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The Hospital by the River
When gynecologists Catherine and Reg Hamlin left their home in Australia for Ethiopia, they never dreamed that they would establish what has been heralded as one of the most incredible medical programs in the modern world. But more than forty years later, the couple has operated on more than 20,000 women, most of whom suffer from obstetric fistula, a debilitating childbirth injury. In this awe-inspiring book, Dr. Catherine Hamlin recalls her life and career in Ethiopia. Her unyielding courage and solid faith will astound Christians worldwide as she talks about the people she has grown to love and the hospital that so many Ethiopian women have come to depend on. She truly is the Mother Teresa of our age.
312 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
111 people are currently reading
3816 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Hamlin
5 books12 followersElinor Catherine Nicholson was born on January 24th, 1924 in Sydney. Following an innate desire to help women and children, she enrolled in medicine, graduating from the University of Sydney’s Medical School in 1946. After completing internships at two Sydney hospitals, Catherine accepted a residency in obstetrics at Sydney’s highly regarded Crown Street Women’s Hospital. It was at Crown Street that she met and fell in love Dr Reginald (Reg) Hamlin. They married in 1950 and had a son, Richard, in 1952.
In 1958, the Hamlins answered an advertisement in The Lancet medical journal for gynaecologists to set up a school of midwifery in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
In 1983, Catherine was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) and in 1995 appointed to the higher rank in the Order, a Companion (AC) for ‘service to gynaecology in developing countries particularly in the field of fistula surgery and for humanitarian service to improving the health dignity and self-esteem of women in Ethiopia’. In 2001, the Australian Government recognised Catherine’s ‘long and outstanding service to international development in Africa’ by awarding her the Australian Centenary Medal. In recognition of her humanitarian work in Ethiopia she was included on the Australian Living Legends list in 2004. In 2009, Catherine was awarded the Right Livelihood Award, sometimes referred to as the Alternate Nobel Prize. In 2011 she was among 50 prominent Australians invited by Her Excellency the Governor-General Quentin Bryce to lunch with the Queen. In 2015, Catherine received the Australian Medical Association’s President’s Award. In 2017, a Sydney Ferries Emerald-class ferry was named the ‘Catherine Hamlin’ after thousands of Australian supporters voted for her.
Catherine published her autobiography, co-written with Australian journalist and author John Little, The Hospital by the River: a story of hope in 2001. In the book, Catherine makes clear that she and Reg saw their work as one of Christian compassion for the suffering.
Then in 2004, she was profiled internationally on the Oprah Winfrey Show giving the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital the kind of worldwide publicity that Reg could never have imagined.
Despite all these tributes, Catherine was always humbled in the extreme by all the media attention and awards. Drawing on the courage of Ethiopian women is what inspired her to accept such accolades, and awards were always an opportunity to promote the heartbreaking plight of the fistula patients and the needs of the hospitals treating them.
Catherine was most proud of her Hamlin Model of Care – holistic healing that is part of every patient’s treatment. “We don’t just treat the hole in the bladder, we treat the whole patient with love and tender care, literacy and numeracy classes, a brand-new dress and money to travel home.”
“Most of her 96 years were generously given to help the poor women of our country with traumatic birth injuries. We are all thankful for Catherine’s lifelong dedication. We promise to continue her legacy and realise her dream to eradicate fistula from Ethiopia. Forever,” said Tesfaye Mamo, Chief Executive Officer of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia.
- obituary Hamlin.org
In 1958, the Hamlins answered an advertisement in The Lancet medical journal for gynaecologists to set up a school of midwifery in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
In 1983, Catherine was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) and in 1995 appointed to the higher rank in the Order, a Companion (AC) for ‘service to gynaecology in developing countries particularly in the field of fistula surgery and for humanitarian service to improving the health dignity and self-esteem of women in Ethiopia’. In 2001, the Australian Government recognised Catherine’s ‘long and outstanding service to international development in Africa’ by awarding her the Australian Centenary Medal. In recognition of her humanitarian work in Ethiopia she was included on the Australian Living Legends list in 2004. In 2009, Catherine was awarded the Right Livelihood Award, sometimes referred to as the Alternate Nobel Prize. In 2011 she was among 50 prominent Australians invited by Her Excellency the Governor-General Quentin Bryce to lunch with the Queen. In 2015, Catherine received the Australian Medical Association’s President’s Award. In 2017, a Sydney Ferries Emerald-class ferry was named the ‘Catherine Hamlin’ after thousands of Australian supporters voted for her.
Catherine published her autobiography, co-written with Australian journalist and author John Little, The Hospital by the River: a story of hope in 2001. In the book, Catherine makes clear that she and Reg saw their work as one of Christian compassion for the suffering.
Then in 2004, she was profiled internationally on the Oprah Winfrey Show giving the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital the kind of worldwide publicity that Reg could never have imagined.
Despite all these tributes, Catherine was always humbled in the extreme by all the media attention and awards. Drawing on the courage of Ethiopian women is what inspired her to accept such accolades, and awards were always an opportunity to promote the heartbreaking plight of the fistula patients and the needs of the hospitals treating them.
