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Hannah Levi is renowned throughout Venice for her gift at coaxing reluctant babies from their mothers—a gift aided by the secret “birthing spoons” she designed. But when a count implores her to attend to his wife, who has been laboring for days to give birth to their firstborn son, Hannah is torn. A Papal edict forbids Jews from rendering medical treatment to Christians, but the payment he offers is enough to ransom her beloved husband, Isaac, who has been captured at sea. Can Hannah refuse her duty to a suffering woman? Hannah’s choice entangles her in a treacherous family rivalry that endangers the baby and threatens her voyage to Malta, where Isaac, believing her dead in the plague, is preparing to buy his passage to a new life. Not since The Red Tent or People of the Book has a novel transported readers so intimately into the complex lives of women centuries ago or so richly into a story of intrigue that transcends the boundaries of history.
"Riveting and compulsively readable,The Midwife of Venice combines fast- paced adventure with richly evocative historical writing." — Freshfiction.com
“A cliffhanger-strewn debut … breathless historical adventure.”—Kirkus Reviews
"Successfully captures the seedy side of 16-century Venice." — Publishers Weekly
"Rich’s fascinating historical details and her warm empathy for her protagonists will capture historical fiction fans and readers who enjoyed Anita Diamant’s The Red Tent." —Library Journal
“By definition, novels set in Venice must exude atmosphere, and this one positively drips with it. …Rich capably depicts the strength of women and the precariousness of their lives.” —The Globe and Mail (Canada)
“The Midwife of Venice is one of the best novels to be written in the genre of historical fiction since The Girl with the Pearl Earring.” —Blogcritics.org
Mirella
Posted Fri Mar 09 00:00:00 EST 2012
The Midwife of Venice is one of the best novels I’ve read. It is no wonder it became an International Bestseller. The novel is beautifully written; its simplicity makes it delightful to read and allows the reader to immerse themselves completely into the story seamlessly.
There are numerous novels written with Venice as a backdrop, but author Roberta Rich sweeps us into a lesser known and darker side of the city’s majestic history – the plight of the Jews who lived there. In a city that was famous for its port and used to exotic people and trade, it caught me by surprise how racist and prejudiced the people were against the Jews at the time.
Not only did the author do a great deal of research into Venice and its historical details, she also delved into the ancient skills and beliefs of midwifery. Kidnapping, murder, superstition, birthing spoons, and the plague grace the pages of this exciting new novel. The heroine is likeable and believable, but more importantly, fascinating. There are tragic scenes along with joyous ones as the story takes you from one event to another. There is never a moment of boredom. The pace is quick, the story unencumbered with too much narrative or description.
For me, this book is a definite keeper and now sits on my shelf along with my other most cherished books. I highly recommend it, for it is sure to please!
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.The Midwife of Venice is a historically set novel that brings us deep into the life of Hannah and Issac, a childless couple of the late 1500's. Hannah is a midwife, and Issac is a merchant who has been taken captive. Without a way to raise his ransom Hannah is left in their Venetian home (the ghetto where Jews are forced to live) to fend for herself.
One fateful evening she finds herself roused from her bed, and begged to attend to the Conte's wife who has been laboring for days. While delivering babies, difficult babies, is a specialty of Hannah's, it is illegal for a Jewish woman (or man) to attend to a Christian. She will risk not only her own life, but also her husband's and those who reside in the ghetto if she accepts.
Will Hannah break Papal law in order to save the man she loves? If the baby dies will the Conte hold her responsible? Can Issac survive the life of a slave, beaten and starved, until Hannah can raise the ransom?
Refreshing, informative, historical, and downright touching are the words that come to mind when I think back to the words that graced the pages of this phenomenal romance novel. I enjoyed the religious history as well as the extensive descriptiveness to the point where I may never look at salt, the ocean, or even a silk worm the same way again.
The character development was excellent, and I found myself really connecting with Hannah. I think most women will on some level. She wasn't extraordinary, but she was bright and she had drive. Even when faced with doing the right thing (and breaking the laws of the Catholic Church) Hannah chose to take a leap. These choices continue as the book progresses, but I don't want to give too much away.
Roberta Rich is an author I plan to start following, while I love my paranormal and fantasy reads, I have always loved historical romance. There is something about stepping back in time, and walking in another person's shoes. At times I find them far more interesting than boring lessons we learned back in school. If only more books graced our desks, than perhaps more would come to love the times that have passed us by, and possibly less would be forgotten about how life used to be.
