Midwives: A Novel

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Summary: Wow! What a book!
Review: Thoroughly engrossing and fascinating story! Wish it had been longer, though...

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Summary: Bohjalian has written a thought-provoking book.
Review: "Midwives" will not make you feel comfortable. It is a heart-wrenching book that explores the moral dilemmas of people who take great risks in life. Bohjalian writes well from a female perspective. The style, which uses journal entries, flashbacks and a first-person narrative from a child's viewpoint is a little tedious at times, but it doesn't detract from the power of the story. The question is, "Should a woman who is not medically trained deliver babies at home? Do the advantages of having a baby at home outweigh the disadvantages?" There is always the possibility that a delivery will go bad, and it is not always possible to get medical intervention in time. "Midwives" deals with guilt and how families interact under stress. It also addresses the question of whether or not it is ethical to take unnecessary risks with other people's lives. The reader must decide how culpable Sybil is. It is a question that remains in the reader's mind long after the last page is turned.

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Summary: Very interesting plot
Review: I like the way the author organized the book. He interspersed the daughter's narative with journal entries from the mother. At times, he went ahead in time and other times, he went back into the past. Gradually, all the puzzle pieces began to fit. The author did a wonderful job writing about a completely woman's topic. I found the characters very believable. I really liked the plot twist at the end. I would have done what Connie did to help her mother.

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Summary: One of my favorites
Review: Full of drama and mystery. A believable story and filled with characters you will cherish, question and support. If you like Anne Quindand you will like this book. Can't wait to see more from this author

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Summary: Thought it was just me.
Review: I bought this book because my sister, who is brilliant and shares my taste in literature, said it was wonderful. Well, I figured my age was finally catching up with me because I could not focus on the story, even though I think the writing is flawless. Feeling very guilty, I skipped to the final chapter, to see what happened. I suggest you do that, too. Save yourself a lot of time.

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Summary: Why was this a Oprah Book Club selection?
Review: The story itself and the issues it raises are interesting enough. However, I found the writing labored and tedious, sometimes downright trite. I tried mightily to finish the book, but by the middle, I could have cared less about Sibyll Danforth's fate or her daughter's story.

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Summary: Found much of this book boring!!!
Review: If a woman chooses to have a midwife in attendance when she gives birth, that is her option. I think it is a foolhardy decision!!! Life is too precious to take a chance that something like this would happen!! Would rather have heard the Mother's thoughts rather than the daughters. Thought the courtroom description was tedious!!

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Summary: Highly disappointing
Review: As a nurse midwife, I was eager to read this book, and the book itself was a gift from a friend. But as the story developed, it became apparent that this was not much more than a soap opera without the soap. I was so disappointed in the lack of character developemnt, in Sybil and Connie, as well as the milk-toast husband/father, the lawyer, and the family. No sympathy here, not even any empathy. I kept reading, thinking the book would make a point, which it really didn't... and was not surprised by the ending, just more disappointed. I'm glad I didn't spend money on this book, I would have felt horribly cheated! I donated it to a rummage sale....

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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".

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Summary: Haunting
Review: I really enjoyed this book. After it was finished I was haunted by days thinking about myself and my mortality. It was a real mind engrossing book