Catherine was most proud of her Hamlin Model of Care – holistic healing that is part of every patient’s treatment. “We don’t just treat the hole in the bladder, we treat the whole patient with love and tender care, literacy and numeracy classes, a brand-new dress and money to travel home.”
“Most of her 96 years were generously given to help the poor women of our country with traumatic birth injuries. We are all thankful for Catherine’s lifelong dedication. We promise to continue her legacy and realise her dream to eradicate fistula from Ethiopia. Forever,” said Tesfaye Mamo, Chief Executive Officer of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia.
- obituary Hamlin.org
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 245 reviews
January 15, 2011
Let me get this part out of the way first - this was not a well-written book. Unfortunately. It could have been so much better. So much more could have been added into it. And I wish it had.
This book is about the fistula hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The one that Abraham Verghese based the fistula department at Missing Hospital on in his book. How do I know this? I read the acknowledgements at the end of "Cutting For Stone" and he mentioned this book.
The story follows Reg and Catherine Hamlin, both ob/gyns, their life in Ethiopia, and how they came about beginning the Fistula Hospital In Addis Ababa. It is truly an inspiring story which brings in the history of Ethiopia - revolutions, emperors, etc - along with the life of the Hamlins. That is all fine and dandy, but the book would begin one topic and suddenly switch to another. It didn't flow very well and devote its time to the fistula hospital. I feel it didn't go into the story of the fistula pilgrims and their plight enough.
I have to admire both Hamlins. What they have done is an incredible endeavor, one that I wish I would have the guts to do - to help people no matter the cost, the inconvenience, the distance from family. These women - and they are in the thousands - go through something our western society could not even imagine. Days of labor with no help, squatting in a dirt floored hut with no clean water. The baby dies unable to be delivered and the woman (or young girl) is left for a lifetime of being ostracized because of her smell, no control of her bodily functions, her husband has left her, and she is left to beg and live a life alone. Being cured by the surgery that the Hamlins have pioneered makes their lives, in three short weeks, totally change. They become beautiful again and a member of society. What is sad, is that there are so many more women going through this horrible injury even today.
The story itself is such a worthwhile one to know. I only wish that this book had been better written.
This book is about the fistula hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The one that Abraham Verghese based the fistula department at Missing Hospital on in his book. How do I know this? I read the acknowledgements at the end of "Cutting For Stone" and he mentioned this book.
The story follows Reg and Catherine Hamlin, both ob/gyns, their life in Ethiopia, and how they came about beginning the Fistula Hospital In Addis Ababa. It is truly an inspiring story which brings in the history of Ethiopia - revolutions, emperors, etc - along with the life of the Hamlins. That is all fine and dandy, but the book would begin one topic and suddenly switch to another. It didn't flow very well and devote its time to the fistula hospital. I feel it didn't go into the story of the fistula pilgrims and their plight enough.
I have to admire both Hamlins. What they have done is an incredible endeavor, one that I wish I would have the guts to do - to help people no matter the cost, the inconvenience, the distance from family. These women - and they are in the thousands - go through something our western society could not even imagine. Days of labor with no help, squatting in a dirt floored hut with no clean water. The baby dies unable to be delivered and the woman (or young girl) is left for a lifetime of being ostracized because of her smell, no control of her bodily functions, her husband has left her, and she is left to beg and live a life alone. Being cured by the surgery that the Hamlins have pioneered makes their lives, in three short weeks, totally change. They become beautiful again and a member of society. What is sad, is that there are so many more women going through this horrible injury even today.
The story itself is such a worthwhile one to know. I only wish that this book had been better written.
November 18, 2018
Very good book about Catherine and Reg Hamlin, and their work in Ethiopia providing surgery for women who suffer from obstetric fistula. What a horrible condition. What wonderful people to devote themselves to helping.
3 Stars = I liked the book. I'm glad I read it.
3 Stars = I liked the book. I'm glad I read it.
March 6, 2015
Although the writing doesn't really do it justice, this story covers such a fascinating topic and admirable story. I had some trouble with the structure that I suspect could have been solved by making this a memoir rather than an autobiography -- it's a lot less interesting to hear about the author's parents and grandparents, and their missionary work, than it is to hear about the work the author's work in Ethiopia. The longer the period that a book aims to cover, the less depth it can go into in any given part of that period, and we see that here -- patients whose cases are described as especially unique, or workers at the hospital, are introduced in a paragraph or two and then never mentioned again. Outside the author's immediate family and the hospital structure itself, there isn't a great deal of continuity.
None of that, I will note, detracts from the impressive work they did (and that the author still does). I am not interested in their missionary agenda, but (luckily for me) the book is relatively subdued on that end. It does occasionally get a bit more political than I would have preferred (and I never quite figured out why she finds birth control to be useless in terms of helping young patients avoid fistulae; I understand that the ability to have children is hugely important in that part of the world, and that the patients they treat have already gotten pregnant and so on, but -- isn't there something to be said for preventive care? If girls not only married older -- as she recommends -- but had access to birth control, they might be less likely to get pregnant before their bodies were ready).
