I am not going to mince words or waste your time - I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone. This novel is placed in time just after the American Revolution. The Bill of Rights and Constitution have not yet been ratified although they have been sent out to the States. It's so early, that the American currency has to still compete with the pound, as both are in circulation. Women are certainly still considered to be the property of their husbands or fathers or other male figure in their lives.
The novel itself is centered on the life of Martha Ballard, a midwife who is living and practicing in VERY rural Maine (of note, she was a real midwife whose journals are one of, if not THE primary resource for life at that time. Laurel Thatcher Ulrich wrote this book about her, which I highly recommend if you like history). This novel fills out her character and its flaws in the telling of the story. Martha is called upon, early in the novel and in between birthing children, to examine the body of a man that has been found dead in the Kennebec River. A few months earlier, she had visited and treated the local vicar's wife, who had been the victim of a horrific gang rape. This novel is Martha's, and her community's attempt, to piece together the truth of what happened to the man in the river and the vicar's wife.
The writing style and construct were absolutely what sold it for me. This novel was definitely thoroughly researched but the information was presented in a readable, entertaining and very easy fashion. A non-linear timeframe was used. This is my favorite construct and I find it to be very effective in keeping me interested and guessing as to what is going on or has happened. I loved the characters and I particularly loved the relationship between Martha and her husband, which was seemingly quite egalitarian.
Definitely a must read.
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