The Frozen River

  ‘'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/