Welcome to the next stop on the review tour for The Midwife’s Revolt by Jodi Daynard.
I’m happy to be hosting Jodi Daynard, author of The Midwife’s Revolt. As a history buff, I was thrilled to be able to review this outstanding book. Thanks for stopping by and be sure to enter the great giveaway contest.
“A charming, unexpected, and decidedly different view of the Revolutionary War.”
—Publishers Weekly
Book Description: The Midwife’s Revolt takes the reader on a journey to the founding days of America. It follows one woman’s path, Lizzie Boylston, from her grieving days of widowhood after Bunker Hill, to her deepening friendship with Abigail Adams and midwifery, and finally to her dangerous work as a spy for the Cause. A novel rich in historical detail, The Midwife’s Revolt opens a window onto the real lives of colonial women.
Jodi Daynard’s historical fiction The Midwife’s Revolt has eared a 4.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon and praise from libraries, historical associations and is even featured at The Museum of the American Revolution.
“This humorous, exciting and touching story retells the familiar saga of the Revolutionary War in a stunning new way that feels fresh and alive.”
—Kirkus Reviews
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The Midwife’s Revolt: A Review
As a long-time American history buff and life-long admirer of Abigail Adams and the women of the American Revolution, I can’t resist books that are set in this time period – especially if they’re exceptionally well-written, as is The Midwife’s Revolt.
I was hooked immediately as the author introduced the main character, Lizzie, as she is seen tending to a dying Abigail Adams in 1818. In only a few pages we are pulled into Lizzie’s story including her long relationship with Adams that began more than a quarter-century earlier.
Without giving away too much of the story, the tale moves back to 1775 (the opening salvos of the Revolution) where it revolves around Lizzie, a Massachusetts midwife who tends to the young women giving birth as well as to the elderly who are passing into the hereafter. The story takes us into the difficult days of the Revolution, the day-to-day hardships, the deprivation, fear, intrigue, and treachery. Families are torn between Patriots and Loyalists, as a new country is born and Lizzie is drawn into the conflict in a very personal way.
The details of this book are rich and powerful. As a history buff, I have immense admiration for the author and the depth of her research and her ability to pull real-life events and real people into a captivating story.
If I could give this book more than 5-stars, I would!
About the Author: Jodi Daynard is a writer of fiction, essays, and criticism. Her work has appeared in numerous periodicals, including The New York Times Book Review, The Village Voice, The Paris Review, Agni, New England Review and in several anthologies. She is the author of The Place Within: Portraits of the American Landscape by 20 Contemporary Writers (W. W. Norton). Ms. Daynard’s essays have been nominated for several prizes and mentioned in Best American Essays. She has taught writing at Harvard University, M.I.T., and in the MFA program at Emerson College, and served for seven years as Fiction Editor at Boston Review. She is a member of the National Book Critics Circle, The National Women’s Book Association, and the Author’s Guild. The Midwife’s Revolt is her first novel.
Prizes! And now for the best part, the prizes! Because who doesn’t love awesome book themed gifts? Jodi is offering A Kindle Fire to one reader as well as a Artemis Cameo Necklace, an American Flag Folk Art and a $25 Amazon Gift Card. All you have to do is leave a comment and enter the rafflecopter! Of course, there are plenty of other ways to enter to win just by helping spread the word about The Midwife’s Revolt.
The Tour: Follow along and read more reviews of The Midwife’s Revolt. You can see the full list of participating reviews HERE.
