pickI know it was loosely based on Martha Ballard's life and diaries, but I still think it was refreshing to read about a strong woman capable of standing up to hateful men and her husband who is strong enough to love her. Especially in the late 1700s. Trigger Warning: rape is all through the book
pickI enjoyed this story of the life of a midwife in the 1700‘s. It definitely held my attention. The story includes details of experiences of delivering babies but primarily focuses on Martha Ballard‘s pursuit of justice through the newly created legal system for a woman who was raped as well as working to hold a murderer (and all around bad guy) accountable for his deeds. This story was inspired by the journal written by Martha during that time.
Was on my way with plants in hand to start my gardening when suddenly my ankle collapsed on me. I‘ve broken my ankles and wrists so many times. Thankfully, this is a bad sprain, not a break. So on this bright sunny day when I‘d rather be outside I‘m lying on the couch, leg elevated, starting this book. This event could have been so much worse so I‘m trying to be mature about it and not grumble too much.
pickI loved the strong sense of time and place in this novel - small town Maine in the late 1700s. The main character is a midwife - a strong woman with influence in her community, which she uses for good. Based on a real midwife, Martha Ballard, who kept a diary that has survived. Superb storytelling!
#Pantone2025 #SecretSpaces @Lauredhel @BarbaraBB
so-soThis is one of those historical novels I‘m glad exists because it brought a historical figure to my notice. And I finished it because it‘s for book club. But there were no sentences than sang to me, and the characters didn‘t quite come to life as of their time. Not many anachronisms I could be sure of (notable exception- a counter in a kitchen, which would have had a table and perhaps other furniture, but nothing built in.) 👇🏻
pick#Read2025
Finished this one yesterday, it‘s the 2nd of my March #Roll100 picks (#51 Any Library Book) & the 5th book from my #AuldLangSpine list from @JacqMac & I loved it! A historical mystery centered around a real-life midwife, Martha Ballard. I found the mystery gripping in how it unfolded & the look at midwifery in 1779 in Maine was interesting. The author‘s notes in the back about the choices she made in telling Martha‘s story were also ⬇️
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