Midwives: A Novel

Rating:
Summary: Could not put it down!
Review: Started this book with doubts feeling it might have too much medical detail - there was just enough, and I felt close to the midwife through her daily log book - couldn't guess the outcome! Excellent book!!

Rating:
Summary: Anesthesiologist surprised that I liked this book
Review: I didn't expect to appreciate this story. Even the name of the book made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. As an anesthesiologist, often only involved with the most difficult part of obstetric deliveries, I read this book with pre-condemnation of mid-wifery. However, I feel like I learned something from this story. I gained perspective into the reasons and benefits of delivering babies at home. I gained insight into the thought process that leads women to want to deliver in a natural, "holistic", environment. As a typically-trained modern physician, I had unfounded biases and pretenses toward "holistic medicine" as a whole. But I gained a new appreciation of practitioners like the main character in this story. We are all trying to do the best for our patients. When things go wrong, the courts may lose sight of that fact.

Rating:
Summary: Good premise, but left me flat
Review: I was disappointed with this book. The first hundred pages, which covered the tragedy of Charlotte Bedford, WERE gripping. But the tension and drama ended there, and it seemed there was nothing to look forward to except finishing the book so I could start another! I agree with some of the other reviewers who said that the characters were under-developed - I didn't get a sense of who any of them really were. And Tom (the boyfriend) was indeed unrealistic. In the beginning he was portrayed as somewhat of a "tough", then inexplicably he displays a sensitivity that few boys his age possess! I didn't buy his character, and I didn't care about the other ones. The end was a bit of a surprise, but by then it had lost it's impact...All in all a disappointment.

Rating:
Summary: A good read with a mix of courtroom drama and family ties
Review: I must say that I truely enjoyed the book. The story is a good mix of courtroom drama and family relationships. I found that the characters were simple yet real people that everyone can relate to. The story is narrated by a young teenage girl and was well written as she reflects her thoughts and sensitivities to her own mother and family situations. The suspense became unfolded in a predictable way, though. This book will refresh your spirit in a strange way.

Rating:
Summary: An amazing read that I couldn't put down
Review: I really enjoyed this book. The narration of the adult world and complications from the eyes of a child kept it fresh. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Rating:
Summary: Disservice to the profession
Review: On Jan 18th, a judge wrote a review on here called "a good book with an unsettling ending". His or her comments regarding Sybils' lack of training reflect the unfortunate results of reading a book like this and pronouncing biased and unfair judgement upon a subject without first researching properly all the real information. I hope that any midwives in a similar situation do not end up with this judge! He / she also comments that they would not allow nursing to go on in a courtroom! People like this are running the country! I had my baby at home with and excellent pre natal care from a midwife, and a couple of check ups from a doctor, recommended by my midwife . I feel that this book gives a bad image to midwives, and is very open to unfavourable projections onto the profession.

Rating:
Summary: Absorbing
Review: This is one book that I couldn't put down. The players were all to real and I found the book frightening and enlightening.

Rating:
Summary: I enjoyed the book, but it lacked character development.
Review: I really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to Chris Bohjalian's next book. However, I thought the author failed to give the characters as much depth as I would have liked to have seen. It left me with questions regarding each character. I would still recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Kept wanting to sneak a peak at the back page
Review: Very good book. Especially for women who have had babies. Don't read it though if you are pregnant. That would be scary. I have four children all of them delivered by a midwife and I would never do it any other way.

Rating:
Summary: Overated reviews
Review: I was highly disappointed by this book. I felt like the characters were one dimensional. I didn't care what the outcome of the trial was going to be--it didn't pull at my heartstrings. I think the premise was a good one, but it was not the page turner that many critics said it would be.