this book for over a year before I picked it up. The title and the cover were not at all interesting to me - it was a hand-me-down from a friend (whose sister is an ob/gyn). When I did pick the book up, I couldn't put it down. Truly something that not only questions home births - but to me questions how we obtain knowledge - is a degree is more valuable than "real world" experience. It also questions truthfulness - when is truthfulness less valuable than perceived justice. Is what happens justice? This book creates conflict for me. It made what I thought was black and white into grey, and I appreciate the moral challenges the book presents.

Rating:
Summary: Very Good Book, Gripping Story
Review: I liked this book very much. It was suspensful. I had no idea what the outcome would be in the end. It was not predictable.

Well-written, gripping, and a bit of education on the midwife career. Recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Good book; not too compelling
Review: I really enjoyed this book but I can't believe how long it took me to get through it. I have lately been whipping through books but this one I realized took me a long time. Not because it was boring but because it didn't grab me...therefore I found myself not devoting a lot of time to reading it. It was a great story line and I did bring it up in conversations with friends so I must have liked it, but just wasn't too compelling.
There is better, there is worse.

Rating:
Summary: Midwives: A Novel
Review: I thought that this book "Midwives" was beautifully written. I felt that the writer, Chris Bohjalian, was able to portray a young teenage girl perfectly. In fact, had I not read about the author, I would have never suspected that he was a man. You learn about the main character, Connie and see how her mother's experiences transform her from a normal immature teenager to a young adult dealing with unimaginable problems. After reading the first chapter, I was hooked. Not only did the author do an excellent job with creating realistic, likable characters but his choice of words seemed to make me feel as though I was right there watching our heroic midwife, Sibyl. Throughout the story, one learn more about Sibyl Danthford, her past loves, child births and her "hippie" activities. You also get to learn different children she delivered throughout her midwife career. What I liked most about this book was the reader never knows what will become of Sibyl and her practice. The second you feel you know what will happen, some new turn of events will change your mind into thinking something else. The most thrilling part of the book is the suspense of the court room scenes when Sibyl is on the stand and bedroom scenes where Sibyl must decide between the mothers life or the childs. I feel that the book was about to show an equal understanding of midwifery and hospital births. The book was able to give me a better understanding of midwifery and at home child birth. I would definitely recommend this book to all who enjoy suspense and wish to learn more about the wonders of child birth and midwives.

Rating:
Summary: Wait for the Kicker!
Review: Interesting, and convincing enough that I was repeatedly tempted to look up the case details, only to have to remind myself that it was a work of fiction, not based on actual events. The story flows along fairly predictable lines, but there is a surprise at the end that's worth waiting for.