Dr. Frau: A Woman Doctor Among the Amish

by Grace H. Kaiser

With poignancy and humor, Grace Kaiser details a part of rural America that few people ever see or understand; the life and land of the Amish and Mennonites of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where she spent 28 years as a family doctor.

Genres: Amish, Medical, Nonfiction, Biography, Autobiography

186 pages, Paperback

First published September 25, 1986

Reviews

[Vesna Zunic · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are interested in finding out something new about other peoples’ religions and their way of life, “A women doctor among the Amish” is a good book for you! It is written by Grace Kaiser a family doctor from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where the plot of the book is set.
Not many people could be part of Old Order Amish and Mennonites life, but she as “Dr. Frau” spent lots of time with them. We receive first hand information. This is not only book where you can find out about Amish and Mennonite way of life, but it gives you chance to see how young women doctor works among conservative people. Are they worried because woman who is pregnant herself is going to deliver their wives? Are they going to be mad of her because she said the baby is male and later on, they realize it is female?
Besides all struggles that she faces, there are moments when through narrator’s word you realize she is relaxed, like when you read description of the countryside beauty:”Among Amish and many Mennonite farmers, great hairy horses or plucky mules, their heads bobbing before heavy loads traverse patchwork hills and valleys. Defying thunderheads gathering on the horizon, teams plod belly-deep in a green.”
Humor is the other thing that can be found in this book. For example, the woman laboring at more than cherry-picking, not such a good place for labor! But there are also not so funny things, like an Amish baby born with imperfection among others, almost perfectly health children.
I enjoyed reading this book because I found out many new things. For example, how it looked like to be a country doctor in the period of 1960’s, more about Amish values. I made a picture of Pennsylvania’s nature with a help of Grace’s amazing descriptions.

[Ivy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to read because I live in an area where is near the Amish and Mennonite people. Reading with great interest, I gain much more information about the details of Amish.
Grace Kaiser, the author of this book, spent around twenty-eight years in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania where the story was set in. She treated Amish and Mennonite patients and delivered their children, known as “Dr.Frau”. The whole story adheres to the emotions of people from the birth of the new children and
the bad circumstances the baby doctor suffered on the way to help the Amish birthing mom during those years. In addition, the story also shows to us the daily lives of Amish, like the furnishings of their houses, the clothings they wear and the works they do.
The author has done a excellent job portraying the subtleties in how Amish confront money and life with a poignantly humorous way. Besides, some grievous part, she just describes people's expression easily instead of shouting out loud.
Unfortunately, most of the author can describe details like what she does, even they try to forgo this writing way and choose another way which makes their articles seem much more sophisticated. The simplest sentences Grace Kaiser made can be the most impressive, the most attractive.
For me, the book is suitable for the people who want to take a break after they read whole bunch of seriously world-famous literature, who want to know another culture, who are interested in conservative people. However，this book is the most suitable one for the reader who want to read it.
Hopefully, you can enjoy this vivid book

[Marla · Rating 3 out of 5]

A female doctor shares some favorite memories of attending homebirths in Amish country. Childbirth is sort of a passion of mine, so I found it interesting. This was an enjoyable, easy read. Nothing earth shattering, but very endearing.

[Monica Willyard Moen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book of anecdotes and stories from a Doctor Who practices medicine in rural Pennsylvania among the Amish people. Unlike more modern authors, this woman doesn’t put Amish people on a pedestal. She presents them and their stories as people with faults and strengths at the same time.

[Erika Nerdypants · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across this somewhere many years ago, and I loved it. Have read it many times since, will probably read it again some time.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the greatest book, but an interesting subject.

[Carol Waters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than Midwives. She didn't say much about how the non-Amish interacted with the Amish, other than the tourists. Simply written.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

One reason I liked this quick read was because I know the area so well. Interesting stories of a small town "country" doctor.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books. I read it every couple of years. I like the insight into the Amish way of life combined with the insight into being a female country doctor in the 50s and 60s.

[Marie Hibshman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting insight into Amish life.

[K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was given to my be the author’s daughter. I don’t believe this affects my review.

Dr. Frau is a book of short stories comprising of every day life for our heroine, Dr. Grace Kaiser. Grace is an Obstetrician for Amish and Mennonite women who want to give birth at home. Her unique job gives us a special look inside this strange world without modern technology. Called at any hour, night or day, Dr. Kaiser must brave floods and blizzards in her station wagon to attend these traditional home births, and is often met with roadblocks you might not expect.

Each story is endearing in their own way, rich with detail about the Amish and Mennonite lifestyle. From casual cherry picking to an Amish blacksmith who is tired of becoming a tourist stop for outsiders, there is a bit of everything in this book.

If you are looking for a country doctor book that is steeped more in truth than fiction, with sprinkles of dark subjects and warm humor, then Dr. Frau is right for you. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

5/5 stars

[Rochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written memoir from someone who respects the lifestyle of the Amish and who truly just sought to serve people. A woman doctor who balanced work and home and was loved and respected by her patients.

[Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s absolutely fine. Writing is a little on the weaker side but tells the story good enough. Would serve as nice bedtime reading with each chapter serving as it’s own standalone story. A nice diversion.

[Cws]

YA Kai

[Joy Musselman · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting tale of house calls and midwifery in the Amish community in New Holland PA in the 1950s+. Grace is very factual about the Amish and their way of life. sharing both their strengths and their weaknesses. I found her experiences to be fascinating even while it is simple in writing style. It is a light and easy read.

[Mindy Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely glimpse into the life of one woman and the Amish and Mennonite communities around her in Lancaster County. 28 years as a doctor in Amish Country, Grace Kaiser recounts a few of her adventures in an amusing and highly entertaining book. Interesting, from sadness to touching humor, her intimate accounts gave a window view to a private world few understood in that era.

[Fabiola · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt it was a little repetitive it wasn’t as exciting as I was hoping for. Still good insight to the Amish and modern day clashing.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning more about the Amish and Mennonite people, by reading this book. The descriptions of the scenes were vivid, and I learned more about the culture of the area than about medical information.

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in New Holland and the surrounding area.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read for the most part. See review for Detour, by the same author. The same things apply here.