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What are readers saying about The Birth House: A Novel (P.S.)?
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Adeena posted a review at 2010-12-09 01:50:29.
(Language: English)
 
Not as "great" as I thought it would be... Loved the first quarter the best!
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-06-11 10:13:29.
(Language: English)
This book took hold of me from the first page ~ I could not put it down! It was so well written, just as though the author was living in the period. Fantastic character development here.... You can tell it's a good book when you actually miss the characters when the book is over! Some day I'm going to have to pick this book up and read it again; it's a masterpiece...I love this book so far ~ In fact, I can't stop reading it! This is a wonderful book!! I envy those of you who haven't read it yet....
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Karen posted a review at 2008-12-17 01:22:15.
(Language: English)
Entertaining story of midwifery V medicine at the start of the 20th century. With an unobtrusive authorial voice, this feels real. I like the little bits of history that are popped in, although the 'trip to the City' feels false and included purely so the author could use her research. Like other reviewers, I think there was more that could have been done with this storyline, and deeper seams that could have been mined, but enjoyable nonetheless, and a perfect holiday read
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-10-09 06:55:32.
(Language: English)
*Review contains spoliers* I liked this book, despite it's faults. I was really anticipating a compelling read based on the reviews and subject. Midwifery is not for the faint of heart now or then and is full of drama. However the novel was not as good as I thought it was going to be as it focussed more on the surface and the main character failed to win my heart. (Spoiler) In particular I found the part where the lead character suddenly leaves her precious daughter in the care of a friend to avoid persecution poorly done. Did she never wonder if this was the right thing? Where were the tears, the wringing of hands, the struggle that she had felt over others' babes? I was enjoying the book up to that point but after she dumped the kid and took off it really went down hill, literally. The fact that she comes back and gets everything she wanted-(money-a house full of birthing women-a lover)-albeit in a form she never expected -is not new. Isn't that just Under The Tuscan Sun in another setting? I felt the author was constantly grappling between whether she was writing fiction or if she was writing a factual account of real events or even a compilation of remedies and treatments. Listing folk remedies and sprinkling nostalgic adverts throughout the text is not a story, despite the "added features" in later editions of the book which glorify these elements. The author could have learned a lot from fictionalizations of Canadian history such as Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood. Or she could have read an excellent non-fiction medical history such as Langstaff: A 20th Century Medical Life and modelled her work on that. Certainly an interesting topic but the "scrapbook" idea really just did not work for me--even though I love real scrapbooks--it just seemed a convenient excuse for a disjointed story.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-12-07 09:53:29.
(Language: English)
This was a beautifully written book with wonderfully vivid characters that will stay with me a long time. Learning about midwifery at the beginning of the 20th century was fascinating and enlightening. There were many historical and social elements woven into the story that made it extremely interesting. This is a sad story at times so keep a box of tissues handy! A beautifully written story with vivid characters that will stay with me a long time. The story of midwifery at the beginning of the 20th century was both fascinating and enlightening to me. The other historical elements to the story made it a thoroughly enjoyable read. The story is quite sad at times so make sure you have some tissues handy.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-08-13 10:51:27.
(Language: English)
WOW ~ Very cool read! This book sparked a few debates between me and my husband! It brought forth the argument that not all those lovely big families of our past were derived from women who may have wanted them! They had no choice! This book brought to light an interesting education about old wive's tales and how women throughout history have valued the ability to control their bodies and destinies... I found this a fascinating read and couldn't put it down. A book that'll make you think... and think... (I've thought about this book alot since putting it down) It'll spark the feminist in you! Fabulous ~ will make you think twice about those very large families of yesteryear... poor women never had a choice! An easy & quick read... I loved this book and still think about it often.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-06-26 02:04:23.
