De zoon van de vroedvrouw

Midwife #3

by Roberta Rich, Els van Enckevort (vertaler)

Nadat vroedvrouw Hannah het pasgeboren zoontje van een rijk Venetiaans echtpaar heeft gered, vlucht ze met het verweesde jongetje naar Constantinopel.
Een malafide stel ontvoert Matteo, enige erfgenaam van het familiefortuin, en duikt onder in Venetië. Als Hannah zelf onder valse voorwendselen naar Venetië wordt gelokt en vastgezet op verdenking van moord, lijkt het lot van de kleine jongen bezegeld. Hannah zit in de val, en wie zal zich verder nog om Matteo bekommeren?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Italy, Historical, Novels, Romance, Adult

320 pages, Paperback

First published March 14, 2017

About the author

I was born on January 9th. Not the best time to be born if your birthplace happens to be the buckle on the snow belt, Buffalo, New York. Buffalo remained my home until I struck out on my own and managed to get 73 miles down the New York State Freeway to Rochester. My life took a turn for the better- better climate, better opportunities.
Writers of a certain vintage always seem to boast of the variety of interesting jobs they held before settling down to write. Jobs like fire breather on the Reforma in Mexico City, or turkey plucker. I have not done anything so exotic. Moving from present to past, I have been: a divorce lawyer, student, waitress, nurses’ aide, hospital admitting clerk, factory assembly line worker and child.

I live in Vancouver, B.C. and in Colima, Mexico. I have one husband, one daughter, three step-children, a German Shepherd, tropical fish and many over sexed parakeets. When in Mexico, I nurture my husband, and my vanilla vines. When in Vancouver I try to keep dry.

Reviews

[Keep Calm Novel On]

A copy of the epub was provided in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.

The conclusion of Roberta Rich’s historical trilogy once again takes the reader back to Venice. The book starts seamlessly where the second book left off. The 1580s are a challenging time for all and Hannah must endure many obstacles. A Trial in Venice is fast-paced and a true page-turner. Rich’s words transport the reader to Venice and Hannah’s world comes alive as the descriptions are magnificent. Hannah and her husband Isaac have a remarkable relationship and their love is unconditional. They both value family and have such integrity. This character driven journey does not disappoint. The many unexpected twists and turns move the story to its fitting conclusion.

[Melissa]

I won a copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway. Though I haven't read the two previous books of the series, the author recalls what happened in those through the book, so I knew approximately what had happened. Honestly, I discovered an author that I will follow. I loved how Roberta Rich set the characters, their surroundings, the events... I devoured the book.

[AdiTurbo]

This series was quite an emotional ride, ending with a climactic scene at the end of this novel. It was suspenseful, offered rich historical and geographical background, believable characters you care about and more. I loved every minute of it, even when some scenes were a little far-fetched. It was a great read and I'm sorry it ended.

[Simone]

Finally got out of my reader's block and finished this one ♥

[Jina]

If I could give this book zero stars, I would.

[Диана]

3,5*

[Деница Райкова]

Роберта Рич - "Акушерката от Венеция - Процесът"