Oops, now I'm falling into the political, or at least the ideological.
Anyway. I struggled at first with the heavy emphasis on their social life -- descriptions of people they knew, various princesses, et cetera. It ended up making a great deal of sense in the long run, given the events of the 70s and Selassie's deposal and so on, but the hospital is the real star of the show here. (There were some little -- unintentionally funny? -- gems, such as 'Another question that caused great anxiety was that the Duke wanted thrones for the evening dinner party and the Queen did not. The Queen eventually had her way' (page 134), but I have to say that I would have taken more detailed descriptions of the patients and their learning curve and so on over attention to their -- admittedly rich -- social lives.)
(While I'm at it: I did find her surprise at the lavishness of the American lifestyle to be quite funny -- not that the average American standard of living isn't very different than the average Ethiopian standard of living, but of course the people she were visiting had particular wealth; she was fundraising!)
Anyway, anyway. I knew about fistulae but not exactly how they were caused, and in terms of educating me a bit this helped a great deal. I loved reading about the patients -- the particular problems they faced, the way some of them ended up working at the hospital, the lengths to which they had to go to get treatment. Take the woman who spent seven years begging before she could get bus fare to get to the hospital. Seven years. Focusing more on these stories, and on fuller pictures of the women involved -- or perhaps walking through, in detail, one woman's time at the hospital -- would have made this a stronger book, but it's still an impressive story.
None of that, I will note, detracts from the impressive work they did (and that the author still does). I am not interested in their missionary agenda, but (luckily for me) the book is relatively subdued on that end. It does occasionally get a bit more political than I would have preferred (and I never quite figured out why she finds birth control to be useless in terms of helping young patients avoid fistulae; I understand that the ability to have children is hugely important in that part of the world, and that the patients they treat have already gotten pregnant and so on, but -- isn't there something to be said for preventive care? If girls not only married older -- as she recommends -- but had access to birth control, they might be less likely to get pregnant before their bodies were ready).
Oops, now I'm falling into the political, or at least the ideological.
Anyway. I struggled at first with the heavy emphasis on their social life -- descriptions of people they knew, various princesses, et cetera. It ended up making a great deal of sense in the long run, given the events of the 70s and Selassie's deposal and so on, but the hospital is the real star of the show here. (There were some little -- unintentionally funny? -- gems, such as 'Another question that caused great anxiety was that the Duke wanted thrones for the evening dinner party and the Queen did not. The Queen eventually had her way' (page 134), but I have to say that I would have taken more detailed descriptions of the patients and their learning curve and so on over attention to their -- admittedly rich -- social lives.)
(While I'm at it: I did find her surprise at the lavishness of the American lifestyle to be quite funny -- not that the average American standard of living isn't very different than the average Ethiopian standard of living, but of course the people she were visiting had particular wealth; she was fundraising!)
Anyway, anyway. I knew about fistulae but not exactly how they were caused, and in terms of educating me a bit this helped a great deal. I loved reading about the patients -- the particular problems they faced, the way some of them ended up working at the hospital, the lengths to which they had to go to get treatment. Take the woman who spent seven years begging before she could get bus fare to get to the hospital. Seven years. Focusing more on these stories, and on fuller pictures of the women involved -- or perhaps walking through, in detail, one woman's time at the hospital -- would have made this a stronger book, but it's still an impressive story.
January 12, 2022
The story is inspirational. The story-TELLING was a little rambling. The woman running the hospital is a hero, truly she is. It could have been a fantastic book, because it is truly a fantastic story. She has lived an incredibly adventurous life doing so much wonderful good in this world. She is a light in a dark place, and so is this little hospital! Many lives are being saved there, giving hope to those who are unloved, unnoticed, and uncared for. They have changed their little corner of the world and they inspire others to do the same. Their humility and hard work is worth noticing, worth emulating. This is such a hopeful story… I just wish the book had been edited a little better.
November 14, 2024
This book convinced me that I know so little about Ethiopian history. It was nice learning new things. Catherine’s operation( code name for how the emperor's grandchildren were smuggled out of Ethiopia) was a facinating story. But the politics talk just took over. I was a bit annoyed by the detailed descriptions of parties with the royals, not to mention the dressmakers and ponies. They’re clearly supporters of the monarch, and nothing after the emperor impressed them.
At times, the book feels gossipy. For example, “Myra and Lucy were older and Iris was much younger – I think she was unplanned.” Is that really necessary? Especially when it doesn't contribute anything to the story.
Reading this was like going on a walk with grandpa; he hasn’t updated his vocabulary since the 50s, so he keeps saying things that are outmoded, and you’re nervously glancing around to see if anyone overheard. That’s exactly how I felt whenever she said "peasants," even after the feudal system had been abolished.
This book reveals all the hidden garbage we’ve shoved under the rug to maintain the illusion of progress and development. It left me feeling small and ashamed.
I love the Hamlins, though. I never knew about her husband, they were a great team.
