4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting story..., May 2, 2007
This review is from: The Midwife of St. Petersburg (Paperback)
I liked this book, but it's definitely different from Chaikin's other books, in that there's not nearly as much romance or mystery in this one. That disappointed me, but I still enjoyed the book. The main thing thing that puzzled and rather frustrated me, though, was that the book didn't seem to end. I felt that there were a lot of loose ends, many situations unresolved. This book could have been way better if more of those loose ends were tied up, but then maybe there will be another book after this one? I would love to see more happen with Alex and Karena...
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8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a story rich in history..., April 11, 2007
This review is from: The Midwife of St. Petersburg (Paperback)
The story centers around Karena Peshkova. Her dream is to attend medical school. Each year she is disappointed when her acceptance doesn't come. She has to be content to work along side her mother who is also a midwife.
Then Karena and Natalia go to visit her wealthy cousin Tatiana. That is where Karena meets Colonel Aleksandr Kronstadt (Alex). They are immediately attracted to one another but can't act on those feelings as he is promised to Tatiana (it's not a love match but a political one).
After they return home Karena continues to see images of Alex, though she trys hard to push them aside.
This is the year she hopes for an opening in the school. Her brother Sergei is in love with Ivanna Lenski. Ivanna and her mother both work at the college that Karena wants to attend. In hopes of making contact with Ivanna she goes with her brother to a Bolshevik meeting. It gets out of hand and a Russian offical is killed. While fleeing the meeting so as not to be caught she is picked up by Dr. Kinnovy. He gives her an alibi. She feels she can trust him but she wonders why he would help her. (you find out later in the story).
They investigate her brother who is very vocal against his countries ways. They blame Sergei and Ivanna's brother for the Russians death. To avoid Sergei going to prison, Sergei's father confesses to be the Bolshevik leader.
From that point on much trouble comes to the Peshkova family. All the while from afar Alex is looking out for them especially Karena. Many family secrets arise and danger is knocking on the door. Will Alex and Karena ever get to declare their feelings for one another?
This book was rich in historical content as well as rich in characters. You fall in love with Karena's spirit and determination and loyality. You fall in love with Alex who is a wonderful hero. You feel as if you are part of the family as you're drawn into the story and go through each trial with them.
I loved the story and had a hard time putting it down. It keeps you involved the who way through.
Great job Linda!
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
More Stars Please, June 12, 2007
This review is from: The Midwife of St. Petersburg (Paperback)
In my opinion, Linda Chaikin writes for 2 genres. One is the fast-paced world of intrigue with highly woven plots and characters (The Buccaneers, Silk House, Heart of India). The other is slightly more relaxed with deep detail and characters who think before they act (Lions of the Desert, East of the Sun). This book falls into the realm of the second, and is a highly entertaining and evocative read.
In respect to the other reviews listed here, yes there are some moments where the text repeats, but possibly this is a help to the reader who cruises through a book, rather than a speed-freak like myself who can't wait to get to the end and find out what happened and blazes through it in under 24hrs. Every author has his or her own foibles, no matter who they are. It's worth 'forgiving' this for the sake of what's going on. Keep in mind also that Aussies don't think like Americans, Americans don't think like Russians, and Russians don't think like Jews. There are valid reasons behind the behaviour of the characters here. To me the style of the book made perfect sense and the pace was beautiful. Too quick, and you fail to 'feel'. A good book is about more than a fleeting mental pleasure.
If you want a quickie romance with passionate love affairs and unrealistic time spans, go and get a novella. The Midwife of St Petersberg is a story with integrity and passion for the long haul, and the characters are treading carefully. Some men and women (Micheal W Smith's biography) share a glance and 'know'they have found their Mr or Mrs Right. Other people can take ten times longer. Still others rush into flings and get themselves in a whole lot of trouble...
Beside the point. I found the story clipped, and see that Chaikin is toning back her long descriptives in favour of urging the story along at a pace with realism that is highly plausible. This book is about more than romance. It's about relationship, deception, truth and what we all want to fight for when government does its people wrong. Karena's own spiritual journey develops in this book, and I am quite certain we shall see one if not two more installments here, hence, what some readers refer to as 'unanswered questions' and loose ends.
At the risk off too much dialogue about author technique, the story goes as follows: Karena is the daughter of a Russian Wheat farmer and has a brother and a sister and numerous cousins. She ventures to cousin Tatiana's house first where she meets Aleksander, or Alex. Their attraction is instant though they talk themselves out of it due to circumstance. Karena's brother ends up in a whole lot of trouble with the law as a Bolshevik, and later she is caught up in his web, ending with dire circumstances when their father, Josef, all but sacrifices himself so that Sergei can have a life. Alex's part to play is as Colonel, for the time being, and his step-mother helps him out with 'spy matters', since she also is a spy and is one of the few he can confide in. The situation for Karena changes numerous times in the space of hours, and her life is thrown into a spin. What would you do if everything you loved was suddenly ripped away?
Karena has several encounters with Alex, as well as the 'troublemakers' of the story. The character details do help define the people and certainly shows who they are and what they are not. Some of it is rather blunt, and shows just how stupid people can be, even when the truth is right before their eyes.
I hesitate to say too much and reveal all the secrets, or else, if you read the reviews here you might be disappointed with knowing everything! :) Suffice it to say, there is a kind of "Book #1" ending about it. It is a semi-cliff hanger not devoid of hope or promise. Karena's own mother is probably holding the biggest bomb of all to drop, at this stage.
Yes, it is a good read. A great read. It does deserve the time of day, but I also suggest you keep in mind not only what kind of things you love, but also to try something a little different. This is meant to be more than your average fiction romance. I considered it very smooth, and I can't wait for the next one!
Way to go LLC! :)
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