The Midwife's Revolt

by Jodi Daynard

Overview

On a dark night in 1775, Lizzie Boylston is awakened by the sound of cannons. From a hill south of Boston, she watches as fires burn in Charlestown, in a battle that she soon discovers has claimed her husband’s life.

Alone in a new town, Lizzie grieves privately but takes comfort in her deepening friendship with Abigail Adams. Soon, word spreads of Lizzie’s extraordinary midwifery and healing skills, and she begins to channel her grief into caring for those who need her. But when two traveling patriots are poisoned, Lizzie finds herself with far more complicated matters on her hands—she suspects a political plot intended to harm Abigail and her family. Determined to uncover the truth, Lizzie becomes entangled in a conspiracy that could not only destroy her livelihood—and her chance at finding love again—but also lead to the downfall of a new nation.

Revised edition: This edition of The Midwife's Revolt includes editorial revisions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781477828007
Publisher:	Amazon Publishing
Publication date:	04/07/2015
Series:	The Midwife , #1
Pages:	426
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.00(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Jodi Daynard is a writer of fiction, essays, and criticism. Her work has appeared in numerous periodicals, including the New York Times Book Review, the Village Voice, the Paris Review, AGNI, and the New England Review, as well as several anthologies. She is the author of The Place Within: Portraits of the American Landscape by 20 Contemporary Writers and the translator and editor of Gaito Gazdanov’s An Evening with Claire. Daynard’s work has received notable mentions in Best American Essays as well as Pushcart Prize nominations. She has taught writing at Harvard University, at MIT, and in the MFA program at Emerson College.

Editorial Reviews

Julia Whelan narrates this first-person historical fiction about a Revolutionary War widow. A contemporary of Abigail Adams, Lizzie Boylston finds a new calling in nursing injured soldiers and delivering babies after her young husband succumbs to battle. Whelan portrays Lizzie’s unconventional zest—riding astride rather than side saddle, shouldering the chores of the farm—but also the fragile assurance that carries her through her grief. When Lizzie suspects a political scheme is underway to harm Abigail and her family, Whelan dramatizes Lizzie’s resolve to put a stop to it. In conversations, Whelan’s renderings of key characters are engaging, though some of the dialogue between Lizzie and Abigail doesn’t clearly distinguish between the two. Overall, Whelan’s lively pace carries the listener through a few slow sections, resulting in a satisfying historical story. N.M.C. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine

MAY 2015 - AudioFile

Daynard, in her debut historical novel, delivers an epic tale of one courageous woman's adventures during the Revolutionary War. It's 1775, and Lizzie Boylston, a newlywed living in Braintree, Mass., finds herself alone in the world after her husband dies in battle. Drawing upon her own fierce intelligence, Lizzie shakes off her grief to create a new life for herself. Lizzie uses her knowledge of medicine to become a midwife who aids women during difficult, high-risk deliveries. The kind and witty Abigail Adams--the wife of Founding Father John Adams--gives Lizzie encouragement and support and proves herself a caring, loyal friend. Lizzie sets aside her envy of Abigail's marriage, and of other women's children and families, as she becomes stronger and more self-assured. However, Lizzie's freedom is put to the test when a man endeavors to court her. Meanwhile, after Lizzie suspects her friend Martha of being a spy for the British, she longs to take part in the colonial cause in any way she can. She finds the strength and courage to become a spy herself and risks everything for her country. Daynard's dramatic tale cleverly parallels the story of a woman establishing her independence with that of America finding its own, and her portrayal of Lizzie and Abigail's friendship is particularly endearing. This humorous, exciting and touching story retells the familiar saga of the Revolutionary War in a stunning new way that feels fresh and alive, and Lizzie emerges as a dynamic heroine who pushes against the boundaries of her time. A clever story of sacrifice and glory during America's fight for independence.

Kirkus Reviews