Midwives (Oprah's Book Club)

Interesting story told well. Makes you think about the pros and consequences of midwives home births hospitals and OBG physicians

Oprah recommended this book, and being a nurse I found the topic very intriguing. Nothing like curling up on the chaise lounge with a hot cup of cocoa, my favorite blanket, and a some good old fashioned medical malpractice! Factually, this lady is not a doctor, not even a nurse, but rather a just a simple midwife who loves nothing more than going from home to home in her small Vermont community helping bring new life into the world. She is a master at what she does. Her name is Sybil and she is somewhat of a Hippie. I enjoyed her character very much. The story is told in the view point of her teenage daughter, Connie, which adds a nice perspective and richness to the story. It really helps to get the point across of how horrifying and stressful things can be in situations like this; how much a trial can take its toll on a family. I particularly enjoyed the characters, especially Sybil's lawyer. The author really does a great job of helping you get to know the characters involved. The characters in the story are well developed. The thick of the book, the part that you can't wait to get to, is the re-cap that lead to murder charges to begin with! The intense labor! The storm! The split second decision! The accusations .... All in all this was a good book. My only complaint was the ending; not that it did or didn't end good or bad, but that it just sort of ended. I was left feeling that there just should have been something ... more. It would not keep me from reading it again. A very good story! So if you are looking for a book with great texture, thick meaty center, and sweet glaze to satisfy your mental appetite, then I will highly recommend this novel by Chris Bohjalian. Hopefully, like me, it will have you googling to see if this was based on a true story! ~*~ Rhea

This was very well written and compelling!

First time reading this author and it will not be the last time. I have always been very ingrained in the history of women especially women who have been midwives caregivers. These ladies were so courageous brilliant and strong. They brought life into the world but so much more ~ they brought strength to women who were bringing their children into the world.

The book started out really slow, but around 50% of the way in it picked up. I really struggled to get into this book, and I wish it had focused more on the trial and less about Connie’s love interest, and friends

"Midwives" told by the now-adult daughter of a midwife was a fascinating book of stories within stories. Mr. Bohjalian explored the role of midwives and home births, which fascinated me. I have never quite understood the overwhelming desire of certain women who desperately want to deliver a child at home, but the statistics presented in the book convinced me that for most women, a home delivery can be safer than one in the hospital. When the daughter was only 14, her mother's patient, while in hard labor, had problems so severe that they ultimately led to her death. A novice assistant to the midwife made a phone call which led to a trial. I am deliberately being vague because I had no idea until the last few pages how the story would end and do not want to be a spoiler. The research into two of my favorite subjects, medicine and law, was impeccable. The trial was realistic, complete with common strategies used by lawyers. As is common in trials involving medical issues, there were the usual experts, who always cancel each other out. But, I tell you, the suspense was killing me! Hence, the all-nighter... At the heart of the book, though, was a family - a likable, normal father, mother and daughter. I am sure none of them ever dreamed of undergoing a trial with potentially severe consequences. The daughter was mature beyond her years, and her reasons for becoming an ob-gyn fit well into the plot. It is a special treat to read a page-turner from which you learn something new and meaningful, e.g., the history of midwifery. Mr. Bohjalian's books, always a joy to read, are also educational.

This is an all time favorite book of mine, and every time i lend it out i never get it back. So I decided to purchase it in Kindle so it can’t go anywhere. I rarely read books more than once, but this is one that has stayed on my mind for over 15 years now and I thought i’d give a second time around to see if my ratings are still the same as they were after all these years. Possibly a one time author for me and Not something I would usually pick up fro it’s description, but was recommended to me by so many people, i just had to ignore the preface and go for it. And i was so impressed, i knew this book and I would meet up again. Please read- it’s not quite like the description and one you won’t want to put down! I ‘be tried to get into a couple of his other books, but maybe this one just set the bar too high to come close to this suspenseful, emotional read.

I loved this book and, as another reviewer said, it will stay with me for a long time. It has been my experience that anything written by Chris Bohjalian is simply amazing. The action is compelling, the characters are so richly drawn that I believe they are real and the detail is impeccable. Many readers took issue with the idea of home birth attended by a lay midwife but I had no preconceived opinion when I started the book and have no opinion now. This is a story about one midwife, one patient, a difficult decision and its consequences. I highly recommend this book and any other book written by Chris Bohjalian who is one of the most gifted authors I have read in many years and I am a voracious reader.

I had read it before but wanted to read it again it was fantastic and to be written by a man unbelievable. I enjoyed every minute of it the second time around.

This book is amazing, it is impossible to put it down once you have started reading it. I read this over 18 months ago but still remember the story and the characters vividly and there are some scenes in this book I will never forget.

I loved it. It had some unexpected twists and turns and kept me turning the pages. After I read the first chapter, I thought, OK, that's it, now what? But it kept on coming. Great read!

A very entertaining book, speaking of a series of difficult decisions to be taken in a split second and against a further series of negative circumstances surrounding the problematic birth of a baby, delivered by an experienced midwife during a snowy night in rural Vermont. When things deteriorate, Sibyl, the midwife, has to take a crucial decision which will then lead to a lawsuit. This book certainly makes you think about how everything can go wrong if adverse fate interferes, but not only. It also gives rise to a crucial question regarding the choice between childbirth taking place in the serenity of a home or at a hospital, where everything would be "colder" but most risks could be kept at bay. With all due respect, I must admit I was really impressed that the author of this book is a male, as everything is recounted with such feminine accuracy. Well done, truly well done. A book to be remembered. I still do and I've read it at least five years ago!

I haven't finished it yet. So far very good reading