Child birth is one or the most miraculous and beautiful experiences I can think of. I love the topic and any conversation or exploration about it. So I was thrilled when our book club chose The Frozen River about a real midwife from the 1700s, who is integral in her community birthing babies, seeking justice, and documenting events. 

I’ve read multiple books by Ariel Lawhon so that was another plus. Lawhon is a wonderful writer taking interesting people and events and expanding details to create interesting stories. A midwife is there in her community in such a position of trust and care - and in a position to know secrets and vulnerabilities. Lawhon took that “midwife” responsibility and ran with it - giving us whole people, flawed and so real. Martha and her husband Ephraim have a fabulous love story, well worth reading about.

Lawhon writes historical fiction so well. This is my favorite of her work so far. I loved the mystery. I loved Martha and her family. And the other members of the town also made a deep impression on my heart. Learning about the justice system was a bonus to other themes involving marriage, loyalty, love, evil, grace, and resilience. Pick this up if you like historical and literary fiction. It’s worth every minute of your time. You may like me, when I finished the last page, want to start again at the beginning. 

“We are in the twilight years of a long love affair, and it has recently occurred to me that a day will come when one of us buries the other. But, I remind myself, that it is the happy ending to a story like ours. It is a vow made and kept. Till death do us part. It is the only acceptable outcome to a long and happy marriage, and I am determined not to fear that day, whenever it arrives. I am equally determined to soak up all the days between.”