The Midwife's Revolt by Jodi Daynard

The Midwife's Revolt by Jodi Daynard

The Midwife’s Revolt

Book length: 427 pagesAuthor: Jodi Daynard 
Content Notes: This is not a YA book, but YA readers would enjoy it especially if they are interested or studying the Revolutionary War





“I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could.”

Overview:
Lizzie, a young war widow and midwife who has to survive as she grieves for her husband. She becomes close to Abigail Adams and soon political events happen to make Lizzie fear for Abigail and her family. She becomes entangled in trying to protect her friend and her new nation.

My thoughts:
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. The historical aspects are interesting, the plot is intriguing, and the characters are delightful. It is about the Revolutionary War (1775) as told from the women's prospective.


The main character, Lizzie Boylston, is mostly an observer (as women were at that time) of the historical events during the Revolutionary War. She becomes a war widow early in the book, and could have moved in with her husband’s family and let her father-in-law take care of her. Instead, she stays in her own home and takes care of herself which was very brave for a woman at that time. She treats her responsibilities as a midwife and a healer as a calling and serves her community. She strives to take an active part in the historical events by dressing as a man, and although this is a bit dangerous she is still just viewing events. We modern women might think that “revolt” is not exactly what Lizzie does, but for her time period she is a true rebel. I have a new appreciation for the strong women who supported each other as they ached, agonized, and endured through this time period. Lizzy has a strong bond with Abigail Adams who lives near her and with other women who come into her life. The bond these women share reminds me of a very close sisterhood. I didn’t think I would like this book but I was wrong. I quickly got the second book in this series and enjoyed it as well.


This book would be fun to use in a book club to discuss women’s roles and women’s growth during war time in history.