Rating: 
Summary: Satisfying, Wonderfully Written
Review: I couldn't put this book down! I just had to know what happened to Sybil, and I was truly 'emotionally invested' in the whole story. I cried, laughed, pondered and rejoiced alot. What a satisfying and thought provoking book. I highly recommend this book and have already loaned it to my mom and a few friends, who all loved the book also. I'll be looking forward to more from this talented author! One last thing, when I finished the last page, I shut the book saying to myself: 'No way!' and smiling from ear to ear! Best ending I've ever read. Encore~!
Rating: 
Summary: Engrossing book, well written
Review: You'd never know a man wrote this. Edifying book that manages to be suspenseful, too. Great ending that leaves you pondering....
Rating: 
Summary: Manipulative in the extreme
Review: I wonder what motivated the author to choose his subject? I think he sensationalized a highly unlikey scenario in order to make a buck and in the process slandered the midwifery profession. As a former client of a home-birth midwife, I knew better than to read this book during my pregnancies. Whew! Am I glad I waited! The author did not give a fair shake to the realities of miwifery practice - that their "outcomes" consistently are superior to those of doctor supervised hospital based births. Yes, patient selection has a great deal to do with this - however, the care and attention midwives give their clients are also responsible. This book simply offended me.
Rating: 
Summary: A bit dissapointed
Review: I felt the book was a very easy read but a bit too preditable. I knew what was going to be on the last page before I read it. It did not have enough depth for me and I would not recommend it to other people I know to read. It also seemed a bit too drawn out. I, however, did learn a few things about being a midwife.
Rating:
Summary: It was okay
Review: I just finished the book yesterday and I didn't immediately want to force someone to read it. It was a good story and the end had a little twist. Not remarkable in my opinon, but ok for a read and I learned some things about midwifery. If you have it laying around or if someone has it to loan you....go ahead, but as far as buying the book and expecting greatness...maybe not.
Rating: 
Summary: To be discouraged from getting pregnant, read this...
Review: The novel Midwives, written by Chris Bohjalian, seems at certain points to be the diary of the teenage daughter of the Vermont midwife on trial for involuntary manslaughter and illegally practicing medicine. Although it is in fact a work of fiction, the entire book is written from the point of view of the daughter, who is like a wallflower in various situations. She overhears important conversations between her mother and their lawyer, for example, which are key when it comes to fully understanding the plot and storyline of the novel. Although I enjoyed this book only minimally, I will say that the numerous details of the seasonal Vermont landscapes, THE SOMETIMES PAINFUL AND DANGEROUS PROCESS OF CHILDBIRTH, and the complicated emotions that accompany death made me appreciate the tireless efforts of the author. Mr. Bohjalian did an excellent job describing every moment in its entirety and enabling the reader to visualize each schene.
Rating:
Summary: It was a dark and stormy night...
Review: This book revolves around the life of Sybil Danforth who is a midwife in Vermont. On a stormy night she is called to deliver Charlotte Bedford's baby. It is a night that will forever change the lives of Sybil and her family because she is charged with involuntary manslaughter. The story of this event, its aftermath and the impact it makes on so many lives is told through the eyes of Sybil's daughter and through the pages of Sybil's journal.I found the story to be incredibly well written and suspenseful. I liked the last line of the book..it indeed makes you think.
Rating:
Summary: Engaging and entertaining
Review: This is one of the best books I've read in awhile. The story, told by the main character's 13-year-old daughter Connie, is realistic in that it shows the second-guessing that midwives even today are subject to. Mr. Bohjalian's characters are interesting and believable, and Sibyl Danforth's trial is especially suspenseful as well as accurate. The author is successful in portraying the effects of the trial on all members of the family as well as community. The book is well-researched, informative, and entertaining. While the relationship between Sibyl and her lawyer could have been developed a little further, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and didn't want it to end.
Rating:
Summary: Legal and Medical Mind Blower
Review: Anyone with a legal or medical background will certainly bond quickly with the theme of this story. One need not be of that background, however, to feel the tug of what is right and what is wrong.The fact is, with medicine, there are decisions to be made in the event of emergencies, and anyone can do the next day quarterbacking of what should have happened. It is in this context, that this novel is capable of provoking extrememly strong opinions on many issues. For that reason it demonstrates to many the incredible impact this novel has had on many fronts.
Rating:
Summary: Pleasurable and thought provoking
Review: I read this with my friend just as the movie was being shown on Lifetime. I haven't had the chance to see the movie but I bet it plays a good courtroom drama. This novel is interesting especially coming from the viewpoint of the 14 yr. old daughter of the accused midwife, but I had to struggle with it sometimes. It didn't call to me to pick up and read shirking all my other duties like a 5 star book would. It was the ending as the trial neared completion that got me back on track and picking up my reading pace. An ending that stayed with me all that night and affected my dreams. A pleasurable reading experience.
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