At times, the book feels gossipy. For example, “Myra and Lucy were older and Iris was much younger – I think she was unplanned.” Is that really necessary? Especially when it doesn't contribute anything to the story.
Reading this was like going on a walk with grandpa; he hasn’t updated his vocabulary since the 50s, so he keeps saying things that are outmoded, and you’re nervously glancing around to see if anyone overheard. That’s exactly how I felt whenever she said "peasants," even after the feudal system had been abolished.
This book reveals all the hidden garbage we’ve shoved under the rug to maintain the illusion of progress and development. It left me feeling small and ashamed.
I love the Hamlins, though. I never knew about her husband, they were a great team.
February 16, 2018
I read this shortly after it was released nearly 13 years ago. I was overwhelmed and amazed at the suffering of the women not just their physical issues but the treatment they received by their community and family of total ostracism. As they found hope with a relatively simple surgery done by loving medical providers at no cost. The medical team did this as an act of love. Their intention to demonstrate to those suffering that a loving God wanted them healed.
There were many times I cried while reading. I am not talking a tear or two. These women had no hope. The surgery changed not only how others saw them but how they saw themselves. '
If you want to read a book that will lift you up and encourage you, this will do it.
There were many times I cried while reading. I am not talking a tear or two. These women had no hope. The surgery changed not only how others saw them but how they saw themselves. '
If you want to read a book that will lift you up and encourage you, this will do it.
November 14, 2017
Wonderful and inspiring book about Catherine and her husband Reginald Hamlin's dedication to helping fistula patients around the world.
When Catherine and Reg arrived in Ethiopia for a three year stint – to be employed as obstetricians-gynaecologists by the Ethiopian Ministry of Health at the Princess Tsehai Memorial Hospital in Addis, they had no idea they were about to embark on their life's work - the treatment and prevention of fistula caused by obstructed labour. In rural Ethiopia and in much of Africa and South Asia, young women (often still children or 13 or 14) give birth without midwives or doctors. Obstructed labours lasting 4 - 5 days result in a dead and decomposing stillborn child and the pressure of the head breaks down the tissues between the vagina and the bladder and/or bowel - with resulting in constant and unrelenting incontinence, abandonment, isolation and poverty – for years and even decades. It was the plight of these women that inspired Catherine and Reg to learn how to repair the injuries (often seen as unrepairable), to establish a special hospital for the ‘fistula pilgrims’, to provide futures for the women and to train nurses, doctors and midwives.
In The Hospital by the River Catherine (with John Little) tells her and Reg's story, which is also the story of Ethiopia, the Hospital, and the Fistula pilgrims. The story rarely gets bogged down and is full of gripping stories, exciting events and inspiring vision and often brings a tear to the eyes.
The book finishes about 2000 (a few years after Reg's death), with Catherine still in Ethiopia at 77 years old. She was still there fourteen years later in 2014 http://www.smh.com.au/national/cather... and indeed to this day (2017)- a mighty woman inspired by her faith and compassion.
When Catherine and Reg arrived in Ethiopia for a three year stint – to be employed as obstetricians-gynaecologists by the Ethiopian Ministry of Health at the Princess Tsehai Memorial Hospital in Addis, they had no idea they were about to embark on their life's work - the treatment and prevention of fistula caused by obstructed labour. In rural Ethiopia and in much of Africa and South Asia, young women (often still children or 13 or 14) give birth without midwives or doctors. Obstructed labours lasting 4 - 5 days result in a dead and decomposing stillborn child and the pressure of the head breaks down the tissues between the vagina and the bladder and/or bowel - with resulting in constant and unrelenting incontinence, abandonment, isolation and poverty – for years and even decades. It was the plight of these women that inspired Catherine and Reg to learn how to repair the injuries (often seen as unrepairable), to establish a special hospital for the ‘fistula pilgrims’, to provide futures for the women and to train nurses, doctors and midwives.
In The Hospital by the River Catherine (with John Little) tells her and Reg's story, which is also the story of Ethiopia, the Hospital, and the Fistula pilgrims. The story rarely gets bogged down and is full of gripping stories, exciting events and inspiring vision and often brings a tear to the eyes.
The book finishes about 2000 (a few years after Reg's death), with Catherine still in Ethiopia at 77 years old. She was still there fourteen years later in 2014 http://www.smh.com.au/national/cather... and indeed to this day (2017)- a mighty woman inspired by her faith and compassion.
September 12, 2008
What I love about this book is its story of transformation. It is only near the end of the book that Catherine Hamlin refers to the fistula patients as butterflies emerging from the chrysalis, but the stories from beginning to end are each as beautiful as the other. Hopelessness transformed into hope. Sadness to joy. Shame to dignity. Tears to beaming smiles. Rags to dresses. It is simply breathtaking. The same story over and over, and yet poignant every time with each new individual patient.
