I enjoyed the story of life in Massachusetts during the American Revolution. I appreciate learning how things got done before our modern conveniences. The story is not a rapid paced thriller, but it's still enjoyable. ( )

Lizzie Boylston is a young widow in Braintree, Massachusetts, where she finds work as a midwife and friendship with Abigail Adams. As war and revolution puts a strain on everything, Lizzie works to make a life for herself and those closest to her, while also harboring suspicions about those who could be spying for the British forces. An interesting story, but also one I found disappointing at times. I wished there would have been more about Eliza, whose character and story I found fascinating. ( )

I read this book because Jodi Daynard came to our local library branch for a reading. Since I had never heard of her I had low expectations. it turned out that she did exhaustive historical research for the book. When I asked her if she felt that it was a risk to describe well known people like Abigail Adams and her family intimately she said: "I was so involved in the research that those parts arose from what I had learned. Afterwards, I realized that it was a big deal."
I like the section she read that night, and bought the book. Lizzie, the protagonist, is a strong willed, hardworking woman, who makes some human mistakes in the judgement of people. Fortunately, she has a circle of well meaning friends around her, who, despite the secrets they are forced to withhold from her, work to ensure her safety.
The writing is strong and there s a lot of suspense. I only part I did not like was that, like in a romance novel everybody gets married in the end and live to produce many children. Also the fact that the people around Lizzie are all looking out for her feel a little too safe, but I enjoyed the book very much. ( )

This book did a really good job of drawing me in. It uses actually figures from the history of America. In my far from expert opinion, the author does a good job of making the settings realistic. I felt an emotional connection with the story. I was interested in what would happen in situations and figuring out the mysteries. ( )

I have spent a few days thinking about my review for this book. The first thing I have to say is: This edition has the correct date for the Battle of Bunker Hill, which is what put me off the first edition of the book. Huzzah!

Because of my concerns about the first edition, the author graciously forwarded me my own copy of the second edition. A review was not asked for, but I think it only fair considering the concerns I had expressed in another, earlier review.

The thing I would have loved if this book had: a simple map of the North Parish of Braintree and the key locations, i.e. Quincy -- the Neck, Adams Shore, Merrymount, Quincy Center, Peacefield, Penn's Hill, and an idea of where the road "to Milton" would have been. I know how I get to Milton, and presume the road would have been roughly the same, through the city center and past Peacefield itself, but can't be sure. I have lived here for 13 years and I'm not sure where the Boylston house should be, whether north or south of Black's Creek, and I have a good idea of where the coastline can be seen from the Quincy homestead, but having a map to check at key moments would have been oh so nice. Also, I love maps. And I need to figure out where the tavern she mentions on the way to Abigail's should have stood, because now I am curious.

The thing that tickled me most: the idea that the fictional Lizzie Boylston, or a real midwife like her, might very well have passed by my very house on the way to Grape Island. The beach here is probably the best one for embarking on her mission of mercy to that little isle. I can't even begin to calculate the number of sunrises I have seen over that vista. Also, I sympathized with her out there in that storm, because I've heard that wind and seen those waves. I've walked the dog in that sort of weather and you couldn't pay me to take a dinghy halfway across the bay. Yikes.

The thing I liked best: the quality and flow of the dialogue. Abigail was an intelligent, expressive woman, and the quality of her voice rings true in The Midwife's Revolt. The dialogue of all characters was an absolute pleasure to read, very natural, clear but not "modern," and evocative of the society of the time without being ornate and archaic in an attempt to invoke time and place. Plain, but educated and well-chosen.

The thing I liked least: being left hanging about Eliza! What the heck! I hope we see more of her in another book because she has unplumbed depths I am itching to explore. ( )