Book Review: The Popish Midwife by Annelisa Christensen- Oct 2017

The Popish Midwife: A Tale of Treason, Prejudice and Betrayal was one of the books I was sent in an email from one of those "free e-book of the day" sites. I was struck by the interesting cover and decided to give it a go.

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    In all truth, I was excited to read it both because of the cover/synopsis, and because the author had very few reviews. As an Amazon author, I understand the value of each and every review.  Being a lover of historical fiction, and finding that this is based on true events, I was excited to delve into it. With it being free, what did I have to lose?

    I am not Catholic. I have never read a book with the protagonist being Catholic, and didn't know what to expect. I enjoy hearing the viewpoints of others, especially those who think differently than I do, and I was not disappointed by the story of Elizabeth Cellier. The free-thinking and courageous midwife goes against the societal grain in speaking out against wrongs beings swept under the rug by a crooked court system. Prisoners were being tortured--illegally--to suit those political and religious persons who could gain from their false testimonies or admissions. Catholics were heavily persecuted at the time and Elizabeth found herself on the receiving end of such

oppression once she gave (loud) voice to the wrongs being committed. But worse, one of the persons she wishes to aid in attaining freedom turns out to be more charming than her good senses could handle. She ends up in the big fat middle of a spider's web of her own making, and not only has to fight for the freedom of others, but for her own life.

Characters:

    The relationship between Elizabeth and her husband Pierre only serves to highlight the author's excellent character-development. Pierre is a lovable Frenchman who, older and in some ways wiser than his wife, loves her with every fiber of his being. Elizabeth, though by no means youthful, resists against her husband's good counsel on more than one occasion and I found myself wishing she'd been a somewhat more submissive wife. Although, had she, we wouldn't have had quite as interesting a tale! Elizabeth finds Captain Willoughby, the alluring captive she wishes to help free from the prison, most interesting and her reputation begins to be sullied by the friendship she offers him, but Pierre stands strong by her side even as she makes a fool of herself. I found myself torn between believing truth and lie at certain times in the story. Every character from those with large roles down to the barely mentioned were written well.

The Message:   

There were many lessons told in this book.

   

"If we could not prevent pain, we must suffer with those that had it," is a quote that sums Elizabeth's mission up in one sentence.

"There need be no more reason than my living to find cause against me, but living should not be reason to hide my beliefs, or the truth. If I do not stand up and speak out, they will only find another reason to persecute me. I may as well stand," and "My knowledge of this atrocity made it my duty to make something of it," show what lit the fire in her drive to see justice served.

    

    But she was more than a persecuted Catholic driven by charity to help those who couldn't help themselves. She was a mother of both grown children and young. She was a dedicated midwife determined to see the name of her profession cleared of its bad reputation. She strove to see mothers and children of all religions through safe pregnancy and delivery, though many opposed using a Catholic midwife.

Conclusion:

    The book was long: 453 pages long. There were times when the legal jargon of the time and the court hearings got to me, but they were necessary and I feel like I learned a great deal historically from this book. I also feel a stronger sympathy for those of all religions being treated unfairly. The cruelty of the Protestants at the time is shameful, and I felt such a strong draw to Elizabeth and her plight. It wasn't one of those books that I couldn't put down and finished in two days, but it was worth the week or so it took me to get through it. I give it 5 stars because: (1) I learned a great deal from it. (2) The author writes dialogue and historical fact in a way that makes you wonder when this book was written! (3) I will remember this story. 

This book is available on Amazon for free under Kindle Unlimited or for $3.99 for ebook purchase.

Content:

Language: mild name calling and several uses of "whore"

Sexual content: nothing graphic, but references were made

Violence: quite a bit but it was all completely necessary