Hannah: Mormon Midwife

by Jaroldeen Edwards

It is 1870s Ogden, Utah, and the obstetrical practices of the day are primitive, sometimes brutal, and often life-threatening to mothers and infants.

Repulsed by a barbaric approach to delivering babies and caring for mothers, eighteen-year-old Hannah Childress is forced to assume responsibility in the midst of a difficult delivery. In doing so, she not only confronts a terrifying experience but discovers her life's calling.

Set in an era that on its surface is genteel and romantic, Hannah's story is that of a heroic woman's fight to save and serve her fellow women through pioneering the use of medical advances.

But her very devotion to duty creates a barrier to her emotions. Fiercely independent and strong-willed, she is unable to surrender to the passion she feels. How long will Adam, the man who yearns to love her, be willing to wait for her to open her heart?

Submerged in her zeal for her cause, Hannah endangers her own chance for true love. Today's readers will readily identify with her challenges as she battles to overcome convention and find personal fulfillment.

Genres: Lds Fiction, Lds

328 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1997

Reviews

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. I felt it gave me a little insight into life as an early Saint and some of the challenges, both emotional and physical, that they had to endure. With that said I also felt that the inner turmoil of the two newlyweds could represent what a lot of couple struggles with today. The inability to truly share what is on the heart can cause so much suffering and pain that could be avoided. Working through uncomfortable situations is better than avoiding them. I've experienced this many times in life and could relate to the characters in this book because of that. I'm also a huge supporter of midwifery and enjoy books related to that topic.

[Ashley]

I read this at my grandmother’s recommendation; please, don’t anyone ever tell her what rating I gave it 😂

[Shalyse Porritt · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this book would be more about midwifery - if you read it with that expectation you will be disappointed. It is really about human relationships, particularly marital relationships. It provides an interesting glimpse into the LDS culture in the 1870's. It is targeted toward an LDS audience with a working knowledge of early church history. It also brings up some interesting perspectives held by LDS members then and still today, such as the guilt and shame surrounding sexuality and the almost puritanical view towards obedience and duty. Also, the character development could be better, you only develop a superficial relationship with the characters.

[Cynthia Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book! I totally agree with Crystal’s review below! I was expecting to read more about midwifery, but after finishing the book, I realize that it was more about relationships, and pioneer values…..how things change and improve, and opinions of change. Good book. I would recommend it, but realize it’s not as much about midwifery, but Pioneer era relationships, values, and change.

[Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second time I've read this, but it had been several years since the first time and I didn't remember much. Now I remember why I liked it so much! So well written, great character development, fast-moving plot, and all the feels.

[Beth Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in early Utah, this book kept me interested the whole time. Hannah is an interesting character and not an easy one to define. I was especially interested in her sense of duty and responsibility to God. Combined with her husband's desire to be #1 in her life, it was a recipe for a disappointing marriage. I wanted to smack her sometimes because of her seemingly blind eye to her husband's needs. I imagine she would have ended up divorced in today's modern world. It gave me a lot to think about regarding the
many different hats women wear and the pull they often feel to change hats---no matter what hat they are wearing at the time.

Jaroldeen Edwards has a few surprises in the book. A couple paragraphs I had to reread just to make sure I got them right. I have to say, I was disappointed more wasn't said about their wedding night sex in the book. Normally, I wouldn't expect any of that in an LDS book, but because there had been quite a discussion before hand about sex (I don't want to give away too much of a spoiler) I thought there would at least be a few sentences about it once it actually happened.

[Rachelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I misunderstood what this book was about when I put it on my to-read list. When it was recommended to me, I was under the impression that it was a non-fiction book about the experiences of mid-wives in the early 1800's. It is actually a fictional story about a mid-wife, but is really more of a cheesy romance novel. The dialogue was far too cheesy at times and I just kept thinking...people don't talk like this. It was interesting, however, to gain an understanding about what childbirth was like at the time. I didn't really like the writing style... or the way the plot developed... it was too jumpy. But I actually did find that some of the ideas were interesting and the truths about the nature of a marriage were thought provoking. Besides... it is always interesting to read books about my own culture of mormonism, where the names and events are familiar to me. It was interesting but I won't be rushing out to buy it.

[Brandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe it was the mood I was already in when I read this book, but I was torn between liking and hating this book. The author's writing style bugged me, and the story had such huge gaps that it drove me nuts. The title was deceiving to me. Even though she was a midwife, most of the story isn't about her calling as a midwife. It didn't really tell much of her relationship with those she served or her experience that way. It was quite depressing towards the end, and the little bit of light she ends with didn't overcome the rest in my opinion because she doesn't develop the ending very well. The ending had something wanting. Maybe it was just my expectations. I was hoping for something more than I got. So, if you're reading this and want to read the book, make sure you have no expectations going in...you may be disappointed.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had high hopes especially based on the title but was mostly disappointed. I love reading books about birth and midwifery, i enjoy historical fiction and have a special place in my heart for LDS pioneers but this book left much lacking. The writing is poor and somewhat cheesy at times. It seemed like a lot of back story before you actually got to Hannah being a midwife. I almost quit reading it but for sucked in and appreciated some one-liners and thoughts about her marriage as I think I share some similar traits to Hannah and struggle in similar ways in my marriage. I paid $1 for this at a library book sale and will probably keep but it is not one I will rush to reread soon if at all.

[Melinda Farley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because it came alone with my Grandma's things. It was not what I thought it was going to be, I expected it to be more about her as a midwife, but instead it was more about her relationships. I enjoyed the historical part during the early years of the church and the marriage issues were actually an interesting perspective but I also felt that there were a lot of gaps in the story and things that didn't flow well. In the end I think I would still recommend the book, it did keep my interest, just don't go in with high expectations.

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm embarrassed to say I finished this book because it was so bad. I hope the editor who let this get to print changed careers! Don't waste your time on it.

I guess I was always hoping it would eventually get better, but it didn't.

The author isn't lacking in writing ability, but her story is awful, uninspiring, and lacks any sort of positive message.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book about the pioneer as a nurse! Since I'm a nurse and love to hear about women experiences it was great!! What a tough life she had but she was so positive. What incredible experiences they had back then. I would totally recommend reading this if you like these kind of cute but entertaining novels.

[Keirra · Rating 3 out of 5]

found this at my mom's house. Liked the character...got a little old how the wife and husband couldn't see what they needed to fix...well her...till the very end. Good read though. The part about what he said to her the night of their "wedding" (actually got married the next day) was SO STUPID. But glad i read it...a look into pioneer life.

[Tati · Rating 3 out of 5]

My husband's gradmother wrote this book. I enjoyed it very much. It was interesting to see how childbirth and pregnancy were treated so differently. I know she researched a lot with her ancestors and the pioneers to make it more truly what it was like. It reminded me of Grandma Edwards and her storytelling.

[Tiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is just a book I picked off of my mom's shelf since I forgot my reading book at home. I really got into it, not just because I am a birth story fanatic, but the story is so good. It has a lot of lessons to be learned in there about being a good mother, wife, daughter, and person.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about a young woman who grows up in Ogden Utah during the 1870's. After helping her mother deliver her 3rd child she is trained as a midwife.
I found myself tiring of the dramatics and wasn't very anxious to pick up and finish.

[Kami · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked the beginning, but the middle got bogged down, dragged on, then ended just fine. The not so good middle lasted for too much of the book.

[Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a family saga of a family who lived in Ogden in the 1870's. It had romance, drama, tragedy, humor and a satisfying resolution. I recommend it.