Play Book Tag discussion

NancyJ and I are reading The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon this month. Anyone want to join us?

I started it, and I like it so far. My husband has been listening too and heard a great section before I did. He can’t stand the Harvard doctor with more arrogance than experience. He gave a woman in labor a huge dose of laudanum, and left her alone. She went into labor while unconscious and could have died. (I love it when he complains about men who don’t trust women to know what they’re doing.). We’re wondering if they will develop a little mutual respect at some point.

I am glad to hear that your husband is enjoying the book too. It is the June book for the face to face book group that my husband and I belong to, so he will be reading it too. He often complains about the books we read as not being his type of book (he is the only man in the group).

Lyn wrote: "I am glad to hear that your husband is enjoying the book too. It is the June book for the face to face book group that my husband and I belong to, so he will be reading it too. He often complains a..."

My library book club has two men who often attend, and they seem comfortable. My hubby attended once or twice when the topic was a great fit. Now we can’t both go at the same time unless we get a mom sitter.


I slept through a big section, so I’m going back now to pick up what I missed.

Lyn, what do you think so far?

I didn’t realize that the book was based on a real midwife from the 1700’s. Amazingly, she never lost a woman to childbirth. Her diaries were saved and published.

Martha is definitely a strong woman. She comes across as very hard sometimes, and could be scary (saying things like “do this or you will die”), but she clearly cared. I was reminded of one of the nurses I had in the delivery room. She made me get up and walk around when that was the last thing I wanted to do.

The book is really good so far. I was hooked right away. It certainly starts off exciting and just builds.

I had heard the story was based on a real midwife. I didn't realized her diaries had survived. I already admire Martha, and Rebecca Foster is very brave.

Already I am looking forward to our book group discussion about this book.

Did you get to the revenge part yet? Throughout the book she mentioned the small tool that was called a revenge (or named revenge?) I had a feeling it was mentioned in order to foreshadow a plot point. OMG it’s over the top.

I wrote the following in another review (of Weyward), but I was really thinking about this book.

I’m struck this month by how many stories about strong women have abusive men. I lament over the power of cruel men to make women feel guilty and worthless. I don’t normally reach for revenge stories, but I admit to laughing (a little guiltily) at the creative ways authors come up with to take revenge on deserving men. 😈

Revenge has been introduced and used on the chickens so far. I expect more to come.

Your thoughts about strong women and abusive men are spot on for this book. I am absolutely appalled by how women are treated in this book. Thank goodness there are men like Ephraim to balance things out. If every man was like North...

This is becoming very difficult to put down.

I am glad you both like this book. I picked it up on a whim and was very happy I did. A 5-star read for me. It was very hard for me to set aside, too, Lyn.

I loved Martha and her husband Ephraim. These two characters were so well-developed. It was so easy to feel comfortable with them, and the life they lived in a small Maine town.

Wow! Definitely makes my top 10 for this year. One of the best books I have read.

@Joanne I also loved Martha and Ephraim. For the same reasons you mentioned.

This was my first book by Ariel Lawhon, I will definitely read her again. Her story telling and character development suit my tastes.

One of my first thoughts when I finished reading The Frozen River was why didn't this win the Goodreads award for Historical Fiction. Oh, because it was the same year as The Women by Kristin Hannah and James. I haven't read The Women yet, and as much as I liked James, I liked this better.

I have not read either of those. Kristin Hannah has disappointed me too many times, so I have just given up on her.

The Frozen River, was one of the final books I read last year, and it was a Top Ten read for me.

Lyn wrote: "@Joanne I also loved Martha and Ephraim. For the same reasons you mentioned.
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You’re right that it had some big competition. James got a lot of early critical recognition, and Hannah’s books are fast best sellers. All three of these books dealt with a LOT of trauma.

I didn’t pay much attention to this book last year. I guess I considered it a crime book. I was pleasantly surprised by the historical details, and by the fact that this was based on a real person, and her journals. Another book like that was
Lady Tan’s Circle of Women. It was partly based on the medical diaries of a female doctor in the 15th century. Have you read that one?

Not yet, but Lady Tan’s Circle of Women is on my TBR. It sounds like something I would enjoy. I like both the subject and Lisa See. I hope to get to it soon.

Just thought I would let you know that my husband is reading it now. He is finding it hard to put down. Should be an interesting book discussion next month when our book group gets together.