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Midwife #1
The Midwife's Revolt
The Midwife’s Revolt takes the reader on a journey to the founding days of America. It follows one woman’s path, Lizzie Boylston, from her grieving days of widowhood after Bunker Hill, to her deepening friendship with Abigail Adams and midwifery, and finally to her dangerous work as a spy for the Cause. Much has been written about our founding men. But The Midwife’s Revolt is unique in that it opens a window onto the lives of our founding women as well.
432 pages, Paperback
First published December 2, 2012
3757 people are currently reading
14628 people want to read
About the author
Jodi Daynard
12 books348 followersJodi Daynard is the author of the bestselling novels The Midwife’s Revolt and Our Own Country. She has also published The Place Within: Portraits of the American Landscape by 20 Contemporary Writers. Her essays and short stories have appeared in numerous periodicals, including Agni, The New England Review, The New York Times Book Review, Fiction, and the Paris Review. Ms. Daynard has taught writing at Harvard University, at MIT, and in the MFA program at Emerson College.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,464 reviews
May 28, 2018
If you love historical fiction, do yourself a favor and read this book.
Lizzie Boylston, the main character, is a midwife and holistic healer in Braintree, Massachusetts (right outside of Boston) in the 1770s. Her character is fictional, but others such as John and Abigail Adams are, of course, real.
Lizzie was born into a prominent Boston family and descended from English nobility. As war tensions escalated, however, her family was forced to surrender their Brattle Street home in Cambridge. She married into another prominent Boston family and was given farm land and a small house in Braintree as a wedding gift. There, she counted among her neighbors John and Abigail Adams, John and Elizabeth Quincy, and Richard and Mary Cranch, all great American patriots.
After the young Lizzie loses her husband in a local battle, she does everything she can to ensure her survival, which is not easy during the Revolutionary War. All alone (initially), she must farm the land, tend the animals, dry medicinal herbs, and deliver babies, amongst a thousand other things, all while enduring cold winters, hot summers, drought and disease. We will bear it because we must.
When the Quincys insist on providing a helper for her, we meet Martha, a young girl from another prominent Boston family, who had recently lost her parents. Martha is a God-send to Lizzie, not only as a helper, but as a companion as well. There are several other great characters, but I don't want to ruin anything. I'll let you discover them for yourself. 😊
Being from Boston originally, I enjoyed hearing the names of places and towns that I know well, imagining them as rural farmland as opposed to the sprawling cities that they are today.
This story is absolutely riveting. There is history, friendship, drama, intrigue, love and patriotism. I didn't realize that it was a series, but I will definitely continue with Our Own Country (Midwife #2) and A More Perfect Union (Midwife #3).
FAVORITE LIZZIE QUOTE: "Well, I was thinking just now that perhaps the heart is made of the same stuff as the womb. It can stretch and may easily be re-used."
Lizzie Boylston, the main character, is a midwife and holistic healer in Braintree, Massachusetts (right outside of Boston) in the 1770s. Her character is fictional, but others such as John and Abigail Adams are, of course, real.
Lizzie was born into a prominent Boston family and descended from English nobility. As war tensions escalated, however, her family was forced to surrender their Brattle Street home in Cambridge. She married into another prominent Boston family and was given farm land and a small house in Braintree as a wedding gift. There, she counted among her neighbors John and Abigail Adams, John and Elizabeth Quincy, and Richard and Mary Cranch, all great American patriots.
After the young Lizzie loses her husband in a local battle, she does everything she can to ensure her survival, which is not easy during the Revolutionary War. All alone (initially), she must farm the land, tend the animals, dry medicinal herbs, and deliver babies, amongst a thousand other things, all while enduring cold winters, hot summers, drought and disease. We will bear it because we must.
When the Quincys insist on providing a helper for her, we meet Martha, a young girl from another prominent Boston family, who had recently lost her parents. Martha is a God-send to Lizzie, not only as a helper, but as a companion as well. There are several other great characters, but I don't want to ruin anything. I'll let you discover them for yourself. 😊
Being from Boston originally, I enjoyed hearing the names of places and towns that I know well, imagining them as rural farmland as opposed to the sprawling cities that they are today.
This story is absolutely riveting. There is history, friendship, drama, intrigue, love and patriotism. I didn't realize that it was a series, but I will definitely continue with Our Own Country (Midwife #2) and A More Perfect Union (Midwife #3).
FAVORITE LIZZIE QUOTE: "Well, I was thinking just now that perhaps the heart is made of the same stuff as the womb. It can stretch and may easily be re-used."
April 20, 2015
Through the characters of Lizzie Boylston and her good friend Abigal Adams, and a cast of real as well as other fictitious characters, the time and places around Boston come to life during the Revolutionary War . It's about some very strong women , friendships, love , some espionage thrown in that makes for an intriguing story.
