Midwives: A Novel
2 journalers for this copy...
From the back cover:
On an icy winter night in an isolated house in rural Vermont, a seasoned midwife named Sibyl Danforth takes desperate measures to save a baby's life. She performs an emergency cesarean section on a mother she believes has died of stroke. But what if Sibyl's patient wasn't dead - and Sibyl inadvertently killed her?
As Sibyl faces the antagonism of the law, the hostility of traditional doctors, and the accusations of her own conscience, Midwives engages, moves and tranfixes us as only the very best novels ever do.
On an icy winter night in an isolated house in rural Vermont, a seasoned midwife named Sibyl Danforth takes desperate measures to save a baby's life. She performs an emergency cesarean section on a mother she believes has died of stroke. But what if Sibyl's patient wasn't dead - and Sibyl inadvertently killed her?
As Sibyl faces the antagonism of the law, the hostility of traditional doctors, and the accusations of her own conscience, Midwives engages, moves and tranfixes us as only the very best novels ever do.
Thank you AM10000!! This was my first Relay! It actually works. Cool
There are several dynamics to this book and to be honest, I'm not sure if I am giving the correct rating.
First of all, the actual writing of this book was fantastic. There is no denying that. I have read other books by Bohjalian. He is extremely detailed in his expression. He doesn't miss anything. He paints an extremely detailed picture. In some ways, this doesn't allow the reader to use imagination but for a somewhat lazy reader like I am, it paints a scene so vivid, you almost become part of it. You know the people like they are related.
The problem I had with this book is, it's sad. To me, there is nothing positive, not a glimmer of light inside this book. I did not have any desire to go back to it because I didn't want to be pulled down. That's why it took me so long to finish it.
I thought the diary of Sybil and the narration by her daughter was very clever. I can't say I liked either character. Sybil believed in her craft. I think she was good at what she did. Unfortuntely, there was no room to make any mistakes and it was believed she made a huge mistake. I think the era she grew up in had a lot to do with the person she was and the occupation she had. I also think Connie was a reflection of her parents era even if it was 20 years later. She didn't seem to be like a typical teenager when it came to how she related to her parents. Maybe it was because she was an only child growing up in a small town in Vermont. But she loved them and she respected them.
I wish there was more about Connie as an adult. She alluded to herself as an adult with a job several times during the novel, I was curious about that aspect of her life.
The ending of this book added a star to my review because it was totally unexpected and very well done. I was totally surprised.
I can't say the story behind the novel was momentous. It was the writing, the creativity that made this book what it is. It is one I won't ever forget.
First of all, the actual writing of this book was fantastic. There is no denying that. I have read other books by Bohjalian. He is extremely detailed in his expression. He doesn't miss anything. He paints an extremely detailed picture. In some ways, this doesn't allow the reader to use imagination but for a somewhat lazy reader like I am, it paints a scene so vivid, you almost become part of it. You know the people like they are related.
The problem I had with this book is, it's sad. To me, there is nothing positive, not a glimmer of light inside this book. I did not have any desire to go back to it because I didn't want to be pulled down. That's why it took me so long to finish it.
I thought the diary of Sybil and the narration by her daughter was very clever. I can't say I liked either character. Sybil believed in her craft. I think she was good at what she did. Unfortuntely, there was no room to make any mistakes and it was believed she made a huge mistake. I think the era she grew up in had a lot to do with the person she was and the occupation she had. I also think Connie was a reflection of her parents era even if it was 20 years later. She didn't seem to be like a typical teenager when it came to how she related to her parents. Maybe it was because she was an only child growing up in a small town in Vermont. But she loved them and she respected them.
I wish there was more about Connie as an adult. She alluded to herself as an adult with a job several times during the novel, I was curious about that aspect of her life.
The ending of this book added a star to my review because it was totally unexpected and very well done. I was totally surprised.
I can't say the story behind the novel was momentous. It was the writing, the creativity that made this book what it is. It is one I won't ever forget.