Originally Reviewed at:Mother/Gamer/Writer
Reviewer: Heather
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.reececo331
Posted Mon Apr 23 00:00:00 EDT 2012
This book is a great gift on Mother’s Day, celebrating our mutual humanity. The Midwife of Venice, A dynamic book, written from two points of view, about Hannah and her husband Issac Levi. Both characters are Jewish middle class living in the ghetto of the wandering streets and canals of Venice, Italy. Hannah is an inspirational caring Midwife. Who works diligently, to save the lives of her patients, and the children she helps bring into the world. In an attempt to find a new way that will help expectant mothers and their children through the process of Confinement she makes a new device that may cause her problems. Then Issac who attempts to elevate his family’s fortune by a perilous journey to sea is captured. He is ransomed for a large sum of money, Hannah is unable to obtain. She risks her life, and the lives of the people in the ghetto to raise the money to save her beloved husband. Only to be caught up in a crime that will endanger them more.
Through her struggle you will find the marks of humanity. The attempt of life preservation and family inheritance is a dichotomous war of will. Can Hannah stand up for her profession, her people, her husband, and her poor patient? Will she be able to save the mother, and child? Will her gamble allow her to see her husband again?
The story is very educational about Jewish tradition, and historical facts of the persecution of the Jewish citizens of Italy. His book teaches how tolerance would enable freedom, while persecution will only lead to problems for those oppressed and those whom oppress.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Tue Mar 26 00:00:00 EDT 2013
Good story. Easy read. Fast read. Worth reading. Had an enjoyable time readjng this book. Not the best ending. Maybe not a literary masterpiece. While it was a good story, not that challenging of a book. Not the highest level of literary work.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.aquaria
Posted Sat Mar 23 00:00:00 EDT 2013
" The Midwife of Venice" was okay but it could have been so much better seeming like an outline for a real historical novel, you know, the kind that offer history, descriptions of settings, etc., subtle explanations of unmodern behavoirs, and so on, the kind of descriptions that give a vivid sense of place and time. Italy was soooo intriguing in this time period with beautiful art and architecture and most of that was just left out.If this author researched that completely, the writing really does not show it. Even the horrifying aspects were not explained and were handled kind of lightly, which i really did not like. Also the characters were mostly undeveloped. For example, Hannahs husband reminded one of a last century Jewish immigrant and not a citizen of the 1500s. As i said, this book was an outline for what could have been a deep and enriching novel, but if you want an easy read with under developed everything, this is it. I did afterall finish it!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Tue Mar 19 00:00:00 EDT 2013
I am in the field where babies are born so midwifery grabbed my attention. I like the way it is fairly accurate at how the process actually happens so bravo to our author for getting basic facts correct. The story is an easy read that keeps you wondering what will happen next.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Sat Jan 19 00:00:00 EST 2013
Fascinating subject, well-researched, reasonably rendered, but the storyline got quite melodramatic - hard to not react with skepticism (such as the scene at the ghetto abbatoir). Also, (this seems to not have come up in any other reviews, so maybe it's just me) I felt manipulated by the continual cliffhanger/switch-to-other-storyline. I ended up skipping chapters to follow Hannah, then starting over with Isaac's chapters.
Anonymous
Posted Wed Dec 19 00:00:00 EST 2012
I enjoyed this book from the first page. As there were some twists and turns it kept me on the edge of my seat. So much so that I had to finish it in one day to find out how it was going to end and would she find her husband. A few times I held my breath because I thought sure she was goint to caught and convicted because she was a Jew and was not supposed to help deliver any babies out of the Jewish section of the city.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Tue Nov 27 00:00:00 EST 2012
Loved the book. Well written and very interesting story line
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Fri Oct 05 00:00:00 EDT 2012
If you like historical fiction, major drama and have been to Venice, you will like this book.
The beginning is super engaging; I couldn't put it down. I must admit, as much as I enjoyed the book, the end was a bit predictable. With that said, It was a very good book and I have passed it on to many friends a suggested read.
