Rating: 
Summary: interesting...
Review: While "Midwives" is certainly educational and interesting, I could only give it three stars. Don't ge me wrong, I certainly did enjoy it, but the plot seemed to lag in certain areas and it seemed as if we would never reach the verdict. The first 70-some odd pages were GREAT and found it very engaging, then is slowed down quite a bit. I was really hoping to see more of the relationship between the daughter and her boyfriend (that was interesting), but the boyfriend ends up being somewhat 2-dimensional and boring. I would have liked to have seen that relationship and how he helped her cope with everything that was going on explored further in this novel However, the novel was obviously meticulously researched and it showed. Mr. Bohjalian did a great job at portraying Sybil Danforth and the struggles she faced. I found that character engaging. I would recommend this one for a weekend read. It is entertaining and enlightening on the subject on midwifery.
Rating: 
Summary: Very enjoyable
Review: I really liked this. One of those books that I never wanted to put down. I really enjoyed the characters - and loved the story line.
Rating:
Summary: A touching book that deals with the dangers of home birth.
Review: "Midwives" was an emotional story. Connie, the daughter of a midwife named Sybil, reflects upon the events surrounding Sybil's life, after a patient dies in her care. When Sybil is accused of causing the patient's death, due to a last-minute cesarean section performed after the patient has apparently died of a stroke, the case is brought to trial. The events of the trial unfold before the reader. Although I felt that the story could have moved much faster than it did, it was still a good read.
Rating: 
Summary: The end makes this one worth the effort!
Review: While I was reading this book, I thought it was pretty good. But when I finallly got to the end, I couldn't believe it! I went back and re-read it a hundred times or more -- making sure I had read it correctly. It's one of the best books I've read from Oprah's club.
Rating:
Summary: Storytelling at its finest!
Review: Sybil Danforth is a competent and respected midwife in small town in Vermont, until a home birth goes terribly wrong in the middle of a winter storm. Having done everything that she could to save the mother's and baby's lives, it is inconceivable to Sybil and her family that she is to be held criminally responsible for the loss of the mother, Charlotte Bedford. The story of the aftermath of the tragic incident, the trial, and the effect on Sybil and her family is told by Sybil's daughter, Connie, who was fourteen that year. The story unfolds in chronological order, more or less. It segues easily into flashbacks to add clarity to the events. Each chapter is prefaced with an excerpt from Sybil's personal diary, then begins as Connie uncovers another subtle shade of emotion that colored that summer and fall, and unfolds as she continues on with the story. The characters are beautifully drawn and completely real. I was constantly amazed that this was a work of fiction, because it read as if someone were recalling actual events and genuine emotions. I am in awe of Chris Bohjalian and his ability to write this superb book - for so many reasons. This man did a brilliant job of telling the story in a woman's voice. But we don't just hear Connie's voice, we also hear Sybil's voice through her diaries. By the time Connie tells the story, she is a grown woman, remembering how it felt to be a teenager and live through these devastating events. Not only is it a tragic story of a shocking chain of events, it is the touching story of a family, and a gripping courtroom drama. Most brilliant of all, is that the story never falters, it never loses its momentum, and it never feels false. How Bohjalian ever conceived of the storyline is beyond me, much less the small details that lends the book such incredible realism. It is a story of staggering depth and emotion, through the very last page.
Rating:
Summary: LIke A MAP OF THE WORLD, Just...worse...
Review: I'm sorry, this novel IS superbly crafted and ultimately well developed but for some reason I felt like I had read this book before... so out of curiousity, I searched my book shelf. There it was, A MAP OF THE WORLD. The novel is in the same format, dialogue style, and writing style of this novel. I looked at both and determined that, A MAP OF THE WORLD is a creative completely original novel. This is old news, nothing new. A book that explores different themes but copys the characters as well as what the themes lead to. I was so disappointed that I am thinking of giving MIDWIVES away. So for those of you who have not read A MAP OF THE WORLD, go ahead, induldge yourself, read this. As for the rest, go right on by. The story's plot focuses on 14 year old Connie Danforth and her midwife mother Sibyl. When Sibyl delivers a baby on a stormy night, she ends up having to do an emergancy c-section on the mother. She believes the mother is dead, but what if the mother is not dead? What if she was alive? Faced with the law as well as her own consious Sibyl is shown as a strong female character suffering in tough times. As we explore Sibyl's mind, we also explore Connie's as she is sexually awakened and virtually suffering with her mother. Touching at points but not memorable, The book lacks the power that A MAP OF THE WORLD gave to the reader. THis book virtually creates boredom where there should be tension. It's sad considering how good of an author Chris A. Bohjalian is, and how much time he wasted writing this. It seems you are able to predict all the way thorough to the very last page. The only parts I thought were exceptional were the personal letters of Sibyl that are shown at the beginning of each chapter. These stick true to the character of Sibyl and are rather witty in their own suttle way. As for the rest? Read A MAP OF THE WORLD.
Rating: 
Summary: Not as good as I expected...
Review: I had heard wonderous reviews from friends about this novel, but about a third of the way through, I knew I was going to be dissapointed. I did not find this book mind nor soul stimulating; which being a woman I thought the subject alone would move me in such a way- it did not. Though it did move rather quickly, I thought the writting style was simplistic and uncaptivating. The story itself was intriguing but there were parts that I felt were meaningless to the rest of the story line and can't understand why they were injected, the character development was good- but I never REALLY got to know these people. I never really cared too much and more found it a chore to complete this novel. I thought it was evident that the author was not a female as the protragonist's behavior seemed based more on the STEREOTYPE of a teenage girl rahter than the thoughts that ACTUALLY go through thier minds. Most of all, I thought this book was sadly damaging to the field of midwifery, that is just my layman's opinion.. but it definitley convinced me to never risk an at-home birth.
Rating:
Summary: So-So
Review: I enjoyed reading MIDWIVES but it was overall a disappointment. It was not as suspensful as I had hoped, but often somewhat repetitive. The relationship between Connie (the narrator)and her mother, Sibyl (the midwife) was very nice. And it was interesting learning a little about what midwives do and what they are apparantly up against. But this was not enough to make MIDWIVES a truly remarkable or engrossing book. Much of the emotion and plot I felt was cliche and predictable. And the subplot involving Connie and her boyfriend Tom was barely fleshed out, even though I think the book was meant to be something of a coming of age story. However, the author does a good job with detail in his descriptions - I felt like I experienced life in Vermont even though I've never been. But the time period of the early 80's he failed to convey, and that too, was a disappointment.
Rating:
Summary: COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN
Review: This was an excellent book - one of my favorite Oprah Book Club books that I've read. This book is not just about a crime and a trial. It really forces the reader to think about how easily our lives can be changed forever by one moment's decision. The title of the book suggests that the book may focus on the thoughts of the midwife, but seeing the story unfold through the eyes of her teenage daughter gives the story a wonderful and innocent perspective. I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Good to the last drop!
Review: Despite the reassurances of modern medicine, many expectant mothers choose home birth, with the assistance of midwives. Sibyl Danforth is a midwife who has had a lifelong romance with the process of birth. Her world is dramatically shaken by her decisions during the difficult labor of a patient, Charlotte Bedford. In "Midwives", the story of Sibyl's trial is told from the perspective of her daughter, Connie, in flashback and first person format. The tale is further enriched by Sibyl's personal journal entries. The characters' struggle with uncertainty makes the book an engaging read all the way to its end.
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