Sunday, June 07, 2015

Review: The Midwife's Tale


The Midwife's Tale is the first book in the At Home in Trinity series by Delia Parr. I wasn't drawn into this book at the beginning. I thought it started slow and boring, but as soon as I got to the third or fourth chapter, I was hooked. Even if you want to stop reading, please don't! This story really is a gem.

Martha Cade, a widow for ten years, is Trinity, Pennsylvania's midwife. But one night after a long stay and delivery, she receives a note from her brother saying her seventeen year old daughter ran away with a troupe of performers. Dismayed by the news, she immediately leaves and follows the trail of her daughter. After three months, Martha comes back home defeated and shamed. Not only has she lost her daughter, but she also has no idea how her patients will treat her when she comes back. Before she even gets to her brother's tavern, her aunt rushes by calling her to a delivery where Martha meets the new, young doctor taking over her cases. Discouraged, she wonders if she will still be able to be a midwife here. Or will people choose the doctor since to her patients she abandoned them all?

I loved Martha! She was real, had depth, and was middle aged so she was more settled in life than the typical character. I loved how sure she was about her calling and her life in general; she didn't live in the past or dwell on regrets. Plus, she was willing to change for the better even in the difficult times. I really liked reading about a confident character in her walk with God, too. It was refreshing, but it didn't mean she didn't have struggles with her faith either. It was more mature struggles like giving up your will for God's will. I also enjoyed how there wasn't the typical love story like how it's written for first love. The author's writing reminded me of how Lauraine Snelling writes the Red River series - all the details of their daily living written in such a way to not bore but entrance you. If you like that style, you will love this book.

Oh, I did want to say that I was shocked in the first chapter by how detailed they were with the birth. I'm used to books with less detail but you still know what's happening. I don't like how much was said, but the story itself was incredible!

I was given this book for free from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

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