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The Midwife cover art

The Midwife

By: Tricia Cresswell
Narrated by: Kristin Atherton, Tricia Cresswell
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Summary

A haunting and moving historical fiction, The Midwife by Tricia Cresswell is perfect for fans of The Familiars and The Binding.

1830. After a violent storm, a woman is found alone, naked and near death, on the Northumberland moors. She has no memory of who she is or how she got there. But she can remember how to help a woman in labour and how to expertly dress a wound and can speak fluent French. With the odds against her, a penniless single woman, she starts to build her life from scratch, using her skills to help other women around her. She finds a happy place in the world. Until tragedy strikes, and she must run for her life....

In London, Dr Borthwick lives a solitary life working as an accoucheur dealing with mothers and babies in the elegant homes of high society together with his midwife, and volunteering in the slums of the Devil’s Acre alongside a young widow, Eleanor Johnson. His professional reputation is spotless, and he keeps his private life just as clean, isolating himself from any new acquaintances. But he is harbouring a dark secret from his past—one that threatens to spill over everything.

©2022 Tricia Cresswell (P)2022 Macmillan Publishers International Limited

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Excellent, Imaginative Story

A story with a twist I did not see coming! A real page turner and a real eye opener into the lives of working class women in the nineteenth century. Tricia Cresswell describes graphically the harsh realities of the time.

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  • 09-05-23

Enjoyable read

Overall I found this book to be an enjoyable read, I got slightly lost at times but it all became clear in the end. I found the ending came along very quickly which was a little underwhelming but overall it was a good read.

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One of the best

I don't usually write reviews but I thought this book deserved a comment from me.
One of the best books I have read. I felt as if I was there along side the characters and the only other time I've felt that was whilst reading C J Sansom.
I highly recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction and hope that Tricia Cresswell decides to write another book.

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One that stays with you.

What a fabulous debut novel by Tricia Cresswell. It clearly had been well researched and hearing the truth behind the story in the epilogue was so very interesting.
I found it an absorbing listen, the description of poverty and that era so vivid in the minds eye.
This will be one of those books that stays with me for quite a long time.
Thank you for a fantastic novel and a brilliant narration, Kristin Atherton made the story come alive.

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Unique and ...

As a heading, I originally wrote 'unique and extraordinary', but I realised that third word could imply a read so unusual that some might find it pretentious or difficult to read. It is neither. This is a wonderful piece of writing, very different. It will be one of those books saved, to be revisited at leisure. I didn't expect the ending; it wasn't the one that I assumed must be the case. It was totally absorbing, and I will be thinking of the main character for many days to come. It is one of those extraordinary books that leaves you sad that you've reached the end. It was narrated perfectly, so that after the first few chapters I forgot that this was one female voice I was listening to. So often narration can ruin what should be a captivating book, but this didn't intrude, it forgot itself and left the listener capable of stepping into the story and staying there to the end. Altogether, a wonderful book that I can't recommend strongly enough.

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What a fabulous book.

I rarely write reviews as it's just the views of one person and others may feel differently. But I have to say I thought this was a beautifully written book with much fascinating historical detail. I often felt moved and by the end was deeply attached to the characters and was sad to come to the end. The narration was also pitch perfect. I can't recommend it highly enough and will certainly be telling all my friends - especially those who are medics about it. We stand on the shoulders of giants. Thank you Tricia and I hope you keep writing!

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story

the end was brief and was not as elaborated as the rest of the book.

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I even listened twice!

A story about the lengths women historically had (and still have) to go to before they are recognised as whole and functioning members of society. Women’s health, childbirth and medical education surrounds Elizabeth’s path through amnesia at a time when hypnotism is just emerging from quackery towards neuroscience. The characters are expertly voiced and hard to leave behind. I looked for another ‘read’ from Tricia Cresswell but it seems I’ll have to be patient 😊.

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Hidden Gem of a book

Not one I’d heard of but what a great story! Thoroughly enjoyed it and thought the research and concept were unique. Make sure you listen to the epilogue and credits to understand the research and inspiration for the book. Amazing, more please!

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Captivating and beautifully performed.

Such a "can't put down" (stop listening) book. And the narration was excellent. Really helps!
Beautiful flow between London and Northumberland. So much to learn about this period. Clever, understated.
Highly recommend.

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