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Midwives (Abridged): A Novel (Oprahs Book Club) Audiobook, by Chris Bohjalian Play Audiobook Sample

Midwives (Abridged): A Novel (Oprah's Book Club) Audiobook

Midwives (Abridged): A Novel (Oprahs Book Club) Audiobook, by Chris Bohjalian Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Kate Burton Publisher: Random House Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 3.00 hours at 1.5x Speed 2.25 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: July 2007 Format: Abridged Audiobook ISBN: 9780739343012

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

73

Longest Chapter Length:

05:25 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

02:25 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

03:47 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

25

Other Audiobooks Written by Chris Bohjalian: > View All...

Publisher Description

"Superbly crafted and astonishingly powerful. . . . It will thrill readers who cherish their worn copies of To Kill A Mockingbird." --People

With a suspense, lyricism, and moral complexity that recall To Kill a Mockingbird and Presumed Innocent, this compulsively readable novel explores what happens when a woman who has devoted herself to ushering life into the world finds herself charged with responsibility in a patient's tragic death.

The time is 1981, and Sibyl Danforth has been a dedicated midwife in the rural community of Reddington, Vermont, for fifteen years. But one treacherous winter night, in a house isolated by icy roads and failed telephone lines, Sibyl takes desperate measures to save a baby's life. She performs an emergency Caesarean section on its mother, who appears to have died in labor. But what if--as Sibyl's assistant later charges--the patient wasn't already dead, and it was Sibyl who inadvertently killed her?

As recounted by Sibyl's precocious fourteen-year-old daughter, Connie, the ensuing trial bears the earmarks of a witch hunt except for the fact that all its participants are acting from the highest motives--and the defendant increasingly appears to be guilty. As Sibyl Danforth faces the antagonism of the law, the hostility of traditional doctors, and the accusations of her own conscience, Midwives engages, moves, and transfixes us as only the very best novels ever do.

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"The story of a modern day midwife in a small Vermont town is told through the eyes of her young teenage daughter. Her teenage angst is magnified by the need to help her parents through the catastrophe that befalls their family-mother ends up on trial after death of one of her mothers. I well remember the tales of flower children and their distrust of any establishment-even the medical one, and all the arguments for and against midwives. What happens in this book is a tragedy for all involved."

— ChrisGA (4 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • Superbly crafted and astonishingly powerful.... Will thrill readers who cherish their worn copies of To Kill A Mockingbird.

    — People
  • Astonishing ... will keep readers up late until the last page is turned.

    — The Washington Post Book World

Midwives Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.7857142857142856 out of 53.7857142857142856 out of 53.7857142857142856 out of 53.7857142857142856 out of 53.7857142857142856 out of 5 (3.79)
5 Stars: 7
4 Stars: 25
3 Stars: 6
2 Stars: 2
1 Stars: 2
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I really liked this book. I found it very thought provoking. What would you have done in her shoes? As a fan of alternative medicine and also pro-modern medicine I found the opinions of both sides compelling. This is my 3rd or 4th Bohjalian book and I want to read everthing he has written and writes. "

    — Nicole, 2/14/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Very memorable and a page turner... "

    — Denise, 2/12/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " While this book wasn't exactly what I thought it would be, I thought it was enjoyable. The story of a teenage girl going through the trial of her Midwife mother is moving story. I was surprised that the author who is a male could write through the eyes of a teenage girl so convincingly. A deep read for anyone looking for a change of pace. "

    — Victoria, 2/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Midwives was a good thought provoking book about a woman who was a midwife in the 1980's who lost a patient told from the perspective of her daughter. I didn't know what the out come was going to be and liked that. I would recommend this book to all women. "

    — Renee, 1/28/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Great book with O. Henry ending! "

    — Becky, 1/26/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " So I work for midwives and this author is dead on! Luv'd how it was from the POV of the daughter. Also seemed to be really balanced it the perspective of the story. "

    — Psalm, 1/26/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I abandoned this book. I gave it good effort, but it didn't engage me. "

    — Christine, 1/25/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " my favorite of the books by him that I've read. "

    — Shirls, 1/22/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I liked this book. It had a twist I didn't see. "

    — Jane, 1/16/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Careful- it hooks you in "

    — Eileen, 12/15/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book was really good. Made me appreciate the miracle of birth. "

    — Rosa, 11/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Intense and riveting. Leaves you a lot to think about by the end. "

    — Staceric525, 11/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This was a book club pick. I really wanted to like it and I thought the story had potential, but it just feel flat to me. I found the Midwife to be unlikable. I did keep reading to see how it ended, but not a book I would recommend. "

    — Mo, 11/11/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Not sure exactly when I read it. I liked it and it although it was written by a man it seemed more like it was written by a woman. "

