This is a book that I am still thinking about even though I finished reading it a couple days ago. In my mind, that means it was well-written and interesting. I liked the different points of view represented in the story of Sibyl Danforth and her family. Midwifery seems obsolete but this book makes a compelling case as to both the pros and the cons.It is also an interesting legal drama as it deconstructs the events of a tragic night where one of Sibyl's births goes horribly wrong. Is she guilty? Innocent? Somewhere in between? We can't tell. And that's what makes it good. ( )

I've read this book a couple of times...and I bought it before Oprah discovered it. I was visiting Seattle and spotted it on a shelf in a local bookstore. I've always prided myself on finding the good reads first.

This book is about so many things, not just the trial of a midwife who possibly botched a delivery. It's about changing times--the battle for patients and their dollars as depicted in Sybil Danforth's losing struggle to deliver babies even though she's not a doctor, affiliated with a hospital, or eligible for malpractice insurance. Her career is an affront to obstreticians who've trained expensively to do what she does cheaply and better. The world is different now. People sue, attorneys rush to find the suits in order to make money...33 & 1/3rd percent. It's about how honesty can mean very little in our judicial system. It's about the fading strength of communities and bonds between people.

This is a riveting story about an unfortunate series of events that occurred in a snow and ice storm one night, changing the lives and viewpoints of many people in not just a family but a community. Bojalian opens this novel with a gripping description of midwife Sybil's attempt to deliver a baby that will have you hooked to this story until the end. He brilliantly assigns point of view to Sybil's 13 year old daughter who, like most precocious teens, sees and senses everything important and gives you, the reader, just the right amount of distance to put everything in perspective. Dramatic story, beautifully written. ( )

He has good ideas for characters and plots, but he's just not a very good wordsmith. ( )

Gripping tale of modern midwifery gone awry. Despite being one of Oprah's book club picks, it's truly interesting atop the inevitable strife that's a guaranteed pairing with Oprah's approval. Touchstones of family and community keep the book relevent, while the details about midwifery, a job I thought long gone, are compelling and significant. ****

Read more about Chris Bohjalian's books on my website: http://reviewsbychristine.blogspot.co... ( )

I chose this novel read because it appeared on the list of recommendations from Librarything. I do have several novels in my catalog which include Oprah's Book Club book. I read several members' reviews and decided that I would give it a read, fortunately the book was avaiable at my town's library.

I found the novel a difficult read because of the medical terminology much of which I found made me queasy and squeamish. I have had two live births, both which were rather long where nurses in the delivery suite were the caregivers during each labor, I can truly understand why some women would choose to have a midwife delivery their baby especially those who were the earthy, crunchy type back in 1981.

I did find it difficult to believe that the story was being told through the eyes and mind of a 14 years old. Before reading the novel, I believed that the thoughts and views of a 14 year old would be reflected in the dialogue and it was not. I did feel empathy for Connie, Sibyl and Rand and wished for the a fair verdit. I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys stories concerning ordinary people being put into difficult situation. ( )