What I also love about this book is how it reveals God’s sovereignty. To read someone’s entire life story from cover to cover displays the woven thread of God’s master plan. He chooses one life. To that life He adds experience. He adds relationship. He adds joy and tragedy. Each and every part enhances His matchless creative work in loving His children and bringing due glory to Himself. It has been an extraordinary privilege to read this book and I hope to somehow carry on the legacy of a life fully devoted to God.
What I also love about this book is how it reveals God’s sovereignty. To read someone’s entire life story from cover to cover displays the woven thread of God’s master plan. He chooses one life. To that life He adds experience. He adds relationship. He adds joy and tragedy. Each and every part enhances His matchless creative work in loving His children and bringing due glory to Himself. It has been an extraordinary privilege to read this book and I hope to somehow carry on the legacy of a life fully devoted to God.
January 13, 2016
An amazing life lived to help others. Loved reading of the early years of this pioneering couple of surgeons who have changed countless lives in their work. Their love of Africa and its people shines through.
August 7, 2012
Just Wow!! What an amazing couple. The stories of the Ethiopian women both break your heart and humble you through their incredible resilience and dignity under such horrendous conditions.
June 20, 2018
Read this. Just do it. Amazing autobiography of Christian missionaries saving the lives of women all over Ethiopia.
May 9, 2025
Recommend to me by my overlords. Obvy a very good story and what not. But I found the writing kinda random at some points. Like long explanations of irrelevant events and repetitive in parts. Overall enjoyed it but could've been written better
August 25, 2019
If there was a way of me giving this book 10 stars I would. A few weeks ago I bought this book on Kindle and am now going to buy a hard copy so I can lend it to lots of people. Dr Catherine Hamlin and her husband Reg have saved so many women's lives in Ethiopia and other places it is a miracle.
When the rest of the world doesn't care they have responded. Obstructed childbirth is never seen in the Western world And yet in developing nations there are 2 million sufferers. When childbirth is obstructed for days at a time a fistula can form and as a result of these internal injuries the women are ostracised and live lonely existences. Today there are more fistula hospitals being established in Africa including those by Dr Andrew Browning and his auntie Nurse Valerie Browning (author of MAALIKA which I have not read yet but have a hard copy of). When we talk about sporting heroes I get so angry. Catherine and Reg Hamlin along with Andrew and Valerie Browning are world-class true heroes and deserve our support. The book (written with former 60 Minutes journalist John Little) will make you cry, not necessarily because of the sadness of the cases, but because of the way Catherine and Reg have turned the lives around of so many sufferers. Legends indeed! Imagine moving to Ethiopia and spending the rest of your life there through wars and famine. Read the book. It changed my life and it may impact you as well. I hope so.
When the rest of the world doesn't care they have responded. Obstructed childbirth is never seen in the Western world And yet in developing nations there are 2 million sufferers. When childbirth is obstructed for days at a time a fistula can form and as a result of these internal injuries the women are ostracised and live lonely existences. Today there are more fistula hospitals being established in Africa including those by Dr Andrew Browning and his auntie Nurse Valerie Browning (author of MAALIKA which I have not read yet but have a hard copy of). When we talk about sporting heroes I get so angry. Catherine and Reg Hamlin along with Andrew and Valerie Browning are world-class true heroes and deserve our support. The book (written with former 60 Minutes journalist John Little) will make you cry, not necessarily because of the sadness of the cases, but because of the way Catherine and Reg have turned the lives around of so many sufferers. Legends indeed! Imagine moving to Ethiopia and spending the rest of your life there through wars and famine. Read the book. It changed my life and it may impact you as well. I hope so.
March 6, 2015
From the Hamlin Fistula Hospital's website. You need to know what a fistula is to appreciate the work of Catherine Hamlin and her husband Reg in Ethiopia:
"Pregnant women in rural Ethiopia have little or no access to emergency obstetric services. If they are among the five percent of women worldwide who will face obstructed labour, they will be in agonising labour for days and days.
They almost always lose their baby and suffer horrific internal damage – sometimes the bladder is completely destroyed, sometimes the rectum is also damaged. They leak constantly and are pushed to the edge of their society, too filthy to be part of village life and considered a curse.
“I would rather have my arm cut off than live with this condition.” Yenenesh, aged 17.
=
- See more at: http://hamlin.org.au/#sthash.5WoCY4zd...
A worthier cause or a more inspiring life story is hard to find. The Hamlin's work on behalf of the women and girls of Ethiopia has been unceasing and revolutionary. Read Catherine's memoir and find ways today to become involved in their life and spirit saving work.
"Pregnant women in rural Ethiopia have little or no access to emergency obstetric services. If they are among the five percent of women worldwide who will face obstructed labour, they will be in agonising labour for days and days.
They almost always lose their baby and suffer horrific internal damage – sometimes the bladder is completely destroyed, sometimes the rectum is also damaged. They leak constantly and are pushed to the edge of their society, too filthy to be part of village life and considered a curse.
“I would rather have my arm cut off than live with this condition.” Yenenesh, aged 17.
=
- See more at: http://hamlin.org.au/#sthash.5WoCY4zd...
