The Midwife's Tale

I felt there were some similarities to the PBS show Lark Rising and Jane Kirkpatrick's books. If you know either, you know you'll also be in love with Martha and this town setting quickly. Full of wisdom and insight in the life of a woman.  Self examining, lessons learned, wisdom to pass along that will help others to become stronger. Lessons of Christian faith as well. 1830 Western Pennsylvania. Christian Historical. The author says, "I hope The Midwife’s Tale will place midwifery and herbal treatments in historical perspective." A deeply satisfying story that will endear you to the characters, rooting for them along the way and feeling every bump in their road.

Martha is a midwife, trained by her Grandmother whose Mother had been a midwife and hers before her through the generations. She took the responsibility of delivering babies and taking care of children very seriously, continuing a diary that served as a record of births for the area. But a couple of things threw her a curve ball. Her daughter ran away while she was out on a call, and a new doctor came to town while she was away looking for her. She tried to find her daughter without success and returned home to find the new doctor trying to deliver a baby. This is a time when doctors had a way of treating pregnancy as an illness, with policies of bloodletting and purging, contrary to what midwives did using natural ways.

She learns that even though life changes, you can still do your best to be kind and help others, persevering even when others are unkind. A bird in a cage and a young orphan boy come into her life, and she finds new meaning and worth in taking care of them as well as the other people in the small town of Trinity, which for all it's faults will make you love it and want to come back.

"In the end, we must trust God to know what is best before we do, and to know that one day He will shower us with joy equal to the pain we have endured.”

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Martha Cade is a strong-willed character who struck a chord with me almost immediately. I enjoy almost every midwife story, but this one was a particular favorite.

Martha has to face a great deal of hardship in her own life while also doing all she can for the women around her, so her days are long and tiring. There are several stories at play, but they are all easy to follow and eventually end up resolved.

A quick easy read for anyone who enjoys midwifery, strong women, and/or life in the mid-1800s.