Cindy J. (cindyj) -
Helpful Score: 1
The Midwife's Tale is book one in a new series by Delia Parr. The book centers around Martha Cade, the local midwife, as she interacts with her patients and the townspeople. Martha's daughter, Victoria, has run off with a travelling theatre troupe, and Martha spends about three months tracking the group yet is never quite able to catch up to them. Several things happened in the town during Martha's absence, and the book follows Martha as she deals with the changes, and how she grows and learns from Victoria's disappearance.
The story begins with Martha attending a delivery for a first-time mother. The practices of a midwife and healer of long ago were interesting to read but were a bit more descriptive than I really needed. I found myself hoping the rest of the book would not be quite as detailed during subsequent childbirths. There was a wide variety of characters in the book, and I enjoyed becoming acquainted with them. The storyline was interesting, but I felt the action moved a bit slowly. I also thought the end was a bit abrupt as though the author was out of pages but wasn't quite finished telling the story. Perhaps that was intentional to prepare for book two. There was a bit of a mystery in the story as well as a bit of romance, although neither was the central focus. Overall, this was a sweet story, and I enjoyed it.
I received a copy of this book through The Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review.
The story begins with Martha attending a delivery for a first-time mother. The practices of a midwife and healer of long ago were interesting to read but were a bit more descriptive than I really needed. I found myself hoping the rest of the book would not be quite as detailed during subsequent childbirths. There was a wide variety of characters in the book, and I enjoyed becoming acquainted with them. The storyline was interesting, but I felt the action moved a bit slowly. I also thought the end was a bit abrupt as though the author was out of pages but wasn't quite finished telling the story. Perhaps that was intentional to prepare for book two. There was a bit of a mystery in the story as well as a bit of romance, although neither was the central focus. Overall, this was a sweet story, and I enjoyed it.
I received a copy of this book through The Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review.
Martha Cade is a practicing midwife in the 1830's. Widowed for ten years, she has learned to be a strong independent woman. Her livelihood depends on her practice. She does have some family support in the way of her brother and sister-in-law who allow her to live in a room in their tavern.
While she is out of town caring for a new mother for a long period of time, she learns that her 17 year old daughter, Victoria, has run away to be a traveling performer. It was Martha's dream she become a midwife as was her grandmother before her. For 3 months she travel's looking for her daughter, but returns empty handed. She is ashamed of her daughter's poor choice, and dreads facing her patients and the townspeople. Her heart is broken and as any mother would, she begins to blame herself and look at where she might have been at fault. Concerns for her child's safety, whereabouts, and return are always on her mind, but she must go on.
Her disappointing return isn't the only challenge she is facing. Immediately upon arriving home, she is called to a delivery only to find a new doctor has moved to town and plans to take over all future births. Martha is faced with the possibility of having to leave to make a living elsewhere. To add to her already stirring emotions, an old suitor returns who is recently widowed.
I love Martha's character. She is very mature in dealing with conflict and opposition. Her humility and soft answer do nothing to lessen her strength to stand up for what is right. This does not mean she doesn't feel the rejection and judgement from the town gossips and busybodies. While they might bother her, it does not change her determination. Even fictional characters can encourage us, and I was so by Martha's unfailing faith in God and her integrity.
I was fascinated by the details of the practice of midwifery during this era. It is mind boggling to think of all the people born between now and modern medicine. I find it unbelievable when I think of the mothers, with few resources to alleviate their suffering or medical help as we know it in case of an emergency. The midwives were truly amazingly skilled women with what little they had to work with. The "modern medicine" of the time, on the other hand, was rather barbaric and the practices not always beneficial. While I completely every aspect of the book, the historical medical parts were my favorite!
This book definitely had an impact on me from a spiritual point. In looking at Martha's Christian walk, I look at many spiritual lessons I could apply to my own life. It is a rare book that can bring you pleasure in reading it and scriptural truth at the same time!
I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have stated are my own.
While she is out of town caring for a new mother for a long period of time, she learns that her 17 year old daughter, Victoria, has run away to be a traveling performer. It was Martha's dream she become a midwife as was her grandmother before her. For 3 months she travel's looking for her daughter, but returns empty handed. She is ashamed of her daughter's poor choice, and dreads facing her patients and the townspeople. Her heart is broken and as any mother would, she begins to blame herself and look at where she might have been at fault. Concerns for her child's safety, whereabouts, and return are always on her mind, but she must go on.
Her disappointing return isn't the only challenge she is facing. Immediately upon arriving home, she is called to a delivery only to find a new doctor has moved to town and plans to take over all future births. Martha is faced with the possibility of having to leave to make a living elsewhere. To add to her already stirring emotions, an old suitor returns who is recently widowed.
I love Martha's character. She is very mature in dealing with conflict and opposition. Her humility and soft answer do nothing to lessen her strength to stand up for what is right. This does not mean she doesn't feel the rejection and judgement from the town gossips and busybodies. While they might bother her, it does not change her determination. Even fictional characters can encourage us, and I was so by Martha's unfailing faith in God and her integrity.
I was fascinated by the details of the practice of midwifery during this era. It is mind boggling to think of all the people born between now and modern medicine. I find it unbelievable when I think of the mothers, with few resources to alleviate their suffering or medical help as we know it in case of an emergency. The midwives were truly amazingly skilled women with what little they had to work with. The "modern medicine" of the time, on the other hand, was rather barbaric and the practices not always beneficial. While I completely every aspect of the book, the historical medical parts were my favorite!
This book definitely had an impact on me from a spiritual point. In looking at Martha's Christian walk, I look at many spiritual lessons I could apply to my own life. It is a rare book that can bring you pleasure in reading it and scriptural truth at the same time!
I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have stated are my own.
Mary N. (maggysue) reviewed The Midwife's Tale (At Home in Trinity, Bk. 1) on + 811 more book reviews
This was so good! It's the story of a brave and experienced midwife and the dramas in her life, mainly the fact that her daughter has run away. Very interesting little town and characters. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. Highly recommended!
Lyssa A. (lyssa73) -
My Review: 10/10
This book was a breath of fresh air- everything I love in a christian/historical/romance novel. The religious themes weren't the usual- through Martha's choices and regrets, this book challenges the reader to question their prejudices, become self aware of some overbearing, controlling tendencies, and turn to God for comfort.The portrayal of characters and their flaws, motivations, and rationale was refreshingly honest. And the romance took a backseat. If it hadn't been in mentioned in the plot synopsis, I wouldn't have even been sure it would unfold. I saw this as a strength.
I loved the storyline, the way Martha is able to look back on her words and choices and see where she was wrong. I loved that she realized she erred in judgment- it really goes both ways, doesn't it- by overlooking common sense and things that didn't add up just because of someone's title.
I loved her growth and introspection. The things she struggled with were very relatable- her reputation, anger, temper, patience, integrity, all of it. I loved that sometimes there weren't easy or obvious answers and so she wrestled with some choices, ultimately having to leave them in God's hands.
Though many of the characters were relatable and loveable, and many of the relationships had lessons imbedded, my favorite was the relationship between Martha and Will (aka Boy). I especially loved that Will did have moments of vulnerability, but more often than not was rude, disrepectful and irrascible. It always provokes me when a child is depicted as a flawless angel. Children are wonderful, but have just as many "moments" when they're selfish, greedy, impatient, etc as adults. Martha's relationship with Will was a beautiful example of how to -choose- to view someone the way God sees them and how to practice love when it's not easy or natural.
This was a fairly peaceful, quiet read, though there were moments of suspense. I appreciated that it didn't end with a cliff hanger, yet my immediate thought was, "after all that, I have to know what happens next!" I hopped on Goodreads to see if this was one in a series and lo' and behold! This is actually an updated reprint of a book published over a decade ago... AND THERE IS A SEQUEL! YESSSSS. I've requested it from my library and I will be buying this version and the new version of the sequel because I love the updated covers. Bethany House always does an amazing job with beautiful book covers.
This book was a breath of fresh air- everything I love in a christian/historical/romance novel. The religious themes weren't the usual- through Martha's choices and regrets, this book challenges the reader to question their prejudices, become self aware of some overbearing, controlling tendencies, and turn to God for comfort.The portrayal of characters and their flaws, motivations, and rationale was refreshingly honest. And the romance took a backseat. If it hadn't been in mentioned in the plot synopsis, I wouldn't have even been sure it would unfold. I saw this as a strength.
I loved the storyline, the way Martha is able to look back on her words and choices and see where she was wrong. I loved that she realized she erred in judgment- it really goes both ways, doesn't it- by overlooking common sense and things that didn't add up just because of someone's title.
I loved her growth and introspection. The things she struggled with were very relatable- her reputation, anger, temper, patience, integrity, all of it. I loved that sometimes there weren't easy or obvious answers and so she wrestled with some choices, ultimately having to leave them in God's hands.
Though many of the characters were relatable and loveable, and many of the relationships had lessons imbedded, my favorite was the relationship between Martha and Will (aka Boy). I especially loved that Will did have moments of vulnerability, but more often than not was rude, disrepectful and irrascible. It always provokes me when a child is depicted as a flawless angel. Children are wonderful, but have just as many "moments" when they're selfish, greedy, impatient, etc as adults. Martha's relationship with Will was a beautiful example of how to -choose- to view someone the way God sees them and how to practice love when it's not easy or natural.
This was a fairly peaceful, quiet read, though there were moments of suspense. I appreciated that it didn't end with a cliff hanger, yet my immediate thought was, "after all that, I have to know what happens next!" I hopped on Goodreads to see if this was one in a series and lo' and behold! This is actually an updated reprint of a book published over a decade ago... AND THERE IS A SEQUEL! YESSSSS. I've requested it from my library and I will be buying this version and the new version of the sequel because I love the updated covers. Bethany House always does an amazing job with beautiful book covers.
