So, I chose The Midwife’s Revolt by Jodi Daynard as my 10th book in the Goodreads Reading Challenge.

‘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.’ (taken from Amazon)

Whilst I do love a historical novel, I know very little about the American Revolution and so could not even begin to comment on the factual correctness of this novel.  However, I loved the story of Lizzie Boylston, as she learns to live in a world without her new husband and find her way as a midwife and healer in a new town full of suspicion and loss.  The historical backdrop of the American Revolution just added to the intensity of the novel, and Lizzie’s knowledge of healing and midwifery are fitting of the time period.  Naturally this knowledge was met with suspicion as people were wary of such witch-like qualities, particularly in a woman, however as she begins to heal people and deliver healthy babies in difficult situations she finds her place in the small town as it is rocked by conspiracies, loss and war.

I am sure that fans of American history will love this novel, but I can wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone, even those without the prior historical knowledge.  It is not a light read, so don’t read it if that is what you looking for.  However, if you are looking for a novel that you can fully immerse yourself in, where you can learn not only about a time period but also about how people felt and acted in such a turbulent time then I definitely recommend this book.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5