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Summary: poetry
Review: I can say so much about this book - but what I loved most was the phrase "catching babies" -- breathtaking. Carol
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Summary: Sensitive and thought provoking
Review: I was originally attracted to the paperback version of Midwives because it is my favorite size book to read. Reading it was a pleasure of the highest sort. While I wanted to know how it would all turn out, I also wanted to savor each and every word. I was surprised to learn two things - first that "Chris" is Christopher - his sense of a young girl's perceptions are incredible, and, second, that Oprah chose this book for her reading circle - as I usually turn her books aside quickly for their darkness and issue orientation - they are generally too politically correct and not very good reads. As an R.N., the issue in the book for me was the questions of practicing outside of license, and I was pleased with how Bohjalian dealt with this. I was also comfortable with and at home with the miracles of life and death, and the blessings these are, as perceived by many of us in the health professions. Healing is not always curing, and law and insurance companies often lead people to lose sight of that. The story came full circle, without resolving many of the issues...but isn't that the way life is...and isn't it nice to think about something long after you have closed the book?
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Summary: Great Book for a Discussion Group
Review: Last night, we discussed this book for hours. The moral and legal ambiguities made for a wonderful discussion. As women, we also related our birth experiences and what we would have done in Sibyl's place. Connie was an excellent choice as narrator, in the action, yet often times listening and making observations unseen. Midwives reminded us of another book we discussed - Before and After by Rosellen Brown in that one event can so change the lives of every member of a family.
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Summary: Captivating!
Review: I really liked this book! The characters were captivating and I could not put it down...The ending was great!
Rating: 
Summary: I found it hard to put the book down.
Review: My mother had four children "caught" by a midwife. I was the first born in a hosptal with no doctor in attendance. She always said she should have had me with a midwife. Because of that story from my mother, I wanted to read about midwives. The book is great. What sold me is the fact that the reviews said it rated up there with "To Kill A Mockingbird". It is hard to believe that a man wrote it. He had so many insights that only a woman "should" know. I have recommended it highly to others. This book does not portray midwives in a bad light. It shows their compassion and love for their patients, as well as the baby. Something you do not always get from a doctor. (Fortunately, I was blessed to have a good OB-GYN.)
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Summary: Disappointing choice for an Oprah fan...
Review: I was quite disappointed with the book Midwives by Chris Bohjalian. What was previewed to be a medical and moral thriller turned out to be a surface treatment of a very real situation. None of the characters seemed well developed, especially Sibyl Danforth. Birth, although a natural process, is scary business. I know, having assisted at the deliveries of many "bad babies". Any person, midwife or doctor, paramedic or R.N., will agree. What surprises me most is the way Sibyl panics at the moment of birth. Panic is the downfall of any good practitioner, and was unexpected in this case due to the writer's mentioning continuously of Sibyl's safe delivery of 500 babies. Also, hinting around of an affair or near-affair with her attorney without fully exploring this was sheer titillation on the author's part. Attempting closure with Sibyl apologizing for giving the wrong impression made her character even more perplexing instead of adding depth. Maybe non-medical people will enjoy this book, because they are not prepared to scrutinize the medical procedures. But I think I'm going to give the average layman the benefit of the doubt.
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Summary: I had to slow down my reading so I could savor it better!!
Review: What a wonderful book...I am amazed that a male writer can write in a female's point of view so beautifully and accurately. I was on vacation while reading this and read it so fast that whan I got to the few final chapters, I had to divvy them up (i.e., one per day) so I wouldn't finish the book before my vacation ended. (Alas, I couldn't stand being so disciplined, and finished it on the second night anyway). Riveting to the very end...I recommend it to everyone who likes good drama without the melodrama!
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Summary: interesting story, but ...............
Review: while this book was entertaining it was focused on the negatives of midwifery and not the positives. the focus on negative outcomes is contrary to all numbers and studies regarding midwifery. the author would have done midwifery more justice by writing an interesting novel about midwifery that focused on what a safe option it is for women. i don't regret reading it but think i will pause before buying the next book oprah recommends.
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Summary: The joy of birth turned tragic.
Review: Oprah, once again, demonstrates her ability to choose novels that are well-written and are worthy for the public to take notice. More then a gripping, intense courtroom drama, "Midwives" is a multi-layered novel combining a girls coming-of-age story and that of the issue of home-births versus hospital births of midwives versus ob-gyn's. Whatever one may think of the main character, Sibyl Danforth and the trial that ensues over the death of Charollete Bedford, the fact remains that childbirth is a choice between the parents not society. Any human in their right mind would question their judgement, as does Sibyl Danforth and unfortunately tragic situations occur. Mr. Bohjalian creates intense drama when showing us both sides of the issue and certainly opens the floor for discussion. I especially enjoyed his narrative and the voice of 14 year old Connie. Her story is just as absorbing as Sibyl's not only in her development into adulthood but in her keen observations as it relates to the trial and life. I look forward to the next novel by Chris Bohjalian.
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Summary: Uncannily possible!
Review: After reading the readers' comments I feel compelled to write one myself. Unlike many of the readers, I don't live in the US, but in the North of England, where, although I will give you that we are interested in medical trials, there isn't a Medics-v-Midwives war going on, or at least not to the same extent. By way of background I must share with you the "secret" that I am actually a Personal Injury/Med Neg lawyer, who can fully appreciate the realism of an episode like this going into trial.Yes, I agree with one of your readers who commented upon her surprise when she realised that the author was male. Well, perhpas we should not undestimate "men of the 90's" in their ability to be emotionally involved in the subject of birth. I found this book uncannily true, because as Charlotte (although with a more positive outcome), I underwent a very complicated delivery which culminated with a C-section. I was aware of the complications and, of course, I went for a hospital birth. However, the wheather in my part of the world, the English Lake District, is not always favourable in winter and to tell the truth, I could easily have ended up like her. I do believe home births to be a viable option for many women, furthermore, a desirable one, yet I refuse to see how anyone who has given birth in any other way should be morally condemned. Of course I am refering to the "not being able to bond with the child" business. My experience, perhaps, both personally and professionally (professionally I have not encountered "death", but brain damage to the child) has made me scared of home births, but in my particular case, not on anyone else's. One reader said that the author (albeit unwillingly was giving midwives a bad name)I really doubt it. Cybill got into trouble because of the weather conditions. It was clearly established that, had it been otherwise, she would have been able to recognise the need for birth to take place at the operating theatre. Anyway, Charlotte, even without Cybill "unqualified" intervention would have probably died anyway! Cybill acted ethically, in despair! That is what I would argue as a Defence lawyer, which, by the way, I believe to be the truth. In my opinion, we should not concern ourselves so much (interesting as the subject may be) with Medics-v-Midwives, but look at the available options in a realistic way and then make a choice, always open-mindedly. Despite what many of you may think, I am not being "bias". Finally, as you may have already suspected, I really enjoyed the book. Someone said the narrator was "annoyning", fair enough, each reader has their own preferences, but as a part-time "amateur" novelist and Oxford Literature graduate I can only tell you I could not put it down. I am also glad about the fact that people have an interest on the subject and of course, the "court-room" drama that goes with it, not to forget the interesting narrative technique of placing the daughter of the "victim" in the narrator's seat! I am fully aware that this technique is not uncommon. Yet it present a "bias" yet "non-bias" perspective which I did truly enjoy. And, a note to the author, I don't at all dislike the way in which the book was written. Carry on the good work. I am looking forward to your next piece, which will no doubt be centred on a very different subject!
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