Anonymous
Posted Sun Aug 26 00:00:00 EDT 2012
Great Story. lots of surprises. Highly recommended.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Wed Aug 15 00:00:00 EDT 2012
What a wonderful book. So well written!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Sat Jul 14 00:00:00 EDT 2012
Very disappointing. The plot is contrived to move the story along. The characters are very black-and-white with no depth. The freedom of thought and movement exercised by the main character (the midwife) is not convincingly supported given that the story is set in the 16th century. Overall, I was sorry I spent the time and money to read this. If you liked the description of this book (story, time, setting), try "The Mistress of the Art of Death" by Ariana Franklin instead. Much better story.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Tue Jul 10 00:00:00 EDT 2012
Loved the book. I could not put it down once I started. Burned the midnight oil with this page turner.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.EthelMae
Posted Fri Jul 06 00:00:00 EDT 2012
Once you started reading this book, it was hard to put down. Not only good story line, but also enjoyed the historical history. This is a book I will share with my fellow 'book readers'
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Icecream18JA
Posted Sat Jun 16 00:00:00 EDT 2012
Although it’s against the law for a Jew to give medical treatment to a Christian, Hannah Levi, the ghetto midwife, disobeys her rabbi to help a desperate, wealthy Conte and Contessa. Especially enticing for her is the money she gains; it could ransom her husband who had been enslaved in Malta. Rich alternates her storyline between Hannah in Venice and Isaac in Malta. Hannah and her sister Jessica, a Christian convert, attempt to keep the infant Matteo safe from his drinking, gambling uncles. While in Malta, Isaac uses his wits to remain alive, in order to return to his Hannah.
The history of Venice, Malta, and the social/religious laws of 1575 are fascinating to read about. Rich mentions that she did her homework; she also includes a list of further reading about this time period. Hannah is a multi-faceted character with so many great qualities. She is courageous, kind, sensible, cunning, responsible, respectful, independent, etc… Her thoughts and procedures when acting as midwife put me right in the room. The dialogue between Christians and Jews highlights the somewhat comical differences between the cultural practices of the two faiths. In the end, it is a Muslim woman who helps Hannah save Matteo. The characters, both those who stand in Hannah and Isaac’s way and those who help them, are well-developed and intriguing. The scary, dirty side of Venice adds menace and suspense. Midwife of Venice is a page-turner.
JenRenJM
Posted Fri Jun 08 00:00:00 EDT 2012
The Midwife of Venice is an excellent book, that I really enjoyed reading. I had a hard time rationalizing how women were treated in the Sixteenth-Century – with a mindset of today. I was also surprised at how one’s religious beliefs could ostracize and segregate.
I was grabbed from the first chapter, fascinated with the setting and the era.
The characters are well developed, and at times I could feel myself in Hannah’s place. She had to be so careful of every move she made, especially when she went to attend Lucia.
It was very clear to me that Isaac loves his wife very much, and even though he had opportunities for freedom – he never went against his principals nor his vows.
In this book, you will find the depth of a mother’s love and the lengths she will go to for a child…even if the child is not flesh of her flesh.
Totally gripping read that I had a hard time putting down.
Please enjoy this book…and to all Mother’s, I hope you have a wonderful day relaxing, and being pampered by your loved ones.
Happy Mother’s Day!!
rutele
Posted Mon May 28 00:00:00 EDT 2012
A very sweet good feel book. About LOVE, sacrifice and family. I highly recommend it for an easy read.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.THE MIDWIFE OF VENICE by Roberta Rich is an amazing historical fiction set in 16th century Venice. It follows midwife Hannah Levi,and her husband Issac,a sea merchant as they journey through the struggles of this era. With religious persecution,murder,sibling rivalry,faith,intrigue,treachery,the plague,midwife dangers,love,blackmail,and the struggle of a husband and wife to re-unite. “The Midwife Of Venice” will have you captivated from the first page to the last page. The author has captured the strength of women during this era with vivid descriptions and a rich cast of characters. You will not go wrong in reading this amazing tale of a Italian-Jewish Midwife,her struggles to survive,her desires to deliver healthy babies,have healthy mothers,and her new a delivery device(the spoon) . A wonderful debut. Be prepared to be transported back to the 1500′s, in this compelling story of women from centuries ago. Received for an honest review from the publisher.Details can be found at Galley Books,a division of Simon & Schuster,Inc., the author’s website, and My Book Addiction and More.
RATING: 4.5
HEAT:Sweet: No sex or scenes of physical intimacy except some kissing. No graphic violence or profanity.
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction and More
Anonymous
Posted Fri Mar 22 00:00:00 EDT 2013
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
Hannah Levi is renowned throughout Venice for her gift at coaxing reluctant babies from their mothers—a gift aided by the secret “birthing spoons” she designed. But when a count implores her to attend to his wife, who has been laboring for days to give birth to their firstborn son, Hannah is torn. A Papal edict forbids Jews from rendering medical treatment to Christians, but the payment he offers is enough to ransom her beloved husband, Isaac, who has been captured at sea. Can Hannah refuse her duty to a ...