The Birth House
Author: Ami McKay
Overview:
The Birth House is the story of Dora Rare, the first daughter to be born in five generations of Rares. As a child in an isolated village in Nova Scotia, she is drawn to Miss Babineau, an outspoken Acadian midwife with a gift for healing. Dora becomes Miss B.'s apprentice, and together they help the women of Scots Bay through infertility, difficult labours, breech births, unwanted pregnancies and even unfulfilling sex lives. Filled with details as compelling as they are surprising, The Birth House is an unforgettable tale of the struggles women have faced to have control of their own bodies and to keep the best parts of tradition alive in the world of modern medicine.
My Comments:
This is a sweet story of human tenderness and endurance. It’s not a very fast-paced novel that you will zip through; it’s more like a fine wine that you will savour slowly. A book you can cozy up with, especially on those cold days that are coming up. In this gracefully written novel where tradition collides with science, Ami McKay has put together a lovely story about birthing rituals, friendships, heartache and the strong bonds in a tight-knit community.
Hm, sounds interesting. Thank you for your excellent book reviews, by the way (you're so well read!) -- I tend not to read modern-day writing unless it's actually brought to my attention.
ReplyDeleteThis is a nice story. I took me awhile to get it started, but when I finally did, I really enjoyed it.
Delete