(Language: English)
What a marvellous book this was! The author has thoroughly researched her history, as well as aspects of midwifery of the time. She has produced wonderful insight on the "midwife problem". Great characterization of the Nova Scotia setting. I loved the main character. She had a wonderful strength, yet she was very much a product of her time. She lived her life well. I finished this book in one day, accompanied by a few tears, both of sadness and happiness.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-07-05 06:06:43.
(Language: English)
I loved this book. Well written and compelling. My one complaint would be the cheap and easy transfer of modern-day ideals and values onto Dora Rare. Seems like there should have been some more conflict or at least an acknowledgement that the views Dora had on issues such as abortion, same-sex relationships, the role of women, etc were so out of synch with what would was going on around her.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-11-27 05:52:43.
(Language: English)
11/27/10
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-09-30 05:04:53.
(Language: English)
This was a sweet book. The story is of a midwife in a small rural community of Nova Scotia during WWI. There is some interesting historical perspective about midwifery, women's issues, family relationships and the politics of war.Its a very quick and easy read with interesting characters and relationships. I didn't find it overly visual but it is descriptive enough for you to envision what is going on. McKay touched a bit on the changing roles of women in this time period and the changing attitudes that went along with it, however, I think if she had done this in more detail or written it more descriptively, there would have been more impact on the reader and would have made the book that much better.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-11-06 05:26:44.
(Language: English)
A wonderful historical novel about how traditional midwifery gets "manhandled" out of the mainstream by modern obstetrics. A must read for all midwives, doulas, and natural childbirth enthusiasts. I read this while I was pregnant with my "blue moon baby." Has some great gems of traditional birthing wisdom as well and an awesome herbal glossary at the end of the book.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-06-30 04:37:24.
(Language: English)
I picked this up at a dollar store, on a whim. It's the story of a young midwife, Dora Rare, during WWI. Historical elements like the Halifax explosion and the suffragete movement make an interesting background, but the real focus is Dora's growth into an in tune midwife and the opposing attitude towards "modern day obstetrics" such as ether for mom and forceps for the baby. There's a lot going on in this book, and the author uses different elements such as the insertion of related newspaper articles and advertisements to keep the action moving. I really enjoyed it.
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-12-07 10:23:01.
(Language: English)
***SPOILER ALERT***"The Birth House" by Ami McKay is an historical novel set in rural Nova Scotia in the first part of the 20th century. Societal changes come to the small village depicted including a move away from home births to medical assisted births. The main character of the novel is one of the last midwives of her sort that use herbal medicines passed down for generations to aid in her work. This novel is a rebel novel that invokes questions about those out there in any time period when they try to meddle with local traditions and custom. I allowed me to better sympathize with women of this time period and their struggles with a society that was not valuing their contributions over centuries. This book succeeds most in questioning the extent of involvement of medical doctors, insurance companies and other advancements in child birth. There are strong parallels between the pushing of hospitals as places to give births to our own time and the struggle shaping up over re-privatization of health care. The doctor depicted in the novel seems far more interested in profits than quality care and uses scare tactics that have little basis in reality. The novel doesn't try to portray mid-wifery as perfect but asks the question about motives and vested interests. Unfortunately, I am afraid that this book will be read by few men even though it is clearly a story about a place and a time - not just about a single topic though the choice of title contributes to this. The stories in the novel like the myth behind the Rare family, the description of the aftermath of the Halifax Explosion, the murder of the bigamist husband all contribute to a larger story that if given a chance should appeal to both men and women.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-07-02 09:47:27.
(Language: English)
The first page had me hooked -- beautiful prose, a strong sense of purpose and among the strongest "sense of place" I have read anywhere! It's one of those books where you suspect the people in its town are still chatting away even while the book is closed, and when it's time to read again, you wonder what they have been up to and what you might have missed. A serious exploration of a woman's right to choose who takes care of her and how, but wrapped up in compelling personal and small town drama, religion, superstition, family relationships.... I love this protagonist! **a little racy in the middle (don't say I didn't warn you!)**, but as a whole, just a slice of real life when women are allowed to be honest with themselves and each other. I will be reading it again, hopefully with friends.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-12-09 03:51:52.
