2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The real "world's oldest profession", May 2, 2005
When I first heard of the concept of this book I was skeptical. Another children's book about midwifery? Goodness me, didn't we already have "The Midwife's Apprentice" to fill that particular gap? Why on earth would the world need more than one book on the painful process of birthing babies? But after a moment of such ludicrous thoughts, I came to my senses. After all, we're talking about one of the most difficult and underappreciated professions in the world. The kind of job that's never received the respect of the medical community (in spite of having preceded it) or even the general modern populace. And this is the kind of job that's universal. Wherever there are humans, there are midwives. Heck, thinking in such terms as that, it's amazing that there aren't MORE children's books about it. Where's the Chinese midwife tale? The Roman? The Pict? Till such stories come, we must be content with what we have. And what we have is a lovely little number called, "Miss Violet and Me". A slim 100 page novella, the book had its flaws and fumbles, but altogether it's a good egg. A nice little tale.
Viney hasn't a clue where babies come from. All she knows from experience is that once in a while her mama gets fat and then the amazing Missy Violet comes in the house and leaves them with a beautiful new baby. Unfortunately, Missy doesn't work for free and Viney's father owes her a child or two. The fairest method of payment turns out to be Viney herself. Turned into Missy Violet's own personal helper, Viney has the joyful task of going out and helping her idol "catch a baby" or two. In the process, she learns the truth of birth, how to cope in difficult situations, and eventually how to save the day. Set in the rural South around the 1930s, the book tells short enjoyable tales about the rarely recorded lives of African-American midwives.
I commend the book fully for its subject matter. First time author Barbara Hathaway based the tales on the stories told by her mother about a relative who'd served as a southern midwife in the 30s. Through the book we get a peek into the inner workings of those professionals that relied on useful herbs and home remedies to produce healthy babies and mothers. Unfortunately, the book is only 100 pages. Just as you begin to learn a little more about Missy Violet and Viney, the book stops with a screech. I couldn't help but feel that there was so much more to say in this story. So much more to tell. Also, I got the really clear sense that white people get off pretty darn easily. Every white person in this book seems to be exceptionally broadminded towards their African-American neighbors. There's hardly a whiff of prejudice, let alone Jim Crow. And though I probably wouldn't have wanted the book to indulge in lengthy speeches against the evils of the world, a little realistic glimpse into just how HARD it was to be black in the South in the 30s wouldn't have been out of place.
So credit towards a great story and interesting characters. Points off for an overabundance of nice whites and zippo recognition of the reality of the setting. As a first book, "Missy Violet and Me" has lovely potential. Author Hathaway is certain to produce more fine books in the future. Here's hoping they're longer.
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