Book Cover

About Author Chris Bohjalian

Chris Bohjalian is the author of fifteen books, including the other New York Times bestsellers, The Night Strangers, Secrets of Eden, Skeletons at the Feast, The Double Bind, Before Your Know Kindness, and Midwives.

His novel, Midwives, was a number one New York Times bestseller, a selection of Oprah’s Book Club, and a New England Booksellers Association Discovery pick. ¹

Midwives by Chris Bohjalian Book Summary:

(Taken from back of book)

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 a 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 transfixes us as only the very best novels ever do.

My Review on Midwives by Chris Bohjalian:

I first discovered this novel when Oprah had it as one of her book club selections. My mother had borrowed it from the library and I remember being quite interested in the synopsis. It just sounded interesting.

Years later, I finally decide to read it. Unfortunately I was disappointed by the speed of the novel. Initially, it moved incredibly slow. I always feel it’s vital to engage the readers right away – rather than drag them on with background information for about 70 pages or so. For most people, it was too long and would have been closed and shelved. I, on the other hand, was determined to finish it.

Once the death of Charlotte Bedford occured, the book became of interest. I wanted to know – did Sibyl Danforth accidently (with out knowing) actually kill her own patient? More importantly, what would the final outcome be. Would she be convicted of 2nd degree murder, or a lesser charge of manslaughter?

If you are interested in natural birth, and midwifery – then this may be an interesting book. For others, it may prove to be lagging and uncomfortable.

I can’t say with 100% eagerness that I would whole heartedly recommend this book. I feel that the audience (and patience of the reader) is on a very small scale.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

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