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The Midwife

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( 2,467 ratings, 245 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Set in 1830, The Midwife follows a mysterious woman found alone and near death on the Northumberland moors, with no memory of her identity but remarkable midwifery skills and fluent French. As a penniless single woman, she uses her expertise to rebuild her life and aid other women, until tragedy forces her to flee. Parallel to her story is Dr Borthwick's life in London, where he works among high society and the impoverished, harbouring a dark secret that threatens everything. This historical fiction weaves together themes of survival, identity, and the precarious nature of life in the nineteenth century.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$2499

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This historical fiction appeals to readers who enjoy immersive period dramas, mysteries involving identity, and stories centred on women's resilience and social challenges in the nineteenth century. Fans of thoughtful narratives like The Familiars and The Binding will find this an engaging read.

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She can't remember who she is, or where she came from. But she knows how to be a midwife. A haunting and moving bookclub read with an unforgettable twist, perfect for fans of The Familiars and The Binding

A haunting and moving book club read with an unforgettable twist, The Midwife by Tricia Cresswell is perfect for fans of The Familiars and The Binding.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A haunting and moving debut, 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, Mrs Bates, 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 pastβ€”one that threatens to spill over everything.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

"A gripping and smartly executed double-narrative full of surprises," says Louise Doughty, praising its insight into women's societal roles. Gill Paul highlights it as a "vivid, engrossing mystery" with authentic period medical details, while Tracy Rees calls it "atmospheric, haunting and intriguing." The novel has been recognised for its compelling storytelling and beautifully written debut.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781529066838

Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 02 February 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Pan Books

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 23.0mm

Width: 131.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 254g

Pages: 352

About the Author

Tricia Cresswell is a retired public health doctor. She temporarily returned to work in spring 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and now, in 2021, is volunteering as a vaccinator. She achieved a Distinction in her Creative Writing MA at Newcastle University in 2017. Creative response to the climate emergency has now taken priority in her writing, though, like everything, this has been disrupted by the pandemic.

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  • The Midwife
    A haunting and moving debut, 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...
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