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Hebrew Midwives Trilogy #1
The Midwife's Song: A Story of Moses' Birth
An intriguing, provocative "story behind the story" as told in Exodus, chapters one and two. It is the tale of the young Hebrew midwife, Puah, who defies Pharaoh's decree to murder all newborn Hebrew males, and unknowingly saves her people. Under the shadow of Pharaoh's ungodly edict, Puah finds love and sees her own vacillating faith tempered in the trial of fire. Puah is a headstrong Hebrew girl whose parents have almost abandoned hope of finding a husband who pleases her. None of the young men "make her heart sing." Then she meets Hattush, of the house of Jacob and chief goldsmith of Pharaoh. The shy but willful midwife captures his heart and thrusts him toward his own unexpected destiny. Pharaoh grows more insane with each passing day. His obsession to complete his tomb and his hatred for the Hebrews color every royal decree. When his paranoia peaks, he demands the midwives slay all Hebrew male infants. In the midst of this spiritual trial, Hattush and Puah must discover if they are truly worthy to be called "children of Abraham." With thoroughly researched detail, author Brenda Ray brings to life the Biblical account of the Hebrew midwives and the birth of Moses. Using vivid imagery that appeals to all the senses, she places the reader in this timeless story.
256 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2000
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About the author
Brenda Ray
2 books16 followersBrenda began writing in 1997, when latex allergy ended her beloved midwifery career. Her first book, "The Midwife's Song: A Story of Moses' Birth" was published in 2000.
After finishing her career in nursing management and nursing education, she is retired and has published book two in the Hebrew Midwives Trilogy, "The Midwife's Heart." This book follows Hannah, the heroine, and great-granddaughter to Puah (heroine in book one).
Brenda also writes under the pen name "B. K. Ricotta." Her contemporary romance "Two of a Kind" is based partly on her experiences on a sailboat while caught in a gale on the Gulf of Mexico. It's a story of tragedy, loss, and redemption.
Also, a newly released novella, "A Love So Sweet," is a sweet Texas romance by B. K. Ricotta
All are available on Amazon
She lives in Vero Beach, FL, and when she is not writing she is fantasizing about living in Italy, reading, and traveling.
After finishing her career in nursing management and nursing education, she is retired and has published book two in the Hebrew Midwives Trilogy, "The Midwife's Heart." This book follows Hannah, the heroine, and great-granddaughter to Puah (heroine in book one).
Brenda also writes under the pen name "B. K. Ricotta." Her contemporary romance "Two of a Kind" is based partly on her experiences on a sailboat while caught in a gale on the Gulf of Mexico. It's a story of tragedy, loss, and redemption.
Also, a newly released novella, "A Love So Sweet," is a sweet Texas romance by B. K. Ricotta
All are available on Amazon
She lives in Vero Beach, FL, and when she is not writing she is fantasizing about living in Italy, reading, and traveling.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 10, 2009
What I liked about the book: I liked that it was written by a midwife, one who obviously feels that the profession is more than a duty, but a calling. I know several midwives and have had two home births myself, and just witnessed another, and it truly is an amazing gift these women have. I also liked the idea of this book giving us a picture of what life must have been like for the Hebrews during the time of their enslavement in Egypt, especially under Pharaoh's terrible decree.
That said, I did not care much for the execution. The story held my attention enough for me to finish it, but not much beyond that. Some of this must have been the perspective: it is a story within a story--what Puah tells from her old age is third person, but it borders on omniscience. She tells things about conversations between others or thoughts in others that she should not have known. The story in the present, where Puah is an old woman, is told from third-person omniscient perspective, and switches focus at the end from Puah to her great-granddaughter Hannah. This represents the passing of a baton, not only of faith but also of midwifery. Perhaps I've become more accustomed to a more limited perspective in the books I read, which offers a bit more sophistication and allows for more analysis.
The use of language was not great. I forget the exact words, but one sentence used the same adjective twice to describe the same thing. And while the style of writing is exceedingly simple, there are words like "halcyon" that seem out of place, like Ray or her editor used the thesaurus to try to spice things up, but it didn't quite work out. Beyond that, I scratched my head as Puah describes her husband's broad chest and sinewy muscles, and the "acts of love" they share to the group of children that is her audience. What is that?
Anyway, I wanted to like this book, but, as it is, I cannot recommend it except as a glimpse into the mind of a midwife. Ray obviously treasures her experiences very much, and, to me, therein lies the value of the book.