Отдавна не се беше случвало да пиша за някоя книга едва няколко дни след дочитането й. С тази обаче се случва. И причината не е единствено в това, че включвам компютъра за пръв път от три дни. Просто... тази книга ме обърка. По няколко причини
Предишните две книги на Роберта Рич - "Акушерката от Венеция" и "Акушерката от харема" излязоха в достатъчно кратък период от време, за да може, подхващайки втората, читателят все още да помни героите от предишната и препратките към минали събития. Книгите бяха увлекателни и приятни за четене, въпреки мрачната атмосфера на Венеция от 16. в.
Само че... след толкова време /"Акушерката от Венеция" излезе на български през 2012-а, а "Акушерката от харема" през 2014-а/ изобщо не очаквах трета книга. това бе първата причина за объркването ми.
Втората беше, разбира се, че вече бях забравила много от събитията и хората, споменати в историята.
Извън това - "Акушерката от Венеция - Процесът" ни връща на същите места при същите герои. И прологът намеква за предстоящи трагични събития.През цялото време се трупа напрежение и /поне за мен беше така/ на читателя се внушава, че нещата няма да приключат добре за главната героиня.
Което, честно казано, нямаше да ме натъжи особено. Очаквах го, предвиждах го, представях си го.
Само че в книги като тази романтиката и щастливият край като че ли са задължителни. Без значение колко са нелогични. След трупането на напрежение в почти цялата книга, последните 10-15 страници са една бъркотия от щастливи съвпадения, справедливи възмездия и събития от типа "богът от машината". Завършващи с "и всички заживели щастливо". да не говорим за описанието на самия съдебен процес и "разпита на свидетелите". Не си представям такава анархия дори във Венеция от онова време.
И все пак - зависи какво очаква човек от тази книга. Ако държи на щастлив, макар и твърде неправдоподобен след всички перипетии, завършек на историята, ще остане удовлетворен. Просто щастливият край тук не е точно от тези, които те карат да въздъхнеш с облекчение, а от онези, при които възкликваш: "Ама чакай малко, наистина ли?". Леко нагласени бяха нещата накрая, но въпреки това, за тези, които са чели първите две книги - струва си да тръгнете за трети и последен път по стъпките на еврейската акушерка Хана - пътуването ще е интересно и вълнуващо. И ще завърши на хубаво място.

[Luanne Ollivier]

The Midwife of Venice was Roberta Rich's debut novel. This international bestseller was followed by a second novel - The Harem Midwife. And at last the third novel - A Trial in Venice - is here!

This isn't a time period I usually read, but I was fascinated and immediately drawn in by Rich's characters, plotting and settings in the first book. And I've eagerly awaited each new book.

Rich has filled her books full of fascinating historical detail - the social mores, customs and laws of the time, religious differences, midwifery, day to day life and more. Using that research she has created a character it is impossible not to like. The three books have Hannah Levi, a Jewish midwife in 1575's Venice, at their heart. She's strong-minded, strong-willed, compassionate, intelligent and loving. But she must live within the confines set down by her faith and the laws of the land - which proves hard to do.

1580. The prologue opens with Hannah languishing in a Venice Prison. The how and why of this imprisonment is a story begun in the first book. Hannah saved a child from death in the first book. The parents died and Hannah kept the child to raise as her own. But....the boy was a Christian and the heir to a fortune. There are those who covet the boy's wealth and are just as determined to have control of him and his money. The two co-conspirators behind the machinations that have led to Hannah's arrest are wonderfully drawn - especially the conniving Cesca.

The beginning comes full circle with just the right ending to this trilogy. The tale in between will appeal to those who love historical novels filled with 'rich' detail, suspense and yes, romance. The love between Hannah and her husband Isaac is a joy to read, as is the love for their children.

I recommend starting with the first book to fully appreciate the subsequent books. Sadly this is the conclusion to this story, but I am very much looking forward to see what Rich turns her pen to next.

[Wendy]

“A Trial in Venice” which I won through Goodreads Giveaways begins five years after Hannah Levi has left Venice, prospering in Constantinople with her husband Isaac and two orphaned children. Although pregnant, on receiving an intimidating letter after her five- year- old adopted son Matteo, the heir to the di Padovani fortune is kidnapped, Hannah goes against her husband’s wishes and sets sail for Venice knowing she could be arrested and imprisoned. In the intriguing conclusion to an exciting trilogy Hannah faces possible divorce, a miscarriage, blackmail and imprisonment to search for Matteo the heir to a rich Venetian estate that her enemies are determined to steal.

Rich in language and description the plot brings to life the prejudice and superstition of the Church against the Jewish people especially those in the ghetto in Venice. Tolerated only for their moneymaking abilities the Jews live under the government’s strained acceptance and severe restrictions which raises the stakes for Hannah when she’s forced to disguise herself and faces imprisonment if caught. Intensity and suspense quickly escalate not only when she endangers her pregnancy, discovers the sinister plan of Cesca and her lover Foscari, but when she receives a letter from her beloved husband Isaac threatening the dissolution of their marriage.