A worthier cause or a more inspiring life story is hard to find. The Hamlin's work on behalf of the women and girls of Ethiopia has been unceasing and revolutionary. Read Catherine's memoir and find ways today to become involved in their life and spirit saving work.
September 2, 2014
I had to push myself past the Christian propaganda to find an amazing story of tireless devotion to a life changing cause. Life changing, that is for more than 25000 women. I can only admire such selfless dedication to such a worthy cause in spite of the exhausting God/Jesus references. "To understand is to forgive" and the Hamlins needed to believe their work was inspired by God for numerous reasons. I am in no position to judge their faith however I would like to conclude with, if God sent them to do this work, why in the hell did he allow this retched condition to ever happen?
May 10, 2015
A fascinating account of how the Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia came to be. Unfortunately I agree with many of the other reviewers that although the content was interesting, the storytelling was choppy and it was not particularly well written - a shame really because the story, like the authors life work, is so compelling.
June 28, 2015
This was interesting to me especially because I was going to visit the hospital she founded in Addis Ababa, but the book was a bit too scattered and too religious for my taste. She does seem like an amazing person though, and I learned a lot about the condition of fistula.
December 7, 2009
It's amazing what one couple can do to change the lives of so many women. This book is life changing. I vote for Catherine to receive the Nobel Peace prize!
January 28, 2018
Review originally posted on A Keyboard and an Open Mind 29 January 2018:
The quote at the top of this review is not one from the book, as I usually do with reviews. Actually, I forgot to bookmark any. The quote is something Dr Hamlin’s son, Richard, said at her 90th birthday party, and it is absolutely true.
In 1959, Reg and Catherine Hamlin arrived in Ethiopia with the six-year-old son to being an OB/GYN and midwifery school in Addis Ababa. After realising the sheer numbers of women in Ethiopia who suffer from a traumatic childbirth-related injury, obstetric fistula, the Hamlins made it their life’s work to cure as many women as possible. This led to the opening of the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, which has now been operating for nearly 50 years.
I have to admit that there were times when this book challenged me a bit. In terms of personal values, Catherine and I are quite different. What I perceive as the great social movements of the 60s, Catherine viewed as degeneracy and worried for her son, whom she expected would finish his schooling in England. Catherine, a staunch Christian, does not believe in abortion; I do (and I’m rather of the opinion that religious beliefs shouldn’t get in the way of your medical profession). And yet, the great work that the Hamlins have done in Ethiopia tends to outweight all of that, proving that someone can have different values to you and still be a wonderful person.
It was quite fascinating to also learn about medical history, particularly the evolution of the fistula repair surgery, as wel as the history of Ethiopia. I had no idea that Sylvia Pankhurst, daughter of famed suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst, had spent much of her life campaigning for women in Ethiopia.
Some of the writing of the book seemed a bit choppy. It felt as though all the chapters had been written in isolation to one another, and that no one had tidied them up later. A medical procedure would be described in detail in one chapter, and then described again almost verbatim later. There were other smaller statements that would also feel a tad repetitive throughout the book. It also bothered me that there wasn’t any consistency regarding the plural of fistula: both fistulas and fistulae got used. I’m not sure if there was a reason for that; if so, it wasn’t explained and it felt a bit choppy.
Still, if you can put up with that, and are interested in any of the subject matter, then there’s a very good chance you will enjoy this book.
The quote at the top of this review is not one from the book, as I usually do with reviews. Actually, I forgot to bookmark any. The quote is something Dr Hamlin’s son, Richard, said at her 90th birthday party, and it is absolutely true.
In 1959, Reg and Catherine Hamlin arrived in Ethiopia with the six-year-old son to being an OB/GYN and midwifery school in Addis Ababa. After realising the sheer numbers of women in Ethiopia who suffer from a traumatic childbirth-related injury, obstetric fistula, the Hamlins made it their life’s work to cure as many women as possible. This led to the opening of the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, which has now been operating for nearly 50 years.
I have to admit that there were times when this book challenged me a bit. In terms of personal values, Catherine and I are quite different. What I perceive as the great social movements of the 60s, Catherine viewed as degeneracy and worried for her son, whom she expected would finish his schooling in England. Catherine, a staunch Christian, does not believe in abortion; I do (and I’m rather of the opinion that religious beliefs shouldn’t get in the way of your medical profession). And yet, the great work that the Hamlins have done in Ethiopia tends to outweight all of that, proving that someone can have different values to you and still be a wonderful person.
It was quite fascinating to also learn about medical history, particularly the evolution of the fistula repair surgery, as wel as the history of Ethiopia. I had no idea that Sylvia Pankhurst, daughter of famed suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst, had spent much of her life campaigning for women in Ethiopia.
Some of the writing of the book seemed a bit choppy. It felt as though all the chapters had been written in isolation to one another, and that no one had tidied them up later. A medical procedure would be described in detail in one chapter, and then described again almost verbatim later. There were other smaller statements that would also feel a tad repetitive throughout the book. It also bothered me that there wasn’t any consistency regarding the plural of fistula: both fistulas and fistulae got used. I’m not sure if there was a reason for that; if so, it wasn’t explained and it felt a bit choppy.
