Review: Once a Midwife

Midwifery. Such an exciting, dramatic profession! I’ve been interested in it since watching the PBS show Call the Midwife. It’s so dramatic in all the right ways! The stories about moms, babies, and families all tug really hard at my heartstrings. So, I thought a book featuring a Midwife main character would be perfect for me.

The story in Once a Midwife is interesting and drew me in. It’s set during World War II, and follows the main character, Patience, as she tries to keep her family afloat with her midwifery services. Her husband refuses to go to war and ends up going to prison, so she has to support her family and make it through without him.

While the story was interesting and made me want to keep reading, unfortunately this author’s writing style was not for me. It felt very clunky, especially in the beginning when characters were being introduced and the scene was being set. To me, it felt like the author was setting the scene and introducing characters like she had to, but didn’t want to. It felt like it was all kind of thrown in and SUPER clunky. I just couldn’t get past it and, as a result, this was a DNF (did not finish) for me. If the story intrigues you, though, you might want to check it out! I’m pretty picky about writing styles.

About Once a Midwife

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (November 6, 2018)

Welcome back to Hope River in USA Today bestselling author Patricia Harman’s newest novel as midwife Patience Hester, along with her family and friends, face the challenges of the home front during World War II.

The women of Hope River trust midwife Patience Hester, whose skill in delivering babies is known for miles around. But though the Great Depression is behind them, troubles are not, for Europe is at war…and it can only be a matter of time before the U.S. enters the fray.

And while some are eager to join the fight, Patience’s husband, Daniel, is not. Daniel is a patriot—but he saw too much bloodshed during the First World War, and has vowed never to take up arms again.

His stance leaves Patience and their four children vulnerable—to the neighbors who might judge them, and to the government, who imprison Daniel for his beliefs.

Patience must support their family and fight for her husband’s release despite her own misgivings. And with need greater than ever, she must also keep her practice running during this tumultuous time…relying on generous friends, like Bitsy, who has returned to Hope River, stalwart neighbors, and her own indomitable strength to see them all through.

Purchase Links

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Photo by Callie Lindsey Photography

About Patricia Harman

Patricia Harman, CNM, got her start as a lay midwife on rural communes and went on to become a nurse-midwife on the faculties of Ohio State University, Case Western Reserve University, and West Virginia University. She is the author of two acclaimed memoirs and three novels: the bestselling The Midwife of Hope River, The Reluctant Midwife and The Runaway Midwife. She has three sons and lives near Morgantown, West Virginia.

Find out more about Patricia at her website, and connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.