Midwives: A Novel

Rating:
Summary: The frisson at the end...WOW!
Review: I begrudged doing anything else until I'd finished reading this book. It caught me up immediately and held me in suspense until the very last page, even though there were hints of things to come throughout. Obviously, from the other reviews, this book elicited some strong emotions: apparently you're either going to love it or hate it. As for me, I loved it and would definitely recommend it to others.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: I had to write a review, because after reading some of the other reviews I wanted to correct what I believe is a huge mistake others are making in their reviews. The book was NOT written in the perspective of a 14 year old girl. Connie was in her mid to late twenties by the time she "wrote" the book. It specifically says that throughout the book as well as at the end. The book was fascinating. I enjoyed the ethical dilemma as well as the controversy among midwives and doctors.

Rating:
Summary: great story idea botched by trite writing
Review: Where to start? A midwife attended my son's birth, so I read a friend's copy. The writing was on the level of a talented high school student. Silly courtroom scenes, characters that were both unlikeable and uninteresting, stilted story structure. All in all, something that you might be forced to read while trapped in an airport or a cabin with no real books. I felt the author was condescending to us, perhaps holding back for a real book. From what I can tell, no real midwife would practice the way Sibyl did. The conflict between the obstetrical world and the world of midwifery was so trite. The world could use a great novel with home birth(s) as a plot device, but this one sure ain't it.

Rating:
Summary: Thrilling suspense!
Review: Vivid descriptions and a knack for story-telling put me right there in the room with the midwife, trying to decide what I would do in her shoes, trying to decide what was the right thing to do. The reader never knows how the story will turn out and the author doesn't give anything away. I couldn't put this book down and read it in a weekend.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting, but not convincing
Review: Midwives was an interesting book, but I was never convinced that the story was being told from a teenage girl's point of view.

Rating:
Summary: Rather uneven.
Review: I found MIDWIVES faded in and out like bad reception on a radio. There are too many riveting books out this summer for me to have patience with uneven quality. I set MIDWIVES aside about halfway through and read THE TRIUMPH AND THE GLORY, the other book I ordered last week from Amazon. It was a page-turner from start to finish, a truly wonderful novel, something Midwives could have been with a little more attention to plot development and characterization.

Rating:
Summary: An incredible book, I couldn't put it down.
Review: This book was full of controversy. I couldn't put it down. I loved this book.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Review: The story started out very well but it drags on quite a bit with the trial. Adding the journal logs in with the story was a nice touch - gave different perspectives. Was left hanging with the ending - it felt like something was missing, left out. The author has some good sections describing the midwife's emotions and confusion.

Rating:
Summary: The word "boring" comes to mind.
Review: I can't believe this book has received so much positive press......especially with Oprah. I found the characters to be dull and flat. I had to make myself finish this book just so I couldn't be called a quitter. I just couldn't become interested in the silly plot and thought the whole book could have been written in 4 to 5 pages. It's back to Mary Higgins Clark for me!

Rating:
Summary: A story told through the eyes of a child. A WONDERFUL read!
Review: This story is written in the narrative of a child. A midwives child. Touching and endearing. Chris certainly has gotten into the head of a young girl, and expresses the characters emotions perfectly. I loved this book and will read it again. A definite recommendation