The Frozen River

This novel, based on the life of midwife Martha Ballard, grabs the reader from the very beginning and doesn’t let loose until the last page is turned (including the author’s notes at the end). Ariel Lawhon’s writing is captivating. Well-written and based on real events in Ballard’s life (though condensed into one season of the river’s freezing), this book is a delightful read. Set shortly after the Constitution of the US was written. Highly recommend.

Wow, what a great book. I wish all historical novels were this able to teach and bind me to my seat as this one. I have put the other two of this author's novels in my library hold queue. Can't wait!

  ‘'Bon courage. Be of good courage. Courage is good.''
1789, Maine. It is a bitter winter. The body of a vile man is discovered trapped in the frozen river. Women fight to bring their children into a world where men dictate your fate. They fight to clear their name froma gossiping mob, to find justice within a society where rape victims are accused and the guilty party walks free.
Not much has changed, eh?
Within this whirlwind, a midwife has dedicated her life in the service of good, aiding mothers and children in their hour of need while trying to put some sense into the heads of imbeciles. Meet Martha, one of the most interesting, best-written characters in recent years, in a novel that does absolute justice to the much-abused Historical Fiction genre.
Based on real-life diaries, Ariel Lawhon creates a masterpiece. The setting is brilliant. You can almost feel the cold clawing your heart, the freezing wind on your face, and the crunching sound of the snow. The small community and harsh nature come alive in front of the reader's eyes, and we are immediately transported to an era that isn't much different to our own. The same values are defended by good people, the same prejudices are shared by people whose actions cannot but condemn them to damnation. Vivid dialogue, elegant, haunting prose, clear direction of the plot, warmth found in the domestic scenes between Marta and her family, evil found in the actions of abominable perpetrators. 
‘'It is one of those winter afternoons that is so bright the sun reflects off the snow and hurts my eyes if I look at it directly. [...] He insists that he no longer feels the cold. I know that he's lying, but he says it anyway. This is the game we play - a dance of concern and denial.''
The characters? My God, aren't they perfect! I cannot praise the character of Martha enough. Seldom have I found such a wonderful balance between the writing itself and the characterization of the protagonist. She is honest, determined, unyielding, true to her principles. She is the perfect example of a heroine in a bygone time brought alive for today's audience without being changed into a male counterpart wearing skirts. She is the definition of the strong female character that hasn't been masculinized. A rare thing to be found in today's Literature. Ephrais is a perfect match for her, a true model for the male protagonist. From the villains to the virtuous, the entire cast of characters should be taught in Creative Writing classes. Period.
Apart from the brilliant plot, Ariel Lawhon enriches her novel with references to Folklore, old wives' tales, the joys of reading and writing (and Shakespeare's plays are given a pivotal role since both Martha and Ephraim are ardent admirers of the Bard). Moreover, she doesn't shy away from commenting on thorny issues such as pre-marital relations, children born out of wedlock, the legal system, exploitation and racism.
I could go on and on about how utterly perfect this novel is, but words are wind. You need to add this masterpiece to your reading list and read it as soon as possible. It is a true literary treasure.
Many thanks to Swift Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com/
 

A good read for when you laid up with a broken ankle. Cliched characters and story arc, but important points about gender, power, insider status etc. are made.

What a gift it must be to weave a story together so beautifully. This story is fiction, but I didn't realize it until the end that this novel is based on the real life of the amazing midwife Martha Ballard.

This book was a good read, but it had more of a fictional ring to it than historical. It was as though we took women with the mindset of today and plunked them back then. At times, the book did seem to have far too many characters. Many of which didn’t matter and disappeared from the storyline altogether. It did seem to be repetitive at times, but such is Martha’s life.

I would still recommend this book to read, but I likely won’t read it again. The story was overall good and kept me reading.

4.5 rounded up. I really enjoyed this one, only disappointing part was how much the main character's husband wasn't central to the plot. It was good but sometimes it felt like she couldn't do anything without him

One of my favorite reads of 2024. A fascinating book based on a real person - a midwife, Martha Ballard (1735-1812). A strong recommendation for anyone who enjoys historical fiction!

Compelling. Powerful. Disturbing. Even though it’s clear from the beginning that this was historical fiction only in the loosest sense, it’s also clear that the bones of the story are solid and that Lawhon did a lot of research to flesh it out. Her characters are simplistic but not flat, if that makes any sense? The villains are villainous, the simple folk simple, the noble ones noble, and our hero, protagonist and first-person narrator, is too-perfect smart sharp no-nonsense competent warmhearted sensitive astute amazing ninja superwoman. Also, the drama is waaaaaaaay over the top. And somehow I found myself completely absorbed, recognizing these nits and not caring. See “compelling” above.

One reason I loved the book so much is that Lawhon pulls no punches. The details may be invented, but the circumstances are real. Life was inconceivably difficult for women in the eighteenth century(*), in ways that are different from the way life is difficult today. Lawhon shows much of their everyday life in often-cringeworthy detail. She shows the fortitude and grit needed to survive and thrive. And reminds us that there are people today, an entire political party, who would like us to return to those days.

VOTE.

* and nineteenth and twentieth and twenty-first. Possibly earlier centuries too.

Twijfel tussen 4 en 5, maar het is te glad voor een 5. Geen haakjes. Het glijdt weer uit je gedachten. Wel goed gecomponeerd enz.

Good story, mostly predictable. Not very exciting but not boring.