    — Mary, 9/19/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I read this a LONG time ago, but I remember loving it... "

    — Kerri, 9/14/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Like a really good Law and Order episode. "

    — Lola425, 8/24/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book introduced me to Bohjalian's work, and I have been an ardent fan ever since. "

    — Priscilla, 7/18/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book was suggested by my book club and was pretty good. It was interesting to learn more about midwives and the courtroom drama was suspenseful. The ending was how I expected but the last page did throw in a surprise that makes you ponder later! "

    — Megan, 5/15/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " One of my favourite authors. First book I read by him. I immediately went out and bought every book I could find. Interesting, engaging and thrilling! "

    — Lori, 5/14/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Bohjalian is really growing on me... an elegant an daccomplished storyteller. I liked this a lot, and was a bit surprised by the verdict at the end. I can definitely see the comparisons to To Kill a Mockingbird. "

    — Carla, 4/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Never really knew how it would end until the end. Graphic but necessary part of the birth story. "

    — Diana, 3/31/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " prob one of my favorites "

    — Raemarie, 12/23/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This was very good, if hard to read. "

    — Dana, 9/26/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I liked this book a great deal. Found it impossible to believe it was written by a man. "

    — Janet, 6/21/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I absolutely loved it! The last two pages blew my mind. Never predicted the outcome of the trial or the ending! It was superb! "

    — Krystal, 5/29/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Definitely enjoyed this book... especially the final diary entry!!! I was a little angry with the ending until I read that. :) "

    — Blair, 2/29/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " What an amazing story. It is well written and vibrant. It made me long for the green hills of Vermont. The story of a midwife on trial, told from her 14 year old daughters perspective. It was compelling and beautifully written. Well worth the time taken to read it. "

    — Auralia, 2/7/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I really enjoyed this book. The outcome was not what I expected it to be which is always a big plus. Great characters & love that the story is set in my home state of Vermont :) "

    — Abbey, 2/1/2012
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Eh, I gave up on this one a little over half way through it. It was several months back. I don't know if it was the writing or the subject matter. Something did not hold my interest. "

    — Lee, 1/9/2012
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book was SO bad, the writing was just so awkward, that I gave up after a few chapters. the story sounded interesting, but I really couldn't get past the poor writing style. "

    — Laurène, 11/8/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Story takes place in the NE kingdom of Vermont, courtroom drama about a home birth that went wrong. "

    — Faye, 8/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I found this book haunting and sad but a good read. "

    — Tracy, 6/30/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Incredible story and very well written. "

    — Julie, 6/23/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " very interesting story - increasingly interesting to me, being a nurse and all :) "

    — Kenya, 6/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " What a fantastic book. The novel is about the trial of a midwife in Vermont from the perspective of her grown-up daughter. I felt like I was there not just reading about it. I would definitely not recommend it for someone who is pregnant or thinking of trying to have a baby "

    — Michelle, 6/21/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " The book was very interesting. It held my attention. What really impressed me was the ending. Unbelievable. "

    — Julia, 6/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Loved the book, but I would avoid reading it if you are currently pregnant. My sister, who is a nurse, recommended this book to me. "

    — Laura, 6/14/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I thought that this was a good read. "

    — Candace, 6/5/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Not the best book I ever read, but not a disappointment either. The book I think moves a little slow at times and at one point, I'm not so sure where its going. Its certainly an easy read but the plot doesnt draw you in a way that will make you yearn to find out what happens next "

    — Jacqueline, 6/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Amazing story. I love this book in the beginning but it got really slow toward the end... kind of tough to get through but maybe it's just the yearning to finish it and start something lighter. Definitely not a summer read but a very good book nonetheless. "

    — Rayna, 5/29/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 3.5 stars. Interesting and engaging, although a bit predictable. A fast read. "

    — Liz, 5/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I struggled with the rating on this book. It was a good read, but I wasn't sure I like the way the subject matter was handled. DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE PREGNANT OR CONSIDERING GETTING PREGNANT! "

    — Betty, 5/26/2011

About Chris Bohjalian

Chris Bohjalian is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty-four books, including The Flight Attendant, which has been made into an HBO Max limited series. His novels Secrets of Eden, Midwives, and Past the Bleachers were made into movies. His work has been translated into more than thirty- five languages. He is also a playwright  He can be found at chrisbohjalian.com or on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Litsy, and Goodreads.

About Kate Burton

Kate Burton, an Earphones Award–winning narrator, is best known for her work on Broadway in Hedda Gabler, The Elephant Man, The Constant Wife, and Spring Awakening, as well as on television in Grey’s Anatomy and Empire Falls. Her films include Big Trouble in Little China, The Ice Storm, Unfaithful, and Remember Me. She played the title role in Alice in Wonderland with her father, Richard Burton, on PBS.