Roberta Rich creates bold, colorful and passionate characters like Hannah Levi the well-respected, sensible Imperial Midwife to the Sultan’s harem in Constantinople. Haunted by a past conflict in Venice that left a man dead but stubborn and impulsive she’s determined to save Matteo even though the cost could be higher than expected. Matteo di Padovani, kidnapped by the ambitious coquette Francesca (Cesca) and her lover Foscari an old, greedy and arrogant aristocrat is smart, studious and defiant determined not to go along with their plans. Andrea Palladio haunted by his loss is the renowned and influential architect who is calm, reassuring and determined to find justice for Hannah and Matteo. All these characters and many more infuse this story with emotional tension and excitement that grips you and makes it hard to put down until finished.

I thoroughly enjoyed “A Trial in Venice” and look forward to reading the two earlier novels.

[Katarzyna Crawford]

I have not read the former books of the trilogy, yet I find that Roberta Rich smoothly introduced the world and characters' history of A Trial in Venice, and I quickly fell in love with the book which by the way, is a very addictive read!

I like historical dramas and really enjoy reading about the complex relationships between the characters of A Trial in Venice! I definitely would like to get my hands on a copy of the first book of the trilogy and experience the whole story, from the beginning!

The characters' lives feel very much like those of contemporary people and one can easily relate to their motivations and dilemmas, which immerses the reader very quickly with the story. The book is wonderfully well written and I couldn't get enough of it! I was very positively surprised!

[Barb]

I received this book from netgalley, thank you very much Netgalley and the publisher Penguin Random House Canada.
I have not read the previous two books of this trilogy, so was a bit apprehensive to start with the last book. I was very pleasantly surprised to discover I was never confused or lost, it can easily be enjoyed as a stand alone.
I was hooked right from the beginning. The characters are well developed, and the author did an excellent job of bringing 1579-1580 to life.
A real page turner.

[Jean St.Amand]

I read the first two books last year and enjoyed them but this one...not so much. It took me a VERY long time to get into it; probably half way through the book before I started to somewhat like it. It just seemed kind of silly. I wouldn't bother wasting time reading this book, if I were you.

[Marla]

I loved this book as much as I loved her first 2 books. The Midwife of Venice and The Harem Midwife.

[Debbie ☕️]

Just didnt keep my attention. I thought the characters were rather dull.

[Paula Dembeck]

The final installment of Roberta Rich’s Midwife Trilogy opens to find Hannah Levi huddled on a filthy pallet in the squalid Pozzi Prison in Vienna, exhausted, pregnant, starving and facing a devastating end. The only thing saving her is her pregnancy, but once she has delivered her baby, she will be executed and her baby thrown into the canal.

Rich picks up Hannah’s story from the last volume, quickly pulling readers in to Hannah and her husband Isaac’s life after they fled Vienna for Constantinople. The couple and Matteo, the child Hannah rescued from the hands of his greedy uncles who planned to murder him, were living quietly, as Isaac worked his silk business, Hannah remained a respected midwife at the Imperial Palace and they recovered from Foscari and Cesca's failed attempt to kidnap Matteo and seize the child’s vast fortune. The greedy couple were caught and the Valide, the Sultan’s powerful mother, banished them from the city, ordering they be taken to the docks and sent off across the sea. However, Foscari had judicially placed a few gold coins in the right hands at the right time, their shackles were released and heads turned, as he and Cesca melted off into the crowds. The two hid for several months, waiting for Hannah and Isaac to let down their guard to make another attempt to kidnap the child. The riches they coveted were too great to give up after just a single attempt.

Rich continues the story which finds Matteo with Cesca in Vienna, staying at the run-down villa on the di Padovani estate while her business partner Foscari addresses the courts to secure the documents appointing him as Matteo's guardian. But what he thought would be a simple matter becomes more complicated when the judge refuses to accept Foscari’s claims and insists on more evidence to support his request. He wants to meet the young child and have the midwife who delivered him identify the boy as the child she had helped the late Contessa deliver. If the midwife fails to appear before him, he will allow the estate to pass to the local monks who began a claim on the estate some time ago. Foscari and Cesca have no time to waste; they must find a way to lure Hannah to Vienna and prepare Matteo to face the judge. It won’t be easy as Hannah has no intention of returning to Vienna, knowing if she does, she will be arrested. She had not only left the city with a Christian child who was not hers and was raising him as a Jew, but she also hides a dark secret she has kept to herself. That to escape Vienna alive with Matteo, she had to kill a man.

