Review by Booklist Review
The Great Depression has swept across the country, and it seems to have hit small towns especially hard. Becky Myers grew up in Hope River, West Virginia, a town with friendly neighbors and enough work to keep everyone busy. After Becky and her employer are forced to close up their medical practice in Perrysville, Virginia, they move back to Hope River in hopes of finding work. With jobs now few and far between, Becky starts accompanying the local midwife on her rounds. As Becky's nursing skills evolve amid so much unease and turmoil, she discovers the importance of sacrifice, trust, and the power of community. Harman paints a vivid picture of 1930s Appalachia, with men and women out of work and so many hungry mouths at home. The Reluctant Midwife is steeped in medical facts, proof of Harman's firsthand knowledge of nursing and midwifery. This poignant, powerful novel does not shy away from the gruesome facts of life and death. Fans of the BBC's Call the Midwife and Carol Cassella's medically minded novels will enjoy Harman's inspirational and introspective story.--Turza, Stephanie Copyright 2015 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
When nurse Becky Meyers moves to Hope River, WV, during the height of the Great Depression, she has her former employer in tow. Dr. Isaac Blum is no longer fully functioning. In fact, he is catatonic, a condition apparently caused by the sudden death of his wife. Work is scarce. When Becky's good friend, midwife Patience Murphy (whom readers met in the author's 2012 title, The Midwife of Hope River), needs assistance, she often asks Becky to help her deliver babies, a medical task Becky finds terrifying. By taking a part-time job at the Civilian Conservation Corps camp, growing vegetables, and bargaining for firewood, Becky is able to support not only herself but Isaac, too. The doctor starts slowly to respond to the challenges of rural survival. Mining accidents, a rampant forest fire, and difficult pregnancies set a lively pace for all concerned. When Isaac begins secretly reading Becky's diary, the novel's layered complexity grows. VERDICT This title is sure to appeal to fans of American historical fiction or anyone else looking for a story with plenty of emotion, spunk, and community spirit.-Keddy Ann Outlaw, Houston (c) Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