In her notes at the end , Daynard describes how she sought through her meticulous research to provide historical accuracy and she also tells us (alas ) that Lizzie Boylston is her own creation . It would have been nice to know that Abigal Adams had such a friend as Lizzie .
It's well written and a thoroughly enjoyable read .
Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley .
April 10, 2015
Read on the WondrousBooks blog.
First and foremost, I would like to say how impressed I am by all the research Ms Daynard did writing this book. I read the Author's Note at the end and I realized that she really worked hard to get all of the details right. I wish other writers were half as dedicated, then we would not be suffocated by tons of literature that makes no sense.
However, I must say that it is possible I made a mistake choosing to read and review this book. I have never been entirely taken by fiction set in a certain period in the past which does not actually belong to the period. If I'm not making myself clear enough: Pride and Prejudice - YAY! It depicts the same period in which the author lived and therefore there is nothing forced in her narrative and way of writing; The Midwife's Revolt, though the product of deep research, is still a contemporary novel which falls to the genre of historical fiction. See, the difference is that I know that the author did not live in that period and no matter her amount of research, the events and the social conditions that she describes can still be argued because they are, of course, not witnessed.
Sadly, this book did not do it for me. It was expectedly dull to read about milking the cows and having nothing to talk about after dinner around the fire. I, of course, did not expect that that would be what's going on, especially seeing the title. And the said "revolt" was wildly blown out of proportion. Maybe for the period such actions would have been strange or highly unusual, but from modern point of view, usage of the word "revolt" leads to expectations of much bigger actions.
I could certainly not connect with any of the characters. Not being American, and definitely not being a supporter of THE Cause or any other political cause, for that matter, there was nothing in the characters for me to feel close to. Lizzie's big agenda was not to fight for her own rights, but mostly to support the Cause, which capital letter and all, seemed a bit like the result of some serious brain-washing. Had this book been set in, say, North Korea, the characters would have been the subject of much scrutiny. I expect that because it's set in America, they should be glorified. Just because.
I don't think it's an issue that every nation sees their country as a magical place if that's what the nation wants. But the events in this book seemed petty in contrast to the way the above-mentioned revolt is being marketed. There was neither much of a physical revolt, nor was there any revolt of the mind. There was the Cause. Follow the Cause. Support the Cause. You are the Cause. Though if you are a woman, you can be the Cause by helping your man be the Cause.
And every time I thought "YES! She is finally going to fight for her own rights and her own place in the Cause!", it was just turned into a sappy romantic moment. Woman gets kissed, woman gets drunk because of a man, woman faints because she is worried because of the man, woman cries because of the man. I didn't mention Pride and Prejudice randomly above, The Midwife's Revolt is the American attempt of Pride and Prejudice, with a splash of a revolution. Mr Darcy seems a bit shady and disagreeable at first, but then it turns out all he ever wanted was to help and never meant Lizzie any harm. Lizzie. Yes. And at the end, even though it's the midwife's revolt, Mr Darcy is the hero.
First and foremost, I would like to say how impressed I am by all the research Ms Daynard did writing this book. I read the Author's Note at the end and I realized that she really worked hard to get all of the details right. I wish other writers were half as dedicated, then we would not be suffocated by tons of literature that makes no sense.
However, I must say that it is possible I made a mistake choosing to read and review this book. I have never been entirely taken by fiction set in a certain period in the past which does not actually belong to the period. If I'm not making myself clear enough: Pride and Prejudice - YAY! It depicts the same period in which the author lived and therefore there is nothing forced in her narrative and way of writing; The Midwife's Revolt, though the product of deep research, is still a contemporary novel which falls to the genre of historical fiction. See, the difference is that I know that the author did not live in that period and no matter her amount of research, the events and the social conditions that she describes can still be argued because they are, of course, not witnessed.
Sadly, this book did not do it for me. It was expectedly dull to read about milking the cows and having nothing to talk about after dinner around the fire. I, of course, did not expect that that would be what's going on, especially seeing the title. And the said "revolt" was wildly blown out of proportion. Maybe for the period such actions would have been strange or highly unusual, but from modern point of view, usage of the word "revolt" leads to expectations of much bigger actions.
I could certainly not connect with any of the characters. Not being American, and definitely not being a supporter of THE Cause or any other political cause, for that matter, there was nothing in the characters for me to feel close to. Lizzie's big agenda was not to fight for her own rights, but mostly to support the Cause, which capital letter and all, seemed a bit like the result of some serious brain-washing. Had this book been set in, say, North Korea, the characters would have been the subject of much scrutiny. I expect that because it's set in America, they should be glorified. Just because.