Still, if you can put up with that, and are interested in any of the subject matter, then there’s a very good chance you will enjoy this book.
August 21, 2013
I tend to avoid writing reviews, but this book is deserving of every star and review.
I first read this book when I was 14, and I was riveted from the first page. I became immersed, eager to know more about the lives of gynaecologists Catherine and Reg Hamlin. Catherine and Reg moved their (very) young children to Ethiopia, to build a hospital. They moved heaven and earth, giving their lives to women suffering from fistula. Often these women experienced traumatic childbirth which went terribly wrong, they were shunned to live in isolated huts; dirty, incontinent,soiled, severely damaged physically and emotionally.
Although this story is always written from Catherine and Reg's perspective, there are many individual stories of the women who passed through their hospital and became a part of Catherine and Reg's life, which are woven through too.
As we follow Catherine and Reg through their journey, we are offered a unique insight into the social, political, cultural religious experience of living in Ethiopia. I tend to avoid stories where religion is at the centre of the story teller's life, but in this case it only added to the richness of the story's fabric. At times, Catherine and Reg faced confrontation, conflict, and violence and I often had to put the book down and wait until morning for fear of nightmares. But Catherine and Reg share with us many moments of hope, celebration, joy and love too. I think that was why I was able to finish the book.
When I finished the last word in this book, I remember feeling like my life was incredibly small and pathetic in comparison to the magnitude of Catherine and Reg's life. I remember thinking; "I wish I could meet Catherine and Reg. I wish I could hug them and thank them. I wish I could have their intelligence, training and skill to use for the welfare of others, and I most certainly wish I had Catherine and Reg's unselfish courage."
Catherine and Reg's story has remained with me, and it is my most treasured book in my bookcase. I recently picked it up again and re-read it (now in my early 20s) wondering if I would have a different reaction to it. The story is just as profound today, as it was several years ago. It is a genuine, honest, awe-inspiring story written by awe-inspiring people. I recommend it to whom-ever I can!
I first read this book when I was 14, and I was riveted from the first page. I became immersed, eager to know more about the lives of gynaecologists Catherine and Reg Hamlin. Catherine and Reg moved their (very) young children to Ethiopia, to build a hospital. They moved heaven and earth, giving their lives to women suffering from fistula. Often these women experienced traumatic childbirth which went terribly wrong, they were shunned to live in isolated huts; dirty, incontinent,soiled, severely damaged physically and emotionally.
Although this story is always written from Catherine and Reg's perspective, there are many individual stories of the women who passed through their hospital and became a part of Catherine and Reg's life, which are woven through too.
As we follow Catherine and Reg through their journey, we are offered a unique insight into the social, political, cultural religious experience of living in Ethiopia. I tend to avoid stories where religion is at the centre of the story teller's life, but in this case it only added to the richness of the story's fabric. At times, Catherine and Reg faced confrontation, conflict, and violence and I often had to put the book down and wait until morning for fear of nightmares. But Catherine and Reg share with us many moments of hope, celebration, joy and love too. I think that was why I was able to finish the book.
When I finished the last word in this book, I remember feeling like my life was incredibly small and pathetic in comparison to the magnitude of Catherine and Reg's life. I remember thinking; "I wish I could meet Catherine and Reg. I wish I could hug them and thank them. I wish I could have their intelligence, training and skill to use for the welfare of others, and I most certainly wish I had Catherine and Reg's unselfish courage."
Catherine and Reg's story has remained with me, and it is my most treasured book in my bookcase. I recently picked it up again and re-read it (now in my early 20s) wondering if I would have a different reaction to it. The story is just as profound today, as it was several years ago. It is a genuine, honest, awe-inspiring story written by awe-inspiring people. I recommend it to whom-ever I can!
April 17, 2010
Awe inspiring. This is an autobiography that has changed my outlook on life and made me look both inwards and ponder the larger questions in life.
Dr Catherine Hamlin has dedicated her life to restoring dignity to women who have bourne more shame, pain and injustice than most of us can contemplate.
Her writing style is not close to being as engaging as her story is. She tells it simply, just as it is. Her life work is in Ethiopia, healing fistula patients, women who are incontinent of urine and faeces following birth trauma.
This is birth trauma that can only take place in a developing country. Think 3 - 7 days of labour, delivery of a dead baby usually before the age of 15 and in the coutryside, several days walk from a road.
I had watched the award winning documentary "A Walk to Beautiful" on pbs.org - http://video.pbs.org/video/980049841/
then I read everything online I could about Dr Hamlin while I waited for the book.
Dr Catherine Hamlin has dedicated her life to restoring dignity to women who have bourne more shame, pain and injustice than most of us can contemplate.
Her writing style is not close to being as engaging as her story is. She tells it simply, just as it is. Her life work is in Ethiopia, healing fistula patients, women who are incontinent of urine and faeces following birth trauma.
This is birth trauma that can only take place in a developing country. Think 3 - 7 days of labour, delivery of a dead baby usually before the age of 15 and in the coutryside, several days walk from a road.