That said, I did not care much for the execution. The story held my attention enough for me to finish it, but not much beyond that. Some of this must have been the perspective: it is a story within a story--what Puah tells from her old age is third person, but it borders on omniscience. She tells things about conversations between others or thoughts in others that she should not have known. The story in the present, where Puah is an old woman, is told from third-person omniscient perspective, and switches focus at the end from Puah to her great-granddaughter Hannah. This represents the passing of a baton, not only of faith but also of midwifery. Perhaps I've become more accustomed to a more limited perspective in the books I read, which offers a bit more sophistication and allows for more analysis.
The use of language was not great. I forget the exact words, but one sentence used the same adjective twice to describe the same thing. And while the style of writing is exceedingly simple, there are words like "halcyon" that seem out of place, like Ray or her editor used the thesaurus to try to spice things up, but it didn't quite work out. Beyond that, I scratched my head as Puah describes her husband's broad chest and sinewy muscles, and the "acts of love" they share to the group of children that is her audience. What is that?
Anyway, I wanted to like this book, but, as it is, I cannot recommend it except as a glimpse into the mind of a midwife. Ray obviously treasures her experiences very much, and, to me, therein lies the value of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2022
I love biblical fiction if it doesn’t change things from the Bible. This was a delightful take on the birth of Moses from the Midwife’s perspective. I thought it was captivating. 5 stars from me.
November 2, 2022
The Midwife's Song
This book drew my attention from the very first page. The storyline paralleled the story of Moses' birth, while adding another dimension of detail. There were no misspellings, grammatical errors or plot errors noted. This in itself adds reading pleasure to a well written story. Thank you, Ms. Ray for an outstanding reading adventure!
This book drew my attention from the very first page. The storyline paralleled the story of Moses' birth, while adding another dimension of detail. There were no misspellings, grammatical errors or plot errors noted. This in itself adds reading pleasure to a well written story. Thank you, Ms. Ray for an outstanding reading adventure!
May 14, 2024
It was an interesting read. It is a different version of a biblical story and it was done very well. I did like the way she wrote this story that was based on a biblical story, but about some of the characters that were usually in the background.
December 2, 2025
Interesting read. Lots of sexual innuendos between a married couple. Writing style seemed juvenile but vocabulary was advanced. Interesting perspective on the birth of Moses. I liked it for that. God used women behind the scenes to save Israel.
January 31, 2020
A really interesting take on the passage in Genesis regarding the midwives. A quick read.
February 9, 2021
This book is the imagined story of Puah, one of the midwives mentioned in Exodus. Shiphrah and Puah are two midwives who are called before the Pharoah and told to kill all male children born to Hebrew women. The midwives save the children by telling Pharoah that the Hebrew women bear their children before the midwives arrive. From these few lines in the Bible, Ray creates a story that tells the story of the slaves in Egypt and of Moses’ birth. Ray is a former midwife and the midwives in her story exhibit her belief that midwifery is a calling and not just an occupation. Puah tells her life story to her great-granddaughter, Hannah and the other children as they leave Egypt and head for the promised land. Ray gifts her narrator with omniscience (that clearly Puah could not have), and there are elements of a romance novel (every time Puah talks about her husband), which didn’t bother me, but which may have some readers rolling their eyes. This is the first book in a trilogy. The next book, “The Midwife’s Heart” is about Hannah. I am not sure if I will read it.
April 28, 2016
This Christian fiction story is written in a very simplistic, young adult style. For me the story is tremendously lacking in that it skips much vital detail and jumps around in time and place and point of view (narrators) so much so that I constantly became annoyed. I learned a bit of history but did not get much out of this story otherwise. This is sad because with better writing, this could have been a very good book.
March 22, 2010
I enjoyed learning more about these midwives who really were commanded by Pharoah to kill all the Hebrew male babies at birth. Their story is only given a few verses in the Old Testament, so this book is the author's interpretation of what might have happened, and how they defied this command. The writing was a bit flowery at times, but overall the story was solid and the characters memorable.
July 14, 2023
Really liked this book. It is the back story (fictional of course but based on real bible accounts) of the midwife Puah. She was one of the midwives who refused pharaoh's order to kill the male Hebrew babies. It is interesting to see what her life may have been like and how her faith may have worked out her life. Makes me more excited to meet her and Shiphrah in paradise.
July 9, 2008
Remember this is Biblical fiction, but it did give me pause to think and wonder what the Hebrew midwives did after Pharoh declared that all the male babies were to be killed. This book reminded me of those written by Francine Rivers. Good read.
June 30, 2008
Great biblical fiction about the events leading up to Moses' birth. It's a love story too. I highly recommend it.
January 4, 2011
fast read, wonderful story - the story of Moses' birth!
July 16, 2014
One of my very favorite books, ever!!!
July 26, 2013
Really enjoyed it and highly recommend it!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews