Midwives: A Novel

Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Book!
Review: Wow! Did I love this book! It seemed to start out slowly but boy, the last 100 pages or so I could not put down. The author did a great job dissecting the issues between the medical community and the earth mother midwives. I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: thrilling
Review: I haven't read a book I couldn't put down for awhile. I never knew what the outcome would be until the actual finish. The narration done by the daughter as well as Sybil's diary immeresed you in the story. I'll be looking for this author again.

Rating:
Summary: I loved it! Read it on a plane:)
Review: I thought that this was one of the better books that I have read this year. The way that Chris wrote explained everything in a simple matter, but the characters were complex. I would recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: A Man in a Woman's Skin
Review: I am typically a reader of women authors. This story, although written by a man, is absolutely captivating in its delivery of the essence of the main character Sibyl, a midwife. Chris Bohjalian's story telling technique keeps the reader so closley involved. The intricacies of the birthing process were given such poetic justice from the viewpoints of both laboring mother and witness. At times it was difficult to continue reading as the reader becomes so deeply emeshed with the plight of this loving woman and her family. Sibyl must face the realities of the harsh outside world while continuing to believe in her the goals of her profession as a midwife. An incredible tale of the laws of nature and of man.. Perhaps one of the best novels I 've read about a woman's monumental cross road in life as told by a man.

Rating:
Summary: Missed the mark.
Review: Everything in this novel including characters as well as subject matter was handled on a superficial basis. Was this a first novel for the author?

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful...suspensful and enjoyable reading!!
Review: I really enjoyed Midwives. I took it with me everywhere so that it was with me when I could grab five minutes to read!! The ending was great and I stayed in suspense all the way to the last paragraph!!

Rating:
Summary: They don't get much better than this!
Review: An excellent fast read--'cause you just can't put it down! As an ICU nurse, I found myself unsure of my feelings for Sibyl. She seemed an honest, sincere, loving person, but some things just didn't "sound right". The suspense was intense and the temptation to look ahead to the last page constantly there. DON'T! The wait is well worth it. For those who have written that the book is "socially irresponsible" I couldn't disagree more. I think the dangers of home birth was presented along with the more sensitive and personal touch unique to midwifery. This is a NOVEL, this author's creation. Let's not try to stifle creativity by trying to impose 'social responsibility'. People are personally responsible for their own decisions and actions....which is precisely the point of this book. I will recommend it to everyone.

Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT!!!!!!!
Review: WOW...Much like Wally Lamb in "She's Come Undone", you forget that the author is actually a man. This novel is beautifully written and keeps you thinking.

Rating:
Summary: I loved the book it kept my interest throughout!!
Review: What a book! I enjoyed every moment of it. Connie (daughter) was a very good character. I felt for her and what she went through. I loved the ending and how the daughter tied everything together so she wouldn't repeat what the mother had gone through. She must have had alot of respect for her to follow in the same career. I'd recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: a unique view of a midwife's life through a daughter's eyes
Review: this book is absolutely incredible! once you start reading it, you can't put it down. i fell in love with the characters and when they felt pain, i felt pain, and that's the way a good book should feel to the reader. Mr. Bohjalian is a very talented novelist and his sensitive words were even more that considering he was telling the story through the eyes of the midwife's daughter. definately one to curl up with during the winter season (or anytime!).