The business partnership of Foscari and Cesca continues to be challenged by their greed, each determined to get what they want. Their plan to steal Matteo’s estate meets unexpected hurdles as the five-year-old Matteo takes a dislike to Foscari and is not as compliant he needs to be to testify convincingly before the court. They also never expected the judge would demand Hannah testify, so they now have two new problems: ensure Matteo accepts the role he must perform in court and find a way to coax Hannah to travel to Vienna.

Hannah has proved to be a strong character who accepts her life filled with its many limitations. She has endured years of religious racism and lived much of her life in a crowded one room tenement in the Vienna ghetto, worked as a midwife and invented a pair of “birthing spoons” to help women during difficult deliveries. She has never failed to live a hard-working and faithful wife and although naïve, is also kind. One cannot help but root for her as she navigates a difficult life.

Rich fills out the details between the plots of the last volume and this conclusion, once again easily recapturing her readers’ attention in the first pages, describing the ongoing story with rich historic detail of 16th century Venice and bringing a comfortable but predictable conclusion to the trilogy. It has been an enjoyable read, but must be read in the correct sequence to be fully appreciated.

[Em Jay]

**I received this book through a Goodreads Giveaway**

I'd read the first book in Roberta Rich's trilogy a few years back, and I hadn't so much as seen the second one, so I was initially a bit worried that skipping ahead to the third would be confusing. But for anyone who is wondering, this title stands alone well by itself.
The descriptions in this book are incredibly vivid. The smells and sounds and sights of 16th-century Venice are easy to imagine, from the ghetto to the villas; it really is like being transported to another time and place. Historical fiction can be dry, but Rich does an excellent job of making the world feel alive.
Hannah is nothing special as a protagonist, but her compassion and the trials she's forced to endure make it impossible to dislike her. Cesca and Foscari were great, tricksey villains, and I actually enjoyed how Matteo was a bit of a brat. Angel children are overdone and, let's face it, not realistic.
The plot moved quickly, never dropping my attention. Although there were a few moments that felt glossed over or unrealistic, there was nothing so glaring that it detracted from the plot. I will definitely try to fill in the gaps I missed with this trilogy!

[Christine]

The last novel of the trilogy! I wish there were more to come 🥺!

Hannah, the Jewish midwife who worked in the Sultan's harem (in the second novel) is at long last pregnant! Isaac's and her happiness has however been brought to a brutal stop when Matteo, the wealthy gentile child she had saved in Venice, got kidnapped and brought back to Venice! Indeed, a rogue (Forscari) intends to steal Matteo's fortune by pretending to be his only relative left (Matteo's parents and uncles had died of the plague or murdered in the first book). Pregnancy or her husband's authority will not stop intrepid Hannah to follow on to Venice in search of Matteo.... Hannah will encounter a turbulent flow of incidents, deceits before she even sees Matteo.....: gripping plot!
What I loved in this novel is the vivid depiction of Venice, experienced through all senses: the smell of food, of many people living in close proximity, of 16th century Venice, prison; I could perfectly visualise their clothes, their faces, their houses and their surroundings; I could hear the nuns chanting... I love it when I can completely get immersed in a world other than mine!
I loved the characters as well, the reckless Hannah, the more sensible Isaac, the children...
The end turned up much too early!!!

[Aya]

*** ספר שלישי בטרילוגיה. קדמו לו: המיילדת מוונציה והמיילדת מן ההרמון.

בספר הזה מגיעה חנה לוונציה כדי לקחת את מתיאו. העניינים מסתבכים בגלל פרנצ'סקה ופוסקארי שמתכננים להעמיד את חנה למשפט, לקבל אפוטרופסות על עיזבונו של מתיאו ובכך לנשל אותו. השופט לא נעתר לבקשתו של פוסקארי והתנה אותה בהתייצבותם של חנה ומתיאו בפניו למתן עדות.

הספר מסופר בגוף שלישי כיאה לז'אנר הרומן ההיסטורי. דווקא את הספר הזה אהבתי בסדרה כי האירועים לא נמרחים בו כמו בשני קודמיו (אני בדעת מיעוט). אהבתי את דמותו של מתאו שמפגין בגרות לגילו מבחינת אינטליגנציה. המתח בין אופיים של חנה ושל איזק עדיין נוכח פה ואותו אהבתי. תיעבתי כמה מדמויות המשנה ובמיוחד בגלל המניעים האישיים של כל אחת מהן בין אם הוקעה על רקע דתי או פעולה על בסיס אינטרס אישי. הסוף הוא הסוף המתבקש כאשר נסגרות כל הפינות בעלילה הזו.

לטעמי אפשר בהחלט להסתפק בספר הזה מכל הסדרה כי בתקציר בכריכה האחורית יש תמצות של שני הספרים הראשונים, ובעלילה עצמה ישנן התייחסויות לאירועים המרכזיים בשני הספרים הקודמים ובכך הן התקציר והן הכתיבה מייתרים את שני הראשונים לטעמי. בסוף הספר מביאה הסופרת כמה מהמתכונים שמופיעים בספר וכן רשימת ביבליוגרפיה לקריאה נוספת במקורות בהם השתמשה הסופרת לצורך המחקר לקראת כתיבת הספר.

מוזמנים לעקוב אחר סקירותיי:
http://bit.ly/2FBDwzz

[Lucy Black]

A Trial in Venice by Roberta Rich is the third book in her midwife trilogy. Filled with amazing historical details about the courts, prisons, orphanages and Jewish ghetto in the Venice of 1575, this book is utterly captivating. Hannah, a Jewish midwife of some repute, returns to the city from Constantinople where she has been living with her husband and daughter. In a previous book, we learned that Hannah stole a Christian baby boy away from his uncle, who intended to murder him since the child was titled and wealthy. Hannah’s “stolen” son, Matteo, has now been kidnapped by a cunning pair who also wish to seize his inheritance. Hannah travels to Venice intending to once again save Matteo’s life and protect him from those who would bring him to harm. Instead, Hannah is imprisoned by the authorities, who believe that she has nefarious intentions. The character descriptions are vivid and well drawn, the description is graphic and visual, and the plot, as it unfolds, is well-paced and credible. Rich has written yet another masterful book of historical fiction. Recommended.

[G. Ludlow]

A Trial in Venice is a very satisfying conclusion to Roberta Rich’s Midwife Trilogy. The villains inveigle Hannah away from her comfortable life in Constantinople and she is once again thrust into the streets of Venice. Only a shaky disguise seems to protect her from the dangers of imprisonment and execution.
Rich’s descriptive passages make the feel of the streets, the smells, the feelings, waft off the page at every turn. I felt for Hannah; her dilemmas, her dangers.
The resolution is riveting and engaging. Often with a trilogy the ending can be quite sudden and all the troubles just smooth away. Not with A Trial in Venice. The ending is a page turner, and the conclusion satisfying.
I recommend this book and this trilogy to anyone who enjoys a good historical novel, where the story is not just a succession of princesses kiting through the castle, but a gripping tale which thrusts you into the era with all its smells, fears and prejudices.

[Desislava Filipova]

Трилогията на Роберта Рич за Акушерката от Венеция е доста далеч от исторически роман, но Италия ми е слабост и понякога чета подобни книги основно заради атмосферата. Историята е изцяло измислена, а реалните факти и личности са много малко.
Най-големият недостатък на жанра е, че сюжетът и действията на героите са твърде нетипични за епохата, а развръзката е предвидима и все пак поне за малко се почувствах отново във Венеция.
Еврейката Хана е акушерка, която притежава ценни умения и е много търсена, по стечение на обстоятелствата помага при раждането на наследника на богатата венецианска фамилия Ди Падовани - Матео. Единствен той оцелява от чумна епидемия и в безизходицата си, Хана напуска Венеция с него, за да се установи в Константинопол. Отношенията между евреи и християни са интересни, изпълнени са с предразсъдъци и суеверия. Маркиз Фоскари отвлича Матео, за да се опита да присвои богатството му, но това не се оказва толкова лесно.