I don't think it's an issue that every nation sees their country as a magical place if that's what the nation wants. But the events in this book seemed petty in contrast to the way the above-mentioned revolt is being marketed. There was neither much of a physical revolt, nor was there any revolt of the mind. There was the Cause. Follow the Cause. Support the Cause. You are the Cause. Though if you are a woman, you can be the Cause by helping your man be the Cause.
And every time I thought "YES! She is finally going to fight for her own rights and her own place in the Cause!", it was just turned into a sappy romantic moment. Woman gets kissed, woman gets drunk because of a man, woman faints because she is worried because of the man, woman cries because of the man. I didn't mention Pride and Prejudice randomly above, The Midwife's Revolt is the American attempt of Pride and Prejudice, with a splash of a revolution. Mr Darcy seems a bit shady and disagreeable at first, but then it turns out all he ever wanted was to help and never meant Lizzie any harm. Lizzie. Yes. And at the end, even though it's the midwife's revolt, Mr Darcy is the hero.
December 23, 2012
One of the reasons why I enjoy reading books about the midwives of the past is because they operated outside of the conventional norms for women. They also had knowledge of herbs. Herbalism and other traditional healing practices made them vulnerable to accusations of witchcraft as is shown in Love of Shadows by Zoe Brooks which I reviewed in October. Lizzie Boylston, like other historical midwives that I've encountered, didn't heed the opinions of others. She rode her horse astride as men did, and engaged in activities that were even more unacceptable in her social milieu.
Another aspect of this novel that I loved was the friendships between women. These were honest relationships that could be ambivalent. I appreciated that complexity. The presence of Abigail Adams as one of Lizzie's friends underlines the feminist emphasis of the novel. She is most remembered for telling her husband, who was to become the second President of the United States, to "Remember the ladies." For this alone, she is honored by modern advocates of women's rights.
I downloaded this book from Net Galley as an ARC.
For my complete review see my December 2012 blog post "More Than A Midwife: The Midwife's Revolt by Jodi Daynard at http://www.maskedpersona.blogspot.com
Another aspect of this novel that I loved was the friendships between women. These were honest relationships that could be ambivalent. I appreciated that complexity. The presence of Abigail Adams as one of Lizzie's friends underlines the feminist emphasis of the novel. She is most remembered for telling her husband, who was to become the second President of the United States, to "Remember the ladies." For this alone, she is honored by modern advocates of women's rights.
I downloaded this book from Net Galley as an ARC.
For my complete review see my December 2012 blog post "More Than A Midwife: The Midwife's Revolt by Jodi Daynard at http://www.maskedpersona.blogspot.com
April 9, 2013
The seamless integration of historical events and people of interest in the early years of the American Revolution, and the strikingly detailed and portrayed fictional character of Lizzie Boylston in the writer’s well-written prose made this book a joy to read, and very difficult to put down.
Lizzie is a unique character and not just for 17th century New England. Her strength, courage and plain-spoken manner, as well as her ‘take charge’ attitude feel wholly and completely modern: her willingness to flout convention and place herself in great danger to protect her friends and satisfy her own curiosity were refreshing, if nail-biting to read.
Particularly effective is the life-long friendship with Abagail Adams, and the friendship and support the two shared through the years. In the cleverly portrayed relationship, we see the strength of these two women, and readers will find many correlations to concerns of a more modern day. This is one of those books that has you wishing all history courses were presented in this form: giving a real sense of the trials and challenges faced by the people of the time.
Fiction can open new vistas, and provide a new level of understanding of a situation: whether done wholly from the author’s imagination or utilizing real facts and historical references to enhance the story in which their character is starring. Jodi Daynard managed to both enhance Lizzie’s story with fact, but enhance fact with this story of Lizzie.
I received an eBook from the publisher via NetGalley. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Lizzie is a unique character and not just for 17th century New England. Her strength, courage and plain-spoken manner, as well as her ‘take charge’ attitude feel wholly and completely modern: her willingness to flout convention and place herself in great danger to protect her friends and satisfy her own curiosity were refreshing, if nail-biting to read.
Particularly effective is the life-long friendship with Abagail Adams, and the friendship and support the two shared through the years. In the cleverly portrayed relationship, we see the strength of these two women, and readers will find many correlations to concerns of a more modern day. This is one of those books that has you wishing all history courses were presented in this form: giving a real sense of the trials and challenges faced by the people of the time.
Fiction can open new vistas, and provide a new level of understanding of a situation: whether done wholly from the author’s imagination or utilizing real facts and historical references to enhance the story in which their character is starring. Jodi Daynard managed to both enhance Lizzie’s story with fact, but enhance fact with this story of Lizzie.
