Midwives: A Novel

Rating:
Summary: An excellent read!!
Review: I was so enthralled with this book the entire time I was reading it, I actually forgot the author was a man. Chris Bohjalian did a wonderful job with every aspect of this novel- from the realationship of the mother and daughter to the relatonship of the parents. The author seems very knowledgeable on midwifery and in touch with the sensitive matters that go along with the practice. I could not put the book down!!

Rating:
Summary: Cannnot believe a man wrote this!
Review: The best book I've read in a long time. Could not put it down. Such detailed and accurate accounts of midwifery. Then the tantallizing twist of a court battle. Interestingly written from a child's perspective.

Rating:
Summary: This is a good, thought-provoking read.
Review: I enjoyed this book. The first person point of view is perfect. Connie is a very mature narrator who seems to be asked to handle an extremely scary series of events with the most emotional support coming from a teenage boyfriend. It seems that Sibyl who becomes so involved with the lives of others should be more aware of the needs of a young daughter. Bohjalian makes all the characters very realistic. Sibyl seems to be a strong woman who often focuses on what she wants to do and what is best for her. She doesn't seem to think about how the trial and her actions affect Connie's mental health. To the very end of the book, I have the feeling that Sibyl in many ways came to grips with the death of Charlotte more easily than Connie did. This book shows how actions of those close to us affect our own actions and values. I see more about the handling of stressful situations by individuals than I do about the question of giving birth at home or in a hospital setting.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting on multiple levels.
Review: when the midwife performs emergency C-section, she clearly thought the mother was dead. The details of the ensuing trial and excerpts of her diary reveal the incredible angst and the self-questioning that any thoughtful health professional undergoes when the care is questioned ( and malpractice alleged). The reader's assumption of guilt or innocence provides vastly different interpretation of the subsequent events and the outcome of the trial. A sensitive and thoughtful approach to alternative medicine that collides with acceptable medical practice in an era of blame.

Rating:
Summary: Midwives captures the essence of birthing and bad results
Review: Midwives captures the essence of birthing and the unfortunate reaction society has to an outcome of less than the best results. Bohjalian sets the stage of the daughter narrator and main character Sybil brilliantly. The notebook excerpts set the stage and tone of the reader's reaction to the possibility of the unthinkable. A book I could not put down until the conclusion. However, I consciencely chose not to skip to the ending. Because I work in the medical malpractice environment this story helped to remind me and hopefully others of the critical decisions which medical professionals must make in split seconds, and hopefully it will remind us all that we have personal choices as respects the birthing process.

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyed it all the way through
Review: I enjoyed this book from the beginning to the very end. It never slowed down. It was frightening, nerve wracking, frustrating. A great job making all characters sympathetic. It was really difficult to root for either side because you could feel the pain that everyone was feeling on both sides. Sybil was never portrayed as either an innocent victim nor a malicious person. Connie has more of a grasp on the events now because she is writing from a more mature place, but she tells the story honestly as a 14-year-old with real fears who doesn't understand everything that is happening. Don't want to say too much because I don't want to ruin the ending, but I was never really sure what I wanted the verdict to be. Really enjoyed this book and will recommend it highly.

Rating:
Summary: The best of the storyline is over in 1st quarter of book
Review: The beginning of the book is very compelling. But the rest is conversation over the kitchen table about the interesting beginning. The end of the story is given away early with only a mild twist at the end. Nice writing, typical courtroom drama, but expected more with the big start.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This was an excellent book. I was into the story by the second line. It was a page turner!

Rating:
Summary: Forget the sleeping pills, read Midwives.
Review: I thought midwives was a very good book but everytime I picked it up I began to nod off. Suffice to say it took me a while to read it. The novel is very poignant and well written. You develop a deep sympathy for the characters throughout the novel. This is a book every woman should read but I'm not sure how well men would enjoy it. Besure to drink a pot of coffee before tackling this novel or you will be out before the first paragraph is done. Good Night.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: Finally, a book from Oprah's book club without sappy characters! I loved this book. I only gave it four stars because I RARELY think a book is worth five. This was really enjoyable and suspenseful up until the very last page. It was no effort at all to finish the book. I also can't believe is was written by a man. Now I need to check out his other books. The only part I thought didn't fit was the insinuation of infatuation between the lawyer and Sibyl's. That seemed really out of place to me. Other than that, I loved it. Definitely worth it.