Shanyn at Chick Loves Lit has started a brand new meme that seems so fun, called "Recommend A...". The idea is that each week there is a theme, and we all recommend a book that adheres to the criteria. It's a great way to get the word out about some great books you read, new or old, and find some new books to add to that ever growing TBR list! For more info, you can check out the introductory post here.
This week’s prompt:
Recommend A… book with three words in the title
The Birth House is the story of Dora Rare, the first daughter to be born in five generations of the Rare family. 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 and a kitchen filled with herbs and folk remedies. During the turbulent years of World War I, Dora becomes the midwife's apprentice. Together, they help the women of Scots Bay through infertility, difficult labors, breech births, unwanted pregnancies and even unfulfilling sex lives.
When Gilbert Thomas, a brash medical doctor, comes to Scots Bay with promises of fast, painless childbirth, some of the women begin to question Miss Babineau's methods - and after Miss Babineau's death, Dora is left to carry on alone. In the face of fierce opposition, she must summon all of her strength to protect the birthing traditions and wisdom that have been passed down to her.
Filled with details that are as compelling as they are surprising-childbirth in the aftermath of the Halifax Explosion, the prescribing of vibratory treatments to cure hysteria and a mysterious elixir called Beaver Brew-The Birth House is an unforgettable tale of the struggles women have faced to maintain control over their own bodies and to keep the best parts of tradition alive in the world of modern medicine.
When Gilbert Thomas, a brash medical doctor, comes to Scots Bay with promises of fast, painless childbirth, some of the women begin to question Miss Babineau's methods - and after Miss Babineau's death, Dora is left to carry on alone. In the face of fierce opposition, she must summon all of her strength to protect the birthing traditions and wisdom that have been passed down to her.
Filled with details that are as compelling as they are surprising-childbirth in the aftermath of the Halifax Explosion, the prescribing of vibratory treatments to cure hysteria and a mysterious elixir called Beaver Brew-The Birth House is an unforgettable tale of the struggles women have faced to maintain control over their own bodies and to keep the best parts of tradition alive in the world of modern medicine.
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I love Canadian women's history and The Birth House is a great piece of historical fiction that tells the story of birthing houses and midwives in Nova Scotia. McKay did a TON of research while writing this book, and it shows! She actually came into writing the story by way of researching her own house, which she was told was a birthing house. How cool is that?! Last year I wrote an essay for my Canadian Women's History course on midwifery in Canada, and while it focused mainly on Aboriginal practices, I learned about midwives all across Canada. Let me just say that The Birth House is a pretty darn accurate portrayal of the jobs midwives did, and the growing rift between them and medical doctors during this time period! There are also little bits of historical information presented in the columns of the book! Overall, The Birth House has an enchanting setting, wonderful characters and an engaging plot. If you like adult fiction, historical fiction, or are just looking for a read that is a bit different than most, be sure to check out this book!
Have you read The Birth House (or The Virgin Cure - I have it out from the library right now and will be reading it soon!) by Ami McKay? What is your green cover book recommendation? Leave a link to your own post, or let me know in the comments!
I've heard great things about this one. I don't normally read a lot of historical fiction but I do love that this one is focused on Canadian history, and I went to school in Nova Scotia so it is always nice to see stuff that is focused on that region.
ReplyDeleteYou make it sound like a really interesting book, so maybe I will dive out of my comfort zone and give it a shot. It's always good to support Canadian authors!
Sounds like a really interesting read.
ReplyDeleteSafari Poet
New follower :-)