(Language: English)
I loved this book. I couldn't decide whether to give it 4 or 5 stars. It may actually be a 5-star book, but I'm extremely picky about which books receive a full 5-stars. There wasn't anything I didn't love about this book. I liked the writing style, the story-telling, the main character...basically everything. I found the story to be well-told and even provided me with some insight into the lives of women in the nineteen-teens. It wasn't a "grab you by the throat" kind of book that left you in suspense, wondering what would happen next; but it was still a book I had difficulty putting down. The chapters flowed easily into each other and left me wanting more. Very good read, and I'd certainly recommend it to anyone looking for something interesting for their next read. Very well done!
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Sue posted a review at 2010-03-04 02:22:00.
(Language: English)
A beautifully written story of courage and resilience. Lyrical prose that in places begs to be read aloud so you can savour the music of it, and an uplifting message of women's strength in diversity. A fascinating look at the little known arena of women's health and medical care early around the period of the first world war.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-11-28 05:03:47.
(Language: English)
Amazing historical novel about the politics of medicine and insurance companies as they began to establish themselves and demonize the rural midwife. A great story.
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A Reader posted a review at 2011-03-07 11:34:21.
(Language: English)
Really enjoyed this Canadian book. A very good story or a midwife in Eastern Canada.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-07-07 02:03:07.
(Language: Lithuanian)
fantastiška.skaičiau ir negalėjau palikti knygos...keistu būdu ji mane prikaustė. paprastai,lengvai,aiškiai apie moteris,jų gyvenimą,sunkumus,su kuriais jos susiduria, vaikus,vyrus,seksą. background`e šmėžuojantis pirmasis pasaulinis karas, sufražisčių judėjimo idėjos. ypatingai linksmino tos kvailos idėjos apie moteris,seksualinio gyvenimo vingrybės ir pramanai.smagu,kad tai buvo seniai,o daba gyvenam su civilizuotesnėmis idėjomis
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-08-15 11:42:48.
(Language: English)
a bit slow for me... not really what I'm into.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-10-12 03:00:02.
(Language: English)
This book is beautifully written! She has the ability to make you feel as though you are walking right into Scots Bay and participating in their everyday life, experiencing what the characters are feeling and thinking. Not only does it tell a vivid story, it gives some insight into the history of early midwifery, smallcoast town living and women's rights.
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-09-25 11:25:33.
(Language: English)
I really enjoyed reading this book. Ami McKay does a wonderful job creating characters you would like to meet and a time and place you would like to visit. Her website (http://www.amimckay.com/) is also full of additional tidbits to add to the pleasure of the book. You can even take a quiz to see how hysterical you are and if you need any "treatment". The best part of all was that she took the time to send bookplates to adorn the books of my book club members. I would recommend this book to anyone who cherishes what it means to be a woman.
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Keisla posted a review at 2010-10-20 05:01:27.
(Language: English)
Fast read. Little-House-on-the-Prairie-esque. Love the newspaper ads and clippings, especially pharmaceutical ad re. "neurasthenia." Author has a good sense of humor. Not bad for her debut.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-06-19 08:26:59.
(Language: English)
The setting is an isolated village in Nova Scotia, turn of the century. The main character is a woman who has the "gift" of midwifery and receives her "training" from the village healer/witch. The author weaves a wonderful tale of women's courage in the face of adversity. The characters are very well developed and the story moves seamlessly. I definitely recommend this book.
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Courtney posted a review at 2009-05-26 09:09:32.
(Language: English)
I throughly enjoyed this book. Had it not been necessary to read, this I wouldn't have, and would have missed out. I am quite new aged, but am old fashioned by heart. I thought Mckay did great job of captivating a small community, women, and the birthing "rights" as they were and changed. I thought she did well bringing history alive in a believable story, and I loved some of her characters in the lesser roles.
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