I had watched the award winning documentary "A Walk to Beautiful" on pbs.org - http://video.pbs.org/video/980049841/
then I read everything online I could about Dr Hamlin while I waited for the book.
October 8, 2012
Catherine Hamlin is an inspirational woman.Her work has saved thousands of lives, and made life worth living for thousands of women.
Unfortunately, she doesn't bring the same skill and inspiration to her writing as she does to her medical work. Her magnificent story is told in a flat, uninteresting way, more of a straight narrative of facts.
Normally, this would be a big negative for me, but I felt that the work Dr Hamlin was describing, and its impact on the lives of the women she was working with in Ethiopia was so brilliant and visionary that the book made for a fascinating read.
I found this book enjoyable, educational and humbling. The writing wasn't the greatest, but that became only a secondary issue in the story of this woman's great work.
Unfortunately, she doesn't bring the same skill and inspiration to her writing as she does to her medical work. Her magnificent story is told in a flat, uninteresting way, more of a straight narrative of facts.
Normally, this would be a big negative for me, but I felt that the work Dr Hamlin was describing, and its impact on the lives of the women she was working with in Ethiopia was so brilliant and visionary that the book made for a fascinating read.
I found this book enjoyable, educational and humbling. The writing wasn't the greatest, but that became only a secondary issue in the story of this woman's great work.
January 17, 2019
I’ve toured Dr. Hamlin’s Fistula Hospital in Addis Ababa and met many of the current patients and staff very recently. I’ve travelled to Addis Ababa four times now and getting to see this beautiful place is a true joy. This book, while a bit choppy in the narrative, is obviously spoken from the heart and shares a very important story. The differences between the western world and the third world cannot be stated any more strongly then thru the suffering of these women. The arm of God is apparent at every corner and turning point of their journey.
June 14, 2011
I came away from this book feeling ashamed of all of my complaining about my petty little problems, and the way I cling to my small,selfish life. I can't imagine the kind of suffering so many women go through, and I can't imagine giving up my whole life to help others like that. The Hamlins were truly an amazing couple--they loved the work they did and they loved the women they helped. This is what true Christianity looks like.
February 5, 2015
The life work of these physicians is, of course, deserving of five stars. The writing is straight forward, actually it reminds me of the Christmas letters my mom writes every year- they tell the story of the year and everybody looks forward to reading them but they aren't great literature . In my mind's eye Dr Verghese's Cutting For Stone actually took me to this hospital on the river. This book gave truth and validity to that novel's setting.
February 6, 2015
An incredible story of two people bound by their faith and profound love for these tragic women. Few stories possess such incredible evidence for the power of love, perseverance and Christian faith. To dwell on any concerns for the writing style will distract from the true message of this story. What they have done for these women is incredible!!
December 25, 2012
Compelling book about using your God given gifts to change the world one person at a time. Amazing how God provided for all their needs no matter the circumstances and how He continues to bless the ministry of the Hamlins.
January 30, 2013
How lucky we are to take good health care for granted.This book shows the strenght and determination of just two people to change the lives of many.
August 1, 2013
This is one of the most powerful, moving books I have ever read. Drs. Reginald and Catherine Hamlin were beautiful, humble servants in God's kingdom. I wish I could have met them in person.
March 29, 2022
Wowee. This was so engaging.
Hospital by the River tells the beautiful story of an Australian couple, who moved to Ethiopia as Gyno/Obstetrician on a 3 year contract, and ended up staying their whole lives. They were a large part in revolutionising the treatment and surgical procedures for fistula's (which result from obstructed births, meaning women are in labor for 5+ days, with the baby dying early on. They then give birth to the half decaying baby and are left with bladder and/or bowel incontinence. Then they have to walk up to 500km to this hospital for treatment. It is basically unheard of in Australia because we have such great education and health care!)
They lived through the military coup in the 70's and the resultant Communist regime and famine. The history was super interesting, and so devastating. This book described many horrific situations and conditions, for example a woman who was mauled by a hyena during childbirth in a remote village, and it ate the baby as she was giving birth. Not for the faint hearted, but it is seriously interesting, inspiring and tugs on the heart strings.
Hospital by the River tells the beautiful story of an Australian couple, who moved to Ethiopia as Gyno/Obstetrician on a 3 year contract, and ended up staying their whole lives. They were a large part in revolutionising the treatment and surgical procedures for fistula's (which result from obstructed births, meaning women are in labor for 5+ days, with the baby dying early on. They then give birth to the half decaying baby and are left with bladder and/or bowel incontinence. Then they have to walk up to 500km to this hospital for treatment. It is basically unheard of in Australia because we have such great education and health care!)
They lived through the military coup in the 70's and the resultant Communist regime and famine. The history was super interesting, and so devastating. This book described many horrific situations and conditions, for example a woman who was mauled by a hyena during childbirth in a remote village, and it ate the baby as she was giving birth. Not for the faint hearted, but it is seriously interesting, inspiring and tugs on the heart strings.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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