The Midwife
Ratings2
Average rating4.5
15
Ratings2
Average rating4.5
1830. After a violent storm, a woman is found alone, naked, near death on the Northumberland moors. She has no memory of who she is or how she got there. But she can remember how to help a woman in labour, how to expertly dress a wound and can speak fluent French. With the odds against her - a penniless single woman - she starts to build her life from scratch, using her skills to help other woman around her. She finds a happy place in the world. Until tragedy strikes, and she must run for her life. In London, Dr Borthwick lives a solitary life working as an accoucheur together with his midwife, Mrs Bates, dealing with mothers and babies in both the elegant homes of high society, and alongside a young widow, Eleanor Johnson, volunteering in the slums of the Devil’s Acre. His professional reputation is spotless and he keeps his private life just as clean, isolating himself from any new acquaintances. He is harbouring a dark secret from his past, one that threatens to spill over everything. A haunting and moving debut, The Midwife by Tricia Cresswell is perfect for fans of The Familiars and The Binding.
Reviews with the most likes.
Review also posted on my blog
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4550002369
The book follows parallel stories of two characters.
In Victorian London, Dr Borthwick develops his practice as a successful accoucheur. Catering to both the desperately poor and increasingly wealthy clients.
Unfortunately, Dr Preston, a well established, though less capable accoucheur views Dr Borthwick as a threat. He will use dirty tricks to remove that threat.
In Victorian Alnwick, a woman is found on the moor during a thunderstorm. She has no clothes, no money, no name and no memory.
She is taken in by the Elliott family. Mary Elliott nurses the woman back to health, giving her the name Joanna.
Once recovered, Joanna must work on the farm to repay her debt. Unfortunately, it is run down and the house is a hovel. The living conditions are vile, as is the predatory John Elliott. Joanna is dirty, malnourished, ragged and vulnerable.
When Mary goes into labour, Joanna assists. She has midwifery skills and knowledge but no idea where the knowledge came from.
She begins to act as midwife for the local women but any payment is taken by John Elliott.
She finally finds the courage to leave.
In Alnwick she witnesses a butchery accident. Her swift action saves the butcher and leads her to a better life, working for the local doctor.
She tries desperately to remember her past but each memory is fleeting.
The book follows her story of survival in early Victorian England.
This is gritty, gripping and intriguing.
Tiny little breadcrumbs provide clues, which give you pause for thought, then the plot pulls you on again.
A really wonderful debut!
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own.