I received an eBook from the publisher via NetGalley. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
February 16, 2016
The idea for this book is ripe with promise: a historical novel, set in the War for Independence, narrated from the POV of Abigail Adam's best friend. Add in a dash of murder mystery and it seems like it should be a real winner!
As it turns out, however, this book is badly in need of a developmental editor. I respect the author and the work she put in, but this version just wasn't ready without some serious cleaning up.
In specific:
There are multiple plot holes or narrative errors in the story, where events and details contradict themselves.
The writing is so, so painful. It's meant to carry the cadence and tone of a gentlewoman from the 18th century, but it is far overdone to the point of ridiculousness. It's a bit like Jane Austen's more effusive and dramatic cousin is telling a really flowery story.
There were multiple historical details that were obviously wrong - not within the plot, which seems well researched; but by inclusion of modern items, names, and idioms that wouldn't make sense in the time.
The plot has little to no structure, and the main conflict or reason for the story does not appear until more than halfway through the book. The first half of this novel could be cut down by at least 3/4, it's nothing more than women living on a farm.
The man who was so blatantly obvious you think Daynard has included him as a red herring ends up... actually just being the villain. There's no mystery, no thought put into it.
I do like the characters as far as development goes. To me they felt real and interacted in excellent ways. However I also think the cast could have been cut back by half again. There are several characters who do not add anything to the story and serve no purpose, no matter how nicely written.
Overall, this reads to me like a first draft with solid potential. If it were rewritten to clean up some of the major issues, it would become a solid and enjoyable read. As is, it's difficult for me to recommend it.
As it turns out, however, this book is badly in need of a developmental editor. I respect the author and the work she put in, but this version just wasn't ready without some serious cleaning up.
In specific:
There are multiple plot holes or narrative errors in the story, where events and details contradict themselves.
The writing is so, so painful. It's meant to carry the cadence and tone of a gentlewoman from the 18th century, but it is far overdone to the point of ridiculousness. It's a bit like Jane Austen's more effusive and dramatic cousin is telling a really flowery story.
There were multiple historical details that were obviously wrong - not within the plot, which seems well researched; but by inclusion of modern items, names, and idioms that wouldn't make sense in the time.
The plot has little to no structure, and the main conflict or reason for the story does not appear until more than halfway through the book. The first half of this novel could be cut down by at least 3/4, it's nothing more than women living on a farm.
The man who was so blatantly obvious you think Daynard has included him as a red herring ends up... actually just being the villain. There's no mystery, no thought put into it.
I do like the characters as far as development goes. To me they felt real and interacted in excellent ways. However I also think the cast could have been cut back by half again. There are several characters who do not add anything to the story and serve no purpose, no matter how nicely written.
Overall, this reads to me like a first draft with solid potential. If it were rewritten to clean up some of the major issues, it would become a solid and enjoyable read. As is, it's difficult for me to recommend it.
April 18, 2017
I found this book boring. I should have quit but I just kept listening. I am quite intrigued by midwives especially during this time period. There was not very many details about midwives unfortunately. Everything in the book seem to turn out perfect including every birth??! Something I didn't think was as common during those days. Anyway probably wouldn't recommend it.
September 4, 2019
Well-written, well-researched, and thoroughly entertaining historical fiction.
May 1, 2015
Widowed when her young husband is killed in battle in Charlestown, Lizzie Boylston makes use of her skills as a midwife and farmer to survive. She also becomes involved in the Patriot Cause, eventually dressing as a boy to act as a spy. Her neighbors in Braintree, the Adams and Quincy families, become supportive friends. The book combines historical accuracy with an exciting, touching storyline for the fictional Lizzie during the Revolutionary War years. Fans of historical fiction will enjoy spending time with this caring, strong young woman.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars
March 8, 2015
Gripping story about midwives during the American Revolution. I was so engrossed in this book I didn't even notice that I closed the book in a matter of 4.5 hours. It was truly a riviting story.
October 4, 2017
This book was easy, easy readable. It's approach to the patriot cause from the Boyleston's view, clear cut. It's a simple matter of "for or against" in this book. That's a huge part of my problem with this telling as in that era and community, it often was not. And that exact onus of mistrust/trust factor amongst neighbors seemed terribly "off" to me. More distance within and far less cozy talk reigned there. In the historic sense, although it is an interesting individual story, I found it also not even in the minor relationships to Adams' association, believable.
This is categorized historical fiction, IMHO, but it reads closer to chick lit. For my connection, it was a 2.5 star, but I rounded it up for the research to placements and logistics and the prose flow.
This is categorized historical fiction, IMHO, but it reads closer to chick lit. For my connection, it was a 2.5 star, but I rounded it up for the research to placements and logistics and the prose flow.
March 28, 2015
I received this book for free through NetGalley.
Jodi Daynard’s “The Midwife’s Revolt” tells the tale of Elizabeth (“Lizzie”), a recently widowed young midwife, living in America in the 18th century. This book tells the tale of Lizzie’s life after the death of her husband, including her friendships, her housekeeping and her romantic relations. Although this book could be considered historical fiction, I would probably lean toward calling it “political fiction” as the central theme of this book was how Elizabeth and her friends (including her neighbour, who was Abigail Adams- wife to American president John Adams) lived during the way and how they endured various political plots and uprisings.
My opinions on historical fiction vary greatly. There are some I absolutely adore and some that I don’t finish because of boredom. In this current reading environment, where historical fiction is so popular, this separates me I suppose. However, there are very few historical fiction novels that are in the “gray zone” for me. I am usually of one of the two camps however in this case, I think I have found the first historical fiction book where I was, right up until the end, a “fence sitter”. Daynard’s writing was poetic, and showed similarities to the great Jane Austen, and the character of Elizabeth was passionate and definitely a strong female personality who earned, deserved and generated respect. She was someone any female should and will root for. Also, in reading the author’s notes (yes, I read the author’s notes) it was obvious that Daynard had gone to great lengths to ensure historical accuracy, which shows a great passion and love for her work, which I can appreciate.
Perhaps it is just my preference, but I found this book to be very politically-heavy. Not having a great knowledge of American history, I found it hard to differentiate between the two sides of the “war” and struggled to determine who was good and who was bad. There was not an overabundance of characters, as there sometimes is in historical fiction, which added a little bit of relief to a thick plot. However, the determination of Lizzie and her friends was what kept me reading until the end. I wanted to know how life would work out for our heroine, and was pleased at the result.
This book is definitely for those who are strong lovers of historical (and political) fiction, and it definitely is not for everyone. But I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn something, and wants to find a strong female character that we have not seen since Elizabeth Bennett.
Jodi Daynard’s “The Midwife’s Revolt” tells the tale of Elizabeth (“Lizzie”), a recently widowed young midwife, living in America in the 18th century. This book tells the tale of Lizzie’s life after the death of her husband, including her friendships, her housekeeping and her romantic relations. Although this book could be considered historical fiction, I would probably lean toward calling it “political fiction” as the central theme of this book was how Elizabeth and her friends (including her neighbour, who was Abigail Adams- wife to American president John Adams) lived during the way and how they endured various political plots and uprisings.
My opinions on historical fiction vary greatly. There are some I absolutely adore and some that I don’t finish because of boredom. In this current reading environment, where historical fiction is so popular, this separates me I suppose. However, there are very few historical fiction novels that are in the “gray zone” for me. I am usually of one of the two camps however in this case, I think I have found the first historical fiction book where I was, right up until the end, a “fence sitter”. Daynard’s writing was poetic, and showed similarities to the great Jane Austen, and the character of Elizabeth was passionate and definitely a strong female personality who earned, deserved and generated respect. She was someone any female should and will root for. Also, in reading the author’s notes (yes, I read the author’s notes) it was obvious that Daynard had gone to great lengths to ensure historical accuracy, which shows a great passion and love for her work, which I can appreciate.
Perhaps it is just my preference, but I found this book to be very politically-heavy. Not having a great knowledge of American history, I found it hard to differentiate between the two sides of the “war” and struggled to determine who was good and who was bad. There was not an overabundance of characters, as there sometimes is in historical fiction, which added a little bit of relief to a thick plot. However, the determination of Lizzie and her friends was what kept me reading until the end. I wanted to know how life would work out for our heroine, and was pleased at the result.
This book is definitely for those who are strong lovers of historical (and political) fiction, and it definitely is not for everyone. But I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn something, and wants to find a strong female character that we have not seen since Elizabeth Bennett.
July 31, 2018
Disappointed. I was so caught up in much of this story until it reached the 3/4 point where modern day morality, or should I say immortality, is introduced and smothered the rest of the story. While petty sin such as jealously is piously shunned, immorality is embraced, expected, and hand-slap if you dare think anyone should expect anything less. This ruined the entire story for me. I’m so frustrated. After reading three biographies previously which were so wholesome, this made me feel gross. Such a shame, because it could have been an excellent book.
June 22, 2024
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June 21, 2016
Eh. I really wanted to like this. I enjoyed all the details about the time period: the author clearly did her homework. Her prose was so beautiful and descriptive, but everything else was just boring. Dressing up as a boy a few times hardly makes a character a spy, and certainly doesn't justify the title of Midwife's Revolt. The characters were shallow, even the revered Abigail Adams-I know that she is a small woman with a big personality, but please, tell me something else about her.