[Michelle]

(3.5 stars) This is the third book in the trilogy. Hannah must return to Venice to attempt to get back her adopted son, Matteo from Foscari and Cesca who want to use him to get his inheritance. But Hannah realizes that she puts herself at risk of imprisonment and possibly death because of her status as a Jew who took a Christian child. She is encouraged to masquerade as a nun to allow her to navigate more easily. While Foscari struggles to mold Matteo’s testimony, Cesca has her own plans, particularly concerning the villa that Foscari has promised to her, a promise that she finds out he has no intention of keeping. Hannah winds between the ghetto and her brother’s family and the outside world of Venice to try to get to Matteo. But the plots between Cesca and Foscari make things even more complex. Hannah will have one chance to remedy the situation, but she must make some life changing decisions in order to have a chance to survive.

[Laura Myers]

The last few books I read have been a bit fluffy and honestly, not very interesting. I found this book in my bookshelf and I don’t even know where it came from. It looked appealing so I dug in. I was immediately drawn into the story and the main character. I wanted to find out what happened to her and how she found herself in the opening predicament. The plot takes a few interesting turns and it was worth the read despite the anti climactic ending.

After reading this book, I found out that it is the third book in a trilogy so I think if I had read the first two books, I would have been much more satisfied with the ending.

[Ann Boytim]

3.5 Hannah Levy returns to Venice even though she knows she is a wanted woman as a Jew ands a midwife but she must try and find her adopted son Matteo who has been kidnapped. Hannah is now pregnant b ut leaves behind her adopted daughter Jessica and her husband. Hannah knows who kidnapped Matteo and who wants his fortune . Hannah ends up at her estranged brothers home but he agrees to let the past go and shelter her while she is searching but Hannah ends up in prison. If Hannah's baby is born in prison she will then be hanged and her baby thrown in the canal so all efforts must be made for her release.

[Suzanne Montigny]

A very enthusiastic thumbs up. I found out about this novel from watching an interview on Global TV in Vancouver. I bought the first two of the series, and loved them, but I didn't get around to this one until two days ago when I came down with the flu. Well, what better way to be sick than bide your time away with a book as excellent as this one. This writing is extraordinary and so is the storytelling. I didn't have a single moment of boredom. This was an amazing story and I'm so sad to have finished it. It's like I've lost my best friend.

[Audrey]

Hannah Levi was raising the son of Venetian lord when suddenly the child was kidnapped for devious purposes. She quickly leaves Constantinople and returns to Venice in the hopes of rescuing Matteo whom she considered her son. Unfortunately to raise a Christian child as a Jew was considered a criminal and as a result her life is in danger. A trial is held to find out whom should be the rightful guardian of the lad. As a Jewess in the 1500s, Hannah didn't have much going for her but all is well that ends well.

[Linda Oleszczuk]

Finishing the story of Hannah and Isaac, the action travels back to Venice, circa 1580. No love between Jews and Christians, Hannah is facing prison to save her son. Enter Foscari and Cesca, scheming to get their hands on the fortune of heir Matteo, and the story comes to its conclusion. Some surprises keep the story moving and the reader engaged. I recommend the trilogy highly to lovers of historical fiction. Engrossing characters are this author’s specialty!

[Elsa Wolf]

I can’t praise this trilogy enough. In the third book, Isaac and Hannah are separated by geographic miles again. Their adopted son has been swept away by people he knows, but their intentions are not honorable. Hannah returns to Venice against Isaac’s wishes to rescue their son. I will say, even though I flew through all the books, this wasn't my favorite of the three. Yet, I would still recommend reading each one.

The Midwife of Venice, The Harem Midwife, and A Trial in Venice.

[Angela]

A great conclusion to the trilogy. The first book was my favourite but it's always nice when a series wraps up completely - and this series did. The first 1/2 of the book was slightly slow and not super engaging, but the last half, especially the trial, was quick and interesting. If you read the other books, you will enjoy this conclusion.

[Bianca]

De makkelijke schrijfstijl maakt dit deel in de serie heerlijk toegankelijk. In een paar uur vloog ik door de pagina`s en het verhaal speelde zich af voor mijn ogen. Prachtig, Venetië, uit het verleden uiteraard, geheel aansluitend bij het eerste deel dat zich in dezelfde stad afspeelde. Een fijne historische roman dus.