"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.
Download and start listening now!
"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)
Superbly crafted and astonishingly powerful.... Will thrill readers who cherish their worn copies of To Kill A Mockingbird.
— PeopleAstonishing ... will keep readers up late until the last page is turned.
— The Washington Post Book World" 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" Very memorable and a page turner... "
— Denise, 2/12/2014" 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" 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" Great book with O. Henry ending! "
— Becky, 1/26/2014" 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" I abandoned this book. I gave it good effort, but it didn't engage me. "
— Christine, 1/25/2014" my favorite of the books by him that I've read. "
— Shirls, 1/22/2014" I liked this book. It had a twist I didn't see. "
— Jane, 1/16/2014" Careful- it hooks you in "
— Eileen, 12/15/2013" This book was really good. Made me appreciate the miracle of birth. "
— Rosa, 11/26/2013" Intense and riveting. Leaves you a lot to think about by the end. "
— Staceric525, 11/25/2013" 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" 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" I read this a LONG time ago, but I remember loving it... "
— Kerri, 9/14/2013" Like a really good Law and Order episode. "
— Lola425, 8/24/2013" This book introduced me to Bohjalian's work, and I have been an ardent fan ever since. "
— Priscilla, 7/18/2013" 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" 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" 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" Never really knew how it would end until the end. Graphic but necessary part of the birth story. "
— Diana, 3/31/2013" prob one of my favorites "
— Raemarie, 12/23/2012" This was very good, if hard to read. "
— Dana, 9/26/2012" I liked this book a great deal. Found it impossible to believe it was written by a man. "
— Janet, 6/21/2012" 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" 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" 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" 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" 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" 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" Story takes place in the NE kingdom of Vermont, courtroom drama about a home birth that went wrong. "
— Faye, 8/1/2011" I found this book haunting and sad but a good read. "
— Tracy, 6/30/2011" Incredible story and very well written. "
— Julie, 6/23/2011" very interesting story - increasingly interesting to me, being a nurse and all :) "
— Kenya, 6/22/2011" 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" The book was very interesting. It held my attention. What really impressed me was the ending. Unbelievable. "
— Julia, 6/16/2011" 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" I thought that this was a good read. "
— Candace, 6/5/2011" 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" 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" 3.5 stars. Interesting and engaging, although a bit predictable. A fast read. "
— Liz, 5/28/2011" 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, 5/26/2011Chris 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.
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.