December 4, 2025
This historical fiction book takes place during the American Revolution. The midwife is a newly widowed woman, yet still quite young, lost her very young husband in one of the first battles of the revolution. She now has taken over their farm trying to manage and is a midwife as well.
Lizzie soon has help by Martha and has a dear friend of Abigail Adams. As the war continues, the women are mostly on their own, but not entirely. Lizzie finds herself trying to find out secrets and who is the spy in their community that has claimed two lives already. She dresses as a young man, but the brother of Martha spots her right away. Lizzie already suspected him as being a spy, or at least sympathetic to the British and not the American cause. Tension mounts, and also become romantic.
This is where the book falters a bit for me. Martha already has too much to do with keeping the farm and birthing the multitudes of babies. Funny how many there are with all the men away fighting a war. But adding the spy stuff and a budding romance does add to the plot.
The book takes place over several years and also mentions other of the important early men in American history such as John Quincy Adams, although it is the women that mostly take center stage in this book.
I had bought this and the sequel on a sale many years ago, so may as well continue. There is a third, which I do not own and will have to see how book two goes. If it gets too deep into romance I many have to ditch it.
The author's note is worthwhile to read as it explains what was invented and not. The main character here is the author's creation, but many other aspects of the book is not.
Lizzie soon has help by Martha and has a dear friend of Abigail Adams. As the war continues, the women are mostly on their own, but not entirely. Lizzie finds herself trying to find out secrets and who is the spy in their community that has claimed two lives already. She dresses as a young man, but the brother of Martha spots her right away. Lizzie already suspected him as being a spy, or at least sympathetic to the British and not the American cause. Tension mounts, and also become romantic.
This is where the book falters a bit for me. Martha already has too much to do with keeping the farm and birthing the multitudes of babies. Funny how many there are with all the men away fighting a war. But adding the spy stuff and a budding romance does add to the plot.
The book takes place over several years and also mentions other of the important early men in American history such as John Quincy Adams, although it is the women that mostly take center stage in this book.
I had bought this and the sequel on a sale many years ago, so may as well continue. There is a third, which I do not own and will have to see how book two goes. If it gets too deep into romance I many have to ditch it.
The author's note is worthwhile to read as it explains what was invented and not. The main character here is the author's creation, but many other aspects of the book is not.
July 18, 2015
One night in 1775, Lizzie Boylston wakes up to the sound of cannons. From a hill in Boston, she can see the city of Charlestown burning during a battle, a battle she soon learns has claimed the life of her husband.
Lizzie is still new in the town of Braintree, Massachusetts, but she takes comfort in her deepening friendship with Abigail Adams, wife of John Adams. Lizzie is also a midwife, and soon word spreads of her skills in midwifery and healing, and she channels her grief into helping others. She yearns to do more though, after two patriots visiting the town are poisoned, and she suspects a plot intended to harm Abigail and her family while John is away. This leads Lizzie to risk her own life to uncover the truth, and it also risks her livelihood, and if things go wrong, could leave to the downfall of a new nation.
I really enjoyed this novel, and the author did a great job with mixing fictional characters and events with real ones (at the end of the book, the author's notes explain which people and events were real, and which were not.) It also was part mystery; not until almost the end of the book did I know for sure with some of the characters which side of the cause they were on.
I also liked learning what everyday life was like at those times, for those left behind in the small towns that were not actually in the midst of the Revolutionary War, but their lives were greatly affected by it just the same, especially with shortages of food and household goods. Though Lizzie was a fictional character, the story of her friendship with Mrs. Adams felt authentic and real.
Lizzie is still new in the town of Braintree, Massachusetts, but she takes comfort in her deepening friendship with Abigail Adams, wife of John Adams. Lizzie is also a midwife, and soon word spreads of her skills in midwifery and healing, and she channels her grief into helping others. She yearns to do more though, after two patriots visiting the town are poisoned, and she suspects a plot intended to harm Abigail and her family while John is away. This leads Lizzie to risk her own life to uncover the truth, and it also risks her livelihood, and if things go wrong, could leave to the downfall of a new nation.
I really enjoyed this novel, and the author did a great job with mixing fictional characters and events with real ones (at the end of the book, the author's notes explain which people and events were real, and which were not.) It also was part mystery; not until almost the end of the book did I know for sure with some of the characters which side of the cause they were on.
I also liked learning what everyday life was like at those times, for those left behind in the small towns that were not actually in the midst of the Revolutionary War, but their lives were greatly affected by it just the same, especially with shortages of food and household goods. Though Lizzie was a fictional character, the story of her friendship with Mrs. Adams felt authentic and real.
February 1, 2014
Susrprisingly good, especially for short bus rides, because even a few pages create a mood, through details of daily living (down to a recipe for orange cake), descriptions of the political tensions of the time, the narrator's philosophical observations, or the challenges that each of the three main female characters face. Some beautiful descriptive language pops up unexpectedly when the author/narrator integrates details with larger picture observations about that particular moment in history. I was sorry when it ended!
November 16, 2017
Historical fiction taking place during the Revolutionary War is not as common as other historical periods...this mad Daynard's novel somewhat unique. I learned a good deal about those fighting for freedom during the Revolutionary period and those loyal to the British King.
As to the Revolt...well that is a bit of an exaggeration. The main characters attempt to assist the war effort was a bit overdrawn and almost chartoonish in its portrayal. Despite this flaw, a good read.
As to the Revolt...well that is a bit of an exaggeration. The main characters attempt to assist the war effort was a bit overdrawn and almost chartoonish in its portrayal. Despite this flaw, a good read.
November 21, 2020
3.5 🌟
Very enjoyable read. 👍
Very enjoyable read. 👍
March 20, 2017
Enjoyable story with all the good stuff---history, mystery, adventure & romance. I loved that the main character was friends with Abigail Adams & appreciated being immersed in the Revolutionary time period. I listened on Audible with Julia Whelan's stellar narration. Good read, especially for history buffs.
**Kindle Unlimited
**Kindle Unlimited
June 19, 2017
I have always been a fan of historical fiction, and honestly don't care too much if there's slips of modern idioms here and there. But, I really struggled through this book. Yes it was well researched, and I somewhat enjoyed the conclusion... but the actual conflict that the book centers on doesn't appear until the 50% mark. Yeah, you have to struggle through 200+ pages of daily farm life narrative and a "woe is me" bad attitude from the main character. All of that could have easily been condensed into maybe 50 pages at the most.
Then once you get to the start of the conflict, and the bodies start piling up, it becomes obvious to the reader who all the players are and their roles. At that point, you still have another 100+ pages of nonsense to get through before everyone has their happy ending.
As much as I'd like to find out what happens to the other characters in this series, I won't be able to bring myself to get through another horribly constructed plot line.
Then once you get to the start of the conflict, and the bodies start piling up, it becomes obvious to the reader who all the players are and their roles. At that point, you still have another 100+ pages of nonsense to get through before everyone has their happy ending.
As much as I'd like to find out what happens to the other characters in this series, I won't be able to bring myself to get through another horribly constructed plot line.
July 6, 2025
The historical novel The Midwife’s Revolt by Jodi Daynard grabbed my attention because one of the significant side characters is none other than Abigail Adams. With my obsession for all things First Ladies, I couldn’t resist. The story is set during the Revolutionary Era in the small town of Braintree, MA. The women bade farewell to their men who have gone off to fight the British on battlefields and as statesmen. The women come together in community to valiantly maintain the farms, raise the children, and “hold down the fort” amidst intrigue and plenty of work for the midwife. It’s a fun, light read, with a mostly happy ending.
April 11, 2016
I really thought I would like this more than I did but I found it a slog...like a big bowl of bran flakes rather than a lovely plate of bacon and eggs. The domestic detail was interesting and clearly well-researched but I didn't find the central character or some of her exploits that believable ...there wasn't even that much midwifery.
September 7, 2018
“Revolt” is too strong of a word for a story that barely crawls along.
June 9, 2022
I read for a book club or probably would have been a DNF. Seemed light on the historical fiction and strong on romance.
March 2, 2015
The Midwife's Revolt is a nice American-Revolution-era historical fiction starring a young widowed midwife, Lizzie Boylston. Lizzie lives in Braintree, Massachusetts (famous for being the home of John and Abigail Adams), and she's a total Patriot.
"'Nice', you say?", you say?
Well, it is. Better than "good"; not quite "excellent". The main character is brave and confident and loyal, but she still feels a little bland, not that there's anything wrong with that. The plot is interesting and included a few twists. Nothing offensive. There's also a cute romance subplot. And the various female friendships in this book are very well-done.
There's also a lot of midwifery in here that--what a coincidence!--goes along with modern knowledge about birth and breastfeeding. Why do historical writers always do that? Writers: we will forgive your characters if they hold one or two outdated medical beliefs.
Mostly, I read it because Lizzie is good friends with Abigail Adams, and I have a huge history-crush on both Abigail and John. Although unfortunately, John's role is more like a cameo. He's mentioned a lot, but he only actually appears in a few scenes.
One more note: the description of the book mentions Lizzie becoming a spy. Well, okay, I guess... you know, in the same sense that Harriet M. Welsch was a spy. That part of the book kind of made me cringe, actually.
So... for people who are into American history and historical fiction and midwifery, I think you'll find this a nice read.
Disclaimer: I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
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Original review (May 30, 2013): All right, Goodreads, let's compromise. We don't need half-star ratings for the most part. (Seriously, why would you ever need to rate something 1.5 stars?) But let's just add a 3.5 rating, k? Just 3.5, nothing else. That way, both sides win.
Especially the programmers.
Full review to come, of course.
"'Nice', you say?", you say?
Well, it is. Better than "good"; not quite "excellent". The main character is brave and confident and loyal, but she still feels a little bland, not that there's anything wrong with that. The plot is interesting and included a few twists. Nothing offensive. There's also a cute romance subplot. And the various female friendships in this book are very well-done.
There's also a lot of midwifery in here that--what a coincidence!--goes along with modern knowledge about birth and breastfeeding. Why do historical writers always do that? Writers: we will forgive your characters if they hold one or two outdated medical beliefs.
Mostly, I read it because Lizzie is good friends with Abigail Adams, and I have a huge history-crush on both Abigail and John. Although unfortunately, John's role is more like a cameo. He's mentioned a lot, but he only actually appears in a few scenes.
One more note: the description of the book mentions Lizzie becoming a spy. Well, okay, I guess... you know, in the same sense that Harriet M. Welsch was a spy. That part of the book kind of made me cringe, actually.
So... for people who are into American history and historical fiction and midwifery, I think you'll find this a nice read.
Disclaimer: I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
-----------
Original review (May 30, 2013): All right, Goodreads, let's compromise. We don't need half-star ratings for the most part. (Seriously, why would you ever need to rate something 1.5 stars?) But let's just add a 3.5 rating, k? Just 3.5, nothing else. That way, both sides win.
Especially the programmers.
Full review to come, of course.
Read
May 27, 2015The Midwife’s Revolt, set in Braintree, Massachusetts, throws the reader into the turbulent years of the American Revolutionary War, with great insight into the personal lives of the women left at home.
Elizabeth "Lizzie" Bolyston, a midwife and a widow of the Revolution is struggling with the pain and grief of her husband's death, and her battle to be accepted into her small community. But she’s determined, and rides a horse like a man and disguises herself in men’s clothes to work undercover for the patriots. Yet she’s also kind and gentle, caring for the sick and birthing women around her, such as her orphaned apprentice, Martha and her cast-out sister-in-law, Eliza. And when Lizzie finally begins to have feelings for a man, but suspects he might be a spy for the Tories, the story takes on a dangerous turn as she tries to discover the truth.
As well as giving an accurate account of the Revolutionary War itself, the author vividly depicts how it affected the daily lives of those left at home, fighting behind the scenes. The historical events ring true and authentic and at times I kept asking myself who and what was fictional.
I would recommend The Midwife’s Revolt for readers who enjoy stories about the American Revolution and the parts played by women in this struggle.
Elizabeth "Lizzie" Bolyston, a midwife and a widow of the Revolution is struggling with the pain and grief of her husband's death, and her battle to be accepted into her small community. But she’s determined, and rides a horse like a man and disguises herself in men’s clothes to work undercover for the patriots. Yet she’s also kind and gentle, caring for the sick and birthing women around her, such as her orphaned apprentice, Martha and her cast-out sister-in-law, Eliza. And when Lizzie finally begins to have feelings for a man, but suspects he might be a spy for the Tories, the story takes on a dangerous turn as she tries to discover the truth.
As well as giving an accurate account of the Revolutionary War itself, the author vividly depicts how it affected the daily lives of those left at home, fighting behind the scenes. The historical events ring true and authentic and at times I kept asking myself who and what was fictional.
I would recommend The Midwife’s Revolt for readers who enjoy stories about the American Revolution and the parts played by women in this struggle.
July 21, 2015
I got this on Kindle and audible and ended up listening to the whole book rather than reading it. This historical fiction is set during the American Revolution. Being a New Englander, I enjoyed the description of events in the Boston area including Cambridge, and Braintree, south of Boston, where the heroine lives. The heroine is close friends with Abigail Adams, the wife of the future president, John Adams. Daynard does include real life figures and events, but the heroine is pure fiction. The heroine Lizzie Boylston is a midwife and inept spy. What I didn't love about the novel was the mixing of historical fiction with attempts at a mystery, a spy story and at times even a romance novel.
March 1, 2019
The Midwife's Revolt was very well researched but the story dragged on and the "revolt" was weak. In fact, the title is very misleading. And for that time period, the sexual immorality that was blithely accepted by almost all the characters seemed very